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. In the midst of all of this Ashley met John. Though potential competition in the beginning, each wanting to open the first Box in Lake Charles, they soon agreed that together they would be better. A partnership was formed and CFLC was born.

Since then Ashley has completed both the CF Olympic Lifting Certification and the CF Gymnastics Certification and just recently traveled to California to get her CrossFit Kids Certification. She has also 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 competed in the 2011 South Central Regionals and came in 20th out of the region. This is only the beginning. Currenty, Ashley is gearing up both herself and Team CrossFit Lake Charles for the 2012 CF Games Season.

John found CrossFit at a point in his life where he was extremely bored of the way he had been training…basically lifting weights and riding, running or walking on Cardio Equipment and thinking he was fit…HA!

However he was NOT FIT, not as he understands it today. He says he never was until he found this incredibly effective methodology called CrossFit. After spending 23 years in the fitness industry in Los Angeles and seeing fad after fad go by he wasn’t sure what to make of this stuff that kicked his **** on so many levels. He had been a spinning instructor, cyclist, competitive powerlifter, competitive bodybuilder and private trainer working with everyone from housewives to world class athletes and never had he felt like he did after his first WOD, which was Cindy. He got 8 rounds and thought he had died and gone to heaven. He was hooked but wasn’t sure where or how to get some formal CrossFit training.

By chance, (or not) he attended a personal development program and met a coach from CrossFit Los Angeles, scheduled a baseline workout and after that he knew he had fallen in love with fitness again. He joined that day and began to workout with the crew from CFLA. He drove an hour and a half each way to train twice a week(so never tell him that it takes you 20 min to get to our box and that is an issue) and did one on his own in his garage gym every Saturday. He invited friends over to workout with him and began to resurrect his coaching career. He took the Level 1 Cert in February in San Diego and started his first CrossFit business in Redondo Beach out of his garage. He was hooked and addicted to this new way of life that brought ALL of his clients positive results, a deep level of satisfaction, fulfillment and esteem!
Knowing he would be moving back to Lake Charles, one day while searching the message board on the main CF site he saw a post from Ashley asking if anyone from around Lake Charles would be interested in doing some CrossFit with her. He responded and told her his plans. They eventually connected and met in person over dinner and decided instead of competing against each other they could serve more people and build a bigger better business together and ultimately help more people, so CrossFit Lake Charles was born from a chance meeting on a message board on the internet.

Since that time he has been through and successfully completed the Level 1 Certification, the Level 2 Coaches Prep Course, the Nutrition Certification, the CrossFit Kettlebell Certification, CrossFit Gymnastics Certification and the Exercise Science Certification. He has also been Certified through or a member of the International Sports Science Association, National Academy of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise.

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.