Julie Jones is a nationally respected leader in athletics and performance development. As the founder of SSB Performance, LLC, she empowers athletes, teams, and business leaders to develop a Smarter, Stronger, Better mindset—one grounded in clarity, resilience, and consistent performance under pressure.

With over 25 years of experience in collegiate athletics, Julie served as a Division I head softball coach and athletics administrator, mentoring hundreds of student-athletes while advocating for the growth of women’s sports. Her coaching philosophy? Develop well-rounded people—Smarter students. Stronger athletes. Better teammates.

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What Julie Does Now:

Today, through SSB Performance, Julie delivers high-impact mental performance coaching and workshops to organizations, teams, and individuals across the country. From elite athletes to Fortune 500 teams, her practical tools and engaging teaching style help people perform at their best—on the field, in the boardroom, and in life. 

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She also serves as an adjunct professor at The University of Akron, Ursuline College, and Baldwin Wallace University, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in sport psychology, coaching, team culture, coach communication and organizational behavior. Julie played a key role in creating Ursuline’s Curated Wellness master’s program and The Institute for Women, Wellness and Work.

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Speaking, Teaching & Leading:

Julie has delivered presentations to hundreds of groups, from Sherwin-Williams and Oswald Companies to national coaching conventions, community organizations, and college athletic departments. She speaks on topics such as:

• Mental performance under pressure

• Leadership and communication

• Team culture and trust

• Mindset as a performance tool

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Her audiences leave with usable strategies, fresh motivation, and a renewed belief in what’s possible.

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Coaching Legacy:

As a Division I Head Coach at Cleveland State University and The University of Akron, Julie led teams to record-breaking success in both performance and academics. She was the youngest head coach in the country when hired and left CSU as the winningest coach in Cleveland State’s athletic history. Her players earned:

• Academic All-American honors

• NCAA All-Region and Conference accolades

• National rankings in base running and pitching

• National rankings in team GPA

• Recognition for leadership and community service

She also implemented leadership and mentoring programs for athletes and served on NCAA championship committees and compliance initiatives.

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Recognized. Resilient. Real.

A graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, where she was an NFCA Academic All-American catcher, Julie has been inducted into the BW Athletics Hall of Fame and the Summit County Softball Hall of Fame. She holds a master’s degree  from Cleveland State University and is a proud alum of Leadership Akron and the NACWA/HERS Administrative Institute.

A breast cancer survivor and seven-time recipient of the Susan G. Komen Survivor Race Award, Julie brings both strength and vulnerability to her work. She serves on community boards, including past chair of the Gay Community Endowment Fund, and remains active in the sport she loves as:

• Regional Director for USA Softball’s High Performance Program and Jr. National Team Identifier

• Co-owner of Collegiate Softball Camps, LLC, a company that helps young athletes pursue college softball dreams

 

Why Julie:

Julie Jones doesn’t just coach performance, she lives it. Her approach blends science, story, and strategy. Whether she’s on stage, on Zoom, in the classroom, or working one-on-one, she brings contagious energy, proven tools, and a deep belief in helping people reach their potential.

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If you're looking to grow your team’s confidence, culture, and competitive edge—or your own—Julie Jones is a game changer.