Keep your children away from electronics; make them play outside. Electronics become an addiction and program our children over time. Our kids were meant to play outdoors.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tracy Slepcevic, Author of Warrior Mom: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Her Son with Autism.
Tracy Slepcevic is an Author, Certified Integrative Health Coach, Speaker, Air Force Veteran, and the founder of Pur Health, LLC. She is educated in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and has dedicated over 14 years to researching various treatments and therapies for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Over the years, she has worked with various doctors, scientists, advocates, and researchers, and she has made it her mission to educate families on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
I am the proud wife and mother of 2 beautiful children. I grew up in Lincoln Park, MI. and joined the US Air Force at age 19. In my twenties, I became more aware of what I was putting in my body so I started studying basic nutrition, changed my eating habits, and became a personal trainer. It wasn’t until my son was diagnosed with autism over 14 years ago that I became more educated on nutrition and how it affects the body and brain. I was on a journey to heal my child with real food and a biomedical approach to medicine. This experience motivated me to return to school and educate myself so I could assist other families on their journey to healing as I did for myself and my son.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
When I was younger, I didn’t do much reading, but the most inspirational book I ever read many years ago was The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer. This book discusses the topic of intention, not as something that you do, but rather as an energy that you are a part of. By the unseen force of intention, each and every one of us is destined to be here. This is the first book that takes a look at intention as a field of energy that you are able to access to begin the process of co-creating your life using the power of intention. When my son Noah was diagnosed with autism, I set a clear intention to heal his body and mind so he could fully function again. I learned a lot of this from Dr. Wayne Dyer’s books.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the biggest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
My biggest mistake on this journey with my son Noah was to “trust” the medical community and believe everything our son’s pediatrician told us to do. This resulted in a vaccine injury and regression into autism. This resulted in my mission to heal my son which gave me purpose. Since then, I have mentored hundreds of parents on their journey and one of my greatest accomplishments… healing my son.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
I remember feeling lost and alone when my son was diagnosed with autism. I wrote this book to inspire and guide parents on their journey with their child (or children). To give people hope that “recovery is possible.”
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
In life I find that there truly are no accidents. I never realized until I sat down to write my story that there were so many instances where God sent me Angels to guide me on my path to healing. One of those Angels literally came into my life to direct me on what to do, where to go, and how to do it… then she was gone.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
I wouldn’t so much call it an “aha moment” as I would “Divine Intervention.” For many years I had thought about writing a book and sharing my story of healing with the world to help other parents. Once again, God sent me an Angel. This woman I met on a retreat and she shared with me that she was an author. I told her I had always wanted to write a book on my healing journey with my son. She looked at me and said, “So what’s stopping you?” When I went home, I opened my laptop and started to write my story. Then began my new journey as an author.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I could tell you many success stories as I have been a parent mentor of almost 13 years. One story particular comes to mind… There was a mother that reached out to me about her son who was just diagnosed with autism. I gave her all the steps to take and she followed them to a tee. Two years later she reached out to me to share her journey with her son to thank me for guiding her through the process. Her son was now able to speak and fully function with no challenges. This is why I wrote my book and my “purpose” for life.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Wow! Where do I begin?! I feel the most important thing is to address “vaccine safety.” We live in a neurodiverse world and by 2032 experts are saying that the rate of autism will be 1 in 2 or worse.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is an action rather than an attribute. Some people in formal leadership positions are ineffective leaders, while many leaders lack formal authority. Their actions, not their words, inspire trust and enthusiasm. Whether referring to an executive, manager, sports coach, or educator, leadership is about guiding and influencing outcomes, and encouraging people to work together to accomplish what they could not achieve working alone.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- Research or know everything that goes into your child’s body before you choose to give it to them. I learned this the hard way when Noah was born and I feel a lot of health issues could have been avoided if I had only known the dangers of what was going into my child’s body.
- Trust the process. God has a perfect plan for each and every one of us.
- Feed your family ONLY real food from the beginning; no processed food. There are a lot of dangers in eating processed foods and sugar.
- Homeschool! What I thought was the best choice for my child has really been a programming over the years.
- Keep your children away from electronics; make them play outside. Electronics become an addiction and program our children over time. Our kids were meant to play outdoors.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way. ~Dr. Wayne Dyer
Life is a beautiful journey full of life’s lessons. Sometimes we struggle with the process along the way, but it’s important to stop and appreciate the blessings that come with the journey.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Jim Carrey — He has done so much for the autism community and I would like to express my gratitude to him for all his amazing work. I also love to laugh and I feel it would be an uplifting conversation.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Facebook: @Warrior Mom Book (Book page) or Tracy M. Slepcevic (Author page)
Instagram: @AutismAuthorTracy or @WarriorMomBook
LinkedIn: @Tracy Slepcevic TikTok @tslepcevic
Twitter: @AutismMomTracy Rumble @WarriorMomBook or @TracySlepcevic
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Tracy Slepcevic is Helping to Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.