The Resilient Journey of U.S. Coast Guard Flight Mechanic Ashlee Leppert
- S3E25
- 38:28
- July 12th 2025
Liz Booker welcomes fellow Coast Guard aviator Ashley Leppert to share her powerful journey of resilience, healing, and purpose. Ashley, a former flight mechanic, opens up about her service during Hurricane Harvey, her battles with PTSD and autoimmune disease, and how her faith and writing became beacons of recovery and inspiration.
Through candid storytelling and deep reflection, Ashley discusses the complexities of military life, the often-overlooked challenges faced by women in uniform, and her path to personal growth after leaving the service. Her memoir, The Hurricane Within, captures the emotional turbulence of her journey and the unwavering strength she discovered along the way.
What You'll Hear in This Episode:
- đ Ashleyâs harrowing experiences during Hurricane Harvey
- đ„ Confronting PTSD and navigating life with an autoimmune disease
- đŹ The challenges and rewards of serving as a woman in the Coast Guard
- đ« Transitioning from military to civilian life with grace and grit
- âïž How Ashleyâs faith became a cornerstone of her healing
- đ The story behind The Hurricane Within and her writing journey
- đ€ Ashleyâs new chapter as a speaker, life coach, and advocate for resilience
Military Aviatrix
Military Aviatrix is a bold and uplifting podcast celebrating the extraordinary women of military aviation, past, present, and future. Hosted by Liz Booker, in collaboration with Literary Aviatrix, this series takes flight through powerful stories that illuminate the courage, resilience, and determination it takes to soar in a male-dominated field.
Each episode features inspiring conversations with women who have faced down adversity in pursuit of their wings; sharing lessons learned in the cockpit, on the battlefield, and beyond. Youâll hear from trailblazing aviators, rising stars, and the historians who help us honor the legacy of those who paved the way.
More than just a collection of stories, Military Aviatrix is a mission to open minds and ignite dreams. Whether youâre a young woman dreaming of flight, a seasoned pilot, or someone who believes in the power of representation and perseverance, this podcast offers fuel for your journey.
Plug in. Take off. And be inspired to rise.
Because every woman who flies writes a new chapter in history.
Meet the Host
Liz Booker transitioned to full-time writer in 2019 after a 28-year career as a Coast Guard helicopter pilot and foreign diplomat. She holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvardâs Kennedy School of Government, and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She continues to fly, pursuing an extensive aviation bucket-listâa.k.a. âresearchâ.