Below Deck's Captain Sandy Yawn believes the maritime industry is life-changing for her and anyone looking for a fresh start in life. Sandy filled in for Captain Lee Rosbach during Below Deck season 10 after he left for health-related reasons. However, the captain is best known from Below Deck Mediterranean, where, during season 4, she became concerned about deckhand Travis Michalzik's drinking habits and opened up to him about her own past with addiction. Sandy is not ashamed of her past and uses it as an opportunity to help other people. The Below Deck captain spoke more about her past in her recent memoir.
After overcoming addiction, the maritime industry changed Below Deck's Captain Sandy's life. During an appearance on Jennifer Hudson Show, Captain Sandy spoke about the opportunity the industry presented to her.
Sandy explained she was so lost in life when she was younger, but after overcoming addiction, Sandy says the maritime industry "told me I could live a life beyond my wildest dreams if I kept doing the next right thing." Sandy started out cleaning the bottom of boats and worked her way to the top. Sandy also praised Bravo for airing Below Deck and teaching people all over the world that they can work in the industry too.
Below Deck's Sandy Thinks The Maritime Industry Can Change Other Lives Too
"The maritime industry said yes to me," Sandy explained after revealing she was kicked out of 11th grade. Captain Sandy also thinks it's a great industry for anyone who doesn't want to go to college, can't afford college, or maybe, like her, was kicked out of school. Sandy then encouraged anyone who knows someone who's dealing with addiction to not give up on them but to invest in them instead and give them an opportunity to turn their life around. Sandy added, "as long as I'm living and breathing, I will do everything I can to help someone who wants help."
It's always inspiring to see someone who overcame a lot of difficulties in life come out on top. Sandy's openness about her past addiction and how the maritime industry changed her life has the power to help so many Below Deck fans who might be dealing with the same thing. Not everyone has their life figured out or a plan for themselves, and while college is heavily pushed on society, it isn't for everyone. Sandy let everyone watching know that that's okay. While she may be running things now, she worked hard to get there, and she is a great role model for so many young women still searching for a career path.
Sandy may frustrate her crew at times, especially during Below Deck season 10, where she's clashed a lot with Chief Stew Fraser Olender, but it's clear she is very passionate about her job. She only wants her crew to be as passionate as she is. When a Below Deck crew member shows that they're prioritizing their job, she's happy to help them, and she wants them to do good. As fans have seen this season, the maritime industry is not for everyone, but for those who want to give it a try, Sandy wants them to know it's changed her life and it can change theirs too.
Below Deck airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.
Source: Jennifer Hudson Show/YouTube