How Purpose Helped Captain Plumb Survive as a POW (ep. 374)

Former Navy fighter pilot Captain Charlie Plumb is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Scheduled to be his 75th and final mission in Vietnam, Charlie's F-4 Phantom Jet was shot down + captured. He'd spend the next 2,103 days isolated + tortured in North Vietnamese Prisoner of War camps.

Four years ago I had the honor of having Charlie on the show + during our conversation, he deeply moved me when he attributed his survival to his faith and ability to forgive. Today, I’m sharing a fresh cut of this episode with you because the lessons within it have never been more relevant:

• Purpose provides the strength to endure the unthinkable 
• Appreciating the value of challenge

No matter how your 2021 has looked so far, Charlie’s story will remind you that the best is yet to come.

SHOW NOTES:

• “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'.” ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
• The POWs held captive the longest came back with a lower rate of PTSD because great leadership unified us under a mission statement: Return with honor.
  • Charlie mentions past guest Michaela Haas and how we can actually cultivate resilience through post traumatic grown. Learn more on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 4 here.
• Against therapists advice, Charlie was never bitter about his first wife filing for divorce without his knowledge and instead chose to appreciate how it fueled his hope to survive.
• Captain Charlie Plumb's advice for those who feel imprisoned:
  • Look at the value of challenge. Adversity is a horrible thing to waste.
  • Take a risk + get outside your comfort zone.
  • Build a community of support.

My conversation with Captain Charlie Plumb first aired in May 2017. Listen to that here.