Anthony Dillon learned to fly without any proper instruction back in the 90’s in Zimbabwe during the tumultuous Mugabe period. He spent 15 years flying in China (five of them alone) and has had a lifetime of epic flying adventures around the world, some rather daring flights, and has also unfortunately dealt with some serious injuries. Anthony initially reached out after hearing the episode with Serena Ronchi about how’s she’s successfully used EMDR therapy to deal with trauma from an accident as he’s also experienced benefits from the therapy to help him overcome PTSD from a recent crash. In this episode we’ll hear some wild stories about flying in Zimbabwe, China, Indonesia, and the U.S., along with insights into mental health tools like EMDR that helped Anthony overcome trauma. This episode highlights the resilience and love for adventure that keeps drawing pilots back to the skies.
In this episode:
- Anthony’s early flying days in Zimbabwe and his first paragliding experiences in the bush war environment
- Flying in China solo for five years without other pilots and the evolution of paragliding in China
- Major crashes and injuries, including multiple spinal fractures and recovery journeys
- How EMDR therapy played a crucial role in overcoming PTSD and trauma related to flying accidents
- Tracking his flights over volcanoes in Indonesia and exploring Europe’s soaring sites in France and Switzerland
- The bond with his children through tandem flights and training, sharing adventures with his sons
- Recent flights in North Carolina after long breaks, experiencing high-performance wings
- Reflections on what drives his love for flying — adventure, freedom, birds, and the spirit of exploration
- Future plans for travel and adventures with his family, including flying in Africa, Cape Town, and upcoming competitions
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction and background of Anthony Dillon’s flying journey
02:00 – First paragliding experiences in Zimbabwe during the bush war
06:30 – Transition to flying in China alone and challenges faced
10:10 – Recovering from major injuries and the importance of back protection
14:00 – Rebuilding confidence and flying again in China with local clubs
19:00 – Cross-country adventures in China and flying from remote sites
23:00 – Indonesia volcano flying and near-misses that changed his approach
27:00 – Returning to flying after injury and the evolution of gear
32:00 – Accident in North Carolina, injuries sustained, and the mental recovery process
37:00 – How EMDR therapy helped him process trauma and anxiety
42:30 – The significance of adventure, freedom, and flying with family
45:45 – Future trips and adventures planned with his children
47:30 – Son’s accident and how it impacted Anthony’s perspective on safety and risk
48:40 – Closing thoughts: the importance of community and psychological resilience in flying
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:14 — 50.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | Email | TuneIn | Youtube Music | RSS | More
