Coaches at Black Sheep
Kyle O'Brien
Hello, my name is Kyle and I am the husband to a gorgeous, hardworking, and loving wife, Taya; the father to 2 beautiful baby girls that have taught me more about patience than I ever thought possible; and a follower of God, the ever-loving all-knowing Father of the universe. I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Through this education, I grew a love for helping people. Seeing changes in people’s health, fitness, and overall wellness grew this love into a passion. We started Black Sheep Fitness in 2018 but I have been a CrossFit Trainer in Kearney, Nebraska for the last 10 years (5 years as a CF-L1 and 5 years as a CF-L2). Black Sheep was founded on the belief that we are more than just a gym; we are a place where long-lasting, genuine relationships are forged. Helping athletes work safely through proper ranges of motion and teaching athletes to believe in themselves as much as we believe in them has always been our priority. Ultimately at Black Sheep Fitness, we strive to use our God-given abilities to impact others' lives. Our goal is to improve an individual’s overall well-being using fitness as a catalyst. With each person that walks through our doors, we are responsible for providing the coaching and education required and the encouraging atmosphere needed to help people reach their true potential. My wife is a Nurse Practitioner and I am a Registered Nurse. We are blessed to have 'every day jobs' in the community and still get to make health and fitness a priority. In doing so we are able to understand that life outside of the gym can bring unexpected twists, turns, and stresses. Being able to relate to people on this level helps us have empathy for clients understanding that fitness is 'a part of our lives' not 'our sole focus'. “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:25
Taya O'Brien
My name is Taya, and I am one of the coaches at Black Sheep. On the outside, I identify as a full-time working mother of two in a high-stress career, but deep down I remain a playful soul challenging my body to remember what it was like to move freely as a child. From multi-sport athlete in high school to sedentary book nerd in college. I had to find my way back into a fitness routine that was enjoyable, sustainable, and results driven. I have now been a part of functional fitness gyms for over a decade and with Black Sheep since 2018. Previously CrossFit level 1 trained and a current board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, my goal is to help others prevent and slow chronic disease, reduce anxiety, and improve quality of life. What I offer as a coach is empathy for work-life balance, tools to incorporate fitness into daunting schedules, and the experience to make fitness fun again. We will challenge you, but you will be so proud of what you are capable of.
Mallory Dennhardt
Hey! I’m Mallory, also known as Mama or Mal depending on who you ask. I am a certified Precision Nutrition coach, CrossFit Level One trainer, and hold a Pregnant and Postpartum Athleticism certification. I came from being an exclusive runner to a 'boot camper' to a bit of a CrossFit competitor, but my passion has always been the people, asking the question, “how can I help you on your wellness journey where you are at right now?” I began teaching boot camp 15 years ago and personal training as my time allowed, but as time went on, life happened, and I found my 5-month-pregnant-self and a one-year-old at a CrossFit gym and immediately became a student of functional fitness! I love gaining knowledge of all things wellness while also figuring out the balance of being a mom. Flash forward 7 years to having now four (yikes!) spunky little ones and learning how to work out in my garage, living room, outside, and in the gym striving for that consistent balance and relatability. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, marathoner, CF competitor, or ‘stuck-in-a-funk’, I’ve experienced it all and have learned unmeasurable amounts along the way. I am passionate about helping you to live your best life where you are right now!