We recently had the chance to connect with Johnny Shelby LMT and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Johnny, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My day kicks off by reviewing my online scheduler, which is always a mix of diverse appointments. Each morning, I check my calendar to see if I have performance testing, swim instruction, or a massage appointment. Since these are all at different locations, I then gather the specific gear needed for each one, ensuring I’m fully prepared before heading out the door.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My journey in coaching began in 2004, co-founding an endurance and multisport coaching business in Houston, TX. As head of the performance lab, I quickly identified a critical flaw in common fitness approaches: many individuals followed programs misaligned with their true goals, leading to frustration and stagnation. This insight ignited my passion to become a leading triathlon coach, specializing in comprehensive fitness testing for athletes across all levels.
In 2007, I broadened Third Coast Training’s reach, establishing a performance lab in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and offering specialized fitness testing at the Walmart Corporate Fitness Center in Bentonville. A significant achievement came in 2013 when Third Coast Training in Pasadena, TX, was honored by USA Triathlon as the nation’s eighth USA Triathlon Certified Performance Center, a testament to our rigorous standards and commitment to multisport excellence. Today, I continue to find immense reward in guiding clients toward their diverse aspirations, from fat loss and speed gains to rekindling their joy for fitness. My clients range from energetic twenty-somethings to dedicated septuagenarians, and we warmly welcome both newcomers and competitive age-group athletes. Recognizing the unique strengths and challenges each individual brings to the multifaceted sport of triathlon, I am deeply grateful for the trust my clients place in me to help them unlock their full potential.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I learned the most profound lessons about work ethic from my father. As part of a military family, frequent relocations were a constant in my life, yet one thing remained steadfast: my father’s unwavering dedication and profound appreciation for his role as a Special Forces operator. His life was a testament to rigorous training and relentless effort, all while being an exemplary father. He instilled in me a “no quit” attitude, always valuing and encouraging our determination to achieve our aspirations.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
On June 18th, 2023, two years ago, my life irrevocably changed. I was involved in a horrific car crash, an accident so severe the responding officer told my sister he only handled the most critical cases. I was extricated from the mangled wreckage, intubated, and airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital. The first week alone was a blur of over 20 surgeries in intensive care. The list of injuries was extensive: both eye sockets shattered, the bridge of my nose broken, both sides of my jaw fractured, a skull fracture, a broken neck and back, a fractured sternum, bruised heart and liver, a lacerated carotid artery, my right arm broken in two places, a broken right hand and left foot, and a compound fracture of my left leg. Today, I bear the physical remnants of that day – a neck fusion, a titanium rod in my left leg and right arm, and pins and plates in my face.
The cause of such devastation was simple, yet profound: an overpacked schedule led to me falling asleep at the wheel on my drive home. My car’s abrupt halt against a concrete pillar on the Beltway marked the terrifying end of that journey. Yet, from the depths of despair, my recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. I embraced the wisdom of St. Francis of Assisi: “Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you’re doing the impossible.” Quitting was never an option, and I’ve since not only recovered but returned to running.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The person you see is genuinely me. I’m a straightforward individual who finds immense satisfaction in helping others unlock their best selves. There are no “hacks” or shortcuts in my philosophy; I believe in directness, telling it as I see it, and letting the data speak for itself.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Absolutely, I am unequivocally doing what I was born to do. This profound sense of purpose was even humorously affirmed by my Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) results, which perfectly aligned with my own self-discovery. To be able to dedicate my life to what I am passionate about is a privilege I deeply cherish and for which I am eternally grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thirdcoasttraining.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/third_coast_training/
- Twitter: https://x.com/3dcoasttraining
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Third.Coast.Training/
- Other: Google Maps – https://maps.app.goo.gl/GiUm3f8qnfN7MiBG7
