Navigating Life and Leadership: The Extraordinary Journey of Captain Kelly J. Gordon

In this episode of Empathy Unbound, listeners are introduced to Captain Kelly J. Gordon, an accomplished motor yacht captain, social media influencer, and public speaker.

Growing up on a farm in Indiana, Kelly's thirst for adventure led her to the yachting industry, where she became a 500 GT master and a respected captain. Throughout the conversation, Kelly discusses the personal challenges and triumphs that shaped her, her proactive approach to turning negatives into positives, and the significant influence of her mother.

She also delves into her experiences with depression, suicide attempts, and the subsequent journey to manage her mental health effectively. Kelly shares her unique path from studying chemistry to becoming a yacht captain and emphasizes the importance of leadership, peopling, and mental health advocacy.

The episode also touches upon the dynamics of crew relationships, the balance between safety and client expectations, and her recent venture into launching a nonprofit focused on mental health support for the yachting community.

00:00 Introduction to Captain Kelly J. Gordon

00:23 Early Life and Career Beginnings

01:15 The Influence of Family

01:57 Overcoming Challenges and Flipping the Script

04:28 Journey to Becoming a Yacht Captain

09:24 Discovering a Passion for Yachting

14:52 Skills and Leadership as a Yacht Captain

23:04 Personal Struggles and Mental Health

30:49 Relationships and Personal Growth

32:51 The Journey to Self-Love

34:32 Overcoming Dark Times

36:41 Challenges in the Yachting Industry

39:28 Maintaining Relationships at Sea

40:54 Handling Difficult Passengers

46:18 Women in the Yachting Industry

51:01 Favorite Sailing Destinations

52:21 Self-Care and Passion

56:58 Future Aspirations and Non-Profit Work

01:01:23 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

For all things Captain Kelly related http://captainkellyjgordon.com/