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Arctic lakes for runways, fuel drums as baggage, and a young pilot learning to think three moves ahead—Jesslyn’s story grabs you from the first minute. We sit down with a Twin Otter alum who went from ramp work and SMS to flying floats, skis, and wheels across Canada’s North, then faced a harsh culture shock in pipeline surveillance that triggered burnout and a hard stop. What followed wasn’t a tidy montage—it was a honest reset: six weeks alone in Spain, a pregnancy pause, and a deliberate return to flying with new routines, clearer boundaries, and a stronger sense of purpose.

We unpack the details pilots rarely say out loud. Jesslyn explains the invisible planning behind remote ops—bringing tools, carrying fuel, managing minus-forty starts—and why ten landings in a day can be the fastest path to skill. We also go deep on mental health: how fatigue quietly drives anxiety, why naps are performance tools, and how screens and late caffeine unravel sleep. Her take on women’s physiology is refreshingly practical: men’s daily hormone cycles aren’t the same as women’s 28-day rhythms, so strength, recovery, and sleep needs shift week to week. That insight reframes everything from training loads to minimum rest and makes a strong case for better education across the industry.

There’s more: motherhood in a male-dominated field, handling separation guilt with young kids, earning respect through work not bravado, and letting the SIM remain the ultimate equalizer. Jesslyn’s toolkit is grounded and doable—protein-first mornings, delayed caffeine, walking after long legs, freezer-ready meals, and tight routines that travel. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay sharp, healthy, and human while living in time zones and duty windows, this conversation offers both candour and a map.

If this resonates, follow the show, share with a friend who flies, and leave a review to help more pilots find these conversations. Your stories keep this community strong.

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Buckle up for an extraordinary journey with Captain Dan Stewart as he takes us from the wheat fields of southern Alberta to the skies over tsunami-ravaged Indonesia. What begins as a childhood fascination ignited by a daring airplane landing on a highway near his farm transforms into one of aviation's most remarkable career paths.

Dan's raw account of flying 29 daily sectors in Belize—navigating primitive runways and challenging weather with single-engine aircraft over water—reveals the "wild west" nature of his early career. But nothing could prepare him for being thrust into the role of chief pilot during the 2004 tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia. His harrowing stories of evacuating earthquake victims and making split-second, life-or-death decisions will leave you breathless.

The conversation delves deeply into the mental and physical toll of extreme aviation challenges. Dan shares his personal breaking point—losing significant weight and nearly burning out before colleagues intervened—and how these experiences shaped his approach to resilience, leadership, and work-life balance throughout his subsequent career with Hong Kong Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

Beyond the cockpit, Dan offers profound insights on maintaining perspective in a demanding profession. His reflections on finding purpose, managing the impacts of long-haul flying on health and family life, and making career decisions that align with personal values provide wisdom applicable far beyond aviation.

Whether you're an aspiring pilot or simply fascinated by extraordinary human experiences, Captain Stewart's story demonstrates how the most challenging circumstances often reveal our greatest strengths. His journey reminds us that behind every smooth flight experience lies a human with their own remarkable story of resilience, growth, and wisdom.

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The cockpit can be a lonely place when you're struggling—paddling frantically below the surface while maintaining that calm, unflappable exterior passengers expect. This vulnerability lies at the heart of my conversation with Captain Rhea MacKay, a trailblazing 737 pilot and operations manager whose 25-year journey through aviation's male-dominated culture offers profound insights on resilience, authenticity, and mental wellbeing.

Rhea's path wasn't always clear—from childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut to studying anthropology before discovering her true calling. Her story includes that pivotal moment when, at just 19, a flight school director told her father she had "slim to none" chances of success as a female pilot. Rather than deflating her ambitions, this became rocket fuel. "I use those moments as motivation," she shares, "because no one really knows what someone else is capable of."

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is Rhea's candor about the mental health challenges unique to aviation professionals. She describes pilots as "ducks"—appearing composed while frantically paddling beneath the surface—and reveals how yoga, meditation, and nature connection have become her essential tools for maintaining equilibrium. As both a line captain and part of her airline's pilot recovery team, she offers wisdom on effective cockpit communication across gender differences and creating environments where colleagues feel safe acknowledging struggles.

