SPIRE Academy is a special place, combining an intense focus on athletics with an equally intense focus on academics. It’s this ambitious combination that draws student athletes from all corners of the globe. It also drew Director of Admissions, Trish Johnson, to the school. With a background in coaching as well as higher education, she has a passion for ensuring students build a strong connection with each other through both their sport and their studies. Trish recently sat down with us to discuss her role in-depth at SPIRE and what brought her here.

Q: How did you find yourself as the Director of Admissions at an international sports boarding school?

A: I wanted to relocate from Illinois to Ohio and had been looking for jobs in education. After seeing the job posting for SPIRE and doing some initial research, I got very excited about the opportunity to combine my passion for sports and education in one job. Over the years I’ve had the privilege of working in a variety of different fields, from sales to performance training to education, so SPIRE seemed like it would be the perfect fit for me, and so far, it has been.

Q: Did you play sports growing up? If so, what was that like? Did you look up to any athletes in particular?

A: I was a competitive gymnast for a number of years (Mary Lou Retton was my hero!) and eventually switched to track and field in high school and college, where I focused on the 400- and 800-meter events. Thinking back on my gymnastics experience, I realize I was doing then what all our SPIRE Academy student athletes are doing now—balancing high-level athletics and academics—though my day wasn’t formally or officially constructed as such. But every day after school I would spend anywhere from three to five hours training in the gym, which even included an hour of conditioning. 

Once I switched to track and field, I became obsessed with strength training and focused a lot of time and energy on getting faster and stronger. We didn’t have performance coaches or strength and conditioning coaches back then, so it was just our track coaches or other students “guiding” us…which meant we were pretty much on our own. Often, I would be the only female in the weight room, lifting with the football and baseball players. I used that as motivation and tried my best to outperform them.

Q: What attracted you to SPIRE? What was your first visit like?

A: I was blown away by the magnitude of the facilities on my first visit, as well as the incredible opportunity for growth. It was immediately evident that the people who work here have a passion for training and developing the next generation of student athletes. The dedication and zeal displayed by everyone was contagious on that first visit, and still is. I feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful place as SPIRE. 

But it’s more than just the facilities and the staff; it’s the students. They come from all over the world, bringing with them different cultures, languages, backgrounds and faiths. And together they make SPIRE a melting pot, where everyone’s respected, appreciated, supported and able to operate as a cohesive unit. Every SPIRE student has sacrificed something to be here, and their passion for and dedication to their sport is what unites them. Being part of such a unique community and having the opportunity to help shape the lives of so many young strivers inspires me to keep making SPIRE a great place to be.

Q: What does a typical day look like?

A: Students might say, “Ms. Johnson is always in a meeting,” and they wouldn’t be far off. My days consist of team, sport and administrative meetings, along with prospective family interviews. I try to meet every family who visits campus. It’s important for me to have personal connections with as many students and their families as possible. I have an open-door policy for students and staff and try to be available for anyone who needs me or just wants a friendly chat.

Q: What are your goals for the upcoming year?

A: One of my goals is to journal letters to my new granddaughter, with funny stories of her mom, aunts and uncles, as well as advice for her as she grows. Also, while I was always an avid reader, the last few years my life have been dedicated to other things.

Q: What does success look like for you? Or even happiness?

A: When asked about success, people usually think of what they’ve achieved or produced. Success requires the dedication of time, energy and resources toward achieving a desired outcome or goal. But success also comes with the willingness to make sacrifices, the determination to work through the hard things, and being able to accept challenges with grace and strength. For me, my unequaled success is my family. Having raised four amazing children, who are now successfully carving their own paths in the world, they’ll forever be my greatest achievement. 

On a professional level, I’d say a big success for me was going back to school in a full-time master’s program, all while working full-time in higher education, running my part-time personal training business and continuing to manage my kids and household. Admittedly, I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish. 

As for happiness, I believe that’s a state of mind. We need to find things that bring joy to our lives so that when circumstances are hard and the days are challenging, we can focus on what will bring us peace. For me, true happiness is when I get to Facetime with my kids who are away at college, snuggle with my four-month-old grandbaby, or sit on my back deck drinking a cup of coffee with my husband, enjoying the view. I will admit, finding good deals at T.J. Maxx can bring a little bit of happiness my way as well!

Q: Are there any trends in the admissions world you’d like to address or comment on? Is there anything worth noting that you’re seeing more and more of with your students?

A: We try to make our admissions process as smooth as possible, while keeping it very robust. I’m biased, but I think we have the best team on campus, as each member of the team plays an incredibly valuable role in making sure every family’s experience is a positive one. Notably, we are starting to see more prospective students apply to SPIRE earlier each year, which is a definite sign of institutional growth. But it also means our sports teams are filling up earlier in the admissions year, with fewer open spots and dorm space available the closer we get to the summer months. Our messaging to families is, if you’re even remotely considering SPIRE Academy for your child, it’s better to start the process as early in the year as possible.

Another trend I’m seeing is that we’re enrolling students who come with varying levels of athletic talent and a variety of goals, which is such a great thing! Given that we are a sports academy, I often hear parents say they aren’t sure their child is “good enough” to apply to SPIRE. We try very hard to communicate that we develop student athletes at any level, and that we’re looking for students who have the mindset it takes to be in this environment. This year we have students newer to high-level sports training alongside students who are nationally and internationally ranked. The students become a family, encouraging and supporting the growth and accomplishments of their peers, no matter what that looks like.

Q: What are you listening to these days? Any musicians you like? If music isn’t what does it for you, have you read any good books or seen any good movies recently? 

A: I listen to a lot of country music and Christian rock, with Zac Williams, Thomas Rhett and Brandon Lake being a few of my favorites. As for movies, I love them and have probably seen every movie listed on the Netflix and Amazon Prime newly released lists. I will warn everyone though, I speak fluent movie quotes, from a varied and extensive list of what I deem to be classics that are must-sees for everyone. Be prepared to hear these one-liners at any given moment, but especially if I can interject them into a conversation without someone seeing it coming.

Q: What does your ideal Friday night look like?

A: A drive in my Jeep with the doors and top off—Spotify playlist blasting—while my husband and I head to a restaurant or an outdoor event. I love to unwind by not cooking and catching up with my family after a long week at work. If it’s cold outside, then it’s pizza or Mexican and a good movie.

Q: Where would you like to vacation and why?

A: Anywhere new and exciting! My goal is to visit all six livable continents, and I’m halfway there. Whenever I travel, whether by myself or with my family, I like to see places that are less touristy and more off the beaten path, the places locals go to and hang out—anything to get more immersed in the local culture. Currently, my list of must-do vacation spots includes Greece, Ireland, Peru and Egypt…but I’d jump at the chance to see the Florida Keys, too.

Q: Any final thoughts? Any insights or advice you’d like to share?

A: Take chances. Don’t be afraid of change. Be willing to take a few risks. You never know what awaits you outside of your comfort zone that could change the trajectory of your life. But while I’m always seeking some type of change, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be working at a place as amazing as SPIRE. Getting to meet so many people from all over the world. Being able to impact young people’s lives in such a unique way. You never know what good things await you unless you’re willing to open yourself up to something new.