Tracy Slusser | Executive Leadership & Performance Coach | "This is what I do. This is not who I am."

Feb 22, 2026

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In today's episode of Win More, Live Better, I sit down with Tracy Slusser, an executive leadership and performance coach and former collegiate and international swim coach.

For more than 20 years, Tracy lived inside Division I athletics, which started as a student-athlete at Purdue University, then led to 17 years coaching at the highest levels in the sport of swimming. She coached three National Championship teams, represented the United States as a National Team coach, and worked with Olympic medalists and other world-class athletes. Today, she brings that experience into her work supporting coaches and leaders through values-based leadership and executive coaching.

In our conversation, we unpack the identity trap of tying self-worth to wins and losses, how to separate what you do from who you are, coaching from freedom instead of fear, and the paradox of grit and self-compassion for achievers. She shares why values-based leadership is a key foundation for her work with coaches and offers some practical recommendations for how coaches can protect their energy and create a more sustainable relationship with coaching.

Here's some notable highlights from our conversation:
[5:33] — Impostor Syndrome in Coaching

[8:54] — The Fear of Screwing It Up

[11:34] — The Identity Trap

[15:51] — Leading Yourself First

[18:05] — Values In Action

[20:30] — The Paradox Between Grit and Compassion

[24:18] — Who Coaches the Coaches?

[29:40] — The Courage to Leave Coaching

[34:04] — What Coaches Are Struggling With

[35:56] — The Iceberg Beneath the Issue

[39:54] — Values-Based Leadership

[45:24] — Giving Coaches Permission to Ask for Help

[50:55] — Protecting Your Energy

[53:55] — Realities Women Face in Coaching

[58:32] — Creating a Values-Aligned Life

Learn More About Tracy:

You can learn more about Tracy and her work on her website here.

Learn More About Zach:

If you’re a coach or leader striving for more clarity, consistency, and fulfillment, feel free to sign up for a free discovery call to see how I can best support you: https://calendly.com/zachbrandon/discoverycall
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