AIR BORN 2.9

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Dear Reader,

When I talk to Shaesta Waiz about her record-breaking solo flight around the globe, I can’t stop thinking of courage and its many forms and variants. When I ask her how she did it, from a psychological perspective, she describes a laser focus on the task at hand – to fly the plane- and a clarity of intent – to circumnavigate the globe with a message. Laser focus is the superpower. Courage is the adaptation.
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That is how she flew across an ocean in the summer’s heat without air conditioning with lice, how she managed wind drift at high altitudes, and how she negotiated border delays, negative thoughts, and unforeseen outcomes. With a laser focus and a strong dose of courage and grit her human potential far exceeded expectations.

So when the goal is lucid and focus is acute, for a short time, we can sideline the rest. In the flow state* little else matters than the task at hand. Shaesta describes an almost robotic mindset required to complete the long hauls during hours of isolation on her 145 day trip flying over remote areas and vast oceans. Alone. Courage.
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There can be an important function to clearing emotions. By removing the emotions a channel for actions is less prone to disruption. Some versions of courage that reach ultimate human performance, remove the noise and distractions. But that is not a sustainable operating mode.
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​At some point your emotional universe is going to take over. And this is where another form of courage comes in. This is where you can choose to be vulnerable or to remain emotionally isolated. This is where “bravery” means daring to put yourself out there and processing the complex emotions inherent in life, dreams and achieving tremendous goals.
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The reality is we’re all strattling the line of courage and vulnerability right now. But there’s more than one kind of courage. There’s the kind that comes from external circumstances and phsycial feats, and there’s also the kind of courage that we experience when we do hard things and discover an inner strength we didn’t know we had. I want us to embrace that kind of courage too.
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Why? Because people need what you have to offer more than ever before. Even if you can’t change all the world’s problems, you can still change one life at a time.
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You be you. That is courage.​
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*Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

This Week

​Episode 058: A Record Breaking Flight around the World, Overcoming Obstacles, and Inspiring the Next Generation of Kids in STEM with Shaesta Waiz - American, Afghan Refugee, and Mom

​Shaesta Waiz was born in Afghanistan at a refugee camp during the Soviet-Afghan War in 1987. Her family came to the United States and she grew up in California. Although it wasn't until graduating high school that Sheasta dreamed of an aviation career, she has accomplished a great deal in short order. She is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the first certified civilian female pilot from Afghanistan. She earned a record for being youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft. Shaesta is the founder of Dreams Soar, a woman’s ambassador program where young women interested in an education in aviation and engineering are mentored and supported.
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This episode is riveting. I have returned to it a few times myself to hear different parts of her fascinating and unfolding story about rising from adversity and discovering what is possible. Just imagine having the vision, grit, courage and optimism to fly around the globe, solo, with a message.
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​If you could circumnavigate the globe in an aircraft with one message, what would it be?​
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Shaesta has a burning desire to help others like her – underserved as a youth - to work hard, never give up and follow their dreams. As an Earthrounder (a unique and rare breed of pilot, setting themselves apart from the more conventional modes of air travel, possessing one unifying achievement: piloting a light aircraft around the entire world), Shaesta's story is layered with grit and determination alongside a deep desire to serve.
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This is a conversation about overcoming obstacles, creating opportunities, embracing a dual identity, pursuing a big dream, and resetting in a new chapter of life. Flying is closely linked to freedom and opportunity. ​
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Links: Dreams Soar and Aviate with Shaesta Podcast​

Encore Episode

​Episode 038: Transforming Fear into Abnormal Attitudes with Cecilia Aragon - First Latina Pilot on the US Aerobatic Team, Scientist, Author

This highlight of encore episode is a fantastically moving juxtaposition. it gives us a direct entry into a deeper dive into themes of courage and bravery at intersections that prove to be fascinating and revealing.
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I dare you not to be inspired by what Dr. Cecilia Rodriguez Aragon has done with her life. In this encore episode you will hear Cecilia share her story of moving through fear, learning to fly and dismantling the perceived limitations that gripped her imagination. For anyone aspiring to achieve great things, it’s the story of overcoming incredible barriers and achieving your dreams. And for the rest, it’s a reminder of the consequences of unexamined implicit bias, privilege, bullying, and negativity.
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The slow therapy of discipline, repetition, and consistency alongside the ability to literally turn the perspective of the world upside down in aerobatics – marks when she really started to soar.
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An uplifting conversation, we draw on references to her recent memoir Flying Free: My Victory over Fear to Become the First Latina Pilot on the US Aerobatic Team that tells the exhilarating story of how she broke free from her own fears to become a champion pilot.
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We dive into how she went from timid, fearful daughter of immigrants to daredevil airshow pilot while raising children and asking hard questions of the data science industry.
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Cecilia’s multiple talents include champion aerobatic pilot, many times author, fluency in 4 four languages and professor in human centered data science. Her innovative research, and a stint at NASA designing software for Mars missions, led President Obama to call her “one of the top scientists and engineers in the country.”

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Women in Afghanistan

​Listen to Shaesta discussing women in Afghanistan from August 2021, as U.S. military forces withdrew from Afghanistan and the nation collapsed under Taliban forces. Shaesta shares her thoughts on the situation there, especially as it relates to their women – 38.9 million people.

Let’s keep learning together.

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As usual, we really, really deeply appreciate you joining us on the When Women Fly journey. You’re the reason why we do this. So without this community of courageous, adventurous, imperfect, and open-minded humans, we would not be doing the work. So thank you, and I’ll see you next time.

Take a minute to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. This helps distribute these conversations to more listeners and gives me great feedback.

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Be bold. Be brave. And FLY!

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See you next time,

Sylvia Winter, Founder & Podcast Host of When Women Fly

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LATEST EPISODES

​Ep. 058: A Record Breaking Flight around the World, Overcoming Obstacles, and Inspiring the Next Generation of Kids in STEM with Shaesta Waiz - American, Afghan Refugee, and Mom

​Ep. 057: On Taking Risks and Personal Transformation with Caite Zeliff - Pro Skier, Paraglider, and Twice Queen

​Ep. 056: On Land, Contemporary Indigenous Identity, and Recreation with Ashleigh Thompson - Trail Runner, Rock Climber, and Archaeologist

​Ep. 055: On Fear, Motherhood and Mindfulness with Professional Snowboarder Kimmy Fasani - Advocate for Gender Parity in Sports

​Ep. 054: Secrets to Getting and Staying Strong with Mandy Hoffman - Flight Attendant, Fitness Coach, and Mom

​Ep. 053: Sacrificing for Success and Setting Priorities with Olga Custodio - First Female Hispanic US Military Pilot

​Ep. 052: Flying On and Off the Court with Michelle Snow - Baller, Orator and Entrepreneur

​Ep. 051: Trauma, Resilience and Flying with Amberly Brown - Skydiver, Surfer and Airborne Ballerina

​Ep. 050: Why Everyone is Doing Handstands and You Can Too with Nathania Stambouli, Founder of Yogi Flight School

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