About | BraveHeart

We are a training community for men of God.

ABOUT US

Our Mission

We train and inspire men toward their full identity, mission, and impact in Christ.

We believe every man

is created in the image

of God

to be a force for good

in the world.

We believe you were made to have an impact, to play a critical role in the Larger Story God is telling in the world.

We believe you have been imbued by God with specific strengths and capacities that perfectly match the unique Adventure God has called you to fulfill.

We believe you have a mission, given by God and unique to you, that is as beautiful as it is dangerous, and as meaningful as it is costly.

Once you know it, there’s no going back.
Once you know it, the real adventure begins.

We exist to help you figure out what that mission is, and go after it with your whole heart.

WHO WE ARE

MICHAEL WARDEN

BRAVEHEART FOUNDER

I’m the founder and president of the Ascent Coaching Group, Inc., and have been coaching full time since 2003. I'm trained and certified through the Coaches Training Institute, as well as in Relationship Intelligence and Systems Work through The Center for Right Relationship. I’m also a PCC (Professional Certified Coach) with the International Coach Federation, which is the principle governing body of professional coaches around the world.

I’m a native Texan, but live now in the mountains of Colorado. I love the life of adventure and beauty I get to live here. I’m an avid explorer, writer, and leader. I’m a lifelong student of personal transformation—the art and science of how people and groups really can experience authentic life change.

I believe everyone is created to be a change agent, uniquely designed by God for a specific and beautiful purpose, and that we will never be fully alive until we find that purpose and live it out. It’s my mission to help other people discover theirs, and unleash them to bring their gift fully to the world.

That’s why I founded The BraveHeart Men, to participate with God in freeing men’s hearts to pursue His highest dream for their lives.

NICHOLAS SOWELL
BRAVEHEART LEADER

I felt called to ministry at 16, stepped into full time ministry by 18, and spent the next 20 years serving in almost every capacity in the church from that point forward. I feel honored to walk with others through hardships, helping them navigate the beliefs of the Christian faith, and understanding who they are created to be.

I'm incredibly passionate about Braveheart because I've been personally affected by how powerful and transformative it can be. I walked through the Braveheart Men's Intensive while at a crossroads in life. It was the Intensive that allowed me to realize what really drives me, makes me come alive, and how achieving those things are possible. It created an immense amount of breakthrough and set me up to truly make the changes necessary to step into the fullness that life had to offer.

I love connecting with others and having deeper conversations about life and our role within it. I'm passionate about communication and how we walk out community and conflict with excellence and health. I continue serving through overseeing a marriage ministry in Austin, TX, with my wife Carmen, and also offer divorce care for men. We have three beautiful kids that teach us as much about life as we teach them. I love writing, beach volleyball, and I'm a huge basketball fan.

Rob Cupp
BRAVEHEART LEADER

I grew up in church and struggled with religion, but I fell in love with Jesus after He hunted me down in my senior year of High School. That began a crazy life journey with Him that has taken me on a bunch of unconventional faith adventures.

I started in business school and a family business. Then, asked a woman to marry me without ever dating her…she said “yes” (after 5 weeks of praying) and now we are celebrating 25 years of marriage. Together, Bridget and I followed Jesus and moved across the country and left everything we knew to go into full-time ministry. Then after two decades of leading, discipling, teaching, preaching and developing people of all ages, God called me back to business.

Bridget and I have had the privilege and joy of raising Sophia, Chase and Foster. Watching them grow while helping and discipling other people and their kids has given me a passion for seeing what God can do to transform a life in big and small ways.

When I encountered Braveheart in 2021, I saw again the power of God transforming my own life! I was refreshed, restored and reinvigorated to continue living out my unique identity and purpose in Christ. And now I just want to help others experience God’s Presence, Power and Peace even more!

CHRIS PARKER

BRAVEHEART LEADER

After spending 15 years serving as a pastor I followed the desires of my heart and God's lead into real estate development. I have always called Texas home, aside from my 7-year detour to Chicago for college at Moody Bible Institute. I am husband to my beautiful wife Calla, and father of two—Wyatt and Grace.

I love outdoor activities and feel closest to my Creator when I’m standing in awe of His creation. A perfect day for me would be fly fishing, painting on a canvas and then spending the evening around a fire with close friends.

I thoroughly enjoy facilitating conversations around our identity in Christ and spiritual maturity. This has been a honed skill through years in the church and the privilege of serving men through the Braveheart Intensive.

I believe that eternity is hidden in the heart. My mission is to help awaken that eternity and all that comes with it to help others become aware of what it’s like to be fully alive in Christ!

TRAVIS SHEPARD
BRAVEHEART LEADER

I love building relationships and advancing the kingdom of God. I've led small groups of Special Operators in global, austere environments; and am currently learning to play the bagpipes and piano. I'm a dad with two daughters (beautifully hard season of hormones), a native Texas, and my favorite movies are Lonesome Dove and Braveheart. With any free time, I love to Captain sailing trips in the British Virgin Islands and watch people become familiar and in-love with the ocean.

My favorite quote: “You see, life in San Francisco is still just life. If you want any one thing too badly, it’s likely to turn out to be a disappointment. The only healthy way to live life is to learn to like all the little everyday things – like a sip of good whiskey in the evening, a soft bed, a glass of buttermilk, or a feisty gentleman like myself.”

STEVE HARPER
BRAVEHEART LEADER

I live in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio with Nancy, my wife of 30 years. We have 3 grown children. Every morning I enjoy my first cup of coffee with the Lord, enjoying his company. Nothing means more to me than the presence of God and bringing his love and encouragement to others.

I started my career in sales with NCR corporation and quickly transitioned into ministry with YWAM, seminary and pastoral ministry at Grace Church. It's a joy to work in assimilation and discipleship ministries and BraveHeart is a natural extension of that.

BraveHeart has been a great gift to me, and a blessing to so many other men like me. I’m so grateful for the chance to help pass that gift along to others.