Sheryl Ramstad – Surviving the Impossible: A 1% Miracle, Radical Resilience, and Rebuilding Life After a Plane Crash
- Dec 16, 2025
- 3 min read
Sheryl Ramstad’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. After surviving a catastrophic plane crash with less than a 1% chance of survival, Sheryl’s life was forever changed. What began as her first solo flight at age 29 became a harrowing journey through life-threatening burns, multiple surgeries, overwhelming grief, and two years of excruciating rehabilitation.
But this isn’t just a survival story—it’s a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the unbreakable human spirit.
In this powerful conversation, Sheryl shares how she transformed unimaginable trauma into a life of purpose, service, and adventure. From shifting her mindset from “Why me?” to “What’s next?” to supporting burn survivors in Peru, going back to school at 62, raising three children, becoming a grandmother, and even climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro—Sheryl embodies what it means to live fully, bravely, and without regrets.
With her first book “Living Life Full Throttle: Surviving, Serving, and Summiting” published in January 2025, Sheryl reflects on a decades-long journey of healing, reinvention, and choosing courage over fear. Her story will inspire you to embrace challenges, pursue new beginnings at any age, and live life full throttle.
If you’re looking for a reminder of what’s possible—even in your darkest moments—this episode will stay with you long after you’ve listened.
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Show notes
Who is Sheryl
Being based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Being retired and writing her first book
Surviving her first solo plane flight at 29 years old
How this impacted how she lived the rest of her life
Leaving work and no longer having an excuse not to write her story
Having 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren
Having the book published in late January of 2025
The key moment when life changed
Changed her focus from survival to service
Being grateful for everyday and wanting to make her life meaningful for herself and for others
Supporting burn survivors in Lima, Peru
Being given a 1% chance of survival
The importance of her faith, friends and family
Applying for nursing school at 62
Learning new skills
Instead of asking why me - I ask - what’s next
Looking towards the future
Having a strong family support system
Having her faith to fall back on
Reflecting back on writing her book
Why it’s been a life long process
Serving
Deciding to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa
Deciding what to do with life
Following a few simple principles
Living life with no regrets
Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all
Do nothing in moderation - give your whole heart to everything that you want to try
Going back to school at 62 and being a student again
Don’t be afraid to ask others for help
Getting back on a plane
Mental health and support for people going through traumatic experiences
Raising her children
What’s next
Being a life long learner
Maybe writing another book
Wanting to encourage people to live their life full throttle
Why it’s a matter of perspective
How to connect with Sheryl
How to buy her book
Being happy to connect with people
Final words of advice for women listening
Don’t be guided by your fear, be guided by the facts and the evidence - do what you feel led to do, so you don’t go to your grave with any regrets.
Social Media
Website: www.sherylramstadauthor.com
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