Welcome to
Mind Garden Institute

Empowering individuals at every stage of life with tailored education, personalized coaching, and transformative professional development.
Together, we help you thrive—
personally and professionally.

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CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Explore Our Offerings: Courses, Coaching, Workshops & More

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WE HELP YOU STAY HEALTHY

Meet the Experts

Dr. Shawn Hrncir
CHES®
Certified Blue Zones®
Advocate

Doctorate in Health Education
Certified Health Education Specialists®
Certified Blue Zones® Advocate & Course Author
Real Balance 360® Health and Wellness Coach
Holistic Stress Management Instructor

Dr. Hrncir is an award-winning master educator, health and wellness coach, and Certified Health Education Specialist with over 20 years of experience working with grades 1 to 20. Her areas of expertise include stress management and emotional well-being, conflict management and mediation, sexual health education, body image and wellness, social emotional learning, behavior management, and Blue Zone lifestyles. Dr. Hrncir has over twenty years of experience in education, program management, educational leadership, study abroad programming, research, and community service.

Dr. Liza Nagel

Doctorate of Higher Education and
Health Education Specialist

With nearly 30 years of teaching, coaching, and leadership experience, Dr. Liza Nagel demonstrates her commitment to the personal and professional growth of those who aim to reach their full potential by modeling and coaching the fundamentals of success. She will provide you direct and empathetic guidance as you challenge yourself to grow in ways that ensure your personal health goals. “Walk in others’ shoes as you wear well-supported soles” is her motto for teaching personal health and delivering individualized coaching.
Dr. Nagel’s areas of expertise include:
post-secondary academic leadership,
tenure track faculty mentoring,
conflict management & mediation,
and sexual health and wellness.

Ashlie Irvin
CHES®

Bachelor of Science in Health Education
and Health Promotion
 Certified Health Education Specialist®

Ashlie Irvin is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion. She is passionate about physical and emotional health and well-being. Ashlie has nearly 20 years of experience as a care and service specialist. Her skills include health education, peer mentorship, body image and wellness, stress management, sexual health, program management, research and evaluation, sustainability, and online course design. Ashlie has experience teaching both children and adults in online and in-person settings. Ashlie is an advocate for providing evidenced-based drug and alcohol prevention programs to families within her community.

Liberty Thwaits Bennion
CHES®

Bachelor of Science in Health Education
and Health Promotion
 Certified Health Education Specialist®

Liberty Thwaits is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Health Promotion from Arizona State University. An AmeriCorps VISTA alum, she is passionate about health education and exploring the intersections among the dimensions of wellness. As a recent graduate, Liberty brings two years of experience designing and delivering online courses in workplace, community, volunteer, and university settings. Her focus areas include the intersection of health dimensions such as body image and wellness, healthy relationships, sexual health, violence prevention, and trauma-informed care.

Vanessa Brierty
CHES®

Certified Health Education Specialist®
Bachelor of Scient in Health Education
and Health Promotion
Master of Arts in Indigenous Education

Vanessa is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) who has demonstrated health education skills throughout her life. Her strong cultural ties to the Pueblo of Laguna have provided her the foundation for viewing health through a holistic perspective, ensuring mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual balance in her instruction. Through various partnerships and volunteer efforts, Vanessa has engaged with numerous communities, providing prevention and early intervention health education programming. Her strengths lie in academic coaching, empathic communication, advocacy, culturally responsive care, and working alongside communities to provide equitable care. Her work has led her to be a TedX speaker and share her perspectives on how language and cultural practices are in fact prevention factors that can encourage individuals to engage in healthy behaviors.

Edgar Jones

Keynote Speaker
Certified John Maxwell Coach®
NFL Professional Athlete

Edgar Jones is a former NFL player turned speaker and Certified John Maxwell Leadership Coach®, offers a unique blend of personal experiences and professional insights  to inspire and motivate his audiences. With years of experience on and off the field, Edgar has developed a deep understanding of personal growth , teamwork, leadership, and the importance of mental toughness., Edgar is a dynamic and engaging speaker who can motivate and inspire your audience, His passion and experience make him the perfect choice to help you achieve your goals and reach your full potential.

Jennifer Moreau
CHES®

Master of Science in Psychology Certified Health Education Specialist® Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Health Promotion

Jennifer Moreau, MS, CHES®, is a Program Manager, educator, wellness professional, and ERP/CRM consultant passionate about helping individuals and organizations thrive through people-centered solutions. With a unique background in health education, psychology, wellness coaching, and technology, she brings a balanced approach that combines empathy, communication, and strategic problem-solving.
  
Jennifer’s experience spans health promotion, behavioral change coaching, stress management, body image and wellness education, workplace wellness initiatives, and community health advocacy. She has also led projects focused on CRM optimization, ERP systems, user training, and digital transformation, helping teams adopt technology in ways that feel accessible and empowering.
  
As a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®), Jennifer is especially passionate about creating healthier, more connected workplace and learning environments that support both personal well-being and professional growth

Meagan Morton
CHES®

Bachelor of Science in Health Education
and Health Promotion
Certified Health Education Specialist®

Specialist (CHES®) with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion. With over ten years of experience in hospitality and educational leadership, she takes pride in helping others achieve their health and wellness goals by providing tools and skills for personal development. She has taught numerous health and wellness topics including sexual health, personal well-being, and body image and wellness.

Kas McCracken CHES®

Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) with over a decade of experience in higher education

She specializes in mind–body health, stress resilience, grief support, climate and health, and whole-person wellness. Her professional path spans both elementary and university teaching, global health education initiatives in West Africa, study abroad programming in Greece, and medical brigades in the Dominican Republic. Rooted in a deep respect for nature and the body’s innate wisdom, she equips learners with practical, evidence-based tools to cultivate sustainable well-being, deepen connection, and move through life with greater compassion.

Mind Garden Institute is Here to Serve You!

Skills-based leadership and health education for adults and youth.

One to one and group education and coaching sessions.

Online education. Self-paced, independent and synchronous learning.

Happy Faces of Happy Students

We’re proud of the real-life transformations happening through our courses and coaching—and we’re just getting started. As we continue to grow, so will this collection of stories, smiles, and feedback from the students and clients who inspire us every day. Check back soon to see more happy faces and hear how this work is making a difference!

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Which Dimensions of Wellness Do You Wish To Improve?

At Mind Garden Institute, we can help!

  • Social-emotional leadership skills
  • Boundary setting
  • Healthy sexuality
  • Stress management
  • Abundance mindset and financial literacy
  • Nutrition for healthy living
  • Physical fitness & wellness
  • Relationship skills
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