About | Mullen Performance

Background

About Chris

From an early age, Chris had one goal: to play in the NFL. His commitment to that goal shaped the decisions he made and the work he was willing to put in.

After middle school, he chose to attend St. Augustine High School so he could compete in one of San Diego’s premier football programs. That decision meant a two-hour round-trip commute from Vista to North Park every day, but Chris believed the chance to challenge himself and pursue football at the next level was worth the sacrifice.

Throughout that journey, Chris experienced firsthand the impact that quality performance training can have on an athlete’s development. He also saw how many talented, hardworking athletes miss out on opportunities simply because they lack access to the right coaching, resources, and guidance.

Chris founded Mullen Performance to provide the next generation of athletes with the support he knows can make a difference. His mission is to deliver high-quality, evidence-based training that helps athletes improve their performance, build confidence, and put themselves in the best possible position to reach their goals.

Experience

Professional Experience

Chris began developing his coaching knowledge while attending St. Augustine, learning under Haneef Shaheed in track and field and Michael Sweat in strength and conditioning. Their coaching established the foundation for his understanding of speed development, athletic movement, and physical preparation.

Chris later began working with world-renowned speed coach Les Spellman through Spellman Performance. Chris considers Les a mentor and credits that experience with further developing his understanding of speed training.

Through that experience, Chris has had opportunities to assist with the USA Men’s Rugby Sevens team in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games and contribute during multiple NFL Combine training cycles.

Today, Chris brings the same dedication that defined his own athletic journey to every athlete he coaches. By combining lessons learned from elite coaches and professional athletes with individualized instruction and objective feedback, he helps young athletes train with purpose and pursue their full potential.

Christopher Mullen with athletes at a training facility

Philosophy

Training Philosophy

That experience shaped the way Chris approaches training today, with an emphasis on movement quality, force production, purposeful programming, and measurable progress.

Speed Is a Skill

Speed is a skill, and like any skill, it can be trained. Through a combination of technical development and the right training stimulus, every athlete has the ability to become faster.

Chris’s philosophy is simple: to get fast, you have to run fast.

High-quality sprint reps are generally performed at 95 percent intensity or higher, with sufficient recovery between efforts so the athlete can maintain quality movement.

The goal is not to make athletes tired; it is to make them faster. This is not conditioning. This is speed development.

The Same Standard for Every Athlete

Chris’s standard of coaching does not change based on an athlete’s age or experience.

Whether he is working with an eight-year-old learning foundational movement skills or an NFL athlete preparing for the Combine, every athlete receives the same standard of coaching, attention, and commitment.

The process begins by assessing how the athlete moves, identifying what may be limiting their performance, and creating a plan around their individual needs and goals rather than placing them into a one-size-fits-all program.

Data-Driven Development

Every training program is supported by objective performance data. Depending on the program and the athlete’s goals, testing may include laser timing, split times, GPS technology, and force velocity profiling.

Rather than relying solely on feel or observation, athletes receive a clear and measurable picture of their acceleration, top-end speed, and overall development.

That information allows Chris to make more informed programming decisions, track meaningful progress, and show athletes exactly how their hard work is translating into improved performance.