Petra Sováková is not just an aviation enthusiast and private pilot heading to be a flight instructor; she is a pioneering force in transforming the conversation around mental health within the aviation industry. As a mindset coach and the Chairwoman of Petra AIR Foundation, she is on a mission to empower aviation professionals—respectful men and women—to take control of their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Through her coaching programs, she offers a holistic approach to combat burnout and fatigue—critical challenges in high-pressure careers like aviation.
From Pilgrimage to Purpose: Petra’s Personal Journey
Petra’s professional journey is deeply intertwined with her personal evolution. In 2016, Petra embarked on a transformative pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This was the beginning of a path that would ultimately reshape her life. What began as a physical journey soon became a quest for self-awareness and emotional resilience.
In 2017, Petra faced a life-altering burnout after months of pushing herself to meet high expectations. The experience was a wake-up call, prompting her to reevaluate her approach to work and life. Through deep self-reflection, coaching, and healing, Petra began to realize the importance of mental health in high-stress environments—a realization that would fuel her passion for supporting others.
A New Career Path: Aviation Mindset Coach
In 2023, Petra transitioned into mindset coaching, a natural evolution of her passion for both aviation and well-being. Drawing from her own experiences, she founded Petra AIR, a coaching brand that provides aviation professionals with the tools to thrive under pressure, manage stress, and maintain a balanced life. Petra’s programs focus on preventing burnout and fostering a mindset that allows individuals to navigate the unique challenges of their roles.
What sets Petra apart is her comprehensive approach to coaching, grounded in her years of experience in the aviation sector. With a background in aviation sales and leadership roles, Petra has seen firsthand the toll that stress and mental exhaustion can take on professionals in the industry. She recognizes that mental wellness is just as crucial as technical skills, and through her coaching, she strives to equip clients with both the mental clarity and resilience they need to excel.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Petra’s commitment to mental wellness extends beyond individual coaching. She has established significant collaborations that enhance her work’s impact:
- DSA Flight School: Petra AIR Foundation partners with DSA Flight School, one of the largest European flight schools, providing coaching and foundation support to aspiring pilots.
- SĒRUM®: Petra has partnered with SĒRUM®, a company known for its stimulant-free approach to maintaining biochemical balance in the brain during work overload. This partnership directly impacts her work with clients, offering a combined strategy that addresses both mental coaching and biochemical well-being. After all, who in the aviation industry isn’t battling work overload?
- X Air Company: Petra also collaborates with X Air Company, which focuses on aerobatic flying with the AS 202 Bravo New Generation aircraft. This partnership underscores Petra’s diverse involvement in aviation, extending her influence to specialized sectors of the industry.
Empowering Women in Aviation: The Birth of Petra AIR Foundation
In 2024, Petra took her commitment to mental wellness one step further by founding the Petra AIR Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women in aviation. Through this foundation, Petra offers financial support and mindset coaching to women aspiring to become commercial pilots. The foundation’s mission is not only to help women break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field but also to provide the tools needed for success, both in the cockpit and beyond.
Petra AIR Foundation’s goal is to empower over 1,000 women in the next few years, providing them with the resources and mindset to thrive in aviation. This work is more than just professional growth; it’s about building a community where women can share experiences, overcome challenges, and celebrate their victories.
Breaking Stigmas and Changing the Industry
As a mindset coach and advocate, Petra is passionate about changing the culture surrounding mental health in aviation. For too long, the conversation around mental wellness has been sidelined in favor of focusing solely on technical skills and performance. Petra’s work is aimed at shifting this mindset by showing the world that mental health is a cornerstone of safety, productivity, and overall well-being in aviation.
Through her workshops, public speaking, and collaborations with aviation organizations, Petra has become a trusted voice in promoting mental health awareness within the industry. Her message is simple but powerful: asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s an essential step toward resilience.
Public Speaking and Industry Influence
Petra is a featured speaker at major aviation events, including the Pilot Expo, Europe’s largest gathering of pilot crews, and the AERO Expo, the biggest European exhibition for general aviation. At these events, Petra addresses topics on coaching, mental health, and women’s empowerment in aviation, reinforcing her position as a thought leader in the industry.
A Vision for the Future: Petra ON AIR and Beyond
Looking ahead, Petra is expanding her reach with the Petra ON AIR podcast, where she interviews experts and thought leaders from the aviation industry to share insights on mental wellness, personal development, and the intersection of mental health and aviation safety. The podcast is set to be a platform for raising awareness about the importance of mental health while offering actionable advice for aviation professionals.
With plans to further develop Petra AIR into a global coaching platform and to grow the Petra AIR Foundation, Petra continues to make strides in ensuring that aviation professionals are equipped with not only the technical skills but the mental and emotional tools they need to succeed.
Petra’s Philosophy: Leading by Example
Petra’s leadership is rooted in her own personal experiences. She believes in leading by example, and this philosophy extends into her work with clients. She encourages individuals to embrace vulnerability and take proactive steps toward better mental health. For Petra, it’s not about perfection; it’s about the 80:20 principle of Pareto. If you do 80% of your activities and thoughts in the right way towards your dreams, you can learn from the remaining 20% of “mistakes.” This sustainable approach is key to a balanced and fulfilling life. It’s about recognizing that mental wellness is an ongoing journey, and with the right tools, anyone can navigate it successfully.
Wisdom from Petra Sováková’s Journey
- Mental Health is Critical for Success: Mental wellness isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for effective decision-making and peak performance, especially in high-pressure environments like aviation.
- Being Grateful and Building Support Networks: Gratitude for what you have and building a strong support network are vital to overcoming stress and burnout.
- Vulnerability is Strength: Embracing vulnerability and seeking support are signs of strength, not weakness.
- Cultural Shifts Take Time: Changing the mindset around mental health requires ongoing advocacy, empathy, and understanding.
- Empowerment Through Self-Care: Taking care of your mind and body is crucial to long-term success, and it starts with the small steps you take every day.
Final Thoughts: A Legacy of Empowerment and Change
Petra Sováková’s journey from a passionate aviation professional to a leading mindset coach is a testament to the power of resilience, self-awareness, and authentic leadership. Her work continues to inspire individuals and organizations in the aviation industry, proving that mental wellness is not just important—it is essential for safety, performance, and long-term success.
By leading with empathy and courage, Petra is paving the way for a new generation of aviation professionals who are empowered not only by their technical expertise but by their ability to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being. Through Petra AIR and the Petra AIR Foundation, she is not only helping individuals thrive but is transforming the culture of an entire industry, one step at a time.
Petra’s story reminds us that change begins within, and by embracing vulnerability and seeking support, we can all soar to new heights, both professionally and personally.
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