Coaches Insider

Building Core Values with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:29:55 +0000

Stephen Mackey is a keynote speaker, Wall Street Journal Best-Selling author, and character leadership & culture development coach. 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 founder and CEO of 2Words Character Development, Mackey is an advocate for coaches and athletes, and a consistent voice of encouragement and challenge.

Model, Teach, Test, Reward with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:34 +0000

Watch as Stephen Mackey discusses how leadership is critical in the teaching progression of athletes. He explains "Model, Teach, Test, Reward" as a method of teaching that produces results. How you work as a coach teaches students how to work. Modeling is not enough so you must explain the 'how' and 'why' and teach them what you want. Testing is key so the athletes have opportunities to demonstrate their progress. If they get it wrong or need to be corrected, you repeat the entire process. Reward your athletes when they get it right because what gets rewarded, gets repeated.

The Needs of Today’s Students with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Mon, 04 May 2026 12:00:41 +0000

Watch as Stephen Mackey explains that he meets with 24 students every 10 weeks from across Texas via Zoom. The #1 issue facing kids today is mental health. Performance anxiety is constant, as they are always working to get better. Asking them where they are going to college or what they want to do with their life can be very stressful. Stress is not bad, but when students feel that they must deal with it on their own, it can be debilitating. Talking with students about issues can demystify them and take the stigma away. Give your students tangible practices to deal with stress like breathwork, visualization, and taking the next smallest step.

How to Build Integrity with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:02:07 +0000

Watch as Stephen Mackey explains how to build integrity in athletes through sports. He discusses three exercises that can build integrity muscle: tell the truth, make commitments count, and take 100% responsibility for your actions. Athletes who are making a commitment need to understand the 'why', the 'what', and the 'when' that allows them to have the discipline to succeed. Coaches who help athletes develop their integrity muscle through sports prepare them to live with integrity beyond sports.

Building Core Values with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:42:59 +0000

The Needs of Today’s Students with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:00:09 +0000

Watch as Stephen Mackey explains that he meets with 24 students every 10 weeks from across Texas via Zoom. The #1 issue facing kids today is mental health. Performance anxiety is constant as they are always working to get better. Asking them where they are going to college or what do they want to do with their life can be very stressful. Stress is not bad, but when students feel that they must deal with it on their own, it can be debilitating. Talking with students about issues can demystify them and take the stigma away. Give your students tangible practices to deal with stress like breath work, visualization, and taking the next smallest step.

What Does It Take to Hold Someone Accountable? with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:00:51 +0000

Watch as Stephen Mackey explains that it takes expectation, equipping, and encouragement to teach students and athletes to be accountable. You can have a very high standard but if you don't teach them how to achieve it, they will never do it, and can't be held accountable. Set the standard high, hold it, and don't lower it by teaching kids how to be better.

Model, Teach, Test, Reward with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:00:33 +0000

Watch as Stephen Mackey discusses how leadership is critical in the teaching progression of athletes. He explains "Model, Teach, Test, Reward" as a method of teaching that produces results. How you work as a coach teaches students how to work. Modeling is not enough, so you must explain the 'how' and 'why' and teach them what you want. Testing is key so the athletes have opportunities to demonstrate their progress. If they get it wrong or need correction, you repeat the entire process. Reward your athletes when they get it right because what gets rewarded, gets repeated.

What Does It Take to Hold Someone Accountable? with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:00:18 +0000

What Does It Take to Hold Someone Accountable? with Stephen Mackey – 2Words Character Development

Stephen Mackey — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:00:18 +0000