The Transformative Power of College
Johnson credits his college years at the University of Florida as a period of growth and discovery. “That’s when I really found my purpose,” he reflected. “I came into my own mentally, physically, spiritually. College helped me discover who I was, not just as an athlete, but as a man.”
That transformation now fuels his passion for mentoring young people through their own paths of self-discovery.
Mentorship as a Mission
“I love hearing the youth share their victories and ideas,” Johnson said. “A lot of kids don’t get to see positive influences every day. If I can make a difference, even if it’s just by showing up and making someone smile, I’ll gladly do it.”
Johnson believes that today’s young athletes need better guidance, both in sports and academics. Too often, he explained, talented kids are surrounded by the wrong influences or overlooked by teachers and coaches who do not invest in them.
“Kids need leaders who are truly invested in them,” he emphasized. “That’s what shapes futures.”
Living with Gratitude
Gratitude is central to Johnson’s philosophy. “Anybody who woke up this morning should have a sense of gratitude,” he said. “It’s about reflecting on who you are today versus who you were yesterday, and knowing you can always be better tomorrow.”
For him, gratitude is both a mindset and a discipline, a daily act of reflection and self-improvement.
Books, Goals, and Self-Improvement
Though he admits he is still building his reading habits, Johnson is drawn to motivational and clarity-focused books, like Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy, which recently landed on his nightstand. “I like books that help me think better, with more clarity,” he said.
He also values the practice of writing goals: “Seeing them on paper makes them real. It helps bring them to life. You can look at them every day and bring them to fruition.”