Linda Townsend, Founder
Linda Townsend had a vision – to bring together the many facets of holistic wellness to one location to meet a growing and unfulfilled need in Metrowest.
Linda called upon her extensive background in the corporate environment, as well as her wellness knowledge and experience, to create an ideal sanctuary and community where individuals of any age and fitness level can find balance, purpose and well-being. She graduated as Valedictorian when she received her MBA from Northeastern University, has a BA in Journalism from Northeastern University and later received a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from William James College.
After starting her career as a newspaper and television journalist, then leading marketing and sales teams for several high-tech companies, Linda was recognized for her work in the Young Presidents Organization, an international organization of more than 9,000 CEOs, for outstanding work building and facilitating peer groups. Trying to balance her career while raising three young children, she became attuned to the importance of consistent self-care (you must put on your own oxygen mask first before you can help others!), which led her to become a certified yoga instructor in 2007 and then an executive and life coach. Linda connected with business leaders and wellness gurus to manifest her dream for Release.
Linda lives in Westborough, Massachusetts with her husband and three sons, and remains active in yoga, mindfulness, coaching, reading, gardening and volunteering.
Ann Andrews, Human Resources Manager
Ann Andrews brings her lifelong passion for nutrition and fitness to Release. After graduating from Princeton with a major in Psychology and minor in Women’s Studies, Ann dedicated 11 years to a career in actuarial and employee benefits consulting. After the birth of her son 18 years ago, she left the corporate environment to become a full-time mom. Since then she has immersed herself in the lives of her two children and watched them blossom into young adults. In her primary role as a nurturing caregiver, her focus was to create a peaceful sanctuary of compassion, positivity, well-being and joy.
About 6 years ago Ann accompanied a friend to a yoga class that ignited her personal practice and the eventual understanding that in addition to sustaining and motivating her, a consistent yoga practice infused her life with considerable steadiness and calm. Similarly, just over a year ago she began a regular meditation practice which has become a valuable complement to yoga. Her transformative yoga journey has led her to the realization that, although her son and daughter are poised to take flight on their own in a few short years, she can remain dedicated to her primary role as a compassionate caregiver. At Release, she looks forward to participating in the wellness journeys of our guests as they commit to a broad, holistic and multi-faceted approach to wellness that will encompass healthy nutrition, fitness, yoga, meditation and self-care. With a mindful focus on overall well-being – harmonizing body, mind and soul – she believes we can all embrace the dynamic flow of life and bring to light a healthy sense of balance, self-awareness, fulfillment, abundance and joy.
Emily Collins, Guest Services Manager
Emily Collins brings 15 years of operations management and leadership in fitness education to Release Well-Being Center.
Emily’s experience managing the production of daily music performances for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Ravinia Festival in Illinois helped her develop a strong appreciation of the moving parts that have to work in unison to deliver a world class customer experience.
After leaving the world of Performing Arts, Emily built a career around her passion to promote healthy living in the community through Corrective Exercise and individual fitness programs. As the founder of Infinite Fitness in Northborough, Emily’s philosophy was centered on helping clients realize the long-term benefits from exercising mindfully. She helped her clients develop a regular commitment to holistic well-being and quickly understood the need for an ongoing positive experience to maintain the desire to stay healthy.
The opportunity to serve as Guest Services Manager for Release is a natural fit for Emily’s background. She is excited to ensure an unmatched level of service and experience for all of Release’s guests and to deliver the powerful benefits of mindful and healthy living.
Lauren Brule, Assistant Guest Services Manager
Lauren is a “boroughs” native who migrated to the southwest to explore her love for adventure, the environment and education. During her time in Arizona she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts degree with an emphasis on Ecological Design and Visual Arts at Prescott College. Upon graduating, she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and ran the city’s community outreach program for glass recycling, taught environmental education youth programs at Red Butte Botanic Garden and worked as a ski technician at Alta Ski Area. But with her roots in New England, Lauren moved back to focus on and follow her intrinsic passion for holistic health, mindfulness, sustainability and most importantly, family.
