My Journey

I was a middle-child, in a middle-income family, in the middle of New Jersey. By the age of twenty-five, I was flying around the world (literally) as a pilot for United Airlines.

For me, this whole aviation career started off as a crazy thing I did as a teenager. I went to a small, local airport and got a job there just to be around airplanes, because I liked airplanes. Everyone I knew had laughed at the idea of a female pilot and dismissed my excitement for aviation. Then, there I was – at an airport surrounded by people who completely understood me. I could be myself, with no apologies or explanations. I took my first flying lesson and that was it, I had “the flying bug” and there was no stopping me. By the time I graduated from high school, I was a licensed pilot. Aviation sparked something inside me and I just kept moving towards all things that gave me that powerful feeling, one small step at a time.

Because we are allowed to live out more than one dream in life, I’m now a writer and motivational speaker. My goal is to help other young people go after what excites them, with no apologies or explanations.        

There are just a few fundamental requirements to get where you want in life. The first is to work hard at everything you try. There is no getting around that. There are no shortcuts. The other is to boldly take risks. You need to believe in yourself enough to be willing to get in just a little over your own head. Soak in every small success and celebrate each small triumph and you will build the self confidence needed to get past self-doubt and tackle the challenges thrown at you. You don’t need overwhelming long term goals, just always keep moving forward.

Whether you think you can, or think you can’t – you’re right. Henry Ford