Inspire-Ability

The first part of our conversation with Neil Tucker, a trustee of Aerobility and a self-described “propeller-head”. A life-long lover of aviation, it took 35 ‘gap-years’ and a serious motorcycle accident before he re-gained his wings with Aerobility. In this episode, we hear about how Neil overcame the initial adversity of his life-changing accident and subsequent disability, as well as how his response to failure has led to a “lifelong commitment to optimism”. 

Episodes released every Friday afternoon. Available as a subtitled video format on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcolE-AfelXHlfWWw-KR74A 

To find out more about Aerobility, and to get involved, please visit our website: www.aerobility.com

In the final part of our conversation with Brian Jones, we hear how the team was received by the press upon landing. From oblivious dignitaries in Egypt to meeting astronauts, Presidents and royalty, Brian reflects with Harriett as to whether or not he was changed by the celebrity experience. 

In an emotional retrospective, we hear how both Breitling pilots were affected by the disparity of their own privilege, and how this inspired Brian to make a change through charity: from vital work in Africa, to bringing the joy of balloon flying to disabled pilots in Europe for the first time.

Episodes released every Friday afternoon. Available as a subtitled video format on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcolE-AfelXHlfWWw-KR74A 

To find out more about Aerobility, and to get involved, please visit our website: www.aerobility.com

Episodes released every Friday afternoon. Available as a podcast on all major streaming platforms. 

To find out more about Aerobility, and to get involved, please visit our website: www.aerobility.com

In this episode, Brian discusses some of the challenges and unexpected life-threatening situations that he and Bertrand Piccard faced during their record-breaking circumnavigation. He describes the importance of feeding off your team, and how Piccard later said of their flight, that there was “Three of us… there was Brian, there was me, and there was both of us. And it was both of us that made the decisions.”

Brian also shares how he dealt with decision-making under pressure, and why the team chose to continue across the Atlantic, despite a perilous fuel state.

Episodes released every Friday afternoon. Available as a subtitled video format on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcolE-AfelXHlfWWw-KR74A 

To find out more about Aerobility, and to get involved, please visit our website: www.aerobility.com

The first part of our interview with balloonist Brian Jones, who in 1999 was part of the Breitling Orbiter 3 team that was the first to circumnavigate the world by hot air balloon. In this episode, Brian describes his journey, from an inauspicious start in the RAF as a clerk with no O Levels, to a fully-qualified pilot, and how a chance encounter ignited a love of ballooning. Along the way, Brian explains the importance of Crew Resource Management to maintaining harmony within a team, the importance of trust and respect, and how these factors came into play during 3 weeks with Bertrand Piccard aboard the Breitling gondola. 

Episodes released every Friday afternoon. Available as a subtitled video format on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcolE-AfelXHlfWWw-KR74A 

To find out more about Aerobility, and to get involved, please visit our website: www.aerobility.com

The final episode in conversation with adventurer and motivational speaker, James Ketchell. Following successful expeditions around the world, James overcame a trio of incidents that led to dramatic rescues from the middle of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, before conquering these setbacks to once again circumnavigate the globe, this time by autogyro. Hear how James handled these failures and dealt with his imposter syndrome, and how a “growth mindset” can help you overcome any adversity.

Episodes released every Friday afternoon. Available as a subtitled video format on our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcolE-AfelXHlfWWw-KR74A 

To find out more about Aerobility, and to get involved, please visit our website: www.aerobility.com

In this third instalment of James Ketchell’s fascinating chat with Harriett, he reflects on how life changed (or didn’t) following his successful solo row across the Atlantic. He describes finding his “calling” in a life of adventure, despite a life-threatening ordeal descending from the summit of Everest. 

Tune in next week for the fourth and final episode with James.

Following a serious motorcycle accident, James Ketchell’s outlook on life was permanently changed. In the first of a four-part interview, James discusses how he went from a hospital bed to rowing across the Atlantic solo; along the way, he shares his secrets to staying motivated, and the importance of mentors and accepting help and advice.

Having successfully rowed across the Atlantic solo, James Ketchell’s life was changed forever when he became dedicated to a life of adventure and personal endeavour. From the isolation of the mid-Atlantic to the ice ladders of Mount Everest, James shares the importance of marginal gains and staying motivated, and how approaching challenges one day at a time can help you overcome any obstacle.

The rebooted series of Inspire-Ability kicks off with a completely compelling interview with Liz McConaghy. From a small town in County Down to the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan, RAF veteran Liz McConaghy shares with us her journey to the front line, and 17-year career as a Chinook Crewman. As the only woman in her intake, and the youngest aircrew in Iraq, Liz has faced her fair share of adversity, and in this two-part interview she discusses the strengths of embracing diversity, and how being the “best person for the job” is what matters in a warzone.

Liz discusses her adjustment from active service to civilian life, and the mental health struggles that have affected her along the way. This frank and honest conversation sheds light on how she now has overcome the adversity that almost led to the loss of her life, and how changing your approach to failure can improve your resilience and help you move forward in life.

Trigger warning: suicide and mental health (Samaritans 116 123, National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK 0800 689 5652, Veterans Crisis call 988 or text 838255).