097 A Real Perspective on Moving, Belonging, and Expat Parenting with Shannon Polson of the Grit Institute

When Women Fly

Shannon Huffman Polson is continuously challenging herself to move out of her comfort zone, whether it’s by flying attack helicopters, climbing the tallest mountain in North America, or speaking in front of hundreds of people. This time, it’s by moving with her family from Washington state to a village nobody’s ever heard of in the mountains of France. And no, she does not speak French… yet, anyway.
As one of the first women to fly Apache helicopters in the male-dominated U.S. Army, Shannon is a person who continuously chooses courage over comfort. Some of her accomplishments include leading two flight platoons, climbing Mount Denali, writing five award-winning books, and founding The Grit Institute.
In this episode, we dive into Shannon’s story of adventure and risk, including the challenges she faces and the successes that come along with them. She shares the struggles of moving abroad with young children, the tensions of integrating into a new culture, and how we can find a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar place.
Sylvia and Shannon dig into what they wish they knew before moving abroad, why they did it, and what they’ve learned from their journeys so far. They also discuss the immense benefits of leaving your comfort zone, living on your own terms, and pursuing a fulfilling life.

Topics Include:
- How to find your sense of belonging
- Overcoming loneliness to find confidence and inspiration
- The difficulties of moving abroad with children
- How shared challenges can bring us together
- The ups and downs of learning a new language
- Recognizing loss
- The importance of stories for identity
- And other topics…
Shannon Huffman Polson is a helicopter pilot, author, scuba diver, mountain climber, keynote speaker, consultant, wife, mother, and much more. Known for being one of the first women to fly the Apache attack helicopter in the Army, she has made a way where there were none time and time again. Her most recent book, The Grit Factor, describes what a woman needs to succeed in a male-dominated world.
After a decade in the armed forces, Shannon graduated from Dartmouth with her MBA. She has since worked as a keynote speaker, lecturer, and consultant for companies like Microsoft and the Guidant Corporation. Her latest adventure includes moving with her husband and two children from Washington state to the mountains of France on her quest to live the richest life possible.
Resources Mentioned:
The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World, by Shannon Huffman Polson: https://www.amazon.com/Grit-Factor-Resilience-Male-Dominated-Organization/dp/1633697266
The Grit Institute: https://shannonpolson.com/about/the-grit-institute/
^^Code for 15% off Shannon's Going for Grit Course: whenwomenfly
Connect With Shannon:
https://linktr.ee/shannonhpolson
Family Blog: https://painauchocolate.substack.com/
Newsletter: https://facingthewind.substack.com/
LinkedIn and Instagram @ shannonhpolson
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