morgan@playtri.com
Coaching Qualifications
- USA Triathlon Certified Coach, Level 1 and Youth & Juniors
- USA Cycling Certified Coach, Level 3
- USAT High Performance Team Coach
- Playtri Level 3 Coach and Level 3 Youth and Juniors Coach
- Experienced youth and collegiate triathlon coach
- Head Advisor to the SMU Mustangs Triathlon Club
- Head Coach Team Playtri Kids and Team Playtri Elite
- Playtri Certified Expert Run and Swim Coach
- Expert Author for the USA Triathlon Multisport Lab Online Publication
- USA Triathlon SMW Region Council Member and Collegiate Committee Chairperson
Publications
Morgan has been competing in triathlons for 5 years, and began competitive swimming at age 5, and competitive running at age 11. She has completed multiple 70.3 distance races, earned a national title and competed with Team USA at the ITU Age Group Short Course World Championship in Beijing in 2011. Her current focus is elite draft-legal triathlon competition, and completing the ING New York City Marathon in 2013. Previously, she was a competitive mid-distance runner and recreational swimmer and cyclist. Since she began coaching 4 years ago, she has coached UNT through two USAT Collegiate National Championships and has had numerous athletes earn spots on Team USA. In addition, she has worked with literally hundreds of youth and junior athletes (both age group and elite), including many who are nationally competitive.
Her passion is youth and junior athletes, and a background in education has helped her immensely in working with younger triathletes. She is the founder of the Playtri Youth and Junior Programs, which she introduced in late 2010.
Morgan's coaching philosophy is to use the available research and science, but to remain flexible, remembering that each athlete is an individual with individual goals. She enjoys working with beginners and elites alike, and likes the different challenges that each group present.
Her favorite colors are blue and yellow.
Testimonials:
"Your coaching and the Playtri Platinum Plus program is the perfect support for someone who is serious about changing their life to achieve maximum performance. You are so cheerful and encouraging that I wish all my friends would hire you." -Laura, Dallas, TX
"I wish I had you around 15 years ago I would definitely have been a better runner." -Anne Wiley, Clarksville, TN
"It's all about the run - you reinvented my run!" -Joyce Kelly, Dallas, TX
"If any of your kids have any interest in triathlons I highly recommend hiring Playtri’s Lead Developmental Coach Morgan Johnson. Morgan provided [my daughter] Jamie with an individual training plan as well as group practices and clinics in order to prepare her for her first tri. Morgan was instrumental in Jamie’s success in the race as well as imparting her enthusiasm towards triathlons and training on Jamie." -James Rose, Dallas, TX
"I couldn't have got here without you coach, you've given me so much knowledge, advice, and training that allowed me to perform at a national level. Thanks for being an awesome coach and pushing me as hard as you have!" -Grant Jarvis, Texarkana, TX, after his first Youth Elite National Championship
