MYNDBEATZ FOUNDERS

Steve Mortimer – widely known as "Mort" to his teammates – and Zach Penprase met in 2008 on a cold April afternoon in the clubhouse of the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks Independent baseball club. Mort was 27 years old, had been a 3-sport college athlete, was fresh off of his release from the Washington Nationals and nearing what he knew was the closing of his 5-year professional baseball career. Zach had finished his career at Mississippi Valley State and been drafted, signed and let go by the Philadelphia Phillies after just getting his career going, he was a mere 21 years old.

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Here they both were - in Fargo, North Dakota of all places - with no idea that the season they were embarking on would lead to a lifelong friendship that would survive the meandering roads of international travel, entrepreneurship, fatherhood and life-changing experiences; all made possible by the game of baseball.

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After their time in Fargo, Mort went on to play in Colombia, South America before retiring, starting a family, building his own outdoor training facility and beginning his coaching journey. Zach completed a 10+ year run in professional baseball, setting multiple records that will never be broken and most recently played in the 2021 Olympics for team Israel. He is now married, raising his family and has since built an online mental coaching curriculum.

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The two former teammates stayed in touch, FaceTimed, spoke on the phone discussing their playing days, coaching, fatherhood and the philosophies of life. Through those conversations –and a decade of experience working with young athletes who battle failure, pressure, personal responsibility and long-term vision – the idea of Myndbeatz became a reality. 

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Zach and Mort's former teammates and current players describe them as memorable guys who march to the beat of their own drum. Dudes who are independent free spirits, philosophical thinkers and competitive, hard-working men. Zach and Mort share a passion for impacting others and a unique ability to connect with young athletes.