Inspire-Ability Episode 21

Our next guest of the series, Tetyana Shevchenko is an experienced pilot, and the only female heritage jet pilot flying the Jet Provost. She discusses with Harriett how her behaviour has changed from childhood, when she had been a sickly child that struggled in social situations. Having grown up in Ukraine, Tetyana then moved to the UK to become a software engineer, and it was a chance encounter with a B-52 Stratofortress at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, that inspired an interest in learning to fly. Tetyana discusses the hurdles she faced in gaining her PPL, and how she went from being the longest-serving student at her school, to a well-respected aerobatic pilot with the respect of her peers.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 20

This is the final part of our trilogy with Mike Miller-Smith, the “Accidental CEO” of Aerobility. Having discussed the past, Mike talks about the future with Harriett, and reflects on some of the challenges of integrating disabled people into aviation operations. He is drawn on subjects relating to leadership and people management, and we hear the importance of empathy and in understanding a diverse range of viewpoints when implementing a decision.

Despite his many successes, Mike is still susceptible to imposter syndrome, however he is clear in maintaining that a little self-doubt can make us better, and how he learned a “nothing is impossible” mentality at a young age, from some of his flying mentors. In all of this, Mike remains humble, and he shares with Harriett how he takes inspiration from the people around him, and how teamwork remains a core principle in his charity and his life, because “together we make such a difference”.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 19

In the second part of our conversation with Aerobility CEO Mike Miller-Smith, we hear how Mike “recalibrated” to use his chair, and how it actually enabled him to get his previous lifestyle back. Along the way, we learn how a piece of lunar technology keeps Mike on the move, and how first-hand experience of the use of a hoist to keep flying reinforced the importance of a flying charity for “opening the door” to show what disabled people might achieve. From the early days with the ‘British Disabled Flying Club’ and their first aircraft, through to opening the London 2012 Paralympics with a pyrotechnic flyover, Mike has led the way in increasing the spectrum of output of disabled flying in the UK; he will also be actively involved in the future of disabled aviation, and we hear what his role is in ensuring “accessibility is built into the future of flight”.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 18

In the first of three episodes in conversation with Aerobility CEO Mike Miller-Smith, we hear how a lifelong interest in aviation looked set to culminate in a career as an airline pilot, until a gradually developing health condition changed his course entirely. Mike reflects on his time at university, where despite having to respond to a failure in applying for an airline cadetship, he was still a successful member of the British Gliding Team and spent time abroad at competition events.

It was in the following few years however, that an increasing physical weakness was eventually diagnosed as muscular dystrophy, and Mike is extremely honest in describing the challenge of his transition to using a wheelchair. Despite this setback, we hear how Mike continued to fly, and began to build a career in the pharmaceutical industry that would give him the skills and experience to one day lead a major flying charity.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 17

The final part of our conversation with retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Brian Penfold, in which he discusses the impact of health anxiety, and the importance of taking control before it changes your behaviour. Brian discusses the importance of charity, and his own motivations for beginning fundraising in the 1980s with his daughter’s diagnosis with leukaemia at the age of 3; being driven by a need to help in any way he can, Brian founded the Forces Children Support Group in the eighties, and has since earned the British Empire Medal for services to charity. We also hear Brian’s tips for success in leadership roles, and how to navigate the challenges of negotiation - and knowing when to walk away.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 16

In the third of four episodes in conversation with Brian Penfold, Harriett discusses how life changed following his life-changing diagnosis with an incurable form of leukaemia. We then hear how Brian received a further setback with another “buy one get one free” diagnosis a few years later, when a routine blood check up indicated an unrelated cancer in his prostate.

Few of us will face these personal health difficulties, however Brian offers his coping mechanisms and discusses the importance of a pragmatic response when receiving these diagnoses. We also hear how important it is to be aware of your own body and its changes, and not to be embarrassed by any possible stigma around the prostate and sexual functions.

Brian is a passionate supporter of the Prostate Cancer UK charity, and if you have been affected by anything in this episode and are seeking advice or support, you can find it at prostatecanceruk.org

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Inspire-Ability Episode 15

In the second part of our conversation with former Army Lieutenant Colonel Brian Penfold, we hear how he began his rehabilitation from a life-changing accident while on deployment. Never one to sit idle, Brian recalls that while recuperating he began his Masters in Aviation Safety Engineering alongside undertaking a 24/7 role with the Army’s Special Projects team.

During this busy period however, a routine blood test prior to further surgery led to a sudden diagnosis with a rare and incurable form of leukaemia. Brian is extremely forthright in reflecting on how his life was changed by the health anxiety prior to his diagnosis, and the importance of communicating with loved ones when the emotional turmoil has become too much to bear alone.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 14

The first episode of our four-part interview with retired Lieutenant Colonel Brian Penfold, whose Army career spanned nearly four decades and saw him become one of the most “trained” officers in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). Brian talks us through his career, from joining the Army and learning the importance of teamwork and seizing opportunity, through to transferring to the Army Air Corps and applying to become a pilot. Along the way, Brian has overcome disappointment and failure, and we hear how he reflects on these setbacks and how to use these moments to succeed in the future.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 13

In the final part of our conversation with Neil Tucker, we hear the positive mental impact that flying has had on his day-to-day life, and the significance of having a passion to immerse yourself in. Neil describes how he has been able to combine his passion with a sense of duty to give back to the “aviation community centre” that helped transform his recovery: from his current role as a Trustee of Aerobility, to bringing “Eileen’s Dog” back from Australia.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 12

In this episode, Neil reflects on his recovery from a life-changing accident and the importance of focusing on incremental progress. With typical good humour, Neil describes how Aerobility gave his life its “sparkle” back, and how he overcame some of the challenges he faced when re-soloing. We also hear how a prescription for a “dose of PMA” was an unexpected success, and the subsequent role that mindfulness can play in managing chronic pain and disability.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 11

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”.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 10

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.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 9

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.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 8

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.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 7

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.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 6

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!

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Inspire-Ability Episode 5

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.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 4

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.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 3

Having flown for the first time on her father’s knee at the age of 4, Suzy Morgan’s passion for flying really took off through her University Air Squadron, and has led to a trailblazing career from short-haul aircraft at British Midland, and becoming a Captain on the Boeing 777 for a leading British airline. Suzy discusses the role of women in aviation and the importance of diversity, as well as promoting a healthy discussion of the menopause and maternity rights in the airline industry.

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Inspire-Ability Episode 2

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).

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