LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Mark Johnson was nominated by an anonymous student.

"I crawled out of the pool, gasping for air. Like all of my other races that weekend, I swam terribly. My body, fatigued from sickness and arduous training, couldn't perform as usual. And because of it, my mentality was withering," said the student.

"I glanced back over to the board to check my time that—just maybe—I had misread. Nope. Eleven seconds. I had added eleven seconds. Embarrassment flushed my face, and my eyes welled with tears as I approached my coach. He's going to be so disappointed in me. What is wrong with me," said the student.

"I stood still and vulnerable, waiting to hear him crack down on everything I did wrong in that race. Or to crack a joke about how I laid an egg on that event. But he said nothing. And as the silence lingered, I was forced to meet his eyes with mine. 'You've had a hard month and a half, and your body is just trying to recover. You are going to be okay.' Those unexpected words hit me like a hurricane. I struggled to hold back the flood of tears in my eyes. I would not let myself cry—he can't see me in such a mess," said the student.

"'I'm just really frustrated with myself,' I muttered. I hated being vulnerable. I hated acknowledging my diffidence. And MJ understood that. He knew what was happening in my life and how that was affecting me. He knew I lacked confidence in myself. He saw my mental struggles," said the student.

"The resulting conversation that day made me realize why I hold so much appreciation for him. He may not be the most formal or strict coach, but he's real. He connects with every swimmer personally and shows genuine interest in our lives. He's helped me through so many dark times, always being there for me whether or not I needed it," said the student.

"MJ has made me more confident in myself and optimistic about my future. He's fostered an environment for me to flourish not only physically but most definitely mentally. And I can confidently say I would not be where I am today without him. Although I'll never say it to his face, words cannot express how much he means to me," said the student. "I am more grateful than you'll ever know, MJ."