OAKLAND, Calif. -- New closer Jim Johnson agreed to a $10 million, one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. Catcher John Jaso also reached agreement on a $2.3 million, one-year deal. The As acquired Johnson, the 2013 AL saves leader, last month in a trade with Baltimore. He converted 50 of 59 save opportunities in 2013, going 3-8 with a 2.94 ERA. He was tied with Atlantas Craig Kimbrel for the major leagues saves lead. Jaso gets a $500,000 raise under the deal announced Thursday. In addition, Jaso can earn $25,000 bonuses for 90 games started at catcher 450 plate appearances. His first season with the two-time defending AL West champion As was cut short after he sustained a concussion when he took a foul tip off his mask July 24 at Houston and complained of a headache. Initially, Jaso was placed on the seven-day concussion list the following day, then transferred to the 15-day disabled list on Aug. 8. Jaso batted .271 with three homers and 21 RBIs in 70 games. He was among seven Oakland players who filed for arbitration. Crissy Zachanowich is a bikini model and massage therapist, who has devoted her life to fitness. The knowledge she has gained by pushing her physical limits, and now as one of Cellucors ambassadors is exactly what keeps fighters pushing in the last two weeks. In a Ten week training period for a fight, or in any length of camp for athletes, the second last week is the most important. Diet needs to be perfect, intensity needs to be its highest, and the goal is to "peak" at the right time to ensure health, and no injuries. As a strength coach who has been there for some of the best athletes in the world, 10 days out is probably the most stressful time in my life. The focus is on sleep, hydration, nutrition, and the intensity of the workouts. You are asking so much out of your body, this is where the supplements come in. To keep my weight down, my calories are low. Fortunately science can make up for it with supplements that give me vitamins, branch chain amino acids, and other forms of minerals that get used up in training. Athletes normally can get what they need from whole nutritious foods. They just ensure perfection with supplements. Athletes at this high training volume and intensity need the assistance. This time in training is also where athletes who want to win need a big push. Im no athlete, but I do love experiencing the exhaustion of training. The team at Elite Performance in Winnipeg is making sure the intensity goes up. Thats what any great strength coach and team will do. Its no wonder most of the top athletes come from the same teams in MMA. You need that support, you need that push. Look at Jackson MMA, Tri-Star, American Top Team, and the Blackzillians. They ensure each other have success. Jeff Fisher is the owner of Elite Performance and coach everyone wants, he has me dialed right in for the big week. Im learning to love the Jacobs Ladder, Bike Sprints, and plyometric training. I look forward to the moments when we do injury prevention work, its a rest and I know I get to have time to myself. Right now, I may not be getting in a cagee in a few days, but Im doing the conditioning.dddddddddddd. Every fight fan should feel this amount of exhaustion. Then youd think twice before booing. Sleep is probably the most underrated weapon in an athletes arsenal at this point, especially as the weeks wear on. This is where the crossovers start to happen. Training intensity goes up, the body has higher demands on nutrients for recovery. Those vitamins and minerals are also the basis of the sleep cycle. So as training goes up(using more nutrients), and food intake goes down to make weight(no resupply of nutrients, sleep suffers. Sleep is heavily regulated by vitamins and minerals. Zinc being one of the prime nutrients. The hormones you need to have released are also made up of essential fats and proteins. You need the vitamins and minerals combined with the macro nutrients to ensure your recovery, and restful sleep. Can you see where the stress of a coach comes in? We dont usually talk about all the science with an athlete. When we see them miss their supplements, or skip meals we panic. Those missed fueling times can result quickly in reduced immune system function, lower energy, and muscle breakdown. Those missed opportunities cannot be had back. When your body is ready to recover, it needs fuel. Again, thats why the best supplements need to be there, along with food, sleep, and water. So when you see athletes on fight day, know what goes into the 14 days leading up to that fight. Its a very strategic plan. If you are trying to get in your best shape ever, up the intensity, but make sure you take care of yourself. Find someone like Crissy. Take a look at her Instagram @Crissyzach, shes a bikini model whos been featured in "Inside Fitness Magazines Hot and Fit 100" and got a perfect physique score at MABA Novice Show March 29th. She knows her product inside and out, and knows how to aid recovery and add that winning edge to any diet. Step it up, find that next level, and protect your body with Sleep, Nutrition, and Hydration. Its a lot of fun, and your body will thank you with a six pack. ' ' '