Coaching Staff
Lindsey Donnelly: Owner/Coach
Lindsey started CrossFit over four years ago and is now a Level I certified coach. She has always had a very competitive spirit, regularly competing in running races. CrossFit pushed her desire even further and she has now added a number of triathlons to her fitness resume.
Lindsey’s strength in CrossFit coaching comes from the demand she places on others to be the best they can be. She understands the mental process that occurs when mental barriers are broken one at a time to gradually achieve improved performance. She doesn’t ask much; only that the athletes around her believe that they are capable of doing beyond what they believe the limits permit. Lindsey places particular emphasis on nutrition and the role it plays in an athlete’s performance. She has no tolerance for lack of effort, and through her consistent will to inspire, she brings out the best of efforts in those around her, including John and Katherine.
Lindsey grew up in Pearland and graduated from Pearland High School. She is a nurse and is married to James, a City of Houston firefighter. Lindsey and James have two beautiful little girls. When she isn’t saving lives and inspiring others, she is probably trying to avoid the Pearland Police Department as she speeds around town running errands.
Katherine Blanchard: Owner/Coach 
Katherine is Lindsey’s sister and discovered CrossFit the same time Lindsey did over four years ago. She, too, is now a Level I certified coach, as well as a Mad Dogg Fitness spinning instructor and a Group X Training certified instructor. Although she has been Crossfitting for some time now, Katherine became even more invested in it after she underwent a devastating ACL repair surgery last year. CrossFit was her only means of rehabbing her injury, and she was back to running and doing squats in a matter of weeks when doctors told her it would take 8 months of traditional rehab to be able to even walk properly. She has competed in several running races and triathlons since then.
Katherine has a unique point of view about CrossFit having worked in a commercial gym for several years. She knows all about the globo gym phenomenon and the appealing packages they offer. She also knows that, after years of spending hours in the gym and never feeling like it paid off, that the globo gyms are only an illusion claiming to enable fitness, but unable to bring out the true capabilities of most individuals. But what really makes Katherine an asset to Pearland CrossFit is her energy; it sets her apart from everyone else and is truly infectious. She brings a lightness to the gym that is refreshing when there are seemingly impossible tasks at hand. Her loving spirit and carefree attitude are the perfect balance to John and Lindsey’s intense training methods, giving the gym an incredibly supportive atmosphere. Katherine makes people want to do well and genuinely believes they can; that spirit of possibility makes even the weakest soul feel capable.
Katherine is from Pearland and graduated from Pearland High School. Her husband, Steve, owns Blanchard Insurance in Alvin, Kema, Angleton, and Santa Fe. While Steve sells insurance, Katherine stays at home and keeps her heartrate up chasing after their two kids, Blake and Marley, and the family bulldog, June.
John Koogler: Owner/Coach
Having trained and competed in a variety of sports from football, to triathlon, to MMA, John first discovered CrossFit in 2008 and immediately identified the competitive advantage that this high-intensity, constantly varied training program would provide for athletic performance. Where the immediate attraction to CrossFit was strictly for its impact on athletic performance, John soon came to realize CrossFit was about much more than times and records. The camaraderie in the gym and seeing the commitment of athletes from all walks and backgrounds driving towards their own personal goals is now what motivates John as a coach and gym owner. “We’ve all got different goals and motivations, but we’re all here working and sweating as a team” notes John. “No matter your background, as soon as you commit to walking through those doors, you’ve joined a community that is 100% vested in helping you succeed.”
With his focus now being on coaching others and his own training to compete in various local CrossFit competitions, John brings the belief that a positive attitude and willingness to work hard trumps natural ability. Dedicated to the concept of continuous personal development, John is committed to seeing others achieve their goals.
Born and raised in the Houston area, receiving his degree from Texas A&M University, John has considered Pearland his home town for the past 11 years. With two young sons, Zane and Keane, John and his wife Sabrina consider fitness a key component of raising a family.
Nicole O’Brien: Coach
In addition to being a CPR-certified, Level 1 certified CrossFit coach, Nicole is also a wife, mom, and registered nurse working with infertility patients.
In high school Nicole was mostly involved in the band–not a bit of sports. 
Inspired by her drive to become healthier, she joined a gym and was quickly introduced to spinning, step aerobics, the treadmill, and some strength training. Nicole thrived there for a while, and educated herself about nutritional intake… As no one had ever taught her this before….
After college, Nicole married her husband John and had two handsome boys, Zachary and Colby, 15 months apart. She found herself searching for something new, craving strength and weight loss. Lindsey was a friend and co-worker at the time and she introduced Nicole to CrossFit…. Nicole says she showed up at Tom Bass Park one day with Lindsay, Katherine, and some others and has never stopped. Before she knew it, Nicole was signing up for and participating in her first half marathon in White Rock, Dallas, in the Houston half, participating in a Muddy Buddy Race, two Warrior Dashes, and Crossfit competitions.
In 2010 Nicole sustained a back injury which results in surgery and a break from CrossFit for about 9-12 months. Through her injury, Nicole learned a lot about safety, stretching, breaks in training, etc.
Her love for CrossFit drove Nicole to become certified, and she found herself loving to introduce it and help the new people! “I love that CrossFit is for people of all ages, I know what it’s like to have to “start over.” I love to see people make significant changes and loose their self doubt!” she says.
And Nicole’s kids… Well they know CrossFit! , they’re in gymnastics now, and remain active because Nicole and her husband John are active with them.
Sarah Lay: Coach Bodyshop/Boot Camp
Sarah has been involved with sports her whole life. She grew up playing softball, basketball and soccer. In high school she played volleyball, basketball, softball and ran track. She continued to play sports leisurely during college and became a gym junkie. Tired of her usual routine, Sarah tried out CrossFit for the first time in September 2011 and fell in love. Pearland CrossFit is like a second home for Sarah. You can typically find her bright and early working out with the “5:15AM-ers” and pushing her boot campers toward their fitness goals in the evenings. You are sure to spot Sarah by her crazy socks and ever-present headband!
James Donnelly: Coach
James is a City of Houston Firefighter and is married to Lindsey. Together they have two adorable little girls.
Just hangin’ around: PCF Coaches
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