WHAT'S ON

In 2022 a life coach in Antigua had a surprise when she answered her door to find someone called Richard Branson patiently waiting. The shock was even more when she discovered why he was on her doorstep.  She had won a trip to be an astronaut with virgin Galactic. Now Keisha Schahaff is off to make the dream a reality. Although the date for the actual flight is yet to be confirmed, on May 22nd Keisha and her daughter, Anastatia Mayars, an astrophysics student,  headed off for five days essential  training in Mexico. 

The two have already had health checks for the flight. An ordinary health check was insufficient. Keisha travelled to the UK for an  examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) doctor.  “ I have never had such a thorough medical” she said, “you have to be really fit.” Fortunately, Keisha is fit and healthy, which is part of the holistic approach to life that she brings to her clients. Mindfulness, she points out is also a key part of preparing for the incredible experience. 

“I try to walk myself through it through visualisation and I just kind of gave up on that because I feel like I actually had to be there to experience it to really know”, she told me. “I mean we're  already so small, just a little speck in the entire universe and then bringing it even smaller ….  to see it like that.” 

Keisha and Anastasia will be only the 71st and 72nd women in space, and the first persons from Antigua and in fact, the Caribbean. So far less than 700 people have ever gone to space and soon the Antigua flag will be nearly 300,000 feet above the earth with them. When asked what she wanted on her space suit, she of course told them it had to be the Antigua Flag, because “its my identity.” 

Although the flight itself is yet to come, the excitement began the moment Richard Branson knocked on the door. It will not end after the flight. Keisha plans for the experience to help her to help create her own mission to help people and create a healthier planet. Anastasia plans a career at NASA. This will be truly a life-changing experience. Thanks to Keisha, Antigua is one again leading the way, this time in space. 
 