about
alex
Alex Racey
Husband, dad, and coach. I was raised in a rural part of Frederick County just outside Winchester, Virginia. My three older siblings and I grew up surrounded by family and friends, taking part in many sports and outdoor activities. Our parents ingrained a strong work ethic in our household and we were all expected to pitch in. My dad and older brother, Aaron, were both paratroopers and many of my uncles had also served. So from an early age, I had some idea that I might become a soldier or a pilot in the military.
Alex Racey
Husband, dad, and coach. I was raised in a rural part of Frederick County just outside Winchester, Virginia. My three older siblings and I grew up surrounded by family and friends, taking part in many sports and outdoor activities. Our parents ingrained a strong work ethic in our household and we were all expected to pitch in. My dad and older brother, Aaron, were both paratroopers and many of my uncles had also served. So from an early age, I had some idea that I might become a soldier or a pilot in the military.
A call to serve
After putzing around in college for two years, I decided to join the U.S. Army. I began my 25-year career in 2/75th Ranger Battalion. The 75th Ranger Regiment is the only light infantry unit assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). However, this assignment was short-lived as I had an accidental discharge on a qualification range and was sent to the “Ranger Retirement Home” officially known as I Corp Long Range Surveillance Company (LRSC).
The end of my first four year enlistment came after several more schools and training events, including: Ranger School, Jump Master, Team Spirit 93′ and a couple trips to Wales for the Cambrian Patrol (Bronze Medal, 94′). In 1996, with the intention of getting back in USASOC, I reenlisted and headed to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Upon arrival, I stayed in the Long-Range Surveillance community with an assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division’s Long Range Surveillance Detachment (LRSD).
luck & gratitude
During this time, I attended more schools and many more training events, including: LRS Leader, Military Freefall and Best Ranger 97′ (9th). In 1998 I began my journey back to USASOC. Based on the recruiter’s brief, the Unit was the best place to train and operate in the real world. I took my shot at selection in the spring of 1999 and passed. Callsign, Lucky.
I called the Unit home from June 1999 through October 2016 when I retired. Over those 17 years, I deployed to combat 13 times, serving in a full range of operational roles including: Operator, Breacher, Sniper, Assistant Team Leader, Team Leader, Ops Sergeant Major and Troop Sergeant Major.
developing solutions
My last assignment at the Unit was as the first Director of the Preservation of The Force and Family (POTFF). I was tasked with developing solutions to improve resilience and maximize performance throughout the Unit, including Unit family members. The program I led focused on all aspects of human performance: physical, mental, spiritual, and social.
professional growth
After retiring from the military in 2016, my wife Carly, four kiddos, three cats, three dogs and I settled in Castle Rock, Colorado. I was hired as the Global Director of Executive Protection for a Fortune 500 company based in Denver, Colorado. I led protection missions around the globe to locations including: Uganda, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Philippines, Kenya, and Jamaica, to name a few. In this new environment, I realized the need for performance-focused coaching for executives, military and civilians alike. I also realized how much I missed that coaching aspect from my time in the military.
PERSONAL MISSION
In 2018, I founded First Principles Performance, LLC. As of June, 2021 First Principles Performance Coaching has been my full-time focus and I love it. Through First Principles Performance Coaching I have harnessed my love of coaching, teaching, and leading, to craft a unique client-focused personal performance coaching service. My experiences have taught me that everyone needs a guide to help maximize their personal performance. I know I can be that guide for you.