In Free to Fly: Lessons in Managing Workplace Fear from an Air Ambulance Pilot, Adele Dobler chronicles her journey to becoming an air ambulance pilot. Air ambulances transport critical care patients across enormous swathes of terrain, making them a vital service, especially in the author’s region of Kenya. Although the book describes Adele’s story, the main focus is on how her experiences helped her develop strategies for overcoming her fears, and how she hopes readers will be inspired to incorporate these tools into their lives. The writer provides a tutorial on how to overcome fear as well as a glimpse into her life. Although it reads like a biography, this narrative resembles a life-coaching manual. She recounts the experiences she had along the way and describes how she confronted her insecurities, from outside sources and internal dialogue. Adele invites the reader to reflect on how the world has influenced their lives. The fundamental argument of the publication is anything we want in life is worth the effort to acquire it and whatever we seek lies on the other side of fear.

The author has been interested in aviation from a young age, but she did not consider it a viable career option until she met a female pilot of a cherry-drying helicopter, who inspired her to work in the air sector. Adele was unaware that her life would lead her halfway around the world and high into the skies.

Anecdotes from Adele’s own life and examples of how she has applied the principles presented support the premise of the book. She mentions how positive self-talk helped her overcome her fears and not give up. She asserts how she always tries everything and if she doesn’t succeed, she considers herself successful because of the learning opportunity.

Adele has a unique viewpoint on aspects of fear because she works as a female air ambulance pilot in Kenya. The writer discusses the challenges she encountered in her field along with the day-to-day difficulties she encounters while working, such as flying through dust storms and having to land the helicopter in an unfamiliar location. She presents the reader with a variety of detailed approaches to conquering anxiety, soothing the mind, and developing good habits. Most importantly, it is advantageous to prioritize our assumptions about our capabilities over the judgments of others. We tend to engage in self-destructive behaviors and repeat our negative self-talk to ourselves, making it more difficult for us to achieve our dreams.

Adele reminds us of Newton’s First Law of Motion, while an object in motion tends to stay in motion, an object at rest tends to remain at rest. In this reminder is the suggestion that starting the process is the hardest part of achieving our goals. Anxiety can dissipate quickly and taking the first step might be the most difficult. Then we have to do it ourselves and overcome our fears while disregarding other people’s good intentions and adverse internal dialogue. When we can get over the fear, those days can change everything.

The author hopes writing this book will give her a chance to give back to the people who inspired her and helped her become an air ambulance captain, particularly the Whirly-Girls Organization, which she credits with propelling her career. Adele wants to reach people who can relate to her life and guidance.

The premise of the book is admirable with several teachable moments. The writer’s goal that we must confront and overcome fear to pursue our passions is presented in a sincere manner. In its pragmatic, and upbeat tone, the text aims to inspire, educate, and encourage the readers to live their dreams and overcome their fears.  The text is intended for a vast audience, but it is geared specifically toward younger people who might identify with the author. Adele encourages the reader to confront their fears and pursue their goals, regardless of anyone else’s doubts. While she acknowledges that there are aspects of the job she dislikes, she can start her day grateful for the opportunity to do work she enjoys. The writer wonderfully achieves the goal of encouraging the readers to follow in her footsteps while also blazing their own trail.

We are grateful that Adele Dobler gave us the opportunity to review the ARC of this motivational book.

https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/free-to-fly-adele-dobler#review