Why "Can't" Isn't in My Vocabulary

Overcoming epilepsy to achieve his dreams

Oct 09, 2024

Courage to:
Defy Limitations: He faced and overcame the challenge of epilepsy to achieve his dream of becoming a pilot.
Embrace the Unknown: He navigated the uncertainties of leaving a bachelor life to become a husband and father at 43.
Reinvent Himself: He's bravely facing retirement from the military and exploring new avenues of writing and online entrepreneurship.
Share and Empower: He openly shares his experiences and knowledge to help others succeed in their own journeys.

Meet

Roy Solheim

A former search and rescue pilot, martial artist, and lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity. He's passionate about technology, aviation, and empowering others through his writing and experiences.

Q: Tell us a bit about your background.

For that question, I think I will need to go back to 1969, when I was 4 years old, to the first Lunar landing. That was a defining moment for what I have been doing in my life and my profession.

Even when I was only four years old, I vividly remember watching television as Neil Armstrong put his foot on the Moon. Ever since, everything related to space, airplanes, and science has been at the center of almost everything I have done and all of my interests and hobbies.

The next defining moment was Bruce Lee. I saw my first Bruce Lee movie in 4th or 5th grade, which was about the same time as he died.

Fast-forwarding to the present day, I can look back at my life as an officer and pilot (Search and Rescue) in the Air Force in my country, deputy project manager in a huge government acquisition program within the aviation industry, third-dan black belt and instructor in Wado Ryu karate, Novell-certified network administrator, certification in Mastering Office Development by Microsoft, and introductory course in astronomy and astrophysics at NTNU.

For the last four years, in addition to my «daytime job,» I have been navigating the chess game of blogging and online marketing.

Q: If you had to choose an SEO keyword for your life, what would it be?

It has to be the word «curiosity,» just like @Kat Nieh.

Curiosity has been and still is a huge driver in my life. I have always wanted to know how things work, no matter what it is.

My mother and father tell me they have always seen me with my head buried in a book or a magazine, seeking answers.

Q: What are your hobbies, passions, obsessions, or what excites or inspires you? What sets your soul on fire?

Technology is an overarching interest. A few topics that stand out are astronomy, airplanes (especially warbirds from the Second World War), science fiction, science, archeology, and mysteries of the unknown.

I built my first computer when I was 14 years old.

Reading is a big one for me as is music, sports and health. I have been in sports since the age of 7.

I am drawn to eastern philosophy, especially related to ancient martial arts and healing, because it impacts physical and mental health and well-being in a huge way.

But in one sentence, what really sets my soul on fire is to empower and help others grow and succeed in what they set out to do.

There is no better thing to see my pilot students achieve their operational status, my karate students pass their grade exams or get medals in competitions.

Q: What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

In my profession as a search and rescue pilot, I have faced death head-on a few times, and it is scary beyond almost anything.

But two other things have required more courage than anything else I have experienced.

The first one is leaving life as a bachelor and getting a full family «overnight» at 43.

Before I had my family, I could never have imagined what it was to be a husband to a remarkable, fantastic, and beautiful wife and the father of two handsome boys.

It is the scariest, most stressful, challenging, and best and most beautiful thing I have ever done. Nothing compares to it.

The second one is facing the reality of retiring from the armed forces next year as I will turn 60. The thought of it quite honestly scares me.

Q: Why do you write on Substack?

I love to explore and learn how things work, and I love to share that knowledge with others. That is why I started blogging.

After I started blogging I found that I enjoyed writing a lot, but the blogging part felt constrictive as I got dragged into the perceived need to «monetize» way too early before beginning to learn how to write for the benefit of others.

This year, after pausing my WordPress websites and instead focusing on Medium and Substack, I want to share what I have learned with others so they can avoid my mistakes.

I want to see others succeed in their search for their golden opportunity in writing and entrepreneurship.

I want to share my life experiences so that others can possibly apply my lessons to handle obstacles and challenges in their own lives.

Q: What are your values as a writer/creator/leader?

Since martial arts have been a big part of my life, the seven virtues of Bushido have been ingrained in me through training in the Dojo.

The virtues that are dear to me are virtues I try to live by.

The virtues are Integrity, Respect, Heroic Courage, Honor, Compassion, Humility and Sincerity, Duty and Loyalty.

I would also add authenticity and transparency to the virtues.

I live by the belief that nothing is impossible, and sharing the challenges and wins I encounter.

The word «can´t» is not in my vocabulary, and I have the track record to prove it.

I was deemed unfit for becoming a pilot when I was a kid because of my case of epilepsy. I fought it and proved everybody wrong.

Q: How do you connect with your readers/team?

I am currently a one-man business and do not have a team. I connect with my readers through email my writing on Substack, Substack Notes, Typeshare, and Medium.

I also use X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, but not frequently yet.

In addition, I have a few WordPress-based websites, but at the moment, they are on “pause” as I build my presence on Substack and Medium.

Q: Why did you join the Connected Community project, and how do you find it so far?

I am new to Substack, but you and the Connected Community caught my eye quickly. The diversity of the connected community and the theme you have chosen—how to maximize leadership through human connection with others are important.

The way you communicate your expertise and the feeling of togetherness in the community relate well to me and what I want to create.

With the group's support and your posts, it is easy to progress and get out of “procrastination” mode.

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