Performance coaching for athletes of all sports and all levels — with strength training, sports nutrition, and mental focus aligned to your training and season. Not three separate programs pulling in different directions. One coordinated plan built around you.
I'm Lindsay Johnson — a former four-year varsity swimmer at the University of Michigan, a mom of four, and a performance coach based in the Ann Arbor area. I've been around competitive sport my entire life — as an athlete, a coach, an instructor, and a parent.
I started Build Up Athletics because I kept seeing the same problem across every sport: athletes working hard with a coach here, a trainer there, and nutrition advice that had nothing to do with their training load — and nobody addressing mental preparation at all. Everyone doing their part, but nobody talking to each other.
My approach is simple: whatever we work on, I always have the whole picture in mind. That's what separates athletes who plateau from athletes who improve.
Head Coach · FGR Women's Swim & Dive
Assistant Coach · Huron Valley Swim Club
Instructor · Wolverine Swim Clinics
Private Instructor · Techniq Group
4-Year Varsity Swimmer · University of Michigan (1999–2003)
Triathlete · 2017–Present
NASM Certified Personal Trainer · 10+ years building strength programs for swimmers
NASM Certified Sports Nutrition Coach
TLC Institute Certificate of Coaching Excellence
"We don't have to work on everything at once. But no matter what we're working on, I always have the whole picture in mind. That coordination is what makes the difference."
Most athletes have pieces of the puzzle — a trainer, a coach, maybe some nutrition advice. But nobody's connecting it all to the sport, the season, and the individual athlete in front of them. That's what I do.
Sport-specific strength programming timed to your season — so your body feels powerful when it counts, not broken down from training. Built to transfer to your sport, not just the gym.
→ Stronger. More resilient.Fueling strategies matched to your training load, competition schedule, and recovery needs. Practical, realistic guidance that works for youth athletes and busy adults alike.
→ More energy. Better recovery.Confidence, focus under pressure, handling competition nerves — we build the mental tools to perform consistently, not just on good days.
→ Confident. Consistent. Clutch.We don't have to do it all at once. Maybe right now it's strength and nutrition. Maybe it's technique and mental focus. We start where you need it most — and no matter what we're working on, I always have the whole picture in mind.
Whether you're a parent supporting a young athlete or an adult competitor yourself — if you're putting in the work and something isn't clicking, this is for you.
"They work so hard. Why aren't they improving?"
"I train constantly. Something still isn't clicking."
"Our athletes need more than just practice reps."
In-person in the Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit area, or virtually for families and athletes across the US and internationally.
Fully customized coaching across strength, nutrition, and mental focus — or just the pieces you need most. Built around your sport, season, and goals.
In-Person & VirtualTechnique-focused swim instruction for all ages and levels — from beginner to nationally competitive. Private and small group options available.
Southeast MichiganThe same integrated approach in a small group setting — great for athletes at similar levels or families looking for a more accessible option.
Virtual · US & InternationalSeasonal strength, nutrition, and mental performance programs for teams and clubs of any sport. Built around your competition calendar.
In-Person & Virtual"After years at the same pace, an adult triathlete and Ironman World Qualifier took 10 seconds off her 100m time in just 9 weeks — and left with the tools and confidence to keep improving on her own."
"She dropped almost 7 seconds in the 100 free and got a state cut. She was so proud and happy — I attribute a lot of this to you. You've really helped her with confidence and believing in herself."
"I have no clue how you got her to just swim. She is having fun and not in her head — and that is the fastest I have ever seen her. She's so happy to come to swim, even at 6:30am!"
"He said the only reason he went that time is because you fixed his fly."
"She has never realized her true potential until this year with you."
Private swim lessons, stroke analysis, and swim-specific coaching for all ages and levels in Southeast Michigan.
Learn more →In-person and virtual coaching for athletes of any sport — strength, nutrition, mental focus, or all three.
Learn more →Not sure where to start? A free 30-minute call to figure out what's right for you and your athlete.
Get in touch →Whether you're a parent, an athlete, or a coach looking for a team program — let's talk. No pressure, no pitch. Just an honest conversation about what it'll take to get you where you want to go.
Or reach me at lindsay.buildup@gmail.com
In-person · Southeast Michigan | Virtual · US & International