Pick Yourself Up

Welcome back! In this solo episode, Nik records live from OBAP 2025 in Tacoma, WA, and shares a powerful reminder for pilots at every stage of their career: give yourself grace. Between long days, high stakes, and the pressure to perform—whether at a conference, in training, or in the cockpit—it's easy to stumble and even harder to forgive ourselves when we do.

Nik uses a simple moment—a missed step, spilled coffee, and a stranger's encouragement—to highlight the importance of self-compassion and extending grace to others. He connects this idea directly to flying, leadership, and career growth, showing how empathy and forgiveness make us better pilots, crewmembers, and professionals. If you're working toward the next step in your aviation journey or just need encouragement to keep going, this episode is your reminder that progress doesn't require perfection.

What You'll Learn:

Why giving yourself grace matters during high-pressure moments in aviation and life

How showing forgiveness and empathy makes you a stronger leader and teammate

The connection between grace, CRM, and performing under pressure in the cockpit

Why progress is about consistency and growth—not perfection

A practical mindset to carry into job hunting, interviews, and everyday flying

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