Perhaps most powerfully, Rhea envisions an aviation culture that's finally shedding its superhuman expectations. "The worst thing is feeling isolated, like I'm the only pilot having these challenges," she reflects. By normalizing these conversations and building genuine community, we create spaces where it's acceptable to have bad days—where authenticity becomes our greatest strength, not our vulnerability. Whether you're in aviation or not, her championship of "honesty, authenticity, and meeting people where they're at" offers a flight plan for healthier workplaces everywhere.

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The line between passion and obsession blurs when aviation seeps into your blood at an early age. For Gerry Murphy, watching the first DC-8 jet land in Calgary as a wide-eyed child sparked a lifelong love affair with flight that would carry him through 24,000 hours in cockpits around the world.

Gerry's remarkable journey takes us from the Canadian Arctic flying Twin Otters to navigating the diplomatic complexities of international aviation at Japan Airlines. With refreshing candor, he recounts taking off from Jeddah the day after witnessing smoke rising from a devastating DC-8 crash that claimed his colleagues' lives – a haunting reminder of aviation's unforgiving nature. His description of surviving Japan Airlines' notoriously difficult 11-month training program (where most foreign pilots washed out) offers a fascinating glimpse into cultural differences in aviation training and the mental fortitude required to adapt.

What truly distinguishes Gerry's story is his perspective on resilience. When a rare cancer diagnosis and subsequent tumor eventually stripped him of his medical certification, he faced his greatest challenge: maintaining his aviation identity without being able to fly. Rather than surrendering to bitterness, Gerry channeled his expertise into instructing, finding purpose in shaping the next generation of pilots. His powerful observation that "cancer took my life but didn't kill me" speaks volumes about his capacity to find meaning beyond the cockpit.

Throughout our conversation, Gerry offers hard-earned wisdom about balancing aviation's demands with personal wellbeing. From using exercise as stress relief during his ten Ironman competitions to candidly acknowledging the family sacrifices his career required, his reflections provide valuable guidance for pilots at any career stage. His advice to prioritize lifestyle over aircraft type challenges conventional pilot ambitions, suggesting that happiness comes not from commanding the biggest jet but from creating a sustainable flying life.

Whether you're pursuing an aviation career or simply fascinated by those who navigate the skies, Gerry's extraordinary resilience offers lessons that transcend the cockpit. Listen now to hear how one pilot's determination, humor, and adaptability carried him through aviation's greatest challenges – and how he found purpose when the wings he loved were taken away.

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How does a former radio broadcaster with a marketing degree end up becoming a key player in aviation logistics? Jenna Heacock's career path is anything but conventional, yet somehow perfectly aligned with her family's storied aviation history.

Jenna's grandfather flew Spitfires during World War II before piloting for the RCMP in the Canadian Arctic. Those stories formed the backdrop of her childhood, though she never imagined following in his footsteps. After working in broadcasting and earning a business degree, a friend's casual suggestion led her to take a flight attendant position at a charter airline. What started as an unexpected detour became the gateway to her true calling.

Today, as Vice President of Operations at Knight Aviation and Logistics, Jenna plays matchmaker between clients needing specialized air transportation and the carriers who can provide it. Her decade of experience has given her unique insights into the challenges facing the industry, from changing regulations to pilot shortages. Throughout our conversation, she candidly discusses the obstacles she faced as a young woman carving out her place in a traditionally male-dominated field, and how mentorship proved crucial to her professional development.

Perhaps most valuable is Jenna's perspective on the breadth of opportunity within aviation beyond the cockpit. "You don't just have to be a pilot or flight attendant to be in aviation," she emphasizes, encouraging listeners to consider how their unique skills might find a home in this dynamic industry. Whether you're considering a career change, seeking mentorship advice, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes world of aviation logistics, this episode offers both practical wisdom and inspiring stories of adaptation and growth.

