S2E16. Dr Catherine Ruddick: Keeping My Passion
Inspire-Ability Series 2 Episode 16
For the second part of our conversation with Dr Catherine Ruddick, she discusses how her foray into physiotherapy reawakened a medical passion, and coincided with an inexorable pull back to military life. Having joined the Territorial Army, Catherine was able to complete the training required to become a surgeon in the Armed Forces. However, despite these successes, she shares with Harriett how this still led to an identity crisis, and mental health struggles. In her recuperation time, Catherine embarked on a journey to “find me”, and discusses the things she learned: the importance of being assertive in saying no when struggling, the benefit of counselling and sharing her thoughts and feelings, and gaining a sense of perspective on the challenges she was facing.
This recovery period culminated in visiting Aerobility, and embarking on a journey to flying. Through flying, Catherine has been able to satisfy her feelings following the premature end of her RAF career, and the overall benefit to her mental health has allowed her to attain her medical, and subsequently her PPL.
Every episode will be available on YouTube with subtitles and will also be available as a podcast across all major platforms. To find out more about Aerobility, and to get involved, please visit our website: aerobility.com