About Me

I Didn’t Fit the System—Until I Found Sport

I grew up in Wisconsin, raised by two hard-working parents who did everything they could to support me and my siblings. School was a struggle. For years, I battled through without answers until I was finally diagnosed with dyslexia. Even with extra support, I felt unseen and out of place—like I was always trying to catch up.

That all changed when I found sports.
I was tall, fast, and fiercely competitive—and for the first time, I felt what it meant to be capable. In athletics, hard work paid off. I found confidence, earned respect, and discovered what it felt like to belong. Sport gave me more than a place to excel—it gave me a sense of identity and connection. It shaped who I was becoming and taught me that growth comes through challenges.

Coaching Found Me Early

I earned a full scholarship to swim Division I at Purdue University, where I was surrounded by elite teammates and high-level coaching. As an athlete, I became fascinated by what made each of us tick—what motivated us, how we responded to feedback, and why certain approaches worked better for some than others.

That curiosity planted a seed. I started to see coaching not just as instruction, but as relationship, leadership, and impact. I began coaching in the summers—first at a local country club, then with our community swim team—and it clicked immediately.

It didn’t feel like work. I was energized by helping athletes discover what they were capable of, by connecting with them, and by supporting their growth beyond the stopwatch.

Building a Championship Career

At 24, I landed my first college coaching job with a top-20 D1 program. I didn’t know everything, but I knew how to show up, work hard, and care deeply. Over the next decade, I climbed the coaching ladder—learning from great mentors, trusting my gut, and staying true to my values.

I set a bold goal: to win an NCAA title. In my 11th year as a D1 coach, that dream became reality. We didn’t stop there—we went on to win two more. I was honored to be named a U.S. National Team Coach and represent Team USA at the World University Games—once as an assistant, once as head coach.

But even at the top, I found myself asking deeper questions.

Success Didn’t Silence the Self-Doubt

In 2018, from the outside, I had everything a coach could want: a powerhouse team, elite athletes, and a trophy case that kept growing.

But I was burned out, constantly questioning myself, and feeling isolated in a role that demanded everything. I started to realize something that no one talks about: coaches are some of the most influential leaders in the lives of young people—and yet we often receive the least support.

So, Who Is Coaching the Coaches?

That question changed my life. I started working with a leadership coach and doing the deep work of aligning my life with what mattered most: family, integrity, and purpose. I began leading from the inside out—grounded in my values, clear on my boundaries, and connected to the bigger “why.”

And everything shifted.
I found joy again—on the deck, at home, and in myself. I started imagining what it would look like if other coaches had access to this kind of growth and support.

That’s when Tracy Slusser Coaching was born.

Today

I’m a certified Leadership and Performance Coach through Brown University’s School of Professional Studies and ACT Leadership. I completed the Executive Program in Women’s Leadership at Stanford GSB and bring 17 years of experience as a D1 coach, guiding national champions, Olympians, and world-class teams.

But these days, you won’t find me on the pool deck. You’ll find me building something new—something driven by service.
My daughters, who once trailed behind me at meets and practices, now get to watch their mom build a business rooted in connection, compassion, and impact.

I help college coaches and leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose—so they can thrive in their work and their lives.
Because when coaches are well-supported, grounded in their values, and leading from within, their impact reaches far beyond the scoreboard.