When I was young I was passionate about training horses and competing in rodeos. Since gender does not matter to the stopwatch, I learned I could be feminine and capable at the same time.

During career day at high school, because Rodeo Competitor was not a choice, I checked the box for Flight Attendant. A career counselor changed my life when she suggested I should become a pilot. 

I became a military pilot and for 25 years flew the 747 and A320 for Delta Air Lines.

It’s true that you’re more likely to get into a car accident than experience a plane crash. In 2008, my car was T-boned at highway speeds. The paramedic thought I was dead but thankfully found a pulse and I was airlifted to the hospital. After a year of recovery, the same tenacity and grit that I learned as a teenager got me back to flying.

Two years later, tragedy struck again when a tree fell on my head in a freak farm accident. Because we live in a small town, the same paramedic responded and thought, This time, she’s dead for sure. Nope. I took a breath and I was airlifted yet again.

They removed part of my skull to stop the bleeding on the brain and I was placed in an induced coma for five days and stayed in the hospital for 32 days.

The forecast was that I would never be the same or return to flying. It was a total miracle when, after much testing, I resumed flying the A320 in 2017.

 I am now retired and write books and speak full-time. As someone who faced death twice and other challenges, I have a unique perspective about the importance of faith and attitude. I would like to share with you what I have learned.

I enjoy trail riding with my husband of 26 years. I am proud of being a mom to our two wonderful sons—one graduated from the USAF Academy, and the younger one is studying engineering.