Purdue Northwest Athletics has announced the hiring of Ainsley Johnston as the department's new Director of Sports Performance.
Johnston brings a strong background in collegiate and scholastic strength and conditioning, performance development, and injury prevention. She will oversee the sports performance program for Purdue Northwest's student-athletes, designing and implementing comprehensive strength and conditioning programs that enhance athletic performance while promoting long-term health and wellness.
"I am thrilled to welcome Ainsley to the team," said Natalie Jarrett, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Success/Senior Woman Administrator. "Her passion, commitment to excellence, and dedication to student-athlete development will continue to elevate our programs and help our student-athletes succeed at the highest level, both on and off the field. What impressed me most about Ainsley was the pure joy she brings to motivating and inspiring others, paired with her dedication to continuously grow. I look forward to the impact she will have on our student-athletes!"
"I'm honored to join the Lions family and grateful for the opportunity to serve our student-athletes," Johnston said. "I'm excited to support the continued athletic development of our teams and be a part of the continued growth of our student-athletes and athletic department."
A graduate of Indiana University, Johnston earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a major in Exercise Science. She holds both the National Strength and Conditioning Association's Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certifications, along with CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications.
Her collegiate experience includes serving as a Strength and Conditioning Intern with Indiana University Athletics, where she assisted with workouts for 15 Division I athletic programs. She helped lead team warm-ups and cool-downs, assisted with Functional Movement Screening (FMS), and supported daily operations within the Hoosiers' strength and conditioning facilities.
Most recently, Johnston operated as a self-employed strength and conditioning coach, where she designed individualized training programs for high school and collegiate athletes. Utilizing periodized training plans, she focused on improving athletic performance, reducing injury risk, and helping athletes reach their full potential through individualized coaching and performance tracking.
Prior to launching her own business, Johnston served as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Bishop Chatard High School through D1 Training Carmel. In that role, she developed comprehensive training programs for every athletic program on campus, instructed strength and conditioning classes within the academic curriculum, collaborated with coaches and sports medicine staff, and implemented data-driven systems to monitor athlete progress.
Johnston also coached at D1 Training Carmel, where she led large-group athletic performance sessions, conducted fitness assessments, and designed personalized training programs for athletes of varying ages and competitive levels.
Earlier in her career, Johnston worked at the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS), advancing from Corporate Health Fitness Specialist to Corporate Fitness Center Assistant Manager. During her time at NIFS, she developed customized fitness programs, instructed group exercise classes, managed facility operations, and supervised fitness center staff.
Johnston is also the founder and former president of Girl Gains at Indiana University, a women's strength training organization dedicated to promoting education, confidence, and lifelong strength development among female students.
