Tracy Slepcevic of San Diego on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tracy Slepcevic. Check out our conversation below.

Tracy, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I am absolutely walking a path. It hasn’t always been a straight or predictable one, but every step has been guided by purpose. What began as a mother’s determination to help her son has evolved into a mission to serve and empower countless families. Even in the moments that felt chaotic or uncertain, I later realized those were the experiences shaping me into who I needed to become in order to do this work.

I don’t believe in wandering without direction. I believe we are each called to something greater than ourselves, and when we follow that calling with intention and faith, the path continues to reveal itself. My journey is grounded in service, fueled by love, and driven by the belief that every life touched has the potential to create a ripple of hope and healing.

So yes, I am walking a path—one that is purposeful, unwavering, and far from finished.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tracy Slepcevic, and I am the Founder and President of Autism Health Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research and improving the quality of life for individuals with autism and related neurological conditions. My work is rooted in my personal journey as a mother. When my son Noah was diagnosed with autism, I made it my mission to find real answers and meaningful solutions that could help him thrive. That experience led me to earn my BA in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, become a certified Integrative Health Practitioner, and advocate for families around the world.

I am also the bestselling author of Warrior Mom: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Her Son with Autism, a story that has inspired and empowered countless parents to explore integrative approaches to health. Through Autism Health Inc., I created the Autism Health Summit, which launched in 2024 and is transforming the landscape of autism education by bringing together world-class medical experts, researchers, and families to share evidence-based therapies, groundbreaking discoveries, and hope for healing.

What makes our organization unique is that we bridge lived experience with scientific innovation. We are driven by truth, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping families access the knowledge and resources they need, but today. As we continue to grow, we’re expanding educational programs, research collaborations, and community events that unite people behind a shared mission: to redefine what is possible for those living with autism.

Ultimately, everything I do is grounded in purpose, and I use my story to uplift others and ensure that no family feels alone on their journey.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I wasn’t smart enough or capable of doing anything extraordinary. I never saw myself as someone who would one day write a bestselling book, lead a national movement, or create an impact far beyond my own family. I thought success was reserved for other people… people who were bolder, louder, or more confident than I was.

But life has a way of revealing who you truly are when you’re called into purpose. When Noah was diagnosed, something awakened in me that I didn’t know existed. I found a strength, a determination, and a voice that had been waiting for the right moment to rise. What I once saw as limitations became the very reasons I fought harder. Through that journey, I became the Warrior Mom.

Today, I look back with gratitude. I no longer believe I am “not enough.” Instead, I believe that God equips us perfectly for the mission we are meant to serve. And when you fight for something bigger than yourself, you discover a power within you that you never knew you had.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me who I truly am and what I’m capable of. Success is beautiful, but it doesn’t build character… life’s experiences do. It was in the darkest moments, when I felt fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion, that I discovered my greatest strength. When Noah struggled and the world seemed to be working against us, I learned resilience, courage, and the power of a mother’s love.

Suffering also taught me compassion in a way success never could. It opened my heart to the pain of others and gave me the ability not just to celebrate victories, but to sit with families in their hardest moments and say, “I understand. You’re not alone.”
Most importantly, suffering taught me faith. It taught me to trust the process even when I couldn’t see the path ahead, to believe in miracles when the odds said otherwise, and to keep moving forward with purpose.

Success confirms you’re on the right path, but suffering is what shapes the path. It’s what transformed me from a mother desperate for answers into a leader determined to create them.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I deeply admire Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for his unwavering courage and integrity. He has stood up for families and fundamental freedoms in a time when doing so has come at a great personal and professional cost. His willingness to challenge powerful institutions, speak truth boldly, and advocate for those without a voice reflects a rare kind of leadership… one rooted in moral conviction over convenience. What inspires me most is his resilience; he continues to show up, to fight, and to lead with heart even when the world pushes back.

I also deeply admire my husband, Steve Slepcevic, whose character shines far brighter than any of his accomplishments. He has dedicated over three decades to helping communities rebuild after disasters, not for recognition, but because it is in his nature to serve. Steve is fearless, purpose-driven, and compassionate, always putting others before himself. In our family’s journey, he has been a steady rock… supporting our mission, advocating fiercely for our son, and living every day with integrity and faith. His strength is quiet but powerful, and I am endlessly inspired by the good he brings into the world.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply—something that many people may not—is that we are spiritual beings having a temporary human experience. I don’t believe in a God who condemns His children to an eternity of suffering. I believe God is pure love, and that love is unconditional. We are not here to be judged or punished, but to grow, evolve, and remember who we truly are at our core.

I also believe that our souls choose their path before we come here—our challenges, our triumphs, and the people who will shape our journey. Some souls are new, just beginning their learning experience, while others are old, returning again and again with deeper wisdom. The purpose of this life isn’t to become someone new, but to rediscover the essence of who we already are. When we recognize that, we begin to see our experiences—especially the hard ones—not as suffering, but as sacred opportunities for transformation.

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Image Credits
Author photo was done by Katherine Pina and all other photos were taken with Tracy’s cell phone

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