Finding Courage Under Fire: How KC Campbell Flew in the Face of Fear
Have you ever wondered how people rise above intense fear in high-stakes situations?
In this recent episode, Adam Hill sits down with retired Air Force Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell as she describes her harrowing experience of being hit by enemy fire during a combat mission – and somehow landing her severely damaged plane safely. KC takes us through the emotions of facing a life-threatening crisis, from the initial fear and adrenaline to prolonged anxiety during her emergency flight.
KC also discusses how this near-death experience shaped her perspective on leadership. Tune in to hear KC share invaluable insights on compartmentalizing thoughts, trusting your training under pressure, and drawing on support from others.
Here are some power takeaways from today’s conversation:
- Kim’s childhood dream meets reality
- How she almost faced death in the cockpit
- Use fear as fuel, instead of seeing it as a weakness
- Coping with trauma after a near-death experience in combat
- Small actions can conquer big fears
- Facing fears head-on as a leader
- Taking action in the face of fear
Episode Highlights:
[07:00] Kim’s childhood dream meets reality
Kim did not have a relationship with fear around their initial idea of becoming a pilot as a child. The fear of the risks involved in her chosen career path did not sink in until reality set in through her military training.
[14:00] How she almost faced death in the cockpit
During a mission in Iraq in 2003, Kim’s plane was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire after firing rockets in support of ground troops on the ground. She faced a harrowing near-death experience as she safely landed the severely damaged aircraft.
[25:42] Use fear as a fuel instead of seeing it as a weakness
Fear is natural, but we’re too tough on ourselves when it hits, thinking it means we’re weak. Instead, we should see it as a sign to gear up and deal with whatever’s causing the nerves.
[32:25] Coping with trauma after a near-death experience in combat
Kim coped with the trauma of their near-death experience in combat by writing in a journal after returning to her room that night and purging her emotions and adrenaline onto the page.
[38:38] Small actions can conquer big fears
Fear can be overwhelming. So just take small steps back into facing challenging activities. Even just getting out of bed and back to tasks is a step towards managing fear instead of being enveloped by it.
[42:53] Facing fears head-on as a leader
Leaders should acknowledge fears instead of hiding them. Then make plans to take action when feeling fear since facing challenges in the moment is what truly makes a difference.
Resources Mentioned:
Flying in the Face of Fear by Kim Campbell
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