TL;DR:

Lindsey Gamell fell in love with aviation from a Florida rooftop, watching space shuttles launch into the sky.

That childhood wonder turned into a career — starting with wrench-turning straight out of high school, and growing into a leadership journey shaped by grit, pressure, and persistence.

✅ Inspired by shuttle launches as a kid
✅ Started hands-on, fixing helicopters
✅ Climbed into leadership, compliance & culture change
✅ Still tears up during takeoffs — because this work still moves her

👇 Full episode below and now live. It’s raw, real, and beautifully human.

From Rooftop Wonder to Wrench-Turner

It started on a roof.

Lindsey Gamell, a kid growing up just outside Orlando, would lie on her back with her mom and watch space shuttles launch over the tree line.

They didn’t take vacations. They didn’t fly much. But the sky still called to her.

That rooftop view — that sense of wonder — planted something in her.
And eventually, it became a career.

Right out of high school, she stepped into her first aviation role, working on Sikorsky S-55 helicopters with Whisper Jet. No pretense, no shortcuts — just hands-on, get-it-done grit.

She didn’t come from legacy. She came from the floor.

She Built Her Career in the Trenches

Lindsey has held almost every role you can name:
Technician. Repair coordinator. Team lead. Policy enforcer. Culture-builder.

She’s navigated compliance. Led high-stakes AOG recoveries. Trained teams. And more than once — found herself being the only woman in the room.

But what makes Lindsey’s story so powerful isn’t just what she’s done.

It’s what happened when she walked away.

💔 She Left Aviation. And It Hurt.

After years of giving everything she had — something broke.

The burnout. The pressure. The sense of being unseen.

Like so many others, Lindsey stepped away from the career she built with her own two hands.

That kind of honesty is rare.

Coming back after that? Even rarer.

What It Means to Return — On Your Own Terms

Lindsey didn’t come back for a title or a paycheck.
She came back because she couldn’t not.

But this time, she returned with boundaries, purpose, and a voice.
And that voice? It’s clear, steady, grounded in lived experience — and fiercely human.

🎥 10 Defining Moments You’ll Remember

No fluff. Just the real ones:

1. From humble beginnings to helicopters

2. “Aviation found me”

3. I still cry during takeoffs

4. A passion that wouldn’t quit

5. Compliance with empathy

6. What drives you?

7. Momentum from the margins

8. Leadership without the spotlight

9. Culture — and how we fix it

10. “Find what you’re called to first”

These aren’t just soundbites — they’re turning points.
And you’ll feel every one of them.

This Episode Is for You If:

✅ You’ve ever felt like your story doesn’t fit the usual mold
✅ You’ve led through exhaustion, policy, or people problems
✅ You’ve stepped away — or wanted to
✅ You’re wondering if it’s worth staying in this industry

This episode doesn’t give you advice.
It gives you permission.

To feel. To stay. To leave.
And if needed — to return.

Watch the Full Episode Now

➡️ Skybound Ops on YouTube :: Episode 4

4. From Hangar Floors to the C-Suite – Lindsey on Grit, Leadership & Finding Your Aviation Path

❤️ Why We Made This

This episode is why we started Skybound Ops in the first place.

To make space for the stories that live in hangars and hearts — not just in conference rooms or keynote slides.

Lindsey brought her full self to this conversation.
And if it connects with you even a little — I hope you’ll share it with someone else who needs it too.

Whether you’re rising, rebuilding, or just trying to remember why you started — you belong here.

You’re not behind.
You’re not alone.
And you’re not done.

— Ralph

So Long for Now:

This newsletter is your invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the heart of aviation.

By listening to stories like Lindsey’s, we’re reminded that grit, growth, and passion still have a place in this industry — and in each of us.

We’ve got a lot in the works, and will also be dropping new episodes real soon. If you’ve got a story to share or something you’re building that others should hear about, I’d love to have you on the show. Just reach out!

([email protected] or 305-2093789)

Until next time, I’ll see you in the hangar (or the comments replies!) 😊