Danielle Dunlap
Coach
210lb Clean & Jerk
170lb Snatch
Double body weight back squat
345lb Deadlift
Qualifications
2017 Central Regional Indy Athlete
2018 Fittest Women in Iowa
Precision Nutrition Coach
Certified Level 2 CrossFit Coach
CrossFit Mobility Trainer
Certified Personal Trainer NCCPT
USAW Sports Performance Coach
Bachelor of Health and Exercise Science
Associate in Psychology
About Danielle
After two years of trying to make regionals, 2017 was my breakthrough. Before competing I attended Ben Bergeron’s camp. His drive for excellence was contagious. I wanted my training to be on point and the only thing I had left to do was dial in was my nutrition. I started working with a nutrition company and quickly developed a passion to learn more and help others in their nutrition journey.
The best part about my job as a CrossFit & Nutrition coach is that I get to wake up and do something that I love every day. At EAX we get to encourage our members, watch them grow and succeed in their health journey and that inspires me to be the best athlete, CrossFit & nutrition coach that I can be.
Turning Point
I poured my heart and soul into basketball from age 6 to 17. Growing up, I didn't want to be a ballerina or a nurse..I legitimately wanted to be the first woman to play in the NBA. My parents took me to all the camps, hired private coaches & played on different leagues..whatever it took my mom and dad made it happen because they saw my passion. Throughout high school I went to the gym an hour beforehand to lift & stayed an hour afterwards to put in the extra work. My varsity coach said I was the most dedicated player he had ever had & I believed him. Before I knew it the season had started and I had not..games came & went and I was riding the cold hard aluminum bench bawling my eyes out. I became a benchwarmer and my heart was crushed. Basketball was the longest & most passionate love I had ever felt & it was slipping through my fingertips. Lacking self confidence, looking for validation through relationships & binge drinking..I went through the motions but I was never truly happy.
After college graduation I moved home and decided enough was enough. I walked into a CrossFit gym and felt the emptiness in my heart beginning to heal. Over the past 6 years I have fallen in love all over again with the sport & coaching athletes. The countless hours, sessions, sweat, tears, laughs, successes, failures & life long friendships that this sport has brought to my life has helped mend the broken heart basketball left me with. 12 years later, I have trained with prestige coaches & professional athletes, competed in elite competitions, experienced incredible transformations & coached some amazing humans. I may not be the first woman to play in the NBA but I am coaching & working out along side some of the fittest & best semi-professional exercisers 🙂
Motivation & Passion
My passion for coaching is fueled by the mom that comes in & wants to inspire her child to live a healthier lifestyle,
By the high school athlete fighting to earn their spot on the team,
By the dad that is living his best #dadbod life,
By the old athlete that receives a new cue & it "just clicks",
By the new athlete that walks in the door & is afraid, but willing to get out of their comfort zone.
I get fired up seeing their little successes every day & their progression over time.
