Driven by Westside: Ally Kennedy on Winning Gold, Training at Westside Barbell, and Coaching at Ohio State
The Road to Greatness
In this episode of Driven by Westside, Tom Barry takes Ally Kennedy on a ride to discuss her biggest season yet, winning gold at the first-ever Box Lacrosse World Championship, and how training at Westside Barbell has elevated her performance to a whole new level.
Kennedy, a professional lacrosse player and assistant coach at Ohio State University, has proven herself as one of the sport’s top athletes. From finishing third in total points in her league to helping Team USA shock the world, she continues to push her limits—both on and off the field.
Best Season Yet: Finishing Among the Best
Ally Kennedy has been a dominant force in professional lacrosse for four years, but this season? It was her best yet.
“I finished third in total points and played the best lacrosse of my career,” she shares. “Not only was I playing well, but I was also in the best shape of my life. I never came off the field because I could just keep running.”
Her fitness and endurance were put to the test when she transitioned from field lacrosse to box lacrosse, a move that would define the next phase of her career.
Winning Gold: Team USA’s Historic Victory
Kennedy was part of the first-ever U.S. Women’s Box Lacrosse Team—a squad that wasn’t expected to win.
“All eyes were on Canada,” she explains. “They’ve been playing box lacrosse forever, while we had only started training two years ago. Nobody believed in us, but we knew what we had.”
And what they had was athleticism, grit, and relentless conditioning.
“We just ran teams into the ground,” Kennedy says. “We were more physical, better conditioned, and had a mindset of proving people wrong. Even after we beat teams, opponents would come up to us and admit, ‘You guys were way better than we thought.’”
After dominating the competition, Team USA took gold, with Kennedy earning MVP honors and a spot on the All-World Team.
How Training at Westside Barbell Made the Difference
Despite an intense lacrosse schedule, Kennedy never struggled with endurance or strength—because she had already done the hard part at Westside Barbell.
“The training was way harder than playing lacrosse,” she admits. “That gave me the confidence to go full throttle every game, knowing I wouldn’t gas out.”
Her biggest transformation? Explosive power and upper body strength.
“I could barely bench 115 pounds when I started. Now, I’m pushing 140+ and climbing. The strength I’ve gained has completely changed my game.”
She credits Westside’s Dynamic Effort days for her increased speed, power, and endurance, calling them the most challenging yet rewarding part of her training.
“You don’t understand how hard it is until you go through it,” she laughs. “It’s 40-60 minutes of absolute war—outpacing everyone while lifting insane amounts of weight. It’s brutal, but it makes everything else easier.”
Balancing Pro Sports & Coaching at Ohio State
On top of competing at the highest level, Kennedy also serves as an assistant coach at Ohio State University, where she works with the next generation of elite lacrosse players.
Balancing pro sports and coaching isn’t easy.
“If I’m playing in a tournament, that means missing time with my team at OSU,” she explains. “But at the same time, it gives me an edge as a coach—I can still relate to the players and coach them through real-world experience.”
Kennedy’s coaching philosophy mirrors her own training.
“I hold my players to the same standard I hold myself,” she says. “They want to go beyond college and compete at the highest level, so I push them in the way I wish I was pushed.”
Her ability to connect with athletes, lead by example, and bring professional-level insights makes her a powerful mentor for young lacrosse players.
Why Ohio State? A Program Built for Champions
For Kennedy, Ohio State isn’t just a top-tier lacrosse program—it’s a place where athletes are treated like professionals.
“The resources, facilities, and support system here are unmatched,” she says. “You get everything you need to compete at the highest level. The community loves OSU, and the energy is unreal.”
She believes that Ohio State’s competitive environment is what sets it apart, preparing athletes for bigger opportunities beyond college lacrosse.
The Future of Women’s Lacrosse & Being a Role Model
Kennedy knows that women’s lacrosse is on the brink of massive growth, but it’s still in its early stages compared to other sports.
“All I want to do is be a full-time professional athlete,” she admits. “But that’s not the reality right now. We don’t get paid enough to just play. So we’re the ones paving the way for the next generation.”
She hopes that in 10-15 years, young girls watching today will have full-time professional careers in lacrosse.
“That’s why I keep going,” she says. “So the next generation can have what we didn’t.”
Final Thoughts: The Westside Culture & Training Mentality
Kennedy’s journey proves that the right training, mindset, and environment can elevate an athlete beyond what they thought was possible.
At Westside Barbell, she found more than just strength and conditioning—she found a culture of hard work, high expectations, and relentless pursuit of improvement.
“When you step into Westside, the expectation is to work hard,” she says. “Everyone is there for the same reason—to get better. The legacy of this gym pushes us all to show up, train hard, and carry that chip on our shoulder.”
For Kennedy, Westside is more than a gym—it’s a proving ground.
Watch the Full Episode of Driven by Westside with Ally Kennedy
🚀 Want to see how elite athletes train and compete? Watch the full episode of Driven by Westside featuring Ally Kennedy as she breaks down her gold-medal season, training at Westside, and the future of women’s lacrosse.
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💀 For Those Who Do What Others Won’t.
