Daring to Fly

The TV star on facing fear and finding joy on a deadline

By: Lisa Millar

Narrated by: Lisa Millar

There are significant moments in life that you only really appreciate long after they have passed ... And then there are moments that are so magnificent you understand in an instant that they need to be treasured because the universe is offering you something truly inspiring.

Lisa Millar has spent her whole life showing up, getting things done and making things happen. Despite the risks, despite the fear, despite life getting in the way. As a child growing up in country Queensland, she had dreamed of a big life. Working as a foreign correspondent gave her that. But it also meant confronting the worst of what humanity can bring - the dead children at Sandy Hook, the sorrow of grieving relatives after the Bataclan theatre terrorist attack and the aftermath of Manchester. Three decades as a journalist witnessing grief and unspeakable tragedy had a cost. And an ever-escalating fear of flying threatened to rob her of her ability to work at all.

Back home, in the year that everything stopped, Lisa had a chance to look back. And in the quiet of a world slowed down, she thought hard about the meaning of fear, acknowledged her grief at what she lost and found joy in all that she gained.

For that young girl from small-town Kilkivan, who had to push herself to keep going, push herself to conquer her fear, push herself to tell important stories, came the realisation that sometimes all we really need is what we already have. And she shows us that we are all stronger and more resilient than we give ourselves credit for if we just dare to let ourselves fly.

Wonderful vulnerable brilliant

Listening to Lisa talk about her life has wonderful. Her ability to capture the essence of a childhood time and place was brilliant and beautiful. Her vulnerability in sharing her fears is to be applauded. What a great story to listen to, well done Lisa!