Story & Lesson Highlights with Tracy Milgram of Coconut Creek

Tracy Milgram shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Tracy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building that nobody sees is the safe space. Behind the events, the care packages, the social media, there’s a network of women who finally feel seen, heard, and not alone. I’ve built a community that catches people before they fall, and while the world may see the public-facing strength, it’s the quiet, behind-the-scenes healing that makes me the proudest.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tracy Milgram, the founder of BRCASTRONG, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals impacted by breast and gynecological cancers regardless of genetic predisposition, gender, or stage of their journey.

I started BRCASTRONG as a 20-year previvor who felt unseen and alone navigating life before, during, and after preventative surgery. Today, we provide emotional empowerment, education, and one-of-a-kind premastectomy care packages to both men and women because breast cancer doesn’t discriminate, and neither do we.

What makes BRCASTRONG unique is our commitment to meeting people before they break. We’re building a movement rooted in empathy, action, and visibility and we’re working every day to expand access, end stigmas, and remind every previvor, survivor, and thriver that their story matters.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was the moment I chose to take control of my health and undergo a preventative mastectomy in my 30s. It wasn’t just about the surgery it was about saying, “I refuse to live in fear.” That decision, rooted in knowledge and courage, became the foundation for BRCASTRONG. It was the first time I realized that power doesn’t always look loud sometimes, it’s quiet, deeply personal, and life changing.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life was discovering I carried the BRCA mutation and realizing the weight it placed on my body, my identity, and my future. It wasn’t just a medical diagnosis it was the loss of certainty, control, and parts of myself, both physically and emotionally. Another wound came from the silence the lack of representation, support, and understanding, especially for young women and men navigating this path.

I began to heal by turning that pain into purpose. Founding BRCASTRONG gave me a mission bigger than myself. Through building community, sharing stories, and creating resources like premastectomy care packages, I found strength in vulnerability and healing in connection. Helping others feel seen helped me reclaim power over my own story. The wound still exists but it no longer defines me. My resilience does.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what really matters to me is making sure no one feels alone. Whether it’s a previvor facing a life-changing decision, a survivor rebuilding after treatment, or someone quietly struggling I care deeply about showing up, creating space, and making people feel seen, heard, and valued.

They’d also say I’m fiercely loyal, driven by purpose, and that I don’t stop until the work is done especially when it comes to empowering others and protecting my community. Love, legacy, and lifting others up that’s what fuels me.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people might misunderstand my legacy by seeing it only as the visible milestone’s events, care packages, and advocacy without realizing the deep emotional labor and quiet resilience behind it all.

My legacy isn’t just about what I built publicly; it’s about the countless unseen moments of vulnerability, the tears, the setbacks, and the relentless determination to create a safe space where previvors, survivors, and thrivers feel empowered.

People might miss that this work is as much about healing hearts and breaking stigmas as it is about raising awareness. That silent strength is what I hope truly defines my legacy.

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