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019: Unlikely Heroes: Ordinary Passengers in Extraordinary Circumstances with Dave Sanderson

by | Jan 15, 2024 | H.E.A.L.E.D with Dr. Fred

Dave Sanderson was just another passenger on US Airways Flight 1549 until everything changed in an instant. As the engines sputtered out after striking a flock of birds, the pilots attempted an unthinkable water landing in the icy Hudson River.

In those terrifying final moments, Dave found himself plunged into a fight for survival. Trapped inside the sinking fuselage, frigid water rapidly rising, escape seemed impossible. Above the chaos, rescuers screamed for him to get out— but how? With hypothermia setting in, Dave’s endurance would be tested to the extreme.

Listen in as Dave shares how he survived the Hudson plane crash in 2009. He also details his life leading up to the crash, the profound life lessons he learned about being less judgmental of others and focusing less on always needing to be right, how teamwork controls the chaos, rediscovering his life’s purpose, how letting go of ego is key to making a positive difference in the world.

 

“Just change one dynamic in your life and watch how your life multiply so quickly.” —Dave Sanderson

 

Episode Highlights:

  • 02:04 Life Before and After the Plane Crash
  • 10:42 The Importance of Teamwork During Emergency 
  • 15:05 Parenting, Values, and Decision-Making
  • 17:23 Rescue in the Freezing Waters 
  • 21:44 The Significance of Small Moments in Life
  • 26:21 Life Lessons from Near-Death Experiences
  • 31:12 Miracle on the Hudson and Personal Growth

 

Resources: 

Books

 

Even our darkest moments can breed a new perspective and catalyze change within us. Join @drfred100m as he interviews @DaveSanderson2, a passenger on Flight 1549 about how braving the unthinkable crisis of the Hudson River crash helped him find… Share on X

 

Quotes: 

10:20 “When you communicate, you have to be effective, but also efficient because you don’t have time. You have to be able to get the message out quickly. That’s art.” —Dave Sanderson 

14:11 “That calls for a team effort not only the crew, but the passengers have to come together.” —Dave Sanderson 

15:13 “Coaches always have a game plan… but gameplans change very quickly”  —Dave Sanderson 

21:05 “You got to let somebody help you.” —Dave Sanderson

21:39 “As you self-reflect and start asking questions, you start learning about yourself.” —Dave Sanderson

29:11 “Just change one dynamic in your life and watch how your life multiply so quickly.” —Dave Sanderson

30:46 “Stop needing to be right to do the right thing.” —Dave Sanderson  

 

Meet Dave:

Dave Sanderson is a nationally recognized leadership speaker, accomplished author, and inspirational survivor of what is known as “The Miracle on the Hudson.” As the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549 which had to ditch into the river, he took the lessons he learned from that profound experience in the frigid water and emerged from the wreckage with a mission to encourage others to do the right thing and share coping skills to address any adversity they may face.

Named one of Inc.com’s Top 100 Leadership speakers, Dave travels the world to share his inspirational leadership lessons and has raised over $14.8M USD for the American Red Cross over the last ten years through his talks.

He lives in Charlotte, NC with Terri, his wife of 35 years, and has four children who were very happy their father came home that day.