Through dancing and cross country in high school, Ashley learned early that she was happiest when active. In college, time at the gym was a stress reliever as she worked towards a BS in Biology and where she began to absorb the world of fitness. Tiring quickly of the repetitiveness of the machines and the overly chatty people, Ashley slapped on some headphones and ventured into the land of free weights. It was here that the seed was planted. Muscles and sweat became a part of her.

In 2005, the news of her first pregnancy brought having a healthy lifestyle front and center. With plans of a natural birth, Ashley educated herself with any information she could get her hands on about exercise and nutrition regarding pregnancy. She dialed in on her diet; conscience of the vitamins and nutrients needed to grow a healthy baby. She continued to train, scaling down weight and movements as the baby grew, listening to her body every step of the way. She ran and lifted and squatted her way through nine months( ten really); and was in the gym the day she went into labor. On January 11 2006, 100% naturally and with no complications, Ashley gave birth to a healthy 7lb 12oz baby girl. Fast forward to August 23rd 2007 and she welcomes baby number two in the same fashion.

In 2008, then a stay at home mother, Ashley got a little tougher with her training. Adventurous to the core, she was always looking for, and trying, new things. This was how she was introduced to a program that would soon become her passion; CrossFit. First read about in a magazine article, the “Filthy Fifty” was Ashley’s first attempt at CrossFit. She tried and she failed and she never looked back. From her spot on the floor, drenched and gasping for air, she was addicted. CrossFit.com became her favorite website, the journal became her reading material and people began to question her sanity. In January 2009, Ashley was offered a position as an instructor at the local YMCA she worked out at. Though not yet a certified CF coach, her love for the CrossFit methodology transferred into her classes. Ashley earned her level one CrossFit certification in February of that year at Alamo CrossFit in San Antonio, TX. Shortly there after, the YMCA closed its doors and Ashley made the decision to train out of her back yard. Three of her clients followed her there and it was the through those three people that CFLC began to grow. She watched in amazement as her yard filled with people through the sweltering months of a Louisiana summer. As the winter months of 2009 approached, it was time to open up shop. CFLC was born and, in November of 2009, we opened our doors.

Since then Ashley has completed the CF Olympic Lifting Certification, CF Gymnastics Certification and CF Kettlebell Certification. She's also a certified CrossFit Kids instructor and has received training on the Pose running method. Racing is now a huge part of her life thanks to CF, and many of weekends are spent putting her training to test. Adverture races, Spartan races, Tough Mudders; you name it, she'll try it. In October of 2011, Ashley and her team qualified for the 24hr "Toughest Mudder" race by being in the top 5% in the TX Tough Mudder. She also qualified as an individual for the 2011 and 2012 South Central Regionals, part of the CrossFit Games.. In 2011 she came in 20th out of the region. In 2012 she went team and they finished up 7th in the region. This is only the beginning.

Megan started crossfit in July 2009, and she will tell you that it was the best decision she has made in her adult life. Megan was active in many sports as a kid and played Division I Soccer at McNeese from 2000-2003. After graduating with a Mechanical Engineering Degree she went to work in local industry. She tried to keep in shape by going to the gym occasionally and jogging. Lack of intensity and competitiveness, coupled with bad eating habits, had slowly taken hold of her life. After trying her first group crossfit workout, she got sick and knew she was hooked! Megan remembers the journey through that first year of crossfit, “I immediately starting feeling better from head to toe. I was so excited to be challenged again. It bought back the love and passion I had always had for playing sports. Crossfit is my sport now, and I’m so thankful for this type of activity in my adult life.” The results were measurable. Every week Megan saw improvement. She was getting stronger and faster and better. Not to mention, she dropped 30 pounds.

