When Women Fly

Shaesta Waiz flew around the world in a small aircraft. With a message. If you could circumnavigate the globe in an aircraft with one message, what would it be?  This is a fascinating and unfolding story about rising from adversity and discovering what is possible.

Flying is closely linked to freedom and opportunity.

This week we talk to Shaesta Waiz, the first certified civilian female pilot from Afghanistan who's global flight earned her a record the youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single engine aircraft.  Shaesta has a  burning desire to help others like her – underserved as a youth - to work hard, never give up and follow their dreams.  As an Earthrounder (a unique and rare breed of pilot, setting themselves apart from the more conventional modes of air travel, possessing one unifying achievement: piloting a light aircraft around the entire world), Shaesta's story is layered with grit and determination alongside a deep desire to serve.

This is  conversation about overcoming obstacles, creating opportunities, and pursuing your passions. Shaesta shares some of the realities and perceived limitations, as well as sense of responsibility to her immigrant family and sisters and especially women in Afghanistan.

Hear about Shaesta’s journey, her grace and commitment to serve, and how she uses her platform to inspire and encourage young women around the world to seek education in STEM and pursue their passions. 

You will be inspired by this conversation for reasons you may predict and others you will be surprised by. What is so compelling and fascinating about gaining new perspectives and reaching beyond the pull of gravity? Enjoy and thank you Shaesta!

Topics Include: 

• Growing up as an Afghan refugee in the US
• Gender roles and what she saw possible as a young girl
• What sparked a love of flying
• Why and how she planned her trip around the world
• Highs, lows, endurance and lice
• Challenges and doubts, trusting intuition
• Mental health and aviation 
• Working towards a goal
• Importance of STEM education and access for women  
• And other topics...

Shaesta Waiz was born in Afghanistan at a refugee camp during the Soviet-Afghan War in 1987. Her family came to the United States and grew up in California. Although it wasn't until graduating high school that Sheasta dreamed of an aviation career, she accomplished a great deal in short order.  She is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the first certified civilian female pilot from Afghanistan. She earned a record for being youngest woman to fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft.  Shaesta is the founder of Dreams Soar, a woman’s ambassador program where young women interested in an education in aviation and engineering are mentored and supported.

Resources Mentioned:
Chicago Tribune Article:  https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-07-05-8702190664-story.html
Dreams Soar: http://dreamssoar.org/
Shaesta’s Podcast, “Aviate”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aviate-with-shaesta/id1577977608

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Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenfly
Email – [email protected]

A heartfelt and honest conversation with Ashleigh Thompson - a Red Lake Ojibwe tribal member, avid trail runner, rock climber, snowboarder, scholar and archaeologist - about aligning values and advocating. Ashleigh shares her stories about the problematic myths of the land and Indigenous people, intergenerational trauma, and systemic mindsets connected with the term “public land”. We dive into how the current discourse on land can directly work against creating inclusive and respectful spaces.

This conversation is about connecting with the past to understand identity, how a connection to the outdoors has deep therapeutic benefits, how running and flying can feel identical, why reckoning with our past and understanding the impact of intergenerational trauma is critical, what role challenging fear has in climbing, and the benefits of awareness and courage that go way beyond the rock wall.

Understanding contemporary Indigenous identity and the value of Indigenous sacred sites is fundamental to developing a holistic respect for Indigenous culture. Ashleigh is passionate about shifting a narrative about what respect for Indigenous people looks like and opening a conversation that is more complex than just the protection of a physical space with cultural significance.
As a Native woman, Ashleigh’s commitment to bringing justice for people and the environment is woven into her being. Stay curious, friends, and I hope this gives you reason and resources to acknowledge and honor the land in new and deeper ways.

Topics Include:

• Intergenerational trauma
• The connection between exercise and emotional health
• Building self-confidence through rock climbing
• Indigenous archaeology
• Traditional foodways
• Being a respectful visitor to indigenous lands
• Acknowledging indigenous environmental movements
• Offensive and racist attitudes
• Storytelling and connection
• And other topics...

Ashleigh Thompson is a Ph.D. candidate in anthropology at the University of Arizona where she studies traditional foodways and food sovereignty. She is a member of the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation. As an avid runner and rock climber, she is passionate about being a respectful visitor and acknowledging indigenous environmental movements while enjoying the land and sport.
Resources Mentioned:
Instagram: @ashanishinaabe
Twitter: @ashanishinaabe
LinkedIn: Ashleigh Thompson
A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgment: https://nativegov.org/news/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/
Book: In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience by Helen Knott (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZS2NGP4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1)
Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter!
Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenfly
Email – [email protected]

