How a Near-Death Experience Transformed My Life and Career with Sheryl Ramstad

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Sheryl Ramstad about resilience, life-changing trauma, and finding meaning through unexpected adversity. Sheryl shares the riveting story of surviving a solo plane crash at age 29, her arduous physical and emotional recovery in a burn unit, and the surprising turn her career and personal life took as a result.About the Guest:Sheryl Ramstad is a survivor, trailblazer, and lifelong advocate for service. She has had successful careers in law, healthcare, and teaching. Above all, she treasures her role as a mother to three adult children and grandmother to six. Sheryl resides in Minneapolis with her husband, Lee."I would say that the prevalent thought I kept having was to not ask, why me? But what next? And that's what guided me throughout the rest of my decisions." — Sheryl RamstadMain Topics Covered:Sheryl’s path from aspiring lawyer and pilot to surviving a fiery plane crash on her first solo flightThe intersection of elective change (choices) and changes thrust upon us by fateDetails of her crash, the critical actions that saved her life, and the realities of acute traumaThe long and disempowering recovery from burn injuries, and the power of friends, family, and faithHow the accident reshaped her identity, career, and drive—and inspired her late-in-life nursing careerThe importance of patient voices in medical care, and giving back as a way to healWriting her memoir and the role of honesty about faith in her storytellingEndurance running after burns, facing public curiosity, and building a full life beyond traumaQuote from the Episode:"I would say that the prevalent thought I kept having was to not ask, why me? But what next? And that's what guided me throughout the rest of my decisions." — Sheryl RamstadTimestamps: [00:00:05] Welcome & intros; where Sheryl calls home[00:02:17] Surviving a plane crash at 29—Sheryl’s life before and after[00:05:02] Being a female pilot in 1979 and solo flight details[00:08:18] The crash, emergency decision-making, and escaping the wreckage[00:13:33] Trauma memory, hospitalization, and the emotional toll[00:17:24] Type A recovery struggles and loss of independence[00:24:20] Channeling adversity into a career in nursing and supporting burn survivors[00:28:40] Perseverance, faith, and support systems in healing[00:43:15] Could her growth have happened without the accident?[00:44:19] Writing Living Life Full Throttle—why and how[00:49:39] Integrating faith into her story[00:50:18] Book availability and final questionsFind Sheryl’s Book on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/a/87491/9781960876805 Note from the show: Guest offers are often limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming the guest offer please reach out to the guest or vendor directly.Join the conversation on social. Find the Art of Imperfect Adulting on Instagram @theartof_imperfect_adulting YouTube @imperfectadulting and TikTok @imperfectadulting If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportIf you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guestNever Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com Here are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors