heart first mission & Vision

Our mission is to empower athletes to lead from the heart by integrating mental and emotional well-being with high performance. Through Heart First coaching, we help athletes grow into whole, confident individuals, free from the inside out, so they can compete in sports and life with purpose, freedom, and authenticity.

Our vision is to create the next generation of Heart First leaders who carry the lessons of sport into every arena of life. We envision a world where athletes are known not just for what they achieve but for how they show up with integrity, courage, and connection, transforming their own lives and the lives of those they touch.

MEET Our team

FOUNDER & MASTER COACH

ryan sawyer

Ryan is a Former National Champion Collegiate Football Coach turned Mental Strength Coach for Athletes. He played and coached football at Central Washington University and then went on to be the Defensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Eastern Washington University from 2008-2015.

Since leaving college coaching, Ryan has become a sought-after Mental Strength Coach and Speaker, teaching Mental Toughness and Resilience programs to many different organizations, including Club Sports Teams, Universities, First Responders, and many other organizations.

coaching credentials

Former National Champion College Football Coach
Founder of Heart First Mental Strength Academy
Author of the Books "Choice Point" & "We Can Do Hard Things"
Host of the Heart First Leadership Podcast
Master Coach & Creator: Integrated Mindset & Competitive Edge for Athletes
Certified Unbeatable Mind Coach
Certified Mental Performance Mastery Coach
Certified Kokoro Yoga Instructor
Certified Quantum Living Process Facilitator
Certified Oxygen Advantage Instructor (Breath for Performance)
Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Instructor
Certified Safe Sound Protocol (SSP)
Certified Neuro Coach with Mindset Neuroscience Neurotraining Institute

Mental Strength Academy |

CERTIFIED COACH

HEIDI SAWYER

Heidi is a seasoned Certified Life Coach, Integrated Mindset, and Competitive Edge Coach dedicated to empowering athletes and high achievers from all walks of life to reach their full potential.

Since 2018, she has helped clients enhance focus, manage time and energy effectively, and align their priorities with their goals. Heidi’s passion lies in helping individuals discover and unlock their untapped potential by fostering a safe, supportive environment for sustained growth and success.

Coaching Credentials:

Certified Unbeatable Mind Coach
Certified Integrated Mindset Coach
Certified Competitive Edge Coach
Certified Organizational Specialist
Certified Quantum Living Facilitator
Certified Neuro Coach with Mindset Neuroscience Neurotraining Institute

COACH IN TRAINING

Tiare Schlenker

Tiare is a passionate educator, coach, and mother of four, dedicated to helping others uncover their inner strength and potential. A former college tennis player at BYU-Hawaii, she draws on her experience to inspire resilience, confidence, and mental toughness in athletes on and off the court.

Rooted in her Christian faith, Tiare’s life is guided by love, grace, and perseverance. She believes in the transformative power of positivity and strives to model strength and optimism. As a mentor, she instills not only athletic skills but also values that empower young people to live with purpose and confidence.

COACH IN TRAINING

Cierra devork

Cierra is a mental performance coach dedicated to helping athletes achieve peak performance, find fulfillment, and build a resilient, purpose-driven mindset.

As a former collegiate athlete, she overcame challenges, discovered her purpose, and developed skills to find joy in both sports and life. Her coaching fosters a supportive environment, empowering athletes to identify strengths, address weaknesses, and grow into their best selves while overcoming mental barriers and building confidence.

PROGRAM CONTRIBUTOR

STEFANIE FAYE

Stefanie Faye is a world-renowned neuroscience expert who works with large organizations such as MIT, Google, the FBI, Stanford, and Northwestern University, as well as with non-profits, coaches, consultants and educators all over the world.

Her graduate studies from New York University focused on self-directed neuroplasticity, self-regulation, and empathy. She has expertise in brain mapping (qEEG), heart rate variability, and other neurophysiological measurements that are used to guide people’s journeys of transformation and overall well-being. She combines all of that with mindfulness training in monasteries and from meditation masters from India, Vietnam and Africa.

www.StefanieFaye.com

ATHLETE MENTORS

ATHLETE MENTOR

BROOKE PHILLIPS

Brooke was a standout collegiate volleyball player at Mercer University and a dedicated mentor with IHP Coaching's Competitive Edge program.

As a Competitive Edge Athlete Mentor, Brooke combines her experience on and off the court to guide high school and college athletes in developing the mindset, resilience, and skills needed to reach their full potential in sports and life.

ATHLETE MENTOR

TURNER LIVINGSTON

Turner, a Spokane native, is a talented basketball player and mentor with IHP Coaching's Competitive Edge program. A guard at Bushnell University, Turner previously played two years at Idaho State University.

Off the court, he is studying marketing and channels creativity into his clothing brand, Fearless 777, promoting faith and positivity. Turner’s mission is to inspire others to embrace challenges and pursue greatness with purpose.