Meet our coaches

Damon Johnson | Owner/Head Coach
I was always the fat kid.  I didn't know much about exercise or healthy eating, except that I should probably do both.  I would be pretty proud of myself when I would have leftovers from the large pizza I ordered.  I was a heavy smoker for about 10 years, and drank several sodas every day.  And by several, I mean at least 6, most days.  Usually 2 for breakfast.  I finally made myself quit smoking in November 2010, and after that, put on a LOT more weight.  I had high blood pressure (at 27!) as well as high liver triglycerides, I was heavier than I ever imagined I would be, and I couldn't run on a treadmill for more than 4 minutes without feeling like my lungs were going to collapse and my calves/arches explode.   A friend suggested I try CrossFit, and I went to my first free workout in January 2011.  I've been hooked ever since!

I lost 10 lbs in my first month.  After 3 months of CrossFit workouts 3 times a week and a strictly paleo diet, I went back to the doctor.  EVERYTHING was in the healthy range (except my weight, but it was getting there!)

After two years of CrossFit, I decided I wanted to become a coach... I wanted to be able to help others the same way CrossFit helped me.  I became a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer in April 2013, and since then have spent countless hours coaching, giving private lessons, and learning everything I can about health and fitness.

​Nothing is more fun or rewarding than helping someone realize their own fitness goals.  I wanted to start my own gym so that I can reach out and help as many people as I possibly can.  I personally know how hard it is to take that first step, so I want to provide a safe, comfortable, fun, supportive environment where everyone can feel welcome and motivated to make that change in their lives.
CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
CrossFit Rowing Instructor
CrossFit Strongman Trainer
USA Powerlifting Club Coach

PAIGE johnson | Coach

Paige found CrossFit in 2014 during her junior year of college, and Powerlifting shortly thereafter. She found the challenge of balancing CrossFit and Powerlifting with school rewarding, teaching her self-discipline and commitment. It quickly became something she was motivated to continue long after she graduated.

Following in her younger brother's footsteps, she began competing in Powerlifting, qualifying for National competition and earning medals in the Collegiate and Junior divisions. She was named the first competitive Powerlifter of St. Norbert College, and was featured by the college for it. 

Paige's work in Sports Marketing moved her from Wisconsin to Texas in Spring of 2016. She found White Tail, fell in love with the welcoming community, and has called it home ever since. After assisting with a documentary on Team USA at the Senior Pan American Weightlifting Championships, she decided she wanted to become involved in coaching. She earned her Level 1, worked through the 70-hour internship program, and could call herself a White Tail coach in January 2018.

"There's nothing quite as humbling as CrossFit." she says. "There's always something you can do better, somewhere you can go faster, and some technique you can perfect to make some lift stronger or some gymnastics movement smoother." ​​
CrossFit Level 1
​USA Powerifting Club Coach

davison crake | Coach

Davison grew up playing every sport he could get his hands on, focusing on soccer & tennis. While studying sports management at Texas A&M University he found an internship at a Crossfit gym in College Station and quickly made it a part of his daily routine. He managed and coached at the gym for three and a half years before making his move to Austin. After a year of full time coaching he has switched roles to an Assistant PE Coach in Leander ISD. So when he is not running around an elementary school you’ll find him a the box in the afternoons.
Crossfit Lvl 1
Crossfit Lvl 2
Crossfit Kids

Trevor methena | COACH

I started CrossFit while on my first deployment in the Navy and after the first few workouts, it just made sense. During some of my more non-productive watches, I scoured crossfit.com and learned about some the movements and different types of benchmark workouts. I'd try those and follow mainsite closely and it made a huge difference.

The real game changer was joining an affiliate after getting back from deployment. I joined as the 20th member to a brand new gym and learned what the community was all about. I knew from that point on I knew I was in it for the long haul. About a year later I went and took the Level 1 course and transferred to Singapore. I was lucky enough to start coaching at an affiliate while I was there and again, found the same community strength.

After landing back in the great U S of A and a few bumpy starts, I finally found a great community in White Tail CrossFit and consider myself lucky to be able to coach our great athletes and look forward to continuing to watch and help everyone elevate their fitness!
CrossFit Level 1
​CrossFit Level 2
CrossFit Kids
USAW Level 1

mike mohler | Coach

Mike started his CrossFit journey in September of 2010 after spending many years working out in the mainstream gym settings, and has never looked back. Mike participated in high school athletics and from there ventured into powerlifting. He competed on the local level, but eventually left the powerlifting for more of the "usual" routines found at the globo gym. 

After several years of this monotony he quit going to the gym altogether. It wasn't until he was introduced to CrossFit that he realized what he had been searching for all along. 

