We're Changing Lives, Like Tracy Wilson | mikeroweWORKS Foundation

For the last 16 years, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation has been assembling a group of people with an affinity for hard work, a positive attitude, an aversion to debt, and the willingness to learn a skill that’s in demand. So far, we’ve helped a few thousand hardworking men and women and assisted them in the process of getting the training they need to begin a career in the skilled trades. One of those individuals is Tracy Wilson, and it’s my pleasure to introduce her to you. Tracy's story is inspirational, her work ethic is impressive, and her affinity for the trades is undeniable. She's exactly the kind of person my foundation is looking to assist.
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[@bearowen5480]

Mike, you've made a career of inspiring us Americans, and doing it with heartfelt sincerity and a constant dash of wry humor. Tracy is another jewel in your crown! I was a career Marine and Air National Guard fighter pilot, airline pilot, and top producing real estate broker. I served with special human beings like Tracy throughout those careers. They inspired me everyday, everytime I walked out on the ramp and strapped my butt into one of those thoroughbred machines of war. I never forgot the pride that these folks like Tracy had in their professionalism that prepared that jet to to flawlessly perform its mission to protect our homeland and the freedoms we enjoy in it. You could see it in their faces, hear it in their banter with the pilots and WSOs, "Don't bend my jet, sir!" "Bring it back to me in one piece, Skipper!" "Hey, Captain, how 'bout making a little noise for the troops when you get back? Ask the tower for a low pass down the flightline, let us have some of the fun too." Tracy's an inspiration to the people she works with in the flight test squadron at PAX River. They all know that the work they do is life and death stuff, and that the skills they possess and apply will not only keep their pilots safe, but protect the country and our way of life. The pilots get the glory, they're at the pointy end of the spear, but never forget that the mission goes successfully or not because of the hundreds of unsung patriots like Tracy that make the magic happen. The late Cavett Robert, the great inspirational speaker, used to say that the magic isn't when the rabbit is pulled out of the hat, it's getting that rabbit into the hat in the first place! Tracy puts the rabbit into the hat. God bless her!

[@tracydubya27]

🤯 Very articulate!! That is absolutely how I feel about my job. We have lots of fun at work but we always get the job done. The big picture of what I do keeps me coming back for more. And thank you for your service 🫡🇺🇲

[@fjohnson9749]

👍🏼

[@teddyjones8027]

What a bad azz uplifting story of never too old, it's never too late, and always reach for the stars. Thank you for sharing, everyone keep yourselves and love ones safe and healthy and remember to SMILE 😊God Bless 🙏

[@tracydubya27]

That's right!! If you're on this side of the dirt, there's still time to make a change!

[@teddyjones8027]

@@tracydubya27 ABSOLUTELY

[@Hutch_Davenport]

Good for her. She is Making America Great Again by contributing and building a better America. I have nothing but respect for tradesmen and women like her.

[@jonathanwelter]

Hell yeah. As a now retired Army helicopter aviator, thank you Tracy, for all you are doing. Rise and fly Phoenix.

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you for your service 🇺🇲 Rest assured, this Phoenix has spread her wings and is soaring high!

[@rogerdat7807]

Nicely done Mike. Tracy is an awesome example of a no-quit, no-excuses, get'r done winner. Very inspiring!

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you!! Excuses is the fertilizer for stagnant life.

[@rogerdat7807]

@tracydubya27 Amen. Trademark that and put it on a shirt, Sister! It'll sell.

[@tracydubya27]

​@@rogerdat7807 haha! You're probably right!

[@rogerdat7807]

@tracydubya27 FYI: I'm the guy in the hat yelling at Mike while he's getting in the boatswain chair. Took him 40mins to finally get over, but Mike charged it. He's the real deal: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5bEcnl4erN3g9Esi=jqfAScxv4PR8SbYT

[@williamwenrich3288]

I relate. I have an AS in Electronics Engineering. The most important part to me was that she did what was needed. If that meant cleaning houses while going to school and making things stretch, that’s what she did.

[@tracydubya27]

Yessir!! I did what I had to. Pretty sweet that we share the same degree! Right on 😁

[@brianpolley7084]

Up by 2:10 a.m. ❤ it. Get up and do the work; reap the rewards. Congrats, young lady.

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you, sir! The rewards are AWESOME! Ain't easy though 😅 But nothing worth having ever comes easy...

[@robviousobviously5757]

She is awesome.. thanks for introducing her to the world

[@tracydubya27]

Ahhh!! Thank you for this!! Also, Boss 302... NICE 😎

[@GamerplayerWT]

Gotta admit… she’s pretty badass!

[@theresatyler9637]

Great story! You Go Girl!! I'm 70 and I want to be just like you when I grow up!! Stay strong!!

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you!! But don't grow up... I know I never will 😁👊🏾

[@ann3856]

This is the ATTITUDE to make your dreams come true! Very good and Mike, can we at least get a bit longer clips? I have so much respect for this lady!!!!

[@Gregknows-uj8gg]

Congratulations! That lady is why we are a global power. Motivated and smart. Good work ethic.

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you!! Sidebar, Ace is my favorite hardware store 😍

[@susanhoxter1566]

She is amazing and inspiring.

[@cbrackin531]

Thank you for your service, Tracy. You are an American hero.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

“See why I love coming to work. Work doesn’t seem like work.” Nice Tracy. I had a job like that. When it felt like work I knew it was time for me to retire. Congrats. You’re part of a team. A great team with a great mission. Makes all the difference in the world.

[@tracydubya27]

YES!! Work environment is a huge part of a job. I refuse to spend 40+ hours a week in a place that disturbs my mental health. These guys are the BEST. I love them like the family they are 😁

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

@@tracydubya27 It came out in the video very well. I hope Mike has you on again and tell your story in more detail. You could help a lot of people that are struggling with overcoming change and embracing new experiences. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@tracydubya27]

@@thereissomecoolstuff I hope so too... I have so much more to say! I've lived through a lot and I have a lot to share that would help set others free from whatever is holding them down. Thank you for recognizing that! 👊🏾

[@oklamoni5697]

What an uplifting story. Kudos to her!

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you!!

[@michelemcdermott75]

I’m in love with that beautiful smile!!! You are an amazing person✈️

[@tracydubya27]

Ahhhh!! Thank you so much! 😊

[@quietusplus1221]

What a turn-around and strong woman. Grabbed life "by the balls" and is now doing great!

[@carlaatkins2619]

Incredible story. GO TRACY!!!

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you!! I'm goin!! 😁

[@AprilHarmony9]

🔥🔥🔥Thank you Mike. I loved this episode. In real life we (men and women) have to do a reset. This was very real❤️

[@tracydubya27]

Real. That's exactly what the good folks at mikeroweWORKS captured. Thank you for watching!

[@AprilHarmony9]

@@tracydubya27::HUGS:: You rock and I want you to keep pushing forward..I've had to start over twice in my own life (both times real close together b/c I trusted the wrong people) and this 2nd time, I had to leave everything behind so I loved watching this. Salute to you 🔥🔥🔥

[@deepintheheartofTXmama]

Props to Tracy Wilson. Get it!

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you!! 👊🏾😎

[@johnrudy9404]

Kudos Tracy! 36, back to school...not easy...w 2 kids and wolf at the door. Thank you for the work you do.

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you! You nailed it... that wolf was indeed at the door... WAS 😁👊🏾

[@lusitamanisau5394]

Wow! Great empowering story The American Dream! God bless you Tracy

[@tracydubya27]

Yes! I'm living it! God bless indeed 😊

[@user-ho3yg7kz8k]

Tracy, you're a true inspiration for all single moms. Love what you've done. Mike, thanks for telling this story.

[@tracydubya27]

Ahhh! I love this 😊 Thank you so much! It's unfortunate that sometimes we get stuck single parenting, but we still have the choice to make a better future 👊🏾 Circumstances don't dictate the future.

[@faraclas]

Truly inspirational. Thanks for what you do Mike. Keep up the great work, Tracy!

[@coproductions9378]

LOVE It....Mike Rowe is BAD A$$! THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

[@carworks-n-stuff4654]

Keep up the great work, guys! I'm a college professor and many of my students could do so much more and feel so much better about the future if they only knew what is out there for them. Hearing stories like Tracy's and seeing themselves in her place is certainly a wonderful start!

[@thomasmarkwylie5688]

What an amazing and beautiful story. God bless you.

[@ryank3601]

Never got to meet her, but I worked for Boeing at VX-23 for almost 9 years. Awesome story.

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you! What years were you at Pax?

[@earlribaudo4807]

Great, great story. Like the OLD saying goes "if you like what you are doing, it is not a job.:

[@tracydubya27]

Exactly!!! I don't go to work everyday, I go do what I love everyday 😊

[@grand2425]

Congratulations Tracy. Great story. An inspiration to many. 💪🏽

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you!! 😁

[@edithcritchlow6014]

Wonderful and encouraging interview 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@SeasideWitcher]

Every girl in college contemplating a career in only fans should see this. You are awesome.

[@tracydubya27]

Great contrast 🤔 Thank you!!

[@wandlbaker]

When I was in the US Air Force I learned that 15 minutes early is ON TIME. My biggest gripe are people who think their time is more valuable than their commitment to being there ON TIME. I do NOT hold others to the 15 minute model but I do expect when they say a certain time that they will be there at or before that time.

[@tracydubya27]

Right on!! 👊🏾😎

[@joshuaduitsman9553]

If TWA was Tracy Wilson Airlines, they'd still be running the show.

[@tracydubya27]

Woooooow 😲 These comments... incredible. That one touched my soul 🥰 Thank you for that!!

[@tango_uniform]

I hadn't thought about cannon plugs in almost 25 years. Thanks for the memories.

[@tracydubya27]

Haha! Do they bring back good memories? It's always fun when you need to break those out 🫨😆

[@thelefthandedshooter381]

My son may be flying one of those jets after he graduates from USNA. Thanks for loving your job and keeping those planes safe to fly.

[@tracydubya27]

That's awesome!! Congratulations in advance to him!

[@wernerpd777]

I really enjoyed working at PAX River as a flight test engineer for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, but the 76 mile commute was a killer.

[@Paladin1873]

And we can't find enough capable and motivated people like her to join the military to maintain our weapon systems.

[@tracydubya27]

I appreciate that! I'm being the change I want to see... it may take a little time for others to do the same, but I'm choosing to remain optimistic about that, even though I'm well aware good workers are hard to find. Positivity has ripple effects too 😁

[@Paladin1873]

@@tracydubya27 Given the rapidly deteriorating political scene around the world today, that ripple effect may soon turn into a tsunami if history is any indicator of where we are headed.

[@tracydubya27]

@@Paladin1873 you're not wrong...

[@rener44]

Good stuff Mike

[@bucweat]

Congrats @tracydubya27! You've found a wonderful place to work...that's coming from a guy who spent early 90's at SATD/NATC and a good number of them with the instrumentation folks :-) This country needs more people like you and Mike...

[@tracydubya27]

Ahh!! Thank you so much! That's a high honor 😊 Flight test fist bump! 👊🏾

[@colinhicks2315]

Mike rowe for president

[@michaelheater1969]

Amazing woman

[@cindydawson3815]

❤it! Thanks for all you do for us! Great job 👏

[@blakehahn-atlantaga8510]

Well that was bad ass! She rocks and I’m inspired!

[@tracydubya27]

Haha, thank you!! 😁

[@Roy-qn2ie]

Its water, toothpaste, water. I didnt hear anything of what was said in the rest of the video.

[@tracydubya27]

HAHAHA!!! Best comment right here 😂🤣

[@gwbuilder5779]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@brianwaskow5910]

When I worked for Rockwell on the B-1B we had 2 test planes full of orange wire. After the testing was complete we removed the orange wire and I think we filled a dumpster.

[@tracydubya27]

That demodding though 😅

[@jetprime7686]

Ok this is awesome and she has a cool job

[@tracydubya27]

I DO!! Thank you 😊

[@iamrrspike7132]

Walking on a Navy carriers flight deck in the middle of the night, in the middle of the ocean, so it’s extremely dark. I had no idea that my head just cleared the leading edge of a wing on an F/A 18. I looked up just as my helmet made contact with the underside of the wing forcing my head backwards and my face then contacted the wing. However my legs decided to operate on their own and continued walking as my face also continued scraping the wing in unison. It’s an embarrassing and hard learned lesson, that I actually witnessed others doing, to my satisfaction. Go Navy!

[@tracydubya27]

Hilarious 😆 Go Navy!

[@saaskwatch5537]

Awesome

[@scottwyckoff5483]

Awesome woman

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you!

[@ianellithorpe5918]

This almost Brought me to tears

[@philtheheaterguy951]

Every kid in middle school should have to watch this video. Let them learn that they need to reach for a job that they can look forward to attending, and to be ready right out of high school, trades school, or college. Don’t end up cleaning houses and then really starting a great life at 38.

[@tracydubya27]

Some of us need a little bit longer to discover our purpose, so being ready right out of high school is a tall order for some. I also perfected my work ethic cleaning houses 😊 Plus, it was either that, or be unemployed which wasn't an option. I have no regrets, only lessons learned 😁

[@Clifswing]

Every experience should be like another tool added to life's tool belt... find the plus and keep adding. Negativity can be a costly distraction.

[@tracydubya27]

@@Clifswing There's the best Pops!! Take the positive and lessons learned and run with them. I don't have any room for negativity in my life 👊🏾😁💙

[@RedBeardTheFirst]

Mike you should come out to the Aviation Logistics Center in NC

[@eddiexoc8430]

Awesome episode. Thank you.

[@KBKB-kg8qt]

👏👏

[@me-yy9zz]

Great story, cool gal...

[@tracydubya27]

Thanks! 😊

[@BillMulholland1]

👍

[@tristanconnolly5675]

Nice.

[@jeffbarnard3050]

Cool lady!!!!

[@tracydubya27]

Thank you! 👊🏾

[@brianwaskow5910]

Join the Air Force! and work on planes!

[@OneWildTurkey]

For me, it seems so weird to see civilians working on military machines. I'm old Navy. I hope there are still plenty of ETs in service. Sometimes, they're needed elsewhere.

[@Jbridge621]

No, it’s toothpaste, brush teeth, which is far more effective with non-diluted toothpaste, which is also not being wasted, then water!

[@tracydubya27]

Oh my gosh, THANK YOU!!! You're the only one to speak the truth so far! 😂 This is how I brush my teeth too! High five🖐🏾😎

[@barbraalexander92]

My son is in a paid aviation class, pay isn't much, are there any grants for someone in this situation? Class is 8hrs a day and hours of studying, he doesn't have time for a second job

[@barbraalexander92]

Paid

[@User-rka_zykx76]

RFK missed out on a good vp

[@LizzotheLizard]

Mike can you help me go to auto mechanic school and become an auto mechanic please 🙏🏻

[@lucazimmermann2962]

Also Known As Guile Stage 😂😂😂

[@rener44]

Me

[@4speed3pedals]

Patutent NAS

[@nomusicrc]

Toothpaste water

[@matthewbrandon931]

Cool job. Unfortunately working for the Fed govt.

[@HomelessWhiteMaleStartingOvera]

So sad to see Rowe descend into the diversity hire cesspool for his story ideas.

[@AprilHarmony9]

What a horrible thing to say. I love Rowe and I usually don't comment but this was terrible to say. You need to check your personality.

[@philshock3805]

This kind of mindset is one of the (many) worst things about woke culture. Of course, it's doing precisely what it's supposed to ... divide. I didn't get any part of "diversity hire" from this story ... I got a story about a strong, hard working lady who refused to give up and it's paid off.

[@HomelessWhiteMaleStartingOvera]

@@AprilHarmony9 Would we be hearing about this had she been a white male ? Would you be protesting my comment had she been a white male ? Of course not. Look out your racism and bigotry is showing.

[@Thenarratorofsecrets]

Oh look. A racist. How are you doing lil piggy?

[@billchmelik5697]

YTI does not produce "diversity hires" , they produce graduates ready for work and the world.

[@riverpirate1022]

Well, that was a diverse video...... I saw 1 white person plus Mike. Still a good story about a woman who made all the wrong choices, suddenly snapped and started making the right choices and put in the work. Now she has the reward. Good for you!