Dare To Fly: How Martha McSally Transformed Fear into Fearless Leadership
1/9/202635 min
Martha McSally is America's first female fighter pilot in combat, former U.S. Senator, decorated combat veteran, and one of the most accomplished leaders to ever serve in both the military and public office. Over a 26-year career in the United States Air Force, she broke barriers as one of the first women to fly combat missions in a fighter jet and later went on to command at the squadron level, leading in environments where precision, accountability, and trust were non-negotiable. She flew hundreds of hours in close-air-support missions across the Middle East and Afghanistan, earning multiple military honors...
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First 90 secondsMartha McSally· Guest0:00
So I got to the Air Force Academy, and I found out it was against the law for women to be fighter pilots, and it just pissed me off, and I took... That was where I took my rebellious spirit, and I was like, "Well, that's what I'm actually gonna do."
Tommy Mello· Host0:09
Ambitious, empowering, brave. Martha McSally is a former US senator and military fighter pilot. She was the first American woman to fly an Air Force fighter jet in combat and the first woman to command a US fighter squadron.
Martha McSally· Guest0:23
Don't ever tell me you can't do something 'cause you're a girl. That's exactly what I'm gonna go fight.
Tommy Mello· Host0:27
Over her 26-year military career, Martha flew hundreds of combat hours in the A-10 Warthog during her deployments in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Martha McSally· Guest0:34
Oftentimes, the very things that almost crush us are the things that can help strengthen us and propel us.
Tommy Mello· Host0:41
She earned the Bronze Star Medal and multiple Air Medals, retiring as a colonel. She then represented Arizona in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019 and served as US senator from 2019 to 2020.
Martha McSally· Guest0:53
I've dedicated my life to protecting our country and ensuring a safer world for our allies.
Tommy Mello· Host0:57
Get ready. This interview will encourage you to embrace fear, transform doubt, and reach new heights. Welcome back to The Mellow Millionaire. Today I've got Martha McSally with us. She's a former US senator, US House of Representatives Arizona, former fighter pilot of the US Air Force. Her impressive military and political career have made her an enduring icon of courage, conviction, and barrier-breaking leadership. It's great to have you.
Martha McSally· Guest1:24
All right. Well, thanks for that intro.
Tommy Mello· Host1:26
Yeah, so you're living the best life these days. You, uh...