Dr. Shawna Pandya – Canada's First Named Female Commercial Astronaut & Space Medicine Pioneer

Meet Dr. Shawna Pandya, Canada's first named female commercial astronaut and a leading figure in space medicine. From emergency medicine to aquanaut missions and suborbital research flights, Shawna has trained to thrive in some of the most extreme environments on Earth—and soon, in space. In this episode, she shares her journey from a childhood inspired by Dr. Roberta Bondar, through neuroscience and medical training, to testing spacesuits in zero gravity and completing multiple NEPTUNE aquanaut missions.  We dive into: The challenges of spaceflight on the body and mind The "RIDGE" framework Radiation, Isolation, Distance, Gravity, Environment Using emergency medicine, diving, and piloting to build operational readiness Maintaining balance, avoiding burnout, and living a life aligned with values Preparing for her upcoming flight with Virgin Galactic Shawna's story is a masterclass in perseverance, curiosity, and aiming for the stars—literally. ***  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x *** Show notes Who is Shawna  Being Canada's first named female Astronaut  Her early years and growing up in the 90s Wanting to be an Astronaut since she was a child and being inspired by Dr. Roberta Bondar Simplifying things  Wanting to follow in her footsteps  Doing a neuroscience degree The influence of her parents  Girl Guides of Canada  Doing outdoor education during junior high and building her spirit of adventure  Inheriting her work ethic from her parents - thinking the normal work day was from 7am to 10pm Sharing her goal and telling people what she wanted to achieve  Taking a family trip to Australia at 12 years old and being obsessed with the Southern Night Sky  Not knowing if it will work out or not - Having to love the grind and the journey  Keeping focused on the goal  Not letting other people opinions stop her  Her parents wanting her to have a realistic career ambition  The roadmap included medicine  After doing her undergrad in neuroscience and applying for medical school Having a back up plan - just in case  International Space University - Masters Program  Asking medical school for a deferral  Doing an internship at the European Space Agency European Space Centre and making a meaningful contribution to space medicine  Dealing with criticism Having balance in her life and not suffering from burnout  Pursuing the trajectory as a research astronaut - and still maintaining her clinical hours in emergency medicine  Work life balance  Why she does't burn out Living her life according to her values  Having complete control over her schedule   Being surrounded by good people Finding fulfilment and loving what she does Being inspired to be a better version of herself everyday  Fitness and health in space  Bone density and muscle mass  Space Medicine  The challenges of space flight environment and why it's trying to kill you  The "RIDGE" Framework short for Space Radiation, Isolation and Confinement, Distance from Earth, Gravity fields, and Hostile/Closed Environments. Altered day night cycles - 1 sunrise/sunset every 90 mins - 16 sunrise - sunset cycles per 24hr period every and how it interferes with your sleep cycle Micro-gravity and how it affects your bodily systems  Physical activity as therapy and using it as a way of investing in herself.  The days she doesn't make it to the gym  Needing to change something up - or end up burning out  Learning diving skills and spending time underwater Looking for transferable skills Being operational good and a good team mate Operational environments: - emergency medicine, diving, sky diving and piloting  The importance of having aqua-naught experience  Going on 2 NEPTUNE Missions  NEPTUNE (Nautical Experiments in Physiology, Technology and Underwater Exploration) Building her space flight readiness Learning to handle stress in challenging situations  Why there is no room for ego  Using emergency medicine as an example  Escalation patterns of communication  Question - Suggestion - Statement - Command  Why there is a time and place for everything  If everything is urgent - nothing is urgent! Urgency fatigue - not knowing what do first Being aware of what tools you have at your disposal High risk - high reward scenarios  The countdown to flight  Since 2021 - the launch of private companies into space  Going to space for research  What kind of astronaut do you want to be? Being a research astronaut  Training flights as a team - and getting to fly with her good friends Kellie Gerardi  Dr. Norah Patten  Figuring out research priorities  The outreach aspects of what they do Science diplomacy  The lead up to the space flight  Managing fears and concerns  Having a job to do  Being aware of the need to be prepared  Deciding on the final payloads Dealing with periods in space  Quick Fire Questions Being an evening person Not scheduling early morning meetings Starting her day at 9am Favourite movie and favourite space movie  2007 movie - Sunshine Book inspiration - Chris Hatfield - An Astronaut's guide to Earth  Music inspiration - liking high adrenaline workout play lists  Liking the John Wicks Soundtrack  Beach or mountains.. Favourite food at home and in space High RPM skipping Rest and relaxation Her love for birds - having a 56g Lovebird - 'Jules'  Mantra and words she lives by - 'You've got this" Words from mum - "Keep going" - "Keep moving" Words from dad - "What's the difference between success and activity? Success is eating tomato soup with a spoon, activity is eating tomato soup with a fork" How to connect and follow along on social media Final words of advice and wisdom for other girls who want to pursue  Pick what you want to do, aim to be really, really good at it.  Aim to become the hardest working person in the room. Because the work ethic is free. Work really hard to get to where you want to be and then act like you belong there, because you do. You just need to make space for yourself.    Social Media Website: shawnapandya.com  Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/shawnapandya  Instagram: @shawnapandya  Facebook: @shawnapandyaofficial