Tracy Duhaney

About Me

Who Am I?

So, who am I? A question as old as time, or at least as old as the first awkward icebreaker at a party. You see, we often respond with our age, marital status and especially our job titles when answering that question. However, if I switch from a single, 30-something year old, business strategist to a married, 'whatever-aged,' lion whisperer tomorrow (a girl can dream!), do I suddenly become a different person?

Spoiler alert: Nope! The new roles I now have will require me to evolve as a person to fulfill them but, my friends, we are not just what we do, how old we are or our societal status. We are a delightful mix of our likes/dislikes, quirks, thought processes, beliefs and the bizarre ways we choose to spend our Friday nights.

In previous sections, you've learned so much about my career already, my goals and aspirations but let's dig into the deeper side. Let's give you a little more insight as to the many faces of 'Who is Tracy?' Shall we?

First stop: Travel Town. Population: Me, and my goal to visit 150+ countries. Current tally: 21. That's right, I'm my own version of Indiana Jones of modern travel, minus the fear of snakes and the hat. You see, I love to travel – it’s like being on a rollercoaster where you can't see the next turn. It's thrilling, a bit scary, but oh so enlightening. Each new environment is a lesson in 'going with the flow' - sometimes literally when you accidentally find yourself river rafting with hippos in Zambia. Travel is education in the destination but also in yourself. How you handle the unknown and situations in which you are uncomfortable. These are priceless lessons.

Next up, let's talk about my four-legged friends. If I had a dollar for every dog I’ve wanted to adopt, I’d be funding my own wildlife sanctuary by now. As a certified animal enthusiast (especially dogs - sorry, cat lovers!), I'm on a mission to ensure every wild creature gets a ticket back to nature. Why? Because every lion deserves to roar in the savanna, not in a 10x10 enclosure.

Now, let's tiptoe into nature. As an empath, I'm basically a human antenna for feelings. I observe more, feel more, and listen more than I speak. This often confuses those around me into thinking that I have nothing to say. I do, but I need to observe and listen first. Attending concerts and crowd-surfing? Thanks, but, I would rather be in a quiet corner, with a good book, and some "me" time. I feel most connected when I'm with Mother Nature – she's quite the conversationalist if you listen closely. Speaking of nature, If the temperature is cool and filled with fresh air, I'm there. Whether it's hiking, sitting by a lake, or just standing outside feeling like a leaf on a breezy day, being connected to Mother Nature is my recharge station.

And last but not least, Success-ville (think 'Who-ville' as I love the grinch!). Population: Everyone. A reminder that success isn't a one-size-fits-all definition; it's more like a custom-tailored suit. Whether it's climbing the corporate ladder, mastering the art of baking the perfect sourdough (it's harder than it looks), or just achieving mental peace; success is what you make it. My definition of success may differ greatly from yours but this doesn't make me more successful than you or vice versa.

But what drives me forward in this world? My engine in this quirky ride called life? My faith in God. He is the compass that guides me through the stormy seas and the GPS when I'm metaphorically lost on the road. And, I tend to get lost a lot as we all try to navigate the changes in our world.

So, do you feel like you have gotten a glimpse into who I am outside of what I do? Great! Well, who am I? I'm Tracy, a globe-trotting, dog-loving, empathic, nature-hugging, success-believing, faith-driven human being. And that, my friends, is a better icebreaker that any job title could ever give me. But, if we want to add the job titles in there, well, I'm an author, business strategist, public speaker and leadership development facilitator.