Living Adventurously: Courage, Awe, and the Pilot Mindset

In this powerful episode of Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD, I sit down with Shiraz Dalal, a commercial airline pilot, TEDx speaker, and global explorer whose adventures span all seven continents and all 50 U.S. states.

From flying Boeing 767s to climbing Kilimanjaro, wing walking, free diving, and even swimming with great white sharks without a cage—Shiraz’s life is more than adrenaline. It’s about choosing courage, embracing the unknown, and finding humility in awe-filled moments.

We explore what fear really means, how to rewire our relationship with discomfort, and why a simple aviation mantra—Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.—can help high achievers silence the noise and move with clarity.

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why fear often equals lack of knowledge—and how to replace fear with skill-building.
• How “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate” applies to life, not just flying.
• The surprising peace behind shark dives, skydiving, and climbing Kilimanjaro.
• How Shiraz redefined purpose after military service, airline transitions, and the pandemic.
• A fresh lens on perfectionism: chasing improvement without clinging to the label of “perfectionist.”

About the Guest

Shiraz Dalal is a seasoned commercial pilot, instructor, and evaluator with a 20-year military career, including numerous deployments, bringing disciplined leadership and resilience to his work. With a Master’s in Strategic Leadership, he offers insights from the cockpit and battlefield. As an adventurer, world traveler, TEDx speaker and coach, and Board Member at Carolina Tiger Rescue, Shiraz inspires audiences with compelling stories and practical strategies for personal and professional growth.

💼 Connect with Shiraz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirazdalal/
📸Watch his TEDx Talk: The View From 30,000 Feet-3 rules pilots use to survive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB1jSlAQzhY

About the Host

Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, TEDx Speaker, with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers.

Connect with Dr. Shabbir:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/

🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking
🌐 No Cost Application - Join the Perfectionism Project Collective: http://perfectionism-project.com/

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

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