Crystal McCullough


  • M.S., Exercise Science, Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • MSN, Nurse Education, Excelsior University
  • B.S., Nursing, Excelsior University

Crystal McCullough joined Lenoir-Rhyne in January 2022 as associate director of strength and conditioning. McCullough served in the U.S. Army for three years as an Army medic, before completing nursing school and working as an RN, while simultaneously pursuing her coaching passion on the side. In 2014, she chose to leave nursing and focus full-time on coaching.

Most of McCullough’s coaching experience is in the private sector where she managed several gyms and worked with a variety of athletes including elite-level weightlifters, professional combat sports athletes, potential Special Forces candidates and high school athletes.

McCullough is one of just four women in the United States to achieve the title of senior international coach with USA Weightlifting and has coached multiple youth and junior athletes on the World and Pan American stage. McCullough has also served as a Team USA coach for the 2021 Youth Pan American Weightlifting Team and is an instructor for USA Weightlifting.

McCullough has been an athlete her entire life and most recently competed in powerlifting where she holds multiple Masters World Records in two different federations and two different weight classes. As a student-athlete, her sports were basketball and softball.

Certifications
•    CSCS, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist