Flying Through Setbacks: Turning Challenges into Wins with Pilot and breath coach Elissa Davies

Elissa is a seasoned commercial pilot and breathwork instructor who embarked on an unconventional career path by forgoing university to pursue her passion for flying. She began her journey as a private pilot at 17, and after facing challenges such as the 2008 financial crisis, became a flight instructor before shifting gears into the military. Despite being made redundant from military training, Elissa successfully transitioned to a thriving career in a unique aerospace company, where she has been for over 14 years. She is also dedicated to teaching breathwork to help others manage stress and improve wellbeing, conducting corporate workshops and private sessions tailored to individual needs.

Episode Summary:

Join host Michelle on the She Dares Wins podcast as she sits down with Elissa, a commercial pilot who dared to follow a less conventional path in the world of aviation. Ignoring the typical university route, Elissa embarked on her flying career at 19 and navigated through a series of challenges including the global financial crisis and changes in military demands. Through determination and self-guidance, she established herself as an expert in the aviation industry, refusing to let setbacks deter her from her goal of becoming a pilot.

In this enlightening episode, Elissa shares the gripping story of her recent flight through Storm Bert, providing listeners with a thrilling behind-the-scenes look at the high-pressure decisions pilots face. Her foundational belief in perseverance shines through as she discusses navigating unpredictable weather and utilizing breathwork—a practice integral to her life for managing stress and focus. Discover key takeaways about resilience, pursuing one’s passion despite adversity, and how the simple act of controlled breathing can be a powerful tool for managing stress.

Key Takeaways:

• Elissa embarked on her flying career at an early age, choosing aviation school over university, demonstrating the power of following one’s passion.
• Despite setbacks such as the global financial crisis and redundancy from military pilot training, she successfully pivoted her career into commercial aviation.
• Elissa’s encounter with Storm Bert exemplifies the intense decision-making process and responsibility pilots face, underscoring her expertise and composure.
• Breathwork has become a secondary passion for Elissa, which she uses both personally and professionally to manage stress and improve focus.
• The journey emphasizes resilience and the importance of pursuing what truly fulfills you, regardless of obstacles along the way.

Notable Quotes:

• "I am going to be a pilot. And I just didn't see the point in going to university to spend three years doing a subject that was unrelated to my goal."
• "I've learned about flying from that, or I've learned from flying about that. Where you find yourself in situations that you think that was. What was I thinking?"
• "In a world where you're always switched on... just to take a few minutes to stop everything and come back to yourself, I find then for that second trip I go into things with a clearer mind."
• "Breathwork is something that you can use anytime, anywhere because all it needs is your breath."
• "It doesn't have to be complicated. It can be just as simple as following your breath as it comes in and out."

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