A lifelong adventurer recounts her story, highlighting a surprising rediscovery after nearly 50 years. A lost job application for a motorcycle stunt rider, found stuck in a drawer, prompts reflection on a life filled with thrilling experiences and the unexpected twists and turns that shape our paths.
I remembered anxiously waiting for a reply, the disappointment when it never came – and all the adventures I went on after that letdown. I’ve always been a daredevil, but fear completely lost its grip on me when I was 15. A horseback riding accident resulted in severe injuries, the death of my beloved horse Spooks, and the devastating news I’d never ride again. I was set on proving the doctors wrong.
Just a few months later, with my mother’s support, I rode sidesaddle to win my first jumping competition. The thrill was incredible. From then on, I dedicated my life to adventure, remembering my mother’s lesson: never say, “I can’t”. At 22, I read about an opening to be a motorcycle stunt rider – I’d learned to ride a few years earlier. Still, it was 1976 and I knew they were unlikely to hire a woman. At the time, I was working as a dispatch rider, zipping through London, making high-speed deliveries. My boss had hesitated to hire me, and even asked his wife’s permission first. I thought about that as I signed my stunt rider application, leaving off an honorific, hoping to disguise the fact that I was a woman. But they never got back to me. I was devastated. Maybe the position had already been filled; maybe they’d discovered I was a woman. My mother suggested I train in something that could lead to a stable career. I agreed, so long as it didn’t come at the expense of adventure. My friend Steve then proposed an idea that at first seemed absurd: learning to fly aeroplanes. “Flying is for men,” I scoffed, but the suggestion stuck. I got my solo pilot’s licence and headed for the US. I ended up flying an aerobatic plane, and taught myself stunts including loop-the-loops and rolls. When recession hit in the early 1980s, I headed to Botswana, where I found work flying chartered planes. It wasn’t easy. Initially, they were sceptical about a woman working in the role, but I ended up outperforming my male colleagues. When my contract ended, I moved to South Africa to work as a pilot for a luxury travel company. Despite being popular with passengers, I faced resistance from male colleagues and was fired. Later, I learned that my “unusual hobbies for a woman” – including motorcycling – and lack of a boyfriend had fuelled ignorant speculations about my sexuality. Remembering my mother’s lesson, I returned to England and bounced back. I worked as a commercial pilot for 10 years, then as a flying instructor, starting my own company, Tiger Airways, with my partner Chris. For 17 years, we specialised in instruction and aerobatics, until Chris passed in 2017. Now, I live a quieter life. I’ve settled in a village in Lincolnshire with my dog Tiger, my chickens, Wize and Candy, and hawk, Solar. Much of my time is spent volunteering in care homes, where Tiger brings comfort to the residents. Last October, after nearly 50 years and countless adventures, I received a letter from a post office in Staines. It was my stunt rider application, with a note scribbled at the top. The post office apologised for the delay and explained it had been found stuck behind a drawer in the office – the company never received it. It felt strange to get it back after all those years. I remembered the excitement I’d felt when I heard about the listing back in 1976, my days of anxiously waiting for a reply, and the disappointment when it never came. I also looked back on all the adventures I went on after that letdown. Who knows what would have happened had I taken the job? Perhaps the letter did not reach its destination because I was meant to go down a different, more fulfilling path. In any case, my story was covered in the papers, and old friends got in touch. I don’t always understand why things happen, but I do believe they happen for a reason, even if that reason isn’t clear right away – and my lost job application proves that
Adventure Motorcycle Stunts Aviation Life Lessons Courage Perseverance Unexpected Turns
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Lost Job Application That Led to a Life of AdventureThis article tells the inspiring story of a woman who, despite facing numerous setbacks and societal expectations, pursued her passions for adventure and flying. From overcoming a debilitating horseback riding accident to defying gender stereotypes in male-dominated fields, she shares her journey of resilience, determination, and the unexpected twist of fate that came with a lost job application.
Read more »
Why was my job application rejected in 10 minutes?It’s tempting to assume you’ve been rejected by a robot. And in some ways you have, but there’s more at play here.
Read more »
Whale orca that lost a calf in 2018 has lost anotherA killer whale that sparked hope after being seen with a new calf six years after carrying her dead baby around has lost another one.
Read more »
The Australian Job Market: A Ghostly Encounter for ManyChris's job search exemplifies the widespread issue of 'ghosting' in the Australian job market. New LinkedIn data reveals that over half of Australian job seekers have experienced this lack of communication from hiring managers. This article explores the challenges faced by both job seekers and hiring managers in the current job market, including the high volume of applications, difficulty matching skills to job descriptions, and the struggle to negotiate competitive salaries.
Read more »
Webster's Triumph: A Reminder That Test Dreams Can Be RealizedBeau Webster's Test debut serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers. His story, along with that of Scott Boland, highlights the importance of perseverance and consistent domestic performance.
Read more »
Steve Smith sends astonishing reminder to cricket world with 121 not out in Big Bash victory7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »