Meet The Team

Dr.Tami J. Recesso

PT, DPT, MPT

Margaryt "Maggie" McGarry

PTA

Catherine Caissie

PTA

Samantha MacDonald

Pilates Sessions, Personal Training & Health/Wellness Coaching

Frank Paolini

Personal Training

Elizabeth "Liz" Smith

Personal Training

Susan Whelan

Pilates Sessions

Aimee DeRoehn

Yoga, Reiki & Coaching

Carolyn Lake

Personal Training

Margaryt "Maggie" McGarry

Maggie McGarry is a licensed board-certified physical therapy assistant who specializes in not only satisfying your physical therapy needs, but making you feel good about it. She has a gentle touch with a determined nature… she wants you not only to get better but to feel better! Her skills and sunny disposition are pointed in the direction of you feeling better about yourself and your therapy!

Catherine Caissie

Catherine is a dedicated healthcare professional with dual licenses in massage therapy and physical therapy as an assistant.

Her interest in massage therapy was sparked during her time as a Physical Therapy Assistant, where she witnessed firsthand the profound impact manual therapy can have on clients’ lives. This inspired her to pursue a career in massage therapy, deepening her commitment to other’s holistic well-being.

Catherine specializes in postural restoration and through her training in this approach, she has adapted her massage techniques to include manual therapy methods such as strain-counterstrain and deep tissue promoting a neuro-muscular response. This adaptive approach allows her to alleviate symptoms effectively, and can be used also when deep pressure is not tolerated or when clients’ central nervous systems are charged up.

Catherine believes in the importance of medical relaxation. She utilizes modalities that promote this, including Swedish massage, hot stone, or hot salt stone therapies, creating a soothing experience that fosters relaxation and overall well-being. She is currently getting certified in lymphatic drainage, and can soon be offering this as well. 

Outside of her professional life, Catherine enjoys music, outdoors and water activities.  

Samantha MacDonald

Samantha MacDonald is a dynamic health and life coach, and a highly skilled personal trainer dedicated to helping individuals transform their lives through fitness, nutrition, and personal development.

Samantha’s journey into the world of wellness began with a successful career as a professional cheerleader for the Columbus Crew Soccer Team and as a professional dancer for the Ohio Machine Lacrosse Dance Team. She made her mark as a choreographer, coach and mentor as she took on roles as Color Guard Instructor and Personal Trainer where her passion for helping others grew.

Samantha’s fitness philosophy is rooted in the “whole person approach.” She firmly believes that investing in your health and fitness will lead to success in all aspects of your life. Her fundamental conviction is that everyone possesses the potential to achieve the life and goals they desire. As a coach, her primary mission is to empower her clients to unlock this potential, helping them attain the body and life they aspire to.

Recognizing that each individual is unique, Samantha embraces the notion that what works for one person may not work for another. Her role as a coach is to assist her clients in discovering the strategies and approaches most effective for their specific needs and bodies.

Samantha offers a comprehensive suite of services that encompass custom workout plans, personalized nutrition recommendations, life and wellness coaching, and unwavering accountability and motivation. With her guidance, clients embark on a transformative journey towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Samantha MacDonald is an accomplished professional and dedicated coach, and mentor committed to helping individual unlock their true potential and achieve their dreams of health and wellness. Whether you’re striving for better fitness, improved nutrition, or a more fulfilling life, Samantha’s expertise and unwavering support make her an invaluable partner on your journey to self-improvement.

Frank Paolini

Frank’s passion for health, fitness, and self-improvement began at the age of 13, inspired by watching his mother perform chair exercises with Jack LaLanne on TV.

As a young, undersized kid, he was determined to get stronger for football and to stand up to his bullies. His journey led him to study Okinawan Uechi Ryu Karate, develop boxing skills at the West End Gym, and explore wrestling. His natural athleticism was recognized in high school when he was scouted for the gymnastics team after performing multiple front handsprings and flips. Along the way, he gained experience through wrestling during his time working at the DPW in Tewksbury, MA.

Frank’s deep knowledge of physical improvement is rooted in years of independent research and hands-on experience. After being inspired by his father’s treatment for a chronic back condition (which Frank inherited) and learning the benefits of spinal manipulation and alignment, he became a Physical Therapy Assistant. Despite Frank being told he’d never lift more than 35lbs and would need a walker by age 55, Frank defied the odds and, at age 60, performed an iron cross on gymnastic rings. His education includes studies at UMass Lowell, Northern Essex Community College, and Castle College, but he credits his expertise to real-world application and a belief in testing techniques on himself before sharing them with others.

Frank’s training journey took him to Southern California, where he trained at the original Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, learning from legendary bodybuilders like Mike Mentzer and Robbie Robinson. After returning home, he competed in a National Invitational Powerlifting Meet, earning second place in the 181lb division without a coach or performance-enhancing drugs. Later in life, Frank embraced distance running, completing several races, including the Sandown 10k and Danielle 4-Mile, to improve his health. A lifelong learner, Frank continues to study various training methods, believing that “what’s old is new, and what’s new is old.” If you’re looking for a personalized fitness program designed specifically for you, Frank is committed to helping you achieve your goals!

“What motivates me, is leaving my clients in a better place than where they were before I met them.” – Frank Paolini

Elizabeth "Liz" Smith

My name is Liz Smith, an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer.

Fitness has been a passion of mine for many years. From playing sports throughout school, to diving into strength training, running my own studio, and eventually becoming a kickboxing trainer.

I’ve always found new ways to challenge myself. Fitness has not only helped me grow physically, but it’s also been a powerful mental outlet. There’s truly nothing like the feeling after a great workout – it enhances the good days and makes the tough ones a little easier to handle.

Being a trainer is incredibly fulfilling. Watching my clients hit goals they once thought were impossible and seeing them grow stronger with each session is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

If you’re ready to push yourself, improve, and take your fitness journey to the next level, book a session with me today, and let’s get started!”

Susan Whelan

Susan Whelan is the mother of three children ranging in ages 26-18. She has always been active but found the typical gym routine was just not enough. She wanted to try something new and signed up for a pilates reformer trial class and fell in love. After discovering pilates she realized that it was not always about powering through the exercise but listening to your body. It was about the principles of pilates that made a difference.

While taking classes, Susan was hooked and knew that she wanted to teach others about her new passion. Susan started her Pilates certification through Balanced Body in Belmont, MA. Studying under Master trainer Zayna Gold, and completed Mat 1, Mat 2 & Mat 3, Reformer 1, Reformer 2 & Reformer 3, as well as Anatomy. She has been practicing pilates for several years. Susan is inspired by the changes that she sees in clients whether it be building strength in both mind and body, strengthening their core, improving balance, increasing coordination and decreasing stress. She wants to make pilates a fun and safe environment for everyone. “I am excited to teach and empower others through pilates.”

If you don’t see Susan teaching you will find her selling Real Estate. Susan has been a Realtor for 10 years and helps her clients buy and sell in Mass and NH. Susan resides in Atkinson, with her two dogs, Mocha a 16 year old Havanese, and her almost 4 year old Golden Doodle named Maizie. Other interests include, barre classes, Lifting weights, biking, running and walks on the beach and traveling.”

Aimee DeRoehn

I’m so happy you found me, yogi! My name is Aimee DeRoehn. I’m a longtime Vinyasa flow Teacher, Master Reiki Healer/Teacher, and Intuitive Life/Trauma coach.

 Even after 20 yrs of teaching yoga, I still come alive teaching a down dog. I cheer students on like no other. I want you to feel good about yourself- On and off the mat. 

Ironically, my own way to yoga didn’t come naturally or easily. I was the last kid picked in gym class, super uncoordinated, awkward, and socially intimidated by group fitness. I thought exercise and fitness might be for everyone BUT me. As a teen, I found a connection to Tae-Kwon-Do, & later, I found “home” in weight training, running, and boxing. Indeed, I struggled with the lat-pulldown bar, but in time squatted 400lbs, aced a speed bag, and ran miles twice daily. Until the day I couldn’t. Life changing events took me down. I felt lost & to overwhelmed to know how to navigate. Far worse, I couldn’t exercise. All that strength and empowerment didn’t seem to match grief, exhaustion, & deep vulnerability. I couldn’t shrug off, bounce back, or bench press my way out of such pain.

 Desperate to move and calm my anxious mind, I crawled to a yoga mat. I knew absolutely nothing about it, but I felt slightly better. I kept practicing. I made my mat my discipline, a foundation even as my world kept coming apart. I began to put myself back together inside.

 I made yoga a daily practice & eventually, my way back. I didn’t just change physically. I found the strength and courage to go within and examine how yoga could assist PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, and panic. I grieved a lot. I also began coaching myself through each day, wrote myself a guide, read & researched all I could on yoga, long before training and teaching with the best of THE best. My children were my WHY in all of that time, & kept me anchored to a yoga journey of self-healing that gave me access not only to strength, flexibility, but a new narrative. It brought me real healing, broader perspective, self-compassion, deeper insights, and wisdom in what began from only pain.

Through yoga, I came to know genuine joy, hope, and a real belly laugh with my kids at the dinner table. My path helped me to know it started with me but was meant for many. I learned my callings & original story only filled  me with unique depth as a teacher.

It makes teaching YOU next level sacred, & more humbling!! Blessed to train with Baron Baptiste & the BPYI team, Seane Corn, and Phoenix Rising. Only doubly blessed to find refuge in the heart, & teachings of Claire Este McDonald, Brandon Compagnone, and Seane Corn & encouraged to uncover my own voice and style.

When I am not teaching, I just like to be with my family the absolute most & with my first new grandchildren. I hope my yoga, meditations and Reiki are where you too can find a refuge for your human spirit & fill your own cup. Come simply to just breathe easier, move your body, be inspired, and kinder to yourself. Then, return to your world just a little better than I found you & bring your “good self” back to others

Carolyn Lake

With over two decades of experience in the fitness and wellness industry, I have had the privilege of working in various roles, ranging from fitness trainer and coach to director, and even owning and operating a gym for ten years.

Since 2004, my passion for helping others achieve their health goals has been the driving force behind my career. As I step into my new role at We Got Your Back PT, Pilates & Wellness , I bring with me a wealth of experience and knowledge, and I’m committed to using that expertise to support individuals on their journey to wellness. I am excited to contribute to the team and help others thrive.