Karen O'Hara

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)

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 ago for a short time! I always enjoyed team sports and when I began CrossFit I felt that team support from my friends in the box. 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" 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 friendships. 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. 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 didn't look back, hooked straight away!! At that time in my life, it made me believe I am 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 eating habits changed, my sleeping improved, 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 appeared to fall nicely into place. I remember lifting 35kg overhead for reps thinking how the hell have I done this? My self-belief skyrocketed. From then on I haven't looked back and have really grown as an independent woman with some really amazing people I am so grateful to have in my life.

Motivation & Passion

I am passionate about helping others live a longer, stronger, fitter, and healthier lifestyle. I want families to be able to come together and train and have fun in CrossFit Leixlip. It definitely tightens relationships and brings more people 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 my 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 what they want to achieve in their life and their health and fitness 💪