How do you show up in an uncertain world? Show up for yourself. This episode about preparation, presence, and presentation. As our lives are unpredictable, we see over and over how showing up moves us closer to our dreams and breaks the girdle of paralysis.
This week, Sylvia talks to Vanessa Blakeley, a certified pilot by 17 and one who was enthralled by flying from an early age. However, during her junior year of college, a family tragedy changed the trajectory of her life and career, and Vanessa diverted. Don't worry, this is not a sob story. We go deep navigating discipline, exploration, courage, and discomfort. The importance of personal values in adhering to your goals. Motherhood. And why your reaction to setbacks defines you.
Roughly a decade later, Vanessa rekindled her love for flying while teaching English in Spain. At that moment she decided to commit herself to a life in aviation. Her decision has taken her on the journey of a lifetime!
In this episode, Vanessa and Sylvia discuss following your passion, trusting the process, pivoting, inclusivity in aviation, flying cars, the importance of preparation, motherhood, and much more.
Topics Include:
- Seizing the moment
- Rekindling childhood dreams
- Why showing up is half the battle
- Flying cars and flight testing at Terrafugia
- AI and robotics in aviation
- Inclusivity in aviation
- Motherhood
- Female leadership
- Grit, perseverance, and the art of the pivot
- And other topics...
​​Vanessa Blakeley is the Director of Operations at Ascent AeroSystems and Advisor of Operations and Sustainability at Transcend Air Corporation. Vanessa was a finalist for Women and Drone’s 2021 Women to Watch Global Awards.
In 2013, Vanessa co-founded Pure Hearts Boston, a foundation that benefits pediatric cardiology research at Boston Children's Hospital. Vanessa volunteers as a UPOP Industry Advisor at MIT. She also has donated time to a number of sustainability initiatives around Boston and the world.
Vanessa soloed a Cessna 152 at age 16 and became a certified pilot by age 17. She received her B.A. of American History and a Masters’ Degree in Executive Leadership and Administration from Boston College.
Resources Mentioned:
Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu: http://tiffanydufu.com/drop-the-ball
Terrafugia: https://terrafugia.com/
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: https://www.eaa.org/airventure
TRANSCEND AIR: https://transcend.aero/index.php
Ascent AeroSystems: https://ascentaerosystems.com/
Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessablakeley/

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Website: https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
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Write to us at: [email protected]

In this companion episode, Sylvia and Tenille Hoogland discuss training essentials for female athletes. They discuss how unrealistic expectations of female bodies hurt our health and performance, and what we can do to train smarter.
Topics Include:
- Misconceptions around women's health
- Peri menopause and beyond
- Avoiding injuries as an athlete
- Body image stereotypes of female athletes
- Unique training challenges women face
- Tapping into cycles to improve performance
- Proper recovery cycles
- Avoiding burnout
- And other topics...
Tenille Hoogland is Founder and Head Coach of Elements Sports Coaching, where she applies evidence-based science - including the emerging field of female physiology as applied to sport - into performance-altering individualized programs and experiences. With 20+ years of experience and education in psychology, sport nutrition, exercise physiology, sport administration, race management, active travel guiding and triathlon and bike racing at the professional and local level, Tenille works with athletes to discover personal goals in sport, understand athletes' unique physiology, fitness strengths and weaknesses, and nutrition gaps.
Before coaching full-time, Tenille led Age Group Team Canada to International Triathlon Union World Championship events, organized IRONMAN events, and was a senior planner for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Federal Secretariat. She competed as an elite, professional, and sponsored triathlete from 2007-2013 earning titles in both short distance (ITU Pan-American Cup Champion) and long-distance triathlon (2 x 70.3 IRONMAN Champion).
She earned her Master of Public Administration at Queen’s University, a Master's Certificate in Project Management at Royal Roads University, and a BA in Psychology at Western University.
Resources Mentioned:
Element Sports Coaching: https://www.elementsportscoaching.com/
Athletes Thriving in Perimenopause and Beyond: https://www.facebook.com/groups/athletesthriving/about/
Stay Connected:
Signup for AIR BORN, our monthly newsletter! A letter from Sylvia will show up in your inbox, with links to her latest conversations and insights.
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Socials: @whenwomenfly

Today, we highlight Belinda Baggs in the eighth installment of our Summer Series. As a world-renowned Australian longboard surfer, mother, and surf ambassador for Patagonia, Belinda leverages her platform to fight for climate justice.
In this episode, Belinda and Sylvia discuss the immediacy of the climate crisis. Belinda shares how her nonprofit Save Our Coast is working to inform, inspire, and empower local communities to care for the coastal ecosystem. Belinda provides listeners with insight into how we can play our part in the battle against climate change.
Topics Include:

• Longboard surfing and flying like a pelican
• Climate activism
• Motherhood
• Surfing as an art form and a lifestyle
• Harnessing feminine energy as a surfer
• Toxic wetsuits and better ecological alternatives
• How having a child influences Belinda as an athlete
• And other topics...

Aussie native Belinda Baggs is a surfer known for her elegant, technical longboard style. Formerly third in the world at the Women’s World Longboard Championship, the Patagonia ambassador and mother-of-one retired from competing after finding it at odds with her enjoyment and connection with the water.
You can follow Belinda on social media (get ready for some stunning surf and ocean shots) via www.instagram.com/belindabaggs
She is also in surf films “Sprout”, “Dear and Yonder” and “Come Hell or High Water”. Belinda (or Bindy, as she’s often referred to) gained notoriety in the early aughts for her fancy footwork and her ability to make just about anything she did on a log look inimitably elegant. But as of late, the stylish Australian has been using her platform as a pro surfer and an ambassador for Patagonia to create more than just beautiful surf clips. Belinda has been busy raising awareness about environmental issues through the nonprofit Surfers For Climate.

Resourced Mentioned:
https://www.saveourcoast.org.au
https://www.patagonia.com
https://www.instagram.com/belindabaggs/
@surfersforclimate
#patagoniaaus
August 14th Seismic Survey Vessel Protest - https://www.instagram.com/p/CSlU6EcL9c6/
Want to connect? Visit us online and signup for the monthly WWF newsletter!
Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenfly
Email – [email protected]