Mo Barrett is a retired Air Force Colonel and pilot who has flown some of the largest aircraft in the US fleet. Throughout her career, she has achieved numerous accomplishments and has established herself as a respected figure in the aviation industry. After transitioning out of her career, Mo has dedicated herself to bringing humor and laughter into people’s lives. She believes that laughter is a powerful and universal tool that can bring people together and create connections. Mo embraces imperfection and finds life lessons in the struggle. She encourages others to be okay with the challenges they face and to always find the humor in every situation. With her wealth of experience and positive outlook on life, Mo Barrett continues to inspire and uplift others through her unique perspective and infectious laughter.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize your health and well-being over your career identity.
- Embrace opportunities and be open to change. Despite facing challenges and resistance, be willing to embrace new opportunities and adapt to different roles within your field.
- Incorporating humor into public speaking and interactions can help foster connections, break down barriers, and create a sense of camaraderie with your audience.
- Find lessons in every situation. Practice personal reflection and strive to find lessons in everyday experiences.
- Give yourself grace and find value in difficult times. Find value in your own gifts and use them to add value to the world.
Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction
[03:02] Overcoming academic adversity.
[06:06] Navigating a career change.
[09:38] Retiring from the Air Force.
[14:21] Laughter as currency.
[19:23] Finding life lessons in experiences.
[24:02] Give yourself the grace.
[26:30] Rebooting for mental well-being.
Synopsis
Mo Barrett, a retired Air Force colonel, had a challenging journey to success. Growing up in Northern Virginia with a military family, Mo faced struggles in school and initially attended community college before being admitted to the Air Force Academy. She went on to have a successful military career, becoming an Air Force colonel before transitioning into a different career field after being diagnosed with a heart condition. Mo’s story is a testament to her determination and resilience in overcoming obstacles and achieving her goals.
During the episode, Mo emphasizes the importance of not being selfish with one’s gifts and instead, adding value to the world around them. Mo always has enjoyed making people laugh and using humor as a way to break down barriers. Since retiring from the Air Force, that is exactly what she is doing. She believes laughter connects people to one another and provides room for embracing life’s lessons.
Mo believes that there are opportunities all around us to learn lessons and grow, if we open our eyes and pay attention. She stresses the importance of being present and aware of our surroundings, rather than constantly being absorbed in our phones or distracted by other things. She believes that even the smallest situations can hold valuable lessons, whether it be a deep reflection or a simple realization of how to improve in a certain moment. Overall, Mo encourages a mindset of curiosity and reflection, constantly seeking opportunities to learn and grow from everyday experiences.