Episode 27 - Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) - Thunderbird Pilot, Keynote Speaker, Patient Advocate

Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.)  - Thunderbird Pilot, Keynote Speaker, Patient Advocate

In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with  Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) - a trailblazing fighter pilot, combat veteran, squadron commander, and the first woman selected to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. A 2019 National Women’s Hall of Fame inductee and former White House Fellow, Nicole’s career spans over two decades of service, leadership, and breaking barriers.

Nicole opens up about her journey from aspiring aviator to Thunderbird pilot, insights for navigating a battle you didn’t choose, and the lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks. She shares her philosophy that “sometimes you need to yield to overcome,” and explains how this mindset has guided her through military service, leadership roles, and her unexpected battle with tick-borne illness.

In our conversation, Nicole discusses resilience vs. resurgence, the value of mentorship, and the importance of advocacy. Listeners will walk away inspired by her story of courage, adaptability, and the indomitable spirit that continues to define her journey!

About the Guest:

A 2019 National Women’s Hall of Fame inductee and former Presidential appointee, Colonel Nicole M. E. Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) has over 21 years of experience as an officer, leader, and fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. Upon her commission into the military, she was competitively selected to fly combat aircraft and embarked on an adventure among the first group of women to fly modern fighter jets. Nicole served as a mission ready fighter pilot in three operational F-15E squadrons and accumulated over 2,300 flight hours, including 188 hours in combat. She has had the honor of commanding a fighter squadron, flying as a USAF Thunderbird pilot, serving as a White House Fellow and as an advisor to the First Lady of the United States. 

Nicole has forged a successful path through immense cultural changes in the military as well as significant adversity in her personal life. Following her medical retirement from the Air Force due to the severe impacts of late-stage Tick Borne Illness, Nicole reinvented herself as a highly successful entrepreneur, professional speaker, and leadership consultant. She’s been happily married to her husband Paul, an Air Force veteran, for over 23 years. When not hurriedly chasing their fifteen-year-old twins around, she finds immense meaning in traveling and advocating for those impacted by Tick Borne Illnesses. 

Learn more about Nicole at: https://nicolemalachowski.com/ 

Catch the podcast episode online:

• YouTube - click here to listen

• Spotify - click here to listen

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