Life & Work with Larry Tracey of West Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Tracey.

Hi Larry, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
In my high school days, my journey was a tale of two extremes: from studying for the priesthood to becoming an unexpected member of Evel Knievel’s pit crew. It might seem like a wild contrast, but life often takes us down unexpected paths. I spiraled down a dark road of personal destruction during those turbulent years. However, I made a life-altering decision on one fateful, rainy Sunday afternoon in January. That moment marked the turning point, propelling me onto a new path of “personal construction.” On this transformative journey, I unearthed the profound significance of character, wholeheartedly embracing core values such as integrity, quality, passion, and love. These principles have become the bedrock of my life, ones I practice diligently daily. My motto is simple but powerful: “Learn it, Live it, Share it.” As I ventured further along the road of personal construction, I became a high school teacher. While to many, my students were considered the most challenging, to me, they were the best. My passion for making a positive impact led me from the classroom to the roles of an outreach coordinator for at-risk youth and an addiction counselor. My mission remained the same throughout these years: teaching individuals how to “Plant the Seeds of Success” within themselves and others. My dedication to fostering positive change caught the attention of the County Prosecutor. When the tragic events at Columbine occurred, he reached out to me with a unique request—to develop a one-day conference for high school youth focused on school safety. Three hundred students from every high school in the county participated, and the impact was undeniable. Soon after, high schools across the region began clamoring for similar conferences. This demand ultimately led to the creation and implementing of leadership and success training programs in more than 75 schools, touching the lives of over 100,000 young individuals and adults alike. The nonprofit organization Youth4Youth (www.youth4youth.org) was born from this passion for making a difference. Reflecting on the journey that brought me to where I am today, I realize that I faced a crucial crossroads forty years ago. I understood that success was a destination and a way of life. The choice was stark and simple: to live or to wither away. I can confidently say that I made the right choice, and my life’s work is a testament to that decision.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of life, much like a road, is defined by our perspective. For me, it’s all about how I perceive and frame things. Picture this: my very first day in the classroom, and there were no textbooks, no prescribed curriculum—just a spark plug tucked away in the teacher’s desk. I hadn’t undergone formal training as an educator, and the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty. Starting a nonprofit seemed daunting; public speaking sent shivers down my spine, and there were countless other challenges I had no prior experience with. But I had something powerful within me—passion. Alongside that burning passion, I possessed an unyielding determination to learn and a resolute “never-give-up” attitude. It all harkened back to my journey on the Road of Personal Construction and my unwavering motto: “If I wasn’t living it, I certainly didn’t have the integrity to share it.”

I’m a firm believer in the transformative power of habits and behaviors. One habit I cultivated was to ask myself, “What Would I Do Today if I were Brave?” each morning as I woke up. I listened intently for the answer and then acted. At the close of each day, I’d pull out my trusty index card, reflect on my actions, and draw a line if I had followed through. Over two years, I took a staggering 472 daily actions geared towards my success. Yes, even on holidays and weekends. When I aspired to become a better speaker, the question led me to find a book on speaking, where I stumbled upon quotes by a man named Les Brown. Serendipitously, two weeks later, I received a mailer inviting me to an event where Les Brown himself would be present in Columbus, Ohio. I asked the bravery question again, and it told me to ask Mr. Brown to join him for lunch. To my surprise, he agreed, and during that meal, he said, “Larry, join Toastmasters.” I did, and I’ve since competed in the World Championship of Public Speaking semifinals not once but twice.

Another indispensable habit is a mindset I’ve coined as SPFSP—Successful People Find Solutions to Problems. It’s a mental framework that rewires your brain to seek solutions instinctively. Over time, you build a track record of success that bolsters your self-confidence and reduces stress. When confronted with a problem, stress becomes a rarity because you know you’ll uncover a solution and things will work out—because they always do. The SPFSP mindset is a concept we foster within our Youth4Youth teams and leadership training. Goal setting, without a doubt, is another cornerstone of my success. It’s the reason I now call Arizona my home. Standing on the precipice of the Grand Canyon in August of 1984, I committed myself: I would move to Arizona when my boys completed high school. It was a goal I had committed to writing, then promptly forgot about. Years later, as I fretted over life decisions, that goal resurfaced in my memory. I felt an inexplicable calm inside, and within nine months, I was living in Arizona. Goal setting isn’t just a personal practice—it’s a core element of our Youth4Youth teams, where we set individual and team goals each year. If I had to distill the most vital principle for success, goal setting would take the top spot unequivocally. Make it your number one habit, and watch the transformative magic unfold.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Executive Director of Youth4Youth, Speaker, and Author

• My Motto: Learn it, Live it, Share it. I am currently in the Share It phase of life as I mentor several individuals across the state.

I specialize in fostering leadership development among both youth and adults, as well as in constructing coalitions focused on substance use prevention. What truly sets me apart is my unwavering passion, a wealth of experience, and a unique ability to guide individuals in connecting the dots. My overarching objective is to impart knowledge and foster a profound sense of ownership in those I work with. I strive to make the ideas I share become their own, empowering them to embrace their journey of discovery and transformation.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The greatest risk I ever took was a financial one, and it’s a journey I’d like to share. At various junctures, especially during the development of Youth4Youth, uncertainty loomed large, and I often needed a clear roadmap for how everything would come together. Yet, with unwavering determination and a steadfast commitment to my goals, I persevered through countless hours of hard work, often without financial compensation. I vividly remember moonlighting on the night shift, stocking shelves to make ends meet, all while dedicating my days to nurturing the vision of Youth4Youth. During that phase, I concurrently honed my leadership workshops, dedicating a year to delivering corporate and educator keynotes, training sessions, and workshops. My schedule was nothing short of insane; I’d be on the road for a week, return home exhausted, spend the weekend recuperating like a vegetable, and then dive right back into the world of Youth4Youth the following week. In retrospect, it might seem like madness, but to me, it was an exhilarating and fulfilling pursuit I wholeheartedly embraced. People sometimes look at the result of one’s success and proclaim, “You’re so lucky,” without comprehending the sacrifices and tireless effort invested in getting there. I am indeed grateful for the opportunities that came my way, but luck alone didn’t shape my journey. It was a willingness to go the extra mile, to do whatever it took, that truly paved the path to where I stand today. Upon relocating to Arizona, I made the tough decision to temporarily suspend Youth4Youth, fully aware that cultivating new community relationships and reigniting the program would take time. Remarkably, in 18 months, we were back in action, building Youth4Youth teams in schools across the area. In the process of community engagement, I became part of the Way Out West Coalition (WOW), a collective effort dedicated to providing every child in our community with the opportunity to grow up free from the grips of drugs and alcohol.

When funding for this noble endeavor dried up in 2016, I refused to see all our hard work go to waste. I reached out for support from others and my own resources, delving into the world of grant writing and surrounding myself with individuals who shared my unwavering determination to succeed. Fast forward seven years, and Youth4Youth is thriving, boasting drug and alcohol prevention programs and teams in numerous schools. The Way Out West Coalition, the Rise Up Glendale (RiseUpGlendale.org), and the 3P Coalition (3PCoalition.org) in Peoria have also thrived. All three entities have secured funding through the Drug-Free Communities program for the next decade. Through the combined efforts of Youth4Youth and these three community coalitions, we’re positively impacting the lives of over 350,000 individuals. Before I conclude, I’d like to leave you with two invaluable lessons.

First and foremost, I owe much of my journey’s success to the guidance of remarkable mentors, with Og Mandino and Jack Canfield being the most influential. So, my advice is simple: seek mentors who can guide you on your path to success. Lastly, as I share these reflections, I’m reminded that I’m typically a forward-focused individual, always envisioning the future. So, when the time comes that I’m no longer on this planet, don’t mourn for me. Instead, cover me with roses. I’ll take a moment to savor their fragrance and reflect on a well-lived life. With love and hugs, Larry

Contact Info:

• Website: www.youth4youth.org, WayOutWestCoalition.org, GetintheWay.us
• Instagram: youth4youth_official, getintheway_official, wayoutwestcoalitionbuckeyeaz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youth4youth.org https://www.facebook.com/getintheway/ https://www.facebook.com/WayOutWestCoalition
• Twitter: youth4youthusa, wowcoalition, getinthewayusa
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GetintheWay