​Once he "put in his time", Mike felt he was ready and in May 2012 he obtained his Level 1 Certification. Mike is now in the best overall shape of his life and enjoys coaching athletes and helping them attain the goals they have set for themselves. Other than the physical/mental fitness that CrossFit provides, Mike feels that "he is not just welcome, but he belongs".
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

drew bradshaw | COACH

Drew's first exposure to CrossFit came while he was he was serving as a Command Fitness Leader in Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seven, deployed to Bagram AFB in Afghanistan in 2008.  He saw many other Servicemen on the base doing these absolutely insane workouts and had to try it for himself. Drew saw one of his friends get forced out of the Navy due to sub-standard Body Mass Index (BMI) requirements and vowed not to lose any of the at-risk sailors in his detachment. He implemented a special program for the group which used many of the same movements and intensity that you would see in a CrossFit workout. Doing each workout himself before putting his charges through them is what got him hooked. All of his sailors passed their BMI that cycle. Every. Single. One.  

Upon returning to civilian life, Drew took a "hiatus from exercise" and put on some weight.  He knew he needed a change and decided it was time to get back to work in 2013.  Meeting the other White Tail coaches and being pushed to new limits by them daily helped Drew drop 35 pounds and achieve a level of fitness that he had not even enjoyed while in the Navy.  
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Drew wanted to help others achieve their fitness and health goals and began studying coaching techniques under Damon and Amanda in May of 2015, and coached his first solo class a few months later. 
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer​

michelle acton | Coach

I grew up playing softball and tennis, including in high school where I was introduced to weight lifting.  I continued to workout with weights, but could never stick with it.  I found it hard to make myself go to a gym; I was very shy and the gym was boring.

After a difficult year, I joined a commercial gym in 2012.  There, I met a trainer who was a CrossFit coach and programmed CrossFit-style workouts for me.  The movements were different, challenging, and the workouts were fun.  My trainer left that gym a few months later and I followed her to a CrossFit affiliate where I continued personal training sessions.

I always looked forward to my training sessions and eventually signed up at that affiliate.  A year later, I followed a friend to White Tail and joined in May of 2016.  The programming and coaching was different from what I had previously experienced and I saw major improvements in my strength.  Within a few months I decided I wanted to help others with their fitness goals and earned my Level 1 Cert in September 2016.​

Through CrossFit, I gained more self-esteem, better eating habits and overall health, and have met some incredible people.  I’m grateful for the positive changes I’ve experienced and I’m excited to be a part of that for others.
CrossFit Level 1
BS in Kinesiology

Kevin cox | COACH

Kevin grew up playing football and fell in love with the strength & conditioning programming. He found his way to CrossFit in 2010 and has been hooked since. The group workouts became an integral component to his lifestyle and Kevin decided he wanted to be part of the reason people fell in love with CrossFit too. While he enjoys pushing himself, he loves helping people achieve new feats.

​When he isn’t coaching or working out Kevin has a full time job in software sales and spends time outdoors with his family.
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer​

Kasey Halbert | COACH

I started CrossFit over 4 years ago at WTCF, and have enjoyed it ever since. I was not what you call athletic, however after starting CrossFit I have been able to do things I haven’t in the past. I have gained strength, and confidence to try new things. I obtained my level 1 certification in September 2019, and started coaching in December that same year.

I really enjoy coaching, and seeing the changes people make, and the personal records they reach! Being present there to witness their strength, courage, and fight is worth everything. Becoming a part of the WTCF family, not only as a coach, but as a member, has been one of the best decisions I have made.
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When not coaching, I am a wife, mother of two, and a full time pharmacist.
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer​

Jessica Newcomb | COACH

I was a competitive swimmer from the age of 6 till senior year of high-school, so I have always been in fitness in some way.

Growing up I always worked with personal trainers at globo gyms until my friend opened my eyes to these garage gyms, CrossFit! I started my CrossFit journey in 2014. I fell in love with CrossFit and most importantly the community! During my second year of CrossFit I trained for my first local competition. I really focused on training hard and eating right for the sport. All that dedication helped me lose 30 pounds.

​After working 1:1 with my coach I really wanted to help others like my coach helped me. I received my L1 trainer certification in 2017. Shortly after that realized how important nutrition was for activities such as CrossFit, and life in general which led to me to become a nutrition coach. Helping people move often and eat well are my two favorite things to do!
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer​
NCI nutrition coaching specialist L1

amanda brull | Coach

Coach Amanda has had a passion for fitness for most of her life. As a child, up until age 11, she was a competitive gymnast. She spent the next 8 years as a cheerleader, and after high school, went straight into coaching cheerleading and tumbling. This is where she found her calling to help others with their paths to fitness. She spent the next several years going through the same routines at Gold's, but couldn't ever find anything that really challenged her.

​In October 2010, she found CrossFit. She developed a passion for the sport and even bigger love for the community. In May 2012, she became a coach. She says this is the best decision she's ever made.  She loves the fact that she gets to make a difference in people's lives and can't see herself doing anything else.
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Former Cheerleading and Tumbling Coach