Through the years, Tracy has told the stories of and interviewed people ranging from Oprah Winfrey to underdogs enduring tragedy, and ordinary folks making an extraordinary difference. All were an education in the human experience, evidence of the ways we are transformed by others, and the ways we transform others through our own stories.
Tracy is a researcher and student of life who speaks about Underdogs and noticing the extraordinary in the ordinary. After spending part of her career hosting one of the top-rated local morning shows in the U.S., she knows how to reach hearts and connect with any audience. Though her topics are varied, they all fall under the umbrella of encouraging and inspiring- all heart. She'll reach your audience in a meaningful way about subjects, including:
How to harness the incredible benefits of grateful living. Using her journalistic skills, Tracy has researched and condensed everything she has learned to help others understand and tap into the unbelievable benefits of gratitude, something she calls, “life’s water wings.” She has also created unique practices, developing new ways to move deeper into gratitude and make it a lasting part of your life. Her approach is unique because she combines grateful living with another practice called savoring. This combination is a super power that allows people to find goodness even in difficult circumstances. She teaches about the science of gratitude and the studies that show benefits include greater longevity and stronger relationships. They’re also seen at work where people are more cooperative, creative, and productive; at church where believers tap into a deeper connection with God; and at school, where students achieve higher GPA’s and are less caught up in drama. This is a practice that saved her during her life’s most brutal times. She believes it can save others, too.
There is nothing more inspiring than an underdog who beats the odds. Tracy has met many of them, written their stories, and has written a book (publication forthcoming) about a parallel comeback story that will make you believe anything is possible. Tracy grew up in a pro sports family and has also interviewed hundreds of underdogs who faced challenges on the field and in life. She’ll inspire and motivate by uncovering their stories. In describing how they beat the odds, you’ll believe you can, too.
Tracy’s stories are from the heart, and she has learned that writing is an incredibly effective way of getting in touch with how we really feel and becoming clearer communicators. She also learned this in her personal life, through a devastating event that took her family to the brink of falling apart. She’ll share her story and guide you through ways to slow down, untangle decoy emotions, and pinpoint what your heart is really telling you. It’s an effective way of getting in touch with yourself and becoming a more effective communicator.
Traveling around the world, whether to do feature stories for TV or for personal enrichment, gives Tracy the know-how to teach about many facets of life on the road, from her best travel tips to her first solo venture abroad and how it changed her despite a disastrous start. (Or maybe because of it.) She’ll explain how to take your journey beyond the tourist sites and find ways to connect with the people, the culture, and create unforgettable, deeper experiences.
As an adoptee, Tracy has learned and grown from her unusual beginning. She acknowledges the struggle that many have with being given up and she shares how she has arrived at a positive perception of loss.. and gain. She never had a desire to meet her “real” parents (a term she takes issue with)… until gratitude compelled her to find the woman who gave her life. But that simple act of gratitude yielded much more.
Faith is a huge part of Tracy’s life. It has been since her first “God moment” when she was only eight years old. There have been many more since then, perhaps because she sees most everything that happens as a way of connecting with her Maker, something that has drawn her deeper and shown her through many experiences that Heaven and earth are a lot closer than you may think. This also ties into the topic of gratitude, which is shown to bring us closer to God. She calls gratitude her altar. It can be yours, too.
From discovering the deepest meaning of Christmas in a remote, ancient village in Bali, to witnessing a shooting and wondering, as she hid in fear, if she would be next; from doing TV stories about the horrors of the world and the strength of the human spirit, to experiencing first-hand the bond between Heaven and earth, Tracy offers a source of hope, encouragement and a message that consistently says we can do hard things and end up better and stronger because of them.
This seasoned pro is a dynamic, engaging speaker who believes her work here is to reach people’s hearts. Folks say she's good at it. To get her on your calendar, click the "ABOUT" tab above to contact her so the two of you can figure out the just-right topic for your next event! (We are happy to send you video clips of Tracy’s speaking and workshops.)