Michael Johnson: The Truth Behind 4 Olympic Golds, Doping & Team USA
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Published 2024-07-21
Four-time Olympic Champion Michael Johnson joins us on High Performance to explore the mindset and strategies that propelled him to extraordinary record-breaking athletics success.
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Known for his electrifying running style, Michael Johnson made history at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics by becoming the first man to win both the 200 and 400 metres at the same games. In this episode, Michael talks about the importance of having a strong support system and staying grounded in reality.
Michael recounts difficult decisions he faced in his career, including his choice to return a relay gold medal tainted by doping allegations, showcasing his commitment to integrity and fairness in athletics. He also opens up about recently facing a life-threatening stroke, sharing the debilitating impact on his body and his incredible road to recovery.
Michael goes on to share his journey of overcoming self-doubt, the lessons learned from his family and coaches, and his approach to handling pressure and setbacks. He reveals new insights from his experiences on the track, the intricacies of racing, and the mental strategies that helped him become one of the world’s fastest men.
Throughout the episode, Michael underscores the resilience, integrity, and balance necessary to excel in sport and life, offering a glimpse into the mindset of a legendary athlete who’s navigated both triumph and adversity.
0:00 Introduction
1:06 What Is High Performance?
4:40 Why Should You Believe In Yourself?
7:57 🚨 Huel
8:34 Picking The Right People
13:53 Mental VS Physical
19:39 Visualising The Race
25:32 Olympic Food Poisoning
31:16 🚨 Heights
32:19 Brutally Realistic
38:06 PEDs & Doping
43:25 Recovering From a Stroke
56:49 Secrets To Handling Stress
1:01:52 Quick-Fire Questions
#HighPerformance #MichaelJohnson #TeamUSA #Olympics #Paris2024
All Comments (21)
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We want to hear from you! What was your favourite moment from Michael's episode? 👇
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MJ is an absolute legend, I grew up watching him absolutely demolish the competion. In a way that may never be repeated. The GOAT.
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As a Canadian, I demonized Michael Johnson in favour (heh) of our own Donovan Bailey in the 1996 Atlanta Games. But now I can go back and appreciate MJ for the athlete - and man - he clearly was and is.
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Michael Johnson is certainly one of the nicest people in elite level sports. An articulate and thoughtful man, with integrity. On top of that one of the best athletes of all time because of the effort he put in on top of his physical gifts.
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Not really into track and field, but I would always watch this dude, he had such a distinct and iconic running style.
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"The one thing you want the most is often on the other side of the thing you're not doing" BARS
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Hope to see Michael commentating at the Olympics for the BBC. What an athlete and as I have had a stroke in the past like Michael, look how great he is. Top man.
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A wonderful commentator on Athletics, as elegant off the track as he was on it. His innate intelligence, and in credible determination allowed a remarkable recovery from a serious stroke. Admired and respected throughout the world, and rightly so
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It's been wonderful seeing Mr Johnson again, thank you for getting him on board this conversation.
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To think the 200m record he set in 96 has only been bettered 4 times by 3 athletes 28 years, and his 400m record he set in 99 only once.
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Growing up I just remember him being the best at running - today I learnt he’s an absolute legend and deserved every medal. Exceptional recovery from a stroke - fair play and fantastic episode!
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That was a very fascinating interview! Michael Johnson was absolutely correct when he said that runners are have been very poor at breaking down the sport and how to be successful at "racing". I ran the 100 and 220 yard races back when I was in high school. Sure it was a very long time ago, but I remember just how long those races were as I was running. I always knew that at any given time along the race, that I could sprint, but I also knew that I could not maintain that sprint more than probably 50 yards. If I had a coach at that time that could have explained to me how to use that natural speed, I am positive that I could have gotten much more out of racing at that time and probably could have propelled me into a college looking for performances at very high levels. Unfortunately, we had just the opposite. None of our coaches understood what the proper tools track and field athletes needed to preform at any level, let alone high levels of performances. I make that point because I know there are so many kids that feel that they missed out on being able to preform at the levels that they felt they could, if not for having coaches that understood how to coach/build a high level athlete.
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I am jamaican but this man was my idol long before bolt an company as a teenager I was in awe watching this man running on my TV. His awkward but effective running style had me in awe
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Couldn’t think of a better person than MJ to be a stroke ambassador, knowing how hard it is to come back from such a physical challenge, the sacrifice needed.
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It feels like this podcast was literally made with this guy in mind; he's so articulate when it defining qualities and performance
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My oh my, Michael Jackson showers us with amazing moments growing up in Africa. Always glued to the Tv for his races. This interview is full of inspiration for whatever you or want to become. And it doesn’t have to be sports.
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He was the most beautiful sprinter I’d ever seen. The WR he got in ‘96 when he smashed his own record was epic
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Inspiring as an athlete and a stroke victim, but most of all as an extraordinary person!
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I was always in awe of Michael Johnson. His confidence, his efficiency, his power. Everything really. I’ve never watched a race and been so confident in someone. So pleased (and not surprised) he has made a full recovery.
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When I started running and getting into the world of Track and Field some 24 years ago, I liked Michael Johnson but that was it. Today, after this interview I'm a fan!
