Soaring Toward Your Dreams: What We Can Learn from Pilot Brandon Cultra’s Journey of Courage, Vision & Purpose
Every dreamer hits turbulence.
Everyone who wants to build something meaningful faces self-doubt, fear, and obstacles that feel too big to overcome. But some people choose to rise anyway — not because the path is easy, but because the dream is worth it.
One of those people is pilot and aviation-entrepreneur Brandon Cultra. When I first interviewed Brandon years ago, I didn’t realize how deeply his story would speak to the families, educators, disability-service leaders, neurodiverse individuals, and caregivers I now work with every day.
But the truth is this:
His story isn’t just about flying.
It’s about what it takes to lift your life off the ground.
Whether you’re navigating disability, guiding others, building programs, or trying to rediscover purpose after loss or limitation, Brandon’s journey gives us a roadmap for bold, courageous dreaming.
“I Always Felt Pulled Toward the Sky” — Listening to Your Inner Calling
Brandon didn’t choose aviation because it was the safest choice.
He chose it because the sky felt like home — a place where he could be fully alive, fully focused, and fully himself.
He described feeling pulled, not pushed.
A lot of us know that feeling:
the nudge that won’t go away
the desire that keeps rising
the quiet dream we keep “pushing down” because life feels too full, too busy, or too complicated
Especially in the disability community, many of us were taught early on to ignore our desires — to focus on what’s “practical,” “safe,” or “realistic.”
But Brandon reminds us:
Your dream is not an accident.
It’s a signal — a compass pointing you toward purpose.
Facing Fear at 10,000 Feet — and on the Ground
Flying requires skill, discipline, and a deep respect for the unknown.
Brandon talked about those early training flights — learning to trust his instincts, manage fear, and stay calm even when the world around him felt unpredictable.
That kind of courage isn’t limited to aviation.
People in disability services, education, caregiving, and advocacy face “invisible turbulence” daily:
navigating systems
managing emotional labor
advocating for themselves or others
stepping into leadership roles without a map
balancing hope with exhaustion
Brandon’s approach offers a powerful reframe:
“Courage isn’t the absence of fear.
It’s choosing to keep moving even when fear is present.”
Whether you’re stepping into a new role, launching a program, rebuilding after grief, or redefining your identity — you don’t need to eliminate fear to fly.
You just need to move forward anyway.
The Flight Plan: Preparation + Practice + Persistence
One of the things I loved most from Brandon’s story was how he broke down the process of becoming a pilot:
study the fundamentals
practice consistently
develop confidence through repetition
surround yourself with instructors and mentors
learn from mistakes without judgment
take one step at a time
This is where dreams take shape.
This is also where many people — especially those who live with disabilities or support others who do — get stuck.
We’re taught to believe dreams must be big, fast, or perfect.
But in reality…
Dreams grow in small, practiced, persistent steps.
In the rep.
In the rhythm.
In the daily return.
Your dream for your life, your family, or your program doesn’t need to be executed in one launch.
Start with the first skill.
The first connection.
The first rep.
The first yes.
Support Crew: Why No One Reaches Their Potential Alone
A pilot isn’t alone — not in training, not in the cockpit, and not on the runway.
Brandon surrounded himself with:
coaches
mentors
family
teachers
accountability partners
You deserve that, too.
Neurodiverse individuals, families, administrators, and disability-service providers often feel like they must carry everything alone.
But community is how we rise.
Brandon’s journey teaches us:
You don’t have to do everything — you just need the right people around you.
Your dream was never meant to be a solo flight.
Why Your Dreams Matter — Even If They Feel “Small” or “Impossible”
Brandon didn’t start out wanting to change anyone’s life.
He just wanted to fly.
But here’s the part he didn’t expect:
His courage to pursue his dream gave other people permission to pursue theirs.
And that’s the part I want my readers — especially those in the disability world — to hold onto:
Your dream isn’t selfish.
Your desire isn’t a burden.
Your hope isn’t unrealistic.
When you rise, you help others rise, too.
When you grow, you create room for them to grow.
When you fly, you show them it’s possible.
Your dream is a service.
Three Lessons from Brandon’s Story to Apply Right Now
1. Start with the pull, not the pressure.
What’s calling you toward growth? Toward purpose? Toward healing?
2. Break your dream into small, learnable skills.
A flight plan is built one step at a time.
So is a life.
3. Build your support crew intentionally.
Invite people who lift you, guide you, and remind you who you are.
You Have Permission to Dream — And to Rise
Brandon’s story is about more than aviation.
It’s about stepping into who you’re created to be, even when fear tells you to stay grounded.
Your dream is worthy.
Your story matters.
Your life has purpose — with or without limitation.
Whether you’re navigating disability, grief, identity, or reinvention…
Whether you’re leading a team, supporting a child, caring for a loved one, or finding your own voice…
You deserve to soar.
And you’re more ready than you think.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
If Brandon’s story inspired you — or if you’re navigating a transition, a hope, or a dream of your own — I’d love to support you or your organization.
Ways We Can Work Together
Professional development for disability-service teams
Workshops for educators & administrators
Speaking engagements
1:1 coaching for individuals navigating purpose, grief, or reinvention
Resources for families and neurodiverse youth
👉 Learn more or reach out:
https://www.dreamingmadesimple.com
You don’t need wings to rise.
You just need a next step — and someone to walk (or fly) beside you.