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What happens when the person flying your plane is struggling beneath the surface? Ian Gracie's extraordinary journey reveals the hidden battles pilots face, and how one man transformed personal crisis into systemic change for aviation safety.

Born into northern Canada's unforgiving landscape, Ian's passion for flight led him from dodging moose on frozen lakes to commanding Boeing 737s. But behind his meteoric rise lurked an increasingly dangerous struggle with alcohol—one that would eventually find him reporting for duty intoxicated.

In this powerful conversation, Ian candidly shares his rock-bottom moment and the lifeline that pulled him back: compassionate colleagues who knew exactly what he needed. "That guy saved my life," Ian reflects, "not because he did something magical, but because he knew what to do."

What began as personal recovery evolved into pioneering work establishing WestJet's Pilot Recovery Program and eventually founding Air Crew Recovery Canada, the first national addiction support system for Canadian pilots. Ian's work directly addresses the tragic 2015 Carson Air crash, where a captain with a blood alcohol level of 0.24 crashed a cargo flight.

Beyond addiction, Ian's story explores profound questions about identity, purpose, and human connection. "I used to be a pilot," he shares, quoting advice that changed his life. "Now I'm just a guy that flies airplanes." This distinction—separating career from identity—offers wisdom far beyond the flight deck.

Whether you work in aviation or not, Ian's journey reminds us that behind every uniform stands a human being deserving of compassion, support, and the chance to recover. His message to those struggling resonates universally: "You're loved, you matter."

Ready for an eye-opening look behind the flight deck door? Listen now and discover how one pilot's darkest moments sparked a movement that's saving lives across Canadian skies.

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When a pilot faces addiction or mental health challenges, where do they turn in an industry where admitting weakness can mean losing everything? Dr. Brendan Adams, with decades of experience as both a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner and addiction specialist, offers a powerful perspective on this critical issue.

What begins as "layover shenanigans" can evolve into career-threatening addiction - a situation Dr. Adams has witnessed countless times throughout his distinguished career spanning aerospace physiology, family medicine, and addiction treatment. In this candid conversation, he dismantles the dangerous silence surrounding pilot mental health while introducing life-changing solutions through programs like Air Crew Recovery Canada.

"Silence and shame is rocket fuel for mental illness," Adams explains, detailing how the natural pilot tendency to maintain control becomes their greatest weakness when facing addiction. His approach blends medical expertise with profound empathy, treating pilots not as cases but as skilled professionals temporarily flying inverted. The recovery process he describes doesn't just save careers - it transforms pilots into exceptional captains with maturity and interpersonal skills that technical training alone cannot provide.

Perhaps most revolutionary is the peer support model at the heart of recovery programs. "Zebras need zebras," Adams notes, explaining why pilots in crisis respond best to fellow aviators who've navigated similar turbulence. These peer pilots, themselves in stable recovery, provide the crucial trust bridge that clinical expertise alone cannot build.

Whether you're a pilot facing challenges, a concerned colleague, or aviation professional seeking to create healthier workplace culture, this episode delivers practical wisdom alongside profound hope. The recovery journey begins with breaking the silence - and perhaps looking in the mirror to ask what role each of us plays in supporting aviator wellbeing.

Ready to learn more or connect with support? Reach out confidentially through Flying Minds at [email protected] to connect with Air Crew Recovery Canada.

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Beneath the polished exterior of aviation careers lies a turbulent financial reality most flight schools never discuss. In this deeply personal conversation, Captain Alex Wozniak pulls back the curtain on 15 years of navigating the unpredictable skies of the pilot profession.

From his first position loading aircraft in remote Northern Ontario to commanding Boeing 737s and flying internationally in China, Wozniak reveals a counterintuitive career path where advancement often means accepting substantial pay cuts. "It's the only industry I can think of where people actively apply for another job due to career progression and accept that there's going to be a reduction in pay," he explains, capturing the unique financial paradox pilots face.