The simple quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world” resonates deeply with Lauren, as she believes that to make positive and effective change on a global scale, we must begin to learn how to be kind and good to ourselves first.
At Release, Lauren is a part of the Guest Services Team. Her aim is to ensure that each guest’s journey towards wellness is positive, meaningful, and easy!
Leah Ammon, Fitness Manager
Leah Ammon’s fitness journey started after she had her 2 kids (Grace and Colin)….. She decided that if she only had one hour a day to workout it better be amazing. After taking a few SPIN classes she decided she could not only push herself, but could motivate others. She has loved teaching SPIN ever since! Besides teaching SPIN, she teaches Barre, Kickboxing, Bootcamp classes, TRX, and Pilates. She also ran 3 marathons (NYC, San Diego, and Boston). SPIN is her passion… she tells her students to let themselves get lost in the music and they can push through any hill!
Inspirational quote – Be Healthy, Be Proud, Be Happy, Be Strong and don’t doubt yourself…
Mary Pergola, Coaching Manager
As far back as she can remember Mary has been fascinated with the human psyche and its connection to the body. It is because of her desire to learn more about this connection that she has been committed to her own health and wellness. Mary loves meeting new people and learning as much as possible about them in order to help them realize their best potential in regards to their own health and wellness.
Because of her commitment to health and wellness and her curiosity about other people, along with her background in Health Communication and Promotion, she has discovered the field of Health & Wellness Coaching.
Mary has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Providence College and a Master of Arts degree in Health Communication from Tufts University/Emerson College. She is certified as a Health & Wellness Coach and has over 15 years experience in the fields of health promotion, worksite wellness and disease management.
Mary lives in Shrewsbury with her husband and three children. She loves to run, do yoga, ski, hike, travel and basically participate in anything active, especially with her family.
Robin Bachant- LMT, Spa Operation Manager
Robin graduated from Spa tech Institute in 2000. She owned and operated her own spa and wellnes center for 8 years. Her unique style integrates training in several Western and Eastern modalities including Swedish, Deep tissue and Trigger Point style massage,doTerra’s signature massage, myofascial, connective tissue release, Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki 2nd Degree Reiki (USui and Karuna). and Polarity therapy.
She believes massage and energy work can help unify and aid in healing the whole self. Using a combination of fluid motion, nurturing touch and symmetry, she creates a relaxed state in the body and mind while tending to each client’s individual needs. She applies a mixture deep tissue, myofascial techniques and trigger point therapy to release muscle tension. She also uses the intuitive art of Reiki to move energy and balance the chakras.Robin also loves working with Himalayan hot stones in service, appreciating their grounding influence in a treatment.
Robin believes we all contain the innate capability to heal and uses an intuitive approach to create the ideal environment for your body to unwind. Through compassionate and careful listening she addresses physical and energetic issues, gently ushering your body toward its own natural healing abilities and opening up the potential for deep releasing of all kinds. She strives to make each session on her table meaningful for your life that day, guiding your body toward peace, balance and relaxation.
Danielle Williams, Licensed Esthetician and Spa Operations Manager
After working for 8 years in some of Boston’s largest companies, Danielle decided to change her path and follow her passion for skin health. Danielle brings 16 years’ experience as an Esthetician to Release Well-Being Center. She is the Esthetic Lead as well as the Spa Operations Manager at Release Well-Being Center. She believes in the alignment between healthy living and proper skin care. Danielle meets the needs of each guest by customizing each Guest’s facial to help them achieve better confidence with their skin. Guests will be better informed on how to maintain their skin with a customized at-home skin regimen. Danielle enjoys working with each Guest to guide them towards their long term skin care goals. Danielle feels grateful to work beside this special team of talented, warm and encouraging people at Release Well-Being Center.