By 2011 Megan felt ready to compete in the Crossfit Open Sectionals. She qualified as an individual for the South Central Regional Competition and finished in 8th place against the fittest women from Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Megan is Crossfit Level One Certified and Crossfit Gymnastics Certified. She considers herself more of an athlete than a coach, but she loves to help others achieve the same success and joy that crossfit has brought to her life. You can catch Megan coaching fundamentals or picking up classes for other coaches when her schedule allows. More often you will find her next to you in class doing the WOD. Please feel free to ask Megan any questions you might have with regarding movements or the WOD, she will be glad to stop and help you.

Prior to Crossfit, Detlef worked out at regular gyms on and off but continually found himself bored with the same routine. In November of 2009, Detlef was introduced to Crossfit and, after completing his first Crossfit workout, he was hooked. In March of 2011, Detlef obtained his Crossfit level 1 certification. Since acquiring his level 1 certification Detlef has assisted and coached classes at Crossfit Lake Charles. One of Detlef’s favorite things about Crossfit is its ability to test and push you to your limits.

Since starting Crossfit Detlef has continued to test and push himself by competing in a number of events in, and outside of, Crossfit. Detlef has competed in events such as Spartan race, Warrior Dash, numerous local 5k runs, Tough Mudder, and the 2011 South Central Regionals of the Crossfit games as a member of the Crossfit Lake Charles team. At the Tough Mudder Detlef and his team were able to finish in the top 5% qualifying to run in the Toughest Mudder.

Travis started his firefighting career, and its many physical demands, in January of 1994. He became aware that his current physical condition could be of consequence to himself and others. Prior to Crossfit, Travis stayed fit doing cross training on his own and playing in local soccer leagues. Unfortunately, age and medical conditions restricted him from the cross training regiment he was used to but he continued to search for the drive that was given to him playing sports as a young man.

Because of his time played in the local leagues, Travis was approached in 1996 to coach a group of U-10 girls in soccer. He coached them to U-16 at which point, as teenagers do, the girls started to go their separate ways. He was then compelled to coach at the high school level and was hired on as SHHS Head Coach from 2000-2003. Travis eventually went on to be the General Manager for the Louisiana Outlaws, a semi pro soccer team. Then came the time to start a family and concentrate on his "real" job as a firefighter.

A visit from a fellow crossfitter was an eye opening experience. Even still, the ease of saying "those people are crazy" kept him away for a year. Finally, on August 31st, 2010 he "drank the kool-aid" as they say in the Crossfit community. It was the worst workout he had ever done and couldn't wait until the next one. The more he learned the more he wanted to learn. It became inevitable that he go and acquire his level 1 certification and did so in March of 2011. His goal now is to show his clients that working out is always attainable and a necessity for a more fulfilling life. Travis will always be there to push to achieve the goals that you have set for yourself.

Angela’s pre-CrossFit athletic background is not like the majority of the Kool-Aid drinkers. She does not have a background in sports and she was not an avid exerciser. She would hit the gym a few times with her husband or go bike riding with her kids. To say she was fit would be far from the truth. In fact, a turning point for Angela was while she was running with her kids and became very fatigued. Looking for a way to become healthier for herself and for her children, she found crossfit a few blocks from her house. Today, Angela can proudly say she is fit and can easily keep up with her children. She has been doing CF since 2011. She received her level 1 certification in June of 2012 from some pretty cool guys. She was trained by Matt Chan and Chris Spealer. If you don’t know who they are, Chan placed 2nd place in the 2012 CrossFit games and Spealer is the only person who has competed in every CrossFit games competition since they started! In September of 2012 she received her Mobility Certification. She plans to get as many certifications under her belt as she can.

Angela wanted to become a coach to help others. In an attempt to become a better athlete, she started trying to perfect her form and by doing so, this improved her performance. This fueled a fire inside of her to learn as much as she could to enhance the athletic ability of others. Feel free to ask Angela if your form is correct or if your movements need tweaking. After getting help from her you will learn fast that the most important thing to her is safety, safety, safety.

In short, if joining CrossFit is something you think you want to do, consider Angela’s journey; a 30 year old mother of two who found within her a passion for fitness and a desire to motivate and inspire others to achieve remarkable things for themselves.