NZ SAS Lead Psychologist: How I Survived Being Taken Hostage by Syrian Rebels! (Dr Alia Bojilova)

Описание: Dr Alia Bojilova was kidnapped by Syrian rebels and told she would be decapitated on camera.

Alia was working as a United Nations military observer at the time and had previously been the Lead Psychologist at the New Zealand SAS.

She joins us this week to share how she negotiated their release, her PhD research into resilience, her journey to becoming a world-renowned expert on the subject - and so much more.

Alia is also married to former guest Jamie Pennell – who you might remember from our episode last year – as the SAS solider who won NZ’s second highest military honor – the Gallantry Star.

This was such an epic chat, and Alia’s story, her insight and the way she holds herself – will blow you away.

#nzpodcast #nzsas #newzealand

0:00 Always have a plan
2:10 Alia Bojilova and Jamie Pennell: the first husband and wife combination on Between Two Beers
12:43 Leaving the military for parenthood
18:07 The science behind retelling the story of being held hostage in Syria
20:27 Setting the scene
27:17 Being taken hostage
37:10 Taking back control of the situation
44:48 Negotiating release
52:52 The immediate aftermath of the situation
58:75 The value of curiosity
1:03:16 The Alia Bojilova back story: growing up in post-Cold War Bulgaria
1:08:19 Emigrating to New Zealand at age 17
1:13:01 From law, to psychology, to the army, and onto the SAS
1:17:22 Inside the SAS
1:24:55 The Resilience Toolkit
1:31:25 IQ v EQ
1:35:16 Working with high performing individuals
1:44:46 Man’s Search for Meaning
1:48:42 Tips for mindfulness
1:50:27 Reflecting on experiences
1:54:45 Reality TV with Vinnie Jones
1:58:02 Last words from Seamus, Steve, and Alia