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Start the school year off right with Michael Johnson Performance Training Sessions

Click here to view more information on MJP Youth Packages and Services.

Week of August 23rd Sessions:

High School Prep (ages 12-14)

HSP 16: Mon/Wed/Fri       6:15-7:45p

HSP 17: Tues/Thurs       6:15-7:45p

 

College Prep (ages 15-18)

CP 20 Mon/Wed/Fri     6:30-8:00p

CP 21: Tues/Thurs       3:30-5:00p

For more information or to sign up please call Russ Watkins at 469-424-6572 or email at russell@michaeljohnsonperformance.com

MJP Group/Team Training

Did you know that MJP offers Group/Team Training for youth athletes 10-18 years old in all sports? Group/Training consists of 5-12 athletes playing the same sport, same age and same gender. 18 and 12 session customizable packages are available. This is a great way to experience results of the proven MJP training philosophy at great group rates.

Please call 469-424-6572 for more information on how to get your team training with the best.

 

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Baltimore Raven and MJP Athlete Mark Clayton Article
January 25th 2010

Clayton utilized Olympic champ in his quest to go faster
By Ryan Chell, Times Staff Writer Thursday, January 21, 2010
DYLAN SLAGLE/STAFF PHOTO Mark Clayton hauls in a 31 yard Joe Flacco pass to score a touchdown past Brandon Carr during the Ravens' season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in Baltimore.
A good way to get better is to learn from the best.

That is what Ravens wide receiver Mark Clayton has done over the past several years in an effort to improve as a pass catcher in the NFL. Clayton has been one of the key pieces in the Ravens’ revamped offensive attack this season, especially in the passing game, and a collaboration Clayton made with a retired track superstar has been part of the reason.

Several years ago, Clayton wanted to find a way to improve his speed during his offseason workout routine. Clayton’s agent, turned him on to an offer that Clayton could not refuse, a chance to learn from one of the fastest men in sport history — Olympic champion Michael Johnson — at his facility near Dallas.

“I figured I’d try it out,” Clayton said. “They have a great regime for the players out there, and it really benefited me.”

When it comes to running and speed, Johnson is pretty much synonymous. Johnson won four gold medals in his career, including one in 1992 as a member of a U.S. relay team, and one in the 400 meters at the 2000 Games in Sydney.

But what he is most known for are his performances in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he won not one but two gold medals. Wearing gold running shoes, he blazed to victory in the 200- and 400-meter events. At the time, he set world records in the races, and was dubbed “the fastest man in the world.”

Since his retirement in 2001 from Olympic competition, Johnson has been training athletes of all kinds — not just football and track athletes — at his 20,000 square foot facility outside of Dallas. The facility contains a 60 square foot track, turf field, basketball courts, and more. And any athlete of any age or skill level is welcome to come and train under one of the all-time greats.

Certainly Clayton didn’t balk at the opportunity to just pick the brain of one of the legends. Clayton said he learned a lot just from listening to Johnson and the staff at the Michael Johnson Performance Center.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “We know what Michael has done and accomplished, and for him to be willing to give back and share the knowledge he has, it’s really good.”

* *

And what made it really important for Clayton was how what he had learned could translate into what he does for coach John Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and receivers coach Jim Hostler all week in practice and on game-day.

“It teaches you a lot about flexibility and understanding how the body works,” Clayton explained. “But they also show you the running mechanics, breaking down, and getting out of routes.”

From day one of the tests, Clayton, a Dallas native, knew that not only would it be convenient for him while he was in the area, but there were tools there that he could bring back with him when it came to training in Owings Mills.

“It’s powerful stuff, and you kind of learn how to work out when you’re not there, and what to do to keep your body in good shape.”

What’s also important to Clayton was the hands-on learning that not just the facility, but that Michael Johnson himself actually gives.

“He’s there,” Clayton said. “It’s his facility and he’s actually there. He’s hands-on with everything that is going on. It’s a legit program and facility that he runs.”

Clayton swears by what he has picked up from the Olympic runner, and Johnson’s teachings appear to be garnering a lot of attention from around the league as well.

Clayton said there were so many big-name players there training alongside him that he couldn’t keep track of them all, but two names that stuck out were two of the more explosive backs to come out of the NFL Draft from last year, Oakland Raiders and Cowboys running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, who both sought out Johnson’s advice before the NFL Combine in 2008.

In a way, Johnson’s facility was kind of like a gold mine. And while it wasn’t particularly well-known when Clayton’s agent turned him onto it, the center and its benefit are no longer a secret among athletes.

“Nah,” Clayton said, “by no means.”

If you are a member of the media and would like additional information about Michael Johnson Performance, or to request an interview with Michael Johnson, please click here.