After only a few minutes with one of our most recent guest highlights, Ashlee Steed you get the immediate sense that anything is possible and fear is merely just a feeling that can be overcome, really. We are so excited to share Ashlee’s exhilarating story and outlook on life with you on The Red Bra Project in Episode 46!
Ashlee joins us from Canada where at the young age of 22 she had already found herself working in aviation. She worked in cargo with hazardous materials as a Cargo Agent and while the thought of possibly becoming a Commercial Pilot lingered in the far back of her mind she was enjoying what she was doing. One day a flight attendant friend who happened to be dating a pilot was up visiting and she simple asked Ashlee, “What are you doing here? Why don’t you become a flight attendant?” With that, Ashlee looked at herself, laughed a bit and said, “Right? Why don’t I?” and she made the leap from cargo to becoming a flight attendant. Ashlee met one of our previous Red Bra Guests, Liza Michele who at the time was also a flight attendant. Since them, both women’s careers have branched off into different areas of aviation – both incredible stories of women representing in aviation. We’d like to give a quick shout out to Liza for nominating Ashlee Steed for The Red Bra Project! Thank you, we truly appreciate the connection! Catch up on Liza’s episode, right here.
Ashlee fully loved every aspect of being a flight attendant of 12 years. The people she worked with, the element of change, the travel, all of it – buttttt, eventually she realized for her, there was a lot of the “same” as well and the thought of becoming a commercial pilot started to come to the surface again. Eventually, she was to the point again of “why not?!” Right? So simple, why not? Of course Ashlee recognized the bit of fear lingering in the back ground as well as the “can I really do this, you know fly a big plane, that’s a huge responsibility?” That ego piped up a bit as it tends to do, but Ashlee didn’t allow those feelings to stop her from exploring the opportunity. As she shared what was on her mind to a female pilot friend, her friend connected her with another female pilot, Krista who could do her discovery flight. Crazy enough, Ashlee actually knew Krista from her past and the dots were connecting in a way she could have never planned out. Ashlee knew the discovery flight would either be a love or hate experience…needless to say, she LOVED it! Although, the story itself of her discovery flight is one she shares later on in the episode and it almost didn’t happen due to weather (but it did) and she was hooked, that was a year ago. Today, she is in the home stretch of becoming a Commercial Pilot.
Given that Ashlee has moved all over Canada, she has had the opportunity to meet many people in the aviation world giving her a huge appreciation for all facets of aviation.
If you only watch one part of this episode (although you should stay for the whole thing!) you HAVE to hear how Ashlee breaks down the idea of fear. She shares that for her, dealing with fear takes practice. She has learned so much over time and practiced when dealing with emotion. “The truth about fear is that it is an illusion. It is not really there, we put it there. It is based on our beliefs about ourselves. Ie: I’m not smart enough, I’m not this enough, what will people think? It is what we have grown up with thinking, what has been literally infused in us,” Ashlee shares. She continues on to explain that fear is an emotion and when it is actually broken apart, she asks, “What is the worst thing if “x” doesn’t happen?” – for her specific example it was to take the test over. So what, no big deal, No one even has to know if I don’t tell them. Fear is what is often built up in our heads and how we hold ourselves back.
“In my experience the very best things that have happened in my life have happened on the other side of fear,” Ashlee said as she reflects on IF she would have had less fear, perhaps she would have been a pilot at 22 years old. She wouldn’t change her own story for anything though – it has happened exactly the way it was supposed to, for her.
We go deep into the simple steps of breaking down the feeling of fear, how to perceive failure and even how to respond to judgmental people. So, so good – especially going into the new decade!
Shawna shares again about her own personal fear of flying and Ashlee guides Shawna with a simple, “What did we say about fear, Shawna?!” – after a good laugh it was the perfect real time example of how to break it down. (Yassss Shawna, we’ll be checking in on that fear of yours soon again)
One of Ashlee’s best pieces of advice is: “Relax and enjoy the process. We almost wish things away when we have that view (goal / dreams) insight. We forget to enjoy that process. You have your dreams, but there is joy to be had in their creation.”
Letting go of control along the way and allowing ourselves to see what the universe is trying to lead us to is often a pretty cool journey.
Ashlee’s mentor, Natasha Jean–Bart has made a huge impact in Ashlee’s life and is a woman she most definitely looks up to. From another part of Ashlee’s world, dance Natasha has always encouraged through support, allowing to flow, not telling her students what the NEED to do, instead to allow the time needed to figure it out. It will all work out, your gut always knows. If it is a hard yes, then it is a yes, if it is a no – then it’s a no and if it’s a maybe it is STILL a hell NO!
We’re telling you, Ashlee’s story not only makes you want to DREAM big, but it inspires you to take the action steps to go after those dreams no matter what. No matter what age, what career, if you have kids, there are so many “if’s” and there are SO many opportunities & solutions as long as you are open to them. Cut the illusions, go after what your soul wants, you just gotta be brave enough to do it.
Ashlee supports, features and celebrates women with all kinds of backgrounds in aviation. She is most definitely open to chatting about her experience and answering questions. If you are or you know someone considering aviation and have questions, reach out to our girl, she has such an empowering perspective and is happy to speak with you! Plus, she is just freaking so much fun!
Ashlee’s Red Bra Moment: Her flight test. They couldn’t get an examiner to her school on time so she had to decide to fly the plane into an actual control zone for her ACTUAL flight test – she was terrified. She knew she couldn’t leave without doing her flight test and passing. It was what had to be done if she wanted to meet her goal. (Eeeekkk, through Ashlee’s description, you can feel the adrenaline, make sure to tune in, right here!)
Thank you so much Ashlee for taking the time to share your inspiring journey with us in the world of aviation representing and supporting women along the way. We loved our time with you!
Here’s where to connect with the amazing Ashlee:
Thanks for stopping by, you are so appreciated! We hope this story inspired you or someone you know on some level. We know it did us, please share away. Always wear that red bra underneath it all and make sure to join the party over @theredbraproject!
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Xx,
The Red Bra Project