Particularly compelling is Wozniak's candid discussion of family sacrifices—commuting patterns that separated him from his young children, the strain of decreasing income on household finances, and becoming "the money police" at home while expenses remained constant. His engineering degree, originally obtained as a backup plan, has remained unused despite multiple industry downturns, layoffs, and the devastating impact of COVID-19.

The conversation explores his four-year stint flying in China on a lucrative contract, the pandemic-induced career disruption, and subsequent positions at airlines that ultimately ceased operations, leaving him to repeatedly rebuild. Throughout all these transitions, Wozniak maintained the ability to compartmentalize personal stressors while flying—a critical skill for aviation professionals.

Whether you're considering an aviation career or simply fascinated by the human side of commercial flying, this episode offers invaluable perspective on balancing passion with practicality. What keeps pilots coming back despite the instability? As Wozniak puts it: "You find yourself on that perfect day with a good airplane, on a perfect flight, good weather—that's why we do it."

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Ever wonder what happens on the other side of the cockpit door? Not inside the aircraft, but back home where spouses and families wait, worry, and build lives around constantly shifting schedules. Denise Taylor pulls back the curtain on 42 years of marriage to a commercial pilot in this raw, honest, and occasionally colorful conversation that reveals aviation's hidden emotional toll.

From their first dates as teenagers when Tom was earning his pilot's license to navigating life with three young children while he flew for regional airlines, Denise shares the profound challenges of creating stability amid constant change. "Everything breaks when the pilots are gone," she observes, reflecting on countless moments when she faced household disasters alone. Her coping mechanism? "I just had to do, do, do, go, go, go between the kids, the farm... that's the only thing that keeps me sane."

Rather than putting her life on hold, Denise built an impressive path of her own—from working as a flight attendant for Saudi Air to running an excavation business and breeding horses. This independent spirit became essential during their 15 years in Hong Kong when Tom flew for Cathay Pacific, and especially during COVID-19 when they were separated for nine grueling months while Tom endured Hong Kong's strict quarantine protocols.

The most revealing moments come when Denise describes the emotional impact—how their children viewed their father's absence, the strain on their marriage during critical moments, and the lasting effects of the lifestyle on Tom himself. "He's never been the same," she notes of post-COVID changes, offering a sobering glimpse into how aviation careers shape not just pilots, but everyone who loves them.

Whether you're considering an aviation career, already in the industry, or simply curious about the human stories behind flight, this conversation offers invaluable perspective on the true cost of wings—and the remarkable resilience of those who choose to build a life around them.

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Buckle up for a candid exploration of pilot mental health with Dr. Diane Walters, a psychologist with over 25 years of experience supporting aviators through their unique challenges. This eye-opening conversation reveals how mental wellness affects not just pilots themselves, but their families, colleagues, and ultimately, flight safety.

Dr. Walters guides us through the complex landscape where aviation meets psychology, sharing her profound insight that "pilots are people too." While pilots experience the same range of mental health challenges as everyone—anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties—they face these within the high-stakes context of a safety-sensitive profession. The conversation delves into simulator anxiety, the impacts of irregular schedules and time zone changes, and how these professional demands can amplify personal struggles.

We explore the practical aspects of mental health treatment for pilots, from the therapeutic approaches that work best to the medical certification process. Dr. Walters demystifies the return-to-work journey, explaining how Transport Canada has evolved to permit pilots to fly while using certain approved medications—a significant change from past policies. She offers valuable insight into the "four happy hormones" that contribute to wellbeing and practical strategies pilots can use to maintain mental balance despite demanding schedules.

Perhaps most powerful is Dr. Walters' discussion of how training environments impact mental wellness. She advocates for supportive, positive coaching approaches that recognize how excessive stress diminishes performance rather than enhances it. Her compassionate perspective reminds us that behind every cockpit door are humans navigating not just aircraft, but the full spectrum of life's challenges.

Whether you work in aviation or simply care about the human factors that keep our skies safe, this conversation will transform how you think about the psychological dimensions of flight. Share your thoughts or questions about pilot mental health by visiting flyingmyndz.com or sending a message to [email protected].

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