What is Towpath Fitness All About?

Towpath Fitness is a veteran and female-owned gym. Towpath was founded in 2015 and officially opened in January 2016.  It is dedicated to lowering the barriers to fitness for all. It offers a variety of classes and events to keep members engaged in a lifetime of health and fitness. 

Early in 2024, Coach Joe took ownership with his friend and business partner Coach Caitlin. The new ownership team will continue to focus on the community-first mindset. In addition to the community focus, Joe and Caitlin will work to increase the benefits that Towpath Fitness offers its membership base.

Coach Dan & Evan

Our Team

Meet the owners and coaches that make TPF possible!

Joseph Fischer

Owner & Coach

Joe joined Towpath in April 2017 after being dragged to several classes.  His fitness journey started in childhood with playing soccer. In his six years of service in the Air Force, he became a physical training leader as well as unit fitness program manager.

He worked as a zookeeper for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo from 2017 to 2022.  Joe earned his CFL1 in January 2021. Joe looks forward to encouraging and empowering athletes of all levels. Outside of the gym, Joe enjoys reading, playing D&D, and being a giant nerd.

Caitlin Whealy

Owner & Olympic Weightlifting Coach

Coach Caitlin has been a lifelong athlete, participating in various sports. Her first love was volleyball, but she transitioned to CrossFit in 2013. Eventually, she transitioned to weightlifting exclusively in 2018. Since then, she has won three Ohio Weightlifting State Championships (1 senior, 2 masters). Caitlin has lifted in four USAW National Championships. She has also consistently ranked within the top 20 nationally.

 When she isn't coaching or working, she is chasing around her daughter Eliza, reading, playing video games, or building with Legos.

 

Dan Fossa

Coach/Master Programmer

Coach Dan has diverse experience as a health & fitness personal trainer, and coach. No matter what the objective is, growth is always the goal.

Dan played Division III football for Heidelberg College. He also attended John Carroll University, where he received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Sports Management – Fitness Concentration, and his Master’s Degree in Education. Dan attended Aurora High School where he excelledin both football and baseball.

In Dan's free time, you’ll find him playing volleyball, enjoying Cleveland’s local restaurants and breweries, festivities and sporting events or on the lake with friends, family, and his wife, Marnie.

Eileen Middleton

Coach

Eileen has been an athlete since she was 8 years old. She ran track and cross country, and continued running through college for Tiffin University, while earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Following her collegiate career, she competed in several half marathons. Eileen found that same competitive drive and high intensity feeling she felt previously. 

CrossFit forever changed Eileen's life in 2012. It helped her take control of her anxiety disorder, as well as learn how to strengthen her entire body. The amazing community of friends she found helped her deal with the death of her father. Eventually, she also met her husband Evan. 

In 2019 she began coaching at Towpathas well as completing her certification in Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism. Eileen has been coaching pregnant and postpartum athletes ever since.

Evan Middleton

Coach

Evan has done CrossFit since 2012, and coached since 2013. Evan is one of the original founders of Towpath Fitness. His fitness journey started in graduate school at Kent State thanks to his brother, Scott. Following grad school, Evan tried CrossFit, falling in love with it. Eventually, he started coaching. Evan and his brother opened Towpath Fitness in 2016.

When not coaching or working out, Evan plays Volleyball, and enjoys running, biking or enjoying a rest day. Evan has 2 kids (Maximus and Fiona). His hobbies are Jet Skiing, tinkering with technology, LITRPG books, and crafting glassware for his side hustle ESQUAREDGLAS

Bobby Wysocki

Coach

Terri Zernechel

Coach

Coach Terri as been doing CrossFit for five years. She received her L1 in 2021 and started coaching at Towpath in June of 2023. She competed in Wodapalooza 2021, running the Gauntlet. As a coach, Terrii wants to empower the everyday athlete. Her favorite lifts are the deadlift and the back squat. 

Eric Witzke

Coach

Eric has been coaching at Towpath Fitness since 2016. Along with being a Crossfit Level 1 coach, he is a Birthfit coach, coaching prenatal and postpartum fitness classes. Eric has a passion for helping others achieve fitness goals through quality foundational movement. He grew up in the Brecksville/Broadview Heights area, graduating from BBH High School, and later on, the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering. In his free time, Coach Eric enjoys hiking, biking, soccer, and anything active he can do with his two sons.

A Special Thanks To

Scott Middleton

Scott Middleton

Scott is one of the Founders of Towpath Fitness. After 5 years of building and running Towpath Fitness, Scott decided to pursue a different path. Towpath Fitness would not be what it is today without him.