S4E9–Cleared Hot! Shannon Huffman Polson on flying Apache Gunships, bagging big peaks and being a badass

Shannon Polson was one of Americas first female gunship pilots. We talk flying and that incredible aircraft but also climbing, losing loved ones and grit and resilience.

After a childhood in Alaska, Shannon studied English literature and art history at Duke University then commissioned into the Army to fly Apache helicopters, serving on three continents and leading two flight platoons and a line company.

In the midst of school and flying came skydiving, scuba diving, big-mountain climbing and long-course triathlons. She climbed Tim’s dream mountain- Denali.

Now she devotes her work to speaking, research and writing, as well as online and bespoke facilitated leadership journeys for leaders at The Grit Institute. 

 Shannon has an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth, and an MFA in creative writing.

05:00       Shannon’s background…. And swimming in Alaska!

07:20       What is ROTC in the US… and how does that allow you to fly Army helicopters?

09:00       Learning to fly helicopters…. Rub your tummy and pat your head!

11:10       What are the roles and responsibilities in an Apache gunship…. Tandem seated!

12:10       How do two pilots in the same aircraft collaborate and cooperative?

14:50       Ben talks about receiving air support in Afghanistan

17:20       Shannon’s advice for women wanting to fly in the military

20:00       Shannon climbs Denali….. the story J

25:00       Tragically Shannon loses both of her parents …. the story L

28:00       Interlude- Information on The Resilience Retreat off Cairns

29:15       What is resilience to Shannon?

33:15       Ego and self efficacy…. And grit and resilience

37:50       Talking transferrable knowledge from the military into corporates

40:30       Advice on determining purpose in work- Paths to Purpose at Tuck School

43:20       How can we separate role and identity?

50:45       Shannon’s Power Song!  

External Links

The Grit Factor book by Shannon is here

Shannon’s LinkedIn

More about Shannon from her Instagram

More About Us

www.unforgiving60.com

Email us at debrief@unforgiving60.com

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Music

The Externals – available on Spotify

Ben Frichot - available on Spotify