OUR STORY
We’ve traveled near and far (Canada to Hawaii), sharing the power of H.O.P.E. and ACTION with well over 2 million kids and thousands of educators! Many communities have been so impacted by the message that they’ve been gracious enough to invite us back year after year, and we are always excited when we have the opportunity to visit new places and make new connections.
The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.
— Mahatma Gandhi
Our focus is to educate society on the impact of hopelessness, build empathy and compassion in our youth, and develop young Sweethearts & Heroes to promote bystander empowerment through leadership roles.
Starting as a motivational speaking organization, Sweethearts & Heroes has evolved through multiple platforms, including digital courses, space-repetitive youth leadership programs, and written works. The Sweethearts & Heroes message is for all audiences, K-12, small and corporate businesses, educators, parents, counselors, and professionals in every walk of life. We deliver a unique perspective and action plan that changes any climate and culture.
OUR TEAM
TOM MURPHY - Founder
Tom Murphy is a proud husband and father of four living in the City of Saint Albans, VT. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, where his parents ran a small shelter and recovery home for the hopeless in their own house, Tom has gone on to take this mantra of helping and caring for others in need in his life’s mission.
Tom graduated from Cooperstown High School and became an All-American at the University of Brockport, taking second place at the 1997 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. Tom spent the next 16 years advancing through the railroad industry, eventually becoming a Corporate Director for the world’s largest shortline regional railroad company, Rail America. He ran their National Rail Traffic Control Center until he stepped down and pursued his full-time passion of being a superhero. On top of his “mild-manner” role in the railroad, Tom became a successful entrepreneur of multiple small-town businesses, namely one of Northern Vermont’s premiere restaurants and bars – Twiggs: An American Gastropub and The Clothier.
Tom is also a former professional mixed martial artist with a record of 8-0, competing in both amateur and professional fights, including on the popular UFC Ultimate Fighter Season 2. Tom now travels the nation with his good friend and wounded warrior, Rick Yarosh.
RICK YAROSH - H.O.P.E. Expert
Rick Yarosh is a Retired Army Sergeant with the United States Army turned husband and father of two. Rick was deployed to Iraq in December 2005, where he spent nine months before being severely injured by an IED in Abu Ghraib on September 1, 2006.
For half a year, Rick recovered in the hospital at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX, fighting through his 2nd and 3rd degree burns on over 60% of his body. He had his right leg amputated below the knee and lost both ears, his nose, multiple fingers, and most of the function in both hands. Rick received the Purple Heart for his heroic service and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Since then, Rick has spoken to millions from all walks of life, including sports teams, schools, churches, the military, non-profits, and even on Fox News! His message of overcoming adversity and turning a negative situation into a positive one has made Rick one of the world’s H.O.P.E. experts. Today, Rick is happily married and can honestly say he is better than ever. The only reason he would change that fateful moment on September 1 is if he could bring back his brothers in arms who were lost in combat.
Never forget Sgt. Luis Montes and SFC Anthony Venetz.
PAT FISH - B.R.A.V.E. Program Director
Pat is the director of the Sweethearts & Heroes B.R.A.V.E. Youth Leadership and SEL programs. He is a certified mental performance coach who works with teams to build a strong culture of belonging and helps athletes train their brains along with their game. He is also a gifted freestyle rapper who will occasionally ‘WOW’ students with his ability to rhyme off the top of his head based on things he has learned about them. Check out his new poetry anthology, Boredom School: For Those Bored in School!
Pat graduated in 2018 from the State University of New York at Oneonta. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Organizational Psychology. Pat feels his greatest contribution to the team has been made in Circle. He has become an expert on the practice of Circle for building empathy and bringing people together through deep listening and making connections. Through understanding perspective-taking, emotional sharing, and moments of compassion, Sweethearts & Heroes Circles consistently improve culture in the classroom, the school, and the community at large.
MATT VERDUCCI - Chief Operations Officer
LT. Matt Verducci graduated from the United States Naval Academy before being commissioned as a Naval Officer. A Qualified Surface Warfare Officer, he served onboard USS ESSEX and was primarily responsible for the safe navigation of the 253-meter warship. After three years in the surface fleet, he laterally transferred to the Navy Special Warfare Community, where he graduated as the Officer-in-Charge of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training (BUD/S) Class 331. (The Navy holds seven BUD/S classes annually.)
Verducci lives in Dana Point, CA. He has a strong Human Performance Business Development background and joined Sweethearts & Heroes to bolster their reach through new opportunites and directing efforts to spread the message of H.O.P.E. and belonging throughout the country!
LEON THOMPSON - Media Relations
Leon wears several hats for Sweethearts & Heroes, but he is primarily our Media Relations & Communications Specialist — or, as Tom Murphy calls him, “our press guy.” Leon is a print journalist-turned-brand journalist and worked for nearly 20 years as a multi-award-winning reporter and columnist (humor and serious) in Vermont and South Carolina. He covered Tom Murphy’s first professional MMA match in Massachusetts and has been associated with Tom ever since (much to Tom’s dismay, of course).
Leon is also the author of five published books, including the Sweethearts & Heroes Activity Book (“The ‘Stop, Drop & Roll’ Of Bullying.”) Leon does not travel with the team but works remotely from northwestern Vermont. He will happily discuss music and/or movies with you. Anytime.
BRIAN MCKEON - Administrator
Brian started his work with Sweethearts & Heroes in 2019, and his involvement with the organization has continued to grow each year. Now a full-fledged team member, Brian takes on any task Sweethearts needs, from video editing to writing books and guides and taking on all manner of administrative tasks.
Brian grew up in Williamsport, PA, where he attended the Pennsylvania College of Technology, graduating with a bachelor's in Paralegal Studies in 2018. After realizing the legal field wasn’t for him, Brian joined Sweethearts & Heroes and spent 6 months on the road learning about their impact across the States. Today, Brian lives in upstate New York with his wife and their small family of pets, working every day to spread the message of H.O.P.E. and ACTION with the team.
HEATHER GOTTLOB - Affective Educator
Heather is Sweethearts & Heroes 13 Pillows expert. For the past 20 years, she’s taught at AuSable Valley High School. While teaching 9th-grade English, Heather created a curriculum around 13 Pillows for Affective Teachers for her B.R.A.V.E. freshmen students that encompasses as much mental health focus as it does literature.
Heather graduated from Hugh C. Williams High School and then Plattsburgh State University, where she participated in NCAA Division III cross-country and track, as well as the Student Senate. After earning her Bachelor’s in English and Master’s in Education, she spent two years teaching high school English before returning to her college town, where she has remained since 2002. Today, she is the proud mother of her daughter, living in Plattsburgh, NY. Her passion and drive to create an atmosphere where students can feel safe, find their voice, and strengthen their bravery is the foundation of her teaching style and one of the strongest tools in her Superhero tool belt.