Sarah Furness.
Sarah Furness
RAF helicopter pilot, mindfulness coach and speaker
To book Sarah Furness for your event, please call +44 (0) 7724 391106 or enquire online.
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Biography
After graduating from Cambridge University, Sarah followed her dream to become an RAF helicopter pilot and Squadron leader. She led on operational combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. During her experiences both at home and at war, she learnt that tough capable people don’t always feel as strong as they look. This prompted her to re-train and harness her experience and passion to help people use their impressive (but often mischievous) brains as a force for good.
Sarah's experiences as a combat operational commander, helicopter pilot, mother and mindfulness coach has led her to develop her own unique Healthy Automatic Behaviours In Threatening Scenarios (H.A.B.I.TS.) Formula - a way to train the mind to be a Jedi master under pressure and accomplish zen like levels of self-belief and inner calm.
Her speaking style is robust (she is combat helicopter pilot and fluent in alpha male), science-based and good-humoured.
She has a 6-year-old son who she adores and who inspires her every day. She loves to run and drink wine. Sometimes simultaneously. She has completed the Marathon du Médoc 3 times, once when she was 5 months pregnant and the following year whilst pushing her 8-month-old baby to the excited cheers of “Allez Bebe!” Sarah is happily divorced and currently planning her world tour in 2023 with her son and partner.
Key Topics:
- D&I in the Workplace
- Culture Change
- Gender Parity
- Performance under Pressure
- Male Allyship
- Allyship
- Inclusive Leadership
- Mental Health
- Unconscious Bias
- Women in Leadership
- Resilience in difficulty
- Courageous Leadership
Available for:
- Conference speaking
- Keynote speaking
- Virtual events
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Client Feedback
“Sarah was our last speaker at IWD for the MOD Women's Network Annual Event and she was worth the wait. She was inspirational and humble in equal measure. As requested on behalf of not only our committee but also our network members, we will definitely be inviting her back!”
Jodie Evans
Defence Women’s Network Lead
“Ex-RAF Squadron Leader, Combat Helicopter Pilot, motivational speaker, and yoga warrior – just a few ways to describe Sarah Furness, who regaled our Women’s Inclusive Network today with an inspiring account of how she juggled childcare arrangements as a young mother while managing a squadron of helicopter pilots in the Afghanistan war zone.”
Sopra Steria
“Sarah is a mesmerising speaker with a compelling style and a captivating story which keeps you enthralled to the very last word. Her lived experience from her 20+ years in the RAF, her extreme resilience training followed by years of leading combat teams and training thousands at all levels, makes her an absolute authority on what it takes to thrive through challenge and change, to tap into your innate strengths and to come out stronger and wiser. I can't recommend Sarah highly enough; she is one awesome lady.”
Sylvia Baldock
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