Karen O'Hara Dolan

Co-owner & CF-L2 Trainer

I've been training CrossFit since 2013 and became a CF-L1 Trainer in 2015. I really love helping people and one of my fave things to do in the box, besides chatting with the CFL Crew, is to Snatch and do double unders!

Qualifications

CrossFit Level 1 (2015)

CrossFit Level 2 (2017)

CrossFit Weightlifting (2017)

CrossFit Aerobic Capacity (2018)

CrossFit Level 2 (2022)

Nutrition Coach (HSN Mentoring) (2022)

The Female Athlete Level 1 (Antony Lo) (2023)

Three Pillars Method™ Coach (2023)

The Gymnastics Course (2024)

About Coach

Growing up I always enjoyed an active lifestyle playing soccer in Secondary School, for Leixlip Utd and with NUI Maynooth. I also loved doing lots of other Team Sports in school such as basketball, cross country running and even gave GAA football a go for a short time! I always enjoyed the comraderie and team spirit in sports teams. When I began CrossFit I felt that team support and meanigful relationships with the friends I made in the gym. The connection and bond you make with the people you see day in and day out are so different when it comes to CrossFit Training. We all train the same program in class and "suffer/succeed" and bond together through the same workouts which brings us that bit closer in our relationships. We become vulnerable in the challenges we take on together in workouts and it really forms a strong glue to meaningful relationships. The best thing that has come out of CrossFit for me is the people I've met and the long-lasting relationships I have with people who I truly care about. I was lucky enough to get married to my wife in 2024 who I met through CrossFit! Yes, health and fitness are a plus but meeting people who make a difference to your life and theirs is what it's all about. This is the main reason we decided on CFL's existence..where good people meet other good people and get better in life through guidance and support from each other 💪🙌💙

Turning Point

A turning point for me in my life was in 2013 when life just got too complacent and I needed a new constant and focus in my life. Signing up and being introduced to CrossFit, I was completely oblivious 😅 A few sessions in and I didn't look back, I was hooked straight away!! At that time in my life, it made me believe "I am mentally strong and ready to take on life and anything it throws at me". I became a different person and I became more aware of my health outside of the gym also. My routines and eating habits changed, my sleep improved, I had constant energy and a positive mental attitude. I felt like I had a reason to get up and take on the world in a different light. I became more organised, more productive at home and work, everything just fell into place nicely. I remember lifting a 35kg in weights on a bar overhead for reps thinking how the hell have I done this? My self-belief sky rocketed. From then on I haven't looked back and have really grown as an independent woman with some really amazing people around me who I am so greatful to have in my life.

Motivation & Passion

I am passionate about helping others live a longer, stronger, fitter, and healthier lifestyle. I want to help change mindsets on how people view exercise and the importance of building muscle through strength training to improve your quality of life as you age. My long term life goal is for families (of all ages grandkids to grandparents) to be able to come together and train and have fun in CrossFit Leixlip. Training with your loved ones definitely tightens relationships and brings more people closer together when you train hard together and support one another. Whether you are a kid, teen, young adult, mother, grandfather, etc - all ages and abilities are welcome in CFL. I love to see people smile and achieve things they didn't think possible, building that self-belief, confidence and mentally building yourself up for life and anything it throws at you. Seeing this day in, day out, confirms our decision was the correct one when opening the doors of CrossFit Leixlip. A life-changing moment I am proud of and will always do my best to keep going with untíl people get sick of looking at me 🤣 In the coming months and years, I hope to see more families come together in CrossFit Leixlip and look forward to bringing them closer together and helping them achieve extraordinary things to be proud of in their life both in their Mental and Physical health and fitness 💪 Strong old bones and strong minds, together for the win!!