Don’t Ration Your Passion: From Lithuania to Air Force Pilot

🎙️ Episode Title: Don’t Ration Your Passion: From Lithuania to Air Force Pilot

Episode Summary

In this episode, Ilma takes us on her remarkable journey from a small village in Lithuania to soaring as a pilot in the United States Air Force. She opens up about her childhood filled with simple farm chores, the culture shock of immigrating to the U.S. at age 11, and the uphill battle of learning English while navigating a new world.

Her story unfolds with honesty and inspiration as she shares how a “why not” mentality carried her from working as a cook in the Air Force to securing a pilot slot- an outcome she never imagined possible. Along the way, Ilma learned to embrace fear, lean into discomfort, and discover her own leadership voice.

The conversation dives into her philosophy of “Don’t Ration Your Passion”- a reminder to live boldly, pursue what makes you light up, and stop letting fear or judgment hold you back. From marathons and mountaineering to retreats and camper van adventures, Ilma shows us what it means to live uncaged and fully alive.

Whether you’re searching for courage to take your next big leap or inspiration to reignite your passions, this episode is full of wisdom, resilience, and the freedom that comes from saying “why not?”

Key Takeaways

• Embrace a “why not” mentality and step into opportunities, even when fear is loud.

• Use discomfort as a tool for growth- get comfortable being uncomfortable.

• Don’t ration your passion- pursue what makes you light up without shame.

• Find clarity and joy in nature as a source of inspiration and grounding.

• Leadership is about service, mentorship, and helping others rise.

Related Links

• Mel Robbins’ Let Them concept

• TikTok (mentioned as a source of inspiration)

• Instagram: Ilma – Don’t Ration Passion

• Facebook: Don’t Ration Passion LLC

Calls to Action

• Follow Illma on Instagram and Facebook for retreats, events, and motivational content.

• Take one small step toward something that excites you—start building momentum.

• Limit negative influences on social media so you can pursue passions without fear.

• Spend intentional time in nature to reconnect with yourself.

Promotional Quotes

• “I could have never imagined a life like this. It’s been an incredible journey, but a really challenging one as well.” (00:11)

• “I truly believe that there’s something inside of us that’s just waiting to bloom.” (06:17)

• “I lived the why not mentality. When an opportunity opened up, even if it was scary, I said yes.” (11:34)

• “Fear is healthy- it means you’re human, and it means you’re growing.” (24:22)

• “Don’t ration your passion. It’s that thing in your heart that makes you so excited... it’s meant to be lived fully.” (30:25)

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