OUR TEAM
Founder, CEO
Better known as Coach Mackey, he has spent the last 20+ years helping athletes and coaches connect the dots between sports and the game of life. As the co-author of the Wall Street Journal Best-Selling book The Locker Room, the author of Uncommon Beliefs, and the founder and CEO of 2Words Character Development, Mackey is an advocate for coaches and athletes, and a consistent voice of encouragement and challenge.
Visit Stephen Mackey’s Zaap page for more ways to connect and follow Coach Mackey. Text “Mackey” to (830) 444-4876 or click here to get Coach Mackey’s weekly text encouragements.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“The purpose of influence is to help those who have none.”
Rick Warren
Colton Leonard
President
As the President of 2Words Character Development, Colton is in the trenches on all fronts working to maximize 2W’s impact.
While holding the title of Chief Culture Officer, Colton spent almost a decade with one of the fastest-growing sports nutrition companies in the world and helped them achieve accomplishments such as Inc 5000, Aggie 100, Texas Top 5 Places to Work, and Inc Best Companies to Work For. Colton’s life and character were molded by athletics and his coaches growing up. He stepped out of the corporate world to give back to those he cares most about. His desire is to bring the same level of strategy, excellence, standards, and best practices from his experiences to help 2W reach its maximum impact.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“The price of excellence is discipline. The cost of mediocrity is disappointment.”
William A. Ward
Jennifer E. Hastings, M.Ed.
Curriculum Writer/Developer
Jen has been writing for 2Words almost since the beginning. Over the years, she has continued to improve her writing skills with her work on the 2Words Athletic, GameDay, and LEAD curriculums, as well as sharpening her editing skills with other projects.
In 2023, Jen completed a Masters in Education with Honors. Her studies focused on curriculum and instruction, with special attention to educational technology. Her goal from day one has been to learn how to improve the 2Words Character Development curriculum for coaches. She’s looking forward to putting her education to good use in the years to come.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“Education must not simply teach work, it must teach Life.”
W. E. B. Du Bois
Luke Turpin
Head of Production
As the Head of Production for 2Words Character Development, Luke tells our story.
Luke is an entrepreneur and world-traveler. He is passionate about helping people get in touch with and embrace their own unique stories, and is eager to challenge students in creative, as well as practical ways.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“It’s a magical world, Hobbes, ol’ buddy… Let’s go exploring!”
Bill Watterson
Windy Leighton
Head of Operations
As the Head of Operations, Windy is the bridge between 2W and the Coaches we serve. She equips our coaches, athletes, and parents with the tools and resources they need to utilize the 2Words Curriculum to its fullest potential. In addition, Windy spearheads internal projects that take 2W to the next level of service, innovation, and organizational excellence.
With a background in education, she is passionate about helping student-athletes realize the full potential of who they were created to be.
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“Always keep your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you. That’s what the sunflowers do.”
Helen Keller