I am afraid of flying.
Not to the point where I panic, but every takeoff and every landing makes me uncomfortable. I have a fear of heights and flying gives me the same feeling as bungee jumping.
What fascinates me is that, during every flight, I suddenly realize what is actually happening.
This incredible beast is lifting hundreds of people into the sky and taking us across the world.
I just can’t believe it.
On our way back from an unforgettable journey through Suriname and the Amazon rainforest, I had that feeling again.
After spending days in the jungle with the Saramaka people, surrounded by nature, rivers and traditions that have existed for centuries, I was suddenly sitting in a machine that was about to fly us thousands of kilometers back home.
The contrast couldn’t be bigger.
And yet, both experiences made me feel exactly the same.
A deep sense of admiration. Pride in what humanity is capable of.
One side shows what we can achieve by living with nature. The other shows what we can achieve through technology.
Both are incredible. And they both give me hope.
Because if we can build an airplane that safely flies hundreds of people across the world… what else is possible?
As entrepreneurs, we often convince ourselves that something can’t be done. But every airplane in the sky is proof that impossible ideas can become everyday reality.
That’s the mindset I want to keep.
Anything is possible. So just do it.
This flight was special for another reason too.
I finally recorded a podcast on the plane. It had been on my bucket list for years. I talked about life in the Amazon rainforest, the Saramaka people, their history, politics, traditions and the future.
I hope you enjoy listening to it 👇
Does anyone else experience that strange combination of fear, admiration and hope every time they fly?
Watch the video here.
