#281: Hummingbirds, Helicopters & an Underwater Guinness World Record – Eric Pittman

Eric Pittman’s life reads like an adventure novel. He began his career as a helicopter bush pilot in the wilds of Saskatchewan and British Columbia, building his first aircraft from wreckage to earn his wings. He later launched a glass recycling foundry, created choreographed light shows for royalty and rock stars, and eventually discovered a new obsession in his own backyard—filming hummingbirds.That obsession led to The Bird in My Backyard, a short documentary featuring his high-speed hummingbird footage, which has racked up over 1.7 million YouTube views and earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination.But Eric didn’t stop there. To promote his book, he staged an underwater press conference—complete with a puppet show—and broke a Guinness World Record in the process. He also co-founded the Canadian Orca Rescue Society with Gregg McElroy, raising awareness with life-sized inflatable orcas that now float above environmental rallies across British Columbia.A long-time member of Thunderbird Toastmasters in Victoria, B.C., Eric credits Toastmasters with helping him eliminate crutch words, boost confidence, and speak effectively on camera and in public.Whether you're a nature lover, creative soul, or just appreciate a great story, this episode will leave you inspired to think bigger—and bolder.Listen now and discover:How Eric filmed over 130 hummingbird nests from egg to flightThe hilarious origin of his underwater Guinness World RecordWhat it’s like to work with BBC, Netflix, and National GeographicWhy saving salmon is key to saving orcasHow Toastmasters helped him become a better presenter—and storytellerYou can read Eric’s story, From Helicopters to Hummingbirds: How One Toastmaster Used His Skills on Camera, Underwater and Beyond, by Megan Preston Meyer, in the August 2025 issue of Toastmaster magazine.Eric Pittman is a member of Thunderbird Toastmasters in Victoria, B.C., a Guinness World Record holder, environmental advocate, and co-founder of the Canadian Orca Rescue Society. You can find his stunning footage at HummingbirdsUpClose.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram under the same name.You can also watch his documentary: Birds in My Backyard on YouTube.