Meet Coach Mel

“Success is the ability to turn negatives into positives. To be able to push through adversity while maintaining the will and desire to keep moving forward.” - Coach Mel

I’m Melvin “Coach Mel” Rendleman Jr.—a coach, mentor, author, and faith-driven leader who has dedicated my life to helping young people unlock their God-given potential. My journey has been anything but ordinary. I grew up navigating discipline, adversity, and hard lessons that ultimately shaped my character and calling. What looked like hardship became the foundation of my strength.

Basketball was my first love, but purpose became my destination. From coaching at-risk youth for free, to building nonprofits, to leading championship-level programs, to working with students facing emotional and behavioral challenges—I learned that true impact happens when you serve with heart, humility, and faith.

My life changed forever when I became legally blind. What should have broken me instead became the clearest revelation of God’s purpose for my life. Losing my sight strengthened my vision. It deepened my faith and positioned me to inspire others through my story, my coaching, and my commitment to helping people become who God created them to be.

Today, I use my experiences to build mentally tough athletes, stronger families, and purpose-driven leaders. Through Coaching the Culture, my autobiography, and my mental toughness programs, I empower others to trust the process, overcome adversity, and walk boldly in their calling.

I didn’t just write a book—I lived every page. And now, I help others see what faith really looks like.

About Coach Mel 

Melvin “Coach Mel” Rendleman Jr. is a motivational speaker, author, and transformational coach known for turning adversity into purpose and struggle into strength. Raised in a strict Christian household and shaped by years of hardship, Mel’s life shifted dramatically when he became legally blind due to complications from Type 1 diabetes. What could have ended his career instead opened a new level of vision—one rooted in faith, resilience, and calling.

Today, Coach Mel is the founder and CEO of Coaching the Culture, a youth-development and leadership company that equips athletes, students, and emerging leaders with the mental toughness, character, and confidence they need to succeed in life and sports. Through coaching programs, school partnerships, workshops, and faith-based initiatives, Coaching the Culture delivers powerful, practical tools that transform how young people think, perform, and respond to adversity.

As a public speaker, Coach Mel brings raw authenticity, humor, and life-changing insight to every stage he steps on. His story—chronicled in his powerful autobiography Not By Sight: What Faith Really Looks Like—has inspired audiences of all ages to dream bigger, work harder, and trust God through every season of life.

Whether addressing entire school districts, athletic departments, youth ministries, corporate teams, or parent groups, Coach Mel specializes in topics such as:

• Mental Toughness & Peak Performance

• Leadership & Character Development

• Overcoming Adversity & Building Resilience

• Faith, Purpose, and Personal Growth

• Team Culture, Discipline & Accountability
  

More than a speaker, Coach Mel is a culture-builder.
He doesn’t just motivate audiences for a moment—
He equips them with tools that create lasting change.

If you’re looking for a speaker who can ignite your audience, strengthen your organization, and inspire your students or athletes to rise above excuses, push past obstacles, and pursue excellence…

Coach Mel Rendleman Jr. is the voice your program needs.