Worth the Work
Student-athletes need coaches now more than ever. Distance learning, isolation, uprooted routines, and a new calendar year that looks to be doubling down on the craziness of the last. In this message, Stephen Mackey, better known as Coach Mackey, will share a message of hope and encouragement for the coaches who are on the front lines. Through humor, practical wisdom, and powerful testimony, he will challenge and equip you to keep doing the hard work of giving the best of you, for the best of your athletes. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth the work!

Biography for Stephen Mackey:

Stephen Mackey, better known to thousands of students and coaches as Coach Mackey, is a motivational speaker and character development coach based in Texas. Mackey is a first-generation college graduate with a B.S. from Texas A&M University and a M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mackey is currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry also at Fuller. Among his many accomplishments, Mackey is perhaps most proud of his role as a husband & father.

In January 2017 Mackey asked the question: “What would it take to help one million athletes and coaches connect the dots between sports and life?” The answer to that question became 2Words Character Development (www.2words.tv). Built on the core principles of servant leadership, work ethic, personal code, goal setting, grit, and growth mindset, Mackey and his team have built 2Words Character Development into one of the top character development programs in Texas and across the country. Through live talks, camps, seminars, articles, and videos, Mackey is an advocate for coaches and athletes, speaking hope and encouragement to help them go beyond the game.

As a first generation college graduate, Mackey is passionate about equipping students to continue their education and leadership development. In 2017, he established the Letterman to Leadership Scholarship, that helps graduating seniors continue their educational careers, and equips their high school campus with character development curriculum. In 2019, he launched the annual Mackey Leadership Camp, which equips athletes to grow in faith and leadership (MackeyLeadershipCamp.com). During the COVID-19 crisis, Mackey partnered with the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) to bring 10 weeks of curriculum to every coach in Texas (and beyond) to stay connected to their athletes during lockdown.

The March to a Million that Mackey began in 2017 continues, and those who know him know that he won't stop until he reaches the goal of touching the lives of one million high school coaches and athletes with the 2Words Character Development Curriculum every single week.