A routine Delhi to Bengaluru flight turned into a memorable experience for Udayan Walvekar, CEO of GrowthX, when a fellow passenger—a pilot—asked to borrow a book he wasn’t reading. This simple request led to a fascinating conversation.

The pilot revealed her unconventional journey: she had previously worked at hedge fund DE Shaw before switching careers to aviation. When Walvekar mentioned GrowthX Club, she recognized it instantly—she had met some members at an airport en route to a Goa offsite.

Their conversation then turned to aviation. The pilot spoke about the intense training, multiple safety redundancies, and the exhilaration of flying. Walvekar was struck by her calm confidence and deep passion, realizing that those who truly love their craft radiate a unique energy.

As they landed, he wished her success, hoping to see her earn her fourth stripe as a captain soon.