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In this episode Nicole Malachoski (who was an F-15 driver flying dangerous missions over Iraq, who became the first female Thunderbird Pilot, leading to a career as a White House Liaison, which ended in a serious health challenge) shares her life and climb to the top of her profession – giving us an inside glimpse of how a woman succeeded in a man’s world and what she is now doing as a motivational speaker!
About Nicole Malachoski:
First Woman Thunderbird Pilot, Combat Veteran, Fighter Squadron Commander. Pioneering, 21-year USAF veteran with combat experience in Iraq and Kosovo Commanded an F-15E fighter squadron White House Fellow and adviser who held posts at the Pentagon Inspires audiences to succeed beyond what they imagine Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) defies stereotypes. Yes, she was a jet fighter pilot, but if you think you know her based on that, you’d be wrong. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, Nicole’s distinguished 21-year Air Force career exceeded her wildest dreams. But the dream came to an end when a devastating tick-borne illness left her struggling greatly to speak or walk for almost nine months. An indomitable spirit, Nicole fought back against overwhelming odds and prevailed. Drawing on stories from her career and personal life, Nicole inspires audiences to rethink the challenges they face every day. She urges them to go beyond resilience and become resurgent. Nicole’s empowers people with three key beliefs: failure and risk is the price of entry for achieving something great; sometimes you need to yield to overcome; and her personal mantra – “nobody wants to lead a scripted life.”
