Play Heart Strong
Empowering young athletes to become Heart Strong—through every practice, play, and challenge.
Training for the Game of Life.
We all love watching our kids play sports—but if we’re honest, it’s about more than just the game.
When done right, sports are training for life. Research backs it, and experience confirms it: sports help kids learn how to overcome setbacks, work with others, build self-esteem, and grow real confidence.
That’s why we launched the Play Heart Strong program—to partner with coaches and teams who believe the game is bigger than the scoreboard. This initiative is for leaders who use sport to shape strong, resilient individuals—kids who are learning to face life with courage, compassion, and perseverance.
Play Heart Strong isn’t for just any team.
It’s for the team led by a coach who believes sports can build character. Who knows the real win is helping young athletes grow strong from the inside out—and preparing them to win at the game of life.
The Heart Behind Play Heart Strong:
“At first glance, you might wonder how an organization that supports caregiving families is also focused on young athletes. For me, it’s deeply connected. I have four sons—two of them were born with complex medical conditions, and two are competitive athletes.
From that intersection, Play Heart Strong was born.
As I’ve watched my healthy sons learn resilience through sport—and seen their coaches pour into them as leaders—I’ve been reminded how powerful sports can be when they’re used to shape the whole person. And I’ve seen that same strength in my other sons, too—just expressed in different, equally meaningful ways.
Heart Strong is about building strength from the inside out. Whether on the field or in the hospital, life will challenge all of us. And when it does, what matters is how we respond. That’s what we’re teaching through this program—and that’s why we invite coaches, teams, and communities to join us.” - Jessica Lindberg
Hey Coach!
We created the Play Heart Strong Playbook to give you a simple, powerful way to build character and resilience in your athletes. Inside, you’ll find our 12 Rules for Playing Heart Strong—plus practical ideas to help you bring each one to life with your team.
It’s completely free and designed to help you go beyond the game, shaping players who are strong from the inside out.
Be Part of Something Bigger Than Sports.
Play Heart Strong is an initiative that equips youth athletes to build more than skill—it builds character. Through our 12 Heart Strong Rules, teams learn how to grow through challenges, support one another, and train for the game of life.
In 2025, we launched the program and reached over 250 athletes and coaches with custom warm-up shirts, values-based training, and coaching tools.
Partner With Us
We’re looking for businesses who want to invest in the next generation—and get connected to a mission that matters.
As a sponsor, your business will:
Support a local sports team with Play Heart Strong gear
Be recognized as a community partner at games and events
Be featured on our social media and website
Know you’re helping young people grow strong from the inside out
Bring Play Heart Strong to your team or league.
Interested in working together to build a Heart Strong Generation and bring Play Heart Strong to your community? Fill out some info, and we will contact you shortly!
