In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Sheryl Ramstad about resilience, life-changing trauma, and finding meaning through unexpected adversity. Sheryl shares the riveting story of surviving a solo plane crash at age 29, her arduous physical and emotional recovery in a burn unit, and the surprising turn her career and personal life took as a result. About the Guest: Sheryl Ramstad is a survivor, trailblazer, and lifelong advocate for service. She has had successful careers in law, healthcare, and teaching. Above all, she treasures her role as a mother to three adult children and grandmother to six. Sheryl resides in Minneapolis with her husband, Lee. "I would say that the prevalent thought I kept having was to not ask, why me? But what next? And that's what guided me throughout the rest of my decisions." — Sheryl Ramstad Main Topics Covered: Sheryl’s path from aspiring lawyer and pilot to surviving a fiery plane crash on her first solo flight The intersection of elective change (choices) and changes thrust upon us by fate Details of her crash, the critical actions that saved her life, and the realities of acute trauma The long and disempowering recovery from burn injuries, and the power of friends, family, and faith How the accident reshaped her identity, career, and drive—and inspired her late-in-life nursing career The importance of patient voices in medical care, and giving back as a way to heal Writing her memoir and the role of honesty about faith in her storytelling Endurance running after burns, facing public curiosity, and building a full life beyond trauma Quote from the Episode: "I would say that the prevalent thought I kept having was to not ask, why me? But what next? And that's what guided me throughout the rest of my decisions." — Sheryl Ramstad Timestamps: [00:00:05] Welcome & intros; where Sheryl calls home [00:02:17] Surviving a plane crash at 29—Sheryl’s life before and after [00:05:02] Being a female pilot in 1979 and solo flight details [00:08:18] The crash, emergency decision-making, and escaping the wreckage [00:13:33] Trauma memory, hospitalization, and the emotional toll [00:17:24] Type A recovery struggles and loss of independence [00:24:20] Channeling adversity into a career in nursing and supporting burn survivors [00:28:40] Perseverance, faith, and support systems in healing [00:43:15] Could her growth have happened without the accident? [00:44:19] Writing Living Life Full Throttle —why and how [00:49:39] Integrating faith into her story [00:50:18] Book availability and final questions Find Sheryl’s Book on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/a/87491/9781960876805 Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly. Join the conversation on social. Find the Art of Imperfect Adulting on Instagram @theartof_imperfect_adulting YouTube @imperfectadulting and TikTok @imperfectadulting If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Click here and pitch yourself. Never Miss a Moment of Imperfect Adulting We...
