“What You Think of Me is None of My Business”: A Guiding Principle at the Texas Baseball Ranch®

By Coach Ron Wolforth – 

One of the most transformational books I’ve ever read, as a coach, a leader, and a man of faith, is Terry Cole-Whittaker’s What You Think of Me is None of My Business. That title alone challenged and liberated me. At the Texas Baseball Ranch®, this principle has become more than a mindset…it’s a way of life. And for those of us who walk in Christian faith, it’s also deeply biblical.

But even if your Faith journey doesn’t mirror mine, please don’t miss the power of this concept. Learning to shut down the noise of distractors, critics  and sycophants is incredibly important.

Breaking Free from the Tyranny of Approval

Let’s be honest, in today’s social media-driven world, everyone’s a critic. For young athletes, especially, the pressure to “fit the mold,” to be liked, to meet everyone’s expectations can be overwhelming. And as coaches? We feel it too. Expectations from parents, peers, athletes, and even other coaches can become a burden.

But as What You Think of Me is None of My Business teaches, that pressure only has power if we give it permission.

At the Ranch, we remind ourselves and our athletes that we are not in the business of pleasing everyone. We are in the business of authentic growth, of relentless pursuit, of developing uniquely excellent human beings. And that means not everyone will understand our methods, or approve of them.

Living for an Audience of One

The root question may very well be, who’s approval exactly are we wanting to get? Who are we trying to impress?

As believers, we’re called to live not for the approval of man, but for the glory of God. Galatians 1:10 puts it plainly:

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

That scripture cuts through the noise. At the Ranch, we talk often about what it means to live with clarity, courage, and conviction, not from ego, but from identity. Our worth is not based on likes, rankings, or public praise. Our worth is fixed because we are created in God’s image and called according to His purpose.

Detaching from the World’s Approval

We teach our athletes that external validation is fleeting, but internal clarity is foundational. If you’re constantly bending yourself into a pretzel to please others, your confidence, your focus, and your performance will always be fragile. But when you root yourself in who you are, in what you believe, and in what you’re building, you become unshakable.

The message of What You Think of Me is None of My Business resonates because it calls us out of bondage, the bondage of being defined by the opinions of others. Whether you’re a high school pitcher facing critics, or a coach being second-guessed for taking a bold approach, the freedom comes when we stop needing everyone to understand or agree with us.

Jesus Himself was misunderstood, misrepresented, and mocked, even by the very people He came to save. Yet He stayed rooted in His purpose. That’s the example we follow.

How We Apply This at the Ranch

Here’s how this faith-centered mindset shapes our daily work:

We Seek to Serve, Not Merely Perform: We don’t train athletes to become people-pleasers. We train them to steward their gifts. Colossians 3:23 reminds us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

We Speak Truth in Love: Honest feedback is central to growth. But we deliver it from a place of love, not judgment. Athletes learn to receive it with humility, not fear.

We Celebrate Identity Over Image: Players at the Ranch are not defined by stats or showcases. They are seen, known, and valued as whole individuals: body, mind, and spirit.

We Anchor in Purpose: We remind our team, on and off the field, that their lives have eternal significance. Their calling goes far beyond baseball.

Freedom Through Faith

Here’s the beautiful irony: when we stop chasing approval, we gain confidence. When we stop fearing criticism, we find peace. When we root our identity in Christ instead of crowd consensus, we become the kind of athletes, coaches, and leaders who truly make a difference.

So to our young men and women, to the families we serve, and to fellow believers in the game:

Walk boldly. Stand firm. Play freely.

And the next time the critics show up, on Social Media,  in the stands, or in your own thoughts, remind yourself:

“What you think of me is none of my business.”

Because what He thinks of me is everything.

Stay Curious & Keep Fighting The Good Fight

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Important TBR Updates

• There are still several dates remaining this summer to join us at one of our 3-Day Elite Pitchers Bootcamps and take advantage of our world renowned training. Upcoming dates include: 
  July 4-6 (Fri-Sun)
  July 18-20 (Fri-Sun)
  Aug. 1-3 (Fri-Sun)
  Aug. 30-Sept 1 (Sat-Mon)
  To register or learn more CLICK HERE

 

• Interested in our “Summer Intensive Development Program”?   Join us for 2-11 weeks this summer.  For more information on this one of a kind Summer Training experience and for a registration form visit https://www.texasbaseballranch.com/events/tbr-summer-program/.

 

• Would you like to participate in the Ranch Summer Program but can’t find 2+ weeks in your schedule?  We have an option for you!  Attend one of our 3-Day EPBC’s and add the summer program week after.  It’s seven days of training and is a great option for those players with an extremely busy summer schedule.  Give us a call and we can provide you with more details – (936) 588-6762.

 

• Coach Wolforth is hosting a special 90 minute webinar – “The Velocity Code: 3 Secrets to Improving Velocity and Staying Healthy” on Thursdays at 7pm CST.  If you’d like to attend the next webinar, CLICK HERE to register. He will also be hosting a new webinar “The 4 Pitching Pitfalls that Sabotage Velocity, Arm Health & Long-Term Success” next Monday at 7 pm. CST.  CLICK HERE to register for this webinar.

Tagged as: Baseball, baseball training, belief, Coach Wolforth, mindset, perspective, Pitching Central, Ron Wolforth, Terry Cole-Whittaker, Texas Baseball Ranch, The Ranch, What You Think of Me is None of My Business