Hidden Gems: Meet TRACY WILCOX of Dynamite Pickleball and Heights Athletic Club

Today we’d like to introduce you to TRACY WILCOX.

Hi TRACY, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I never imagined my path would lead me to running full fitness and pickleball clubs, but looking back, every step prepared me for it. My background started in coaching youth sports and teaching, where I developed a passion for helping people grow in confidence, skill, and community. Over time, that passion evolved into pickleball, which quickly became more than just a sport for me — it became a way to connect people, build relationships, and help others rediscover joy through movement and competition.

My husband and I first built Dynamite Pickleball, which became a platform for coaching, clinics, tournaments, and community-building. Through Dynamite Pickleball, we were able to teach thousands of players, develop coaches, and create a culture centered around fun, growth, and connection through the sport. That journey eventually led us from California to Texas, where we took on the challenge of helping lead and grow Heights Athletic Club.

What started as simply coaching pickleball turned into wearing many hats: club owner, coach, marketing director, event planner, livestream producer, mentor, and community builder. It’s been a huge learning curve, but also one of the most rewarding seasons of my life.

Along the way, I’ve taught thousands of players, built leagues and programs, and created spaces where people of all ages and skill levels feel welcomed. I’m especially passionate about helping women build confidence both on and off the court through mental fitness and sports.

At the core of everything I do is the belief that sports are about much more than winning. They’re about connection, resilience, growth, and creating communities where people feel like they belong.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, and honestly, I think that’s part of what shaped both me and our business. Building Dynamite Pickleball and helping run Heights Athletic Club has required constant adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to learn things I never expected to learn.

One of the biggest challenges was moving from California to Texas and stepping into the enormous responsibility of operating an entire fitness and pickleball facility. Suddenly, I wasn’t just coaching anymore — I was learning marketing, operations, livestreaming, software systems, staffing, scheduling, social media, customer service, and countless other skills in real time. There were many moments where the sheer amount of responsibility felt overwhelming.

As a mom of seven and a business owner, balancing family life with entrepreneurship has also been a challenge. There were seasons where it felt like every day required solving a new problem or learning a completely new technology. I’ve had to grow comfortable being uncomfortable and accept that progress often comes through imperfection and trial-and-error.

Another challenge has been navigating the emotional side of leadership and sports. Pickleball communities are filled with incredible people, but anytime you work closely with people, there are personalities, expectations, and pressures to manage. Learning how to stay grounded, communicate well, and not lose joy in the middle of stress has been an important part of my personal growth.

At the same time, those struggles have also become some of the greatest gifts. They’ve taught me resilience, humility, patience, and the importance of community. Looking back, the difficult seasons are often the ones that helped me grow the most both personally and professionally.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dynamite Pickleball and Heights Athletic Club are both built around one core belief: sports and fitness should bring people together, build confidence, and create community.

Through Dynamite Pickleball, we specialize in pickleball coaching, clinics, leagues, tournaments, coach development, and community-based programming for players of all ages and levels. We’ve taught thousands of players over the years, from complete beginners picking up a paddle for the first time to competitive athletes looking to elevate their game. While we absolutely teach strategy and skill development, we’re also deeply passionate about the mental side of sports — helping players build confidence, resilience, and joy on the court.

At Heights Athletic Club in Central Texas, we’ve expanded that vision into a full family-oriented fitness and sports environment. In addition to pickleball, we offer tennis, swimming, youth camps, fitness programming, and social events designed to create connection and belonging. We want people to walk into our facility and feel welcomed, encouraged, and part of something bigger than just exercise.

What sets us apart is our culture. We’ve worked intentionally to create an atmosphere where beginners feel comfortable, experienced players feel challenged, and families feel connected. We care deeply about creating positive experiences, not just transactions. People often tell us that when they come to our club or programs, they feel seen, supported, and energized.

I’m especially proud of the women’s mental fitness work we’ve incorporated into our coaching. We openly talk about confidence, pressure, fear of failure, and how sports can become a vehicle for personal growth. That authenticity and vulnerability has resonated with so many players, especially women who are looking for both competition and community.

Brand wise, I’m most proud that we’ve stayed authentic. We’ve built our programs through relationships, word-of-mouth, hard work, and genuinely caring about people. Whether someone comes to us for a beginner clinic, a competitive league, a youth camp, or simply a place to belong, we want them to leave feeling better than when they arrived.

At the end of the day, we’re not just building players — we’re building community.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think the quality that has been most important to my success is adaptability paired with perseverance. So much of building a business, coaching people, and leading a community requires being willing to learn as you go, even when you don’t feel fully prepared.

There have been countless moments where I’ve had to step into roles or challenges I had no experience with — from marketing and technology to livestreaming, operations, and managing a large sports facility. Instead of waiting until I felt “ready,” I’ve learned to stay present, take the next step forward, and trust that growth happens through the process.

I also think authenticity has played a huge role in our success. People connect with real people, not perfection. Whether I’m coaching on the court, sharing struggles openly, or helping someone work through confidence issues in sports, I try to lead with honesty, empathy, and encouragement.

Finally, I genuinely care about people. I want players, families, and members to feel welcomed, supported, and valued. That sense of community and connection has become one of the strongest foundations of both Dynamite Pickleball and Heights Athletic Club.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heightsathleticclub.com
• Instagram: @tracywilcoxpickleball
• Facebook: @tracywilcoxpickleball
• Twitter: @heightsathleticclub
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeightsAthleticClub