A determined, fun and optimistic person, Col. Retired Merryl Tengesdal Served in the US Navy and Retired in the US Air Force. She is the 1st African American Woman to ever pilot the plane that soars at 70,000 ft, at that height, it takes some real mettle. 0:00-2:14 Intro 2:14 Introducing Colonel Merryl Tengesdal 1994 Commissioned into the US Navy. Nothing she can't fly, she stated confidently. 6:48 Talking about her path to being the first and only African American Woman to fly the the United States Air Force's U-2 spy plane which is used for specialized high-altitude reconnaissance missions. She talks about moving from NY to CA for an open Pilot slot after being pressured to join in an open slot. 13:46 She talks about challenges of commissioning in the 90's. People being closed minded. How change was not readily accepted. "Change is going to happen no matter what. That is why we have so much training, so we can handle the change" 17:12 Merryl talks about being a child of divorce, focusing on things she can control. Doing sports to help her through it. How it felt to be a latch key kid. 18:12 Back to flight school dealing with people who don't really care for your presence. You can't control how people feel-you just control how you respond. Speaks of the support system of others in the same situation. 22:22 Talks about having a trainer they referred to as "the screamer". She felt like quitting, later developed a mentor/mentee relationship. Struggle with self-doubt, mentor says, there will have to be a point in time where people have to finally say, you're here because you're just that damn good. Don't be your own obstacle. 26:40 Non Profit Ad Kirstie Ennis Foundation an all service based 100% profits goes to help other non-profits check it out here https://kirstieennisfoundation.com/ 28:26 Preston asks Merryl where she got her grit. She talks about feeling like giving up, but did not want to be a quitter. "I will not quit. I just go do it." Martial Arts helps to get frustration out. What can I do to make this better, dig deep, suck it up. Then get back in there back to the grind. Figure a different way to make this happen. 31:55 Merryl talks about having kids, whining and wanting to give up, she teaches them to take a deep breath and think of a different way to approach it. Seeing the pride in their eyes when they figure it out. 33:40 Merryl talks about the art of persevering, getting through no matter what. Get dressed, get a routine, set your mind on how you can succeed during this time. 34:30 Preston, how do we motivate others when we don't feel okay ourselves. We don't need to have it all together to help others. 35:07 Merryl talks about Hot Mess, Dumpster Fire or Chernobyl. Normal right now most people are operating at Hot Mess. 37:20 Preston talks about being in college class, professor said, "80% of success is being present." More than just showing up, but actually being present. 39:06 Preston asks about UFO's- Have you ever been above a shooting star? Merryl has... Merryl talks about being in the U2 plane and how you have to be a special kind of person, it's not for everyone. 45:10 Landing procedures. "Landing is where you make your money, that separates the good pilots from the bad ones." 48:13 Merryl's 30 second message, be focused, compassionate and kind.

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