Meet Coach Ron
Mental Performance Coach. Builder of Competitors. Guide through Pressure.
I help athletes, teams and leaders build the mental skills required to perform when it matters most -- because winning doesn't start on game day. It starts within.
25+ Years Studying Performance Under Pressure
Ron Schmittling is the founder of Coach Ron MPM, LLC and a certified Mental Performance Mastery coach with decades of experience helping athletes and leaders develop focus, resilience, confidence and composure.
As a former national travel softball program director and head coach, Ron built teams that earned national bids, achieved top rankings and developed athletes who went on to compete at elite collegiate programs.
Today he applies those lessons through coaching, courses, workshops and speaking engagements to help others perform at their highest level.
Why This Work Matters
Ron's journey into mental performance didn't start in the classroom - it started on the field, in pressure moments, and through years of working with athletes navigating expectations, adversity and self-doubt.
He saw firsthand that talent alone fails under pressure.
The athletes who success long-term are the ones who develop emotional control, focus under pressure, and strong internal standards.
That realization became the foundation for the work he does today.
The Lighthouse Philosophy
Pressure doesn't build character - it reveals it.
Ron believes mental performance is a trainable skillset through awareness, intentional practice and consistent standards.
His approach focuses on helping individuals:
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Respond instead of react
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Stay present under pressure
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Build confidence through preparation
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Develop resilience through adversity
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Create habits that hold up in real moments
The Coach Ron Mental Performance System
Ron's work integrates proven performance psychology with real-world competitive experience.
His system focuses on 10 core pillars categorized into 3 main sections:
The Foundation Pillars:
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Commitment - Showing up daily
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Motivation & Purpose - Fueling with your why
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Self-Awareness - Polishing your beam
The Performance Pillars:
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Confidence - Trusting the work
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Focus - Controlling your beam
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Self-Control - Weathering the storm
The Excellence Pillars:
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Discipline & Habits - Daily reps that build reliability
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Preparation & Routines - Building systems for the storms
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Time Management & Balance - Protecting your energy
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Leadership & Culture - Lighting the way for others
This framework is taught through coaching, courses, workshops and his book Winning Starts Within.
Who Ron Works With
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Athletes who want to perform consistently under pressure
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Teams building culture and leadership
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Coaches developing stronger competitors
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Parents supporting athlete growth
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Organizational and business leaders performing under pressure
Experience That Translates to Results
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Certified Mental Performance Mastery (MPM) Coach
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Certified 3Dimensional Coach
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Former national travel program director and head coach
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Feature by FloSoftball, Extra Innings Softball, and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)
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Author of Winning Starts Within and Into The Storm
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Corporate executive leadership experience in financial services.
Beyond Coaching
When he's not coaching or speaking, Ron enjoys strength training, competing in triathlon or endurance events and spending time with his wife, Elise, and their Yorkie, Eddie.
His work is driven by a simple mission:
To help people become stronger, more confident, and more resilient - in sport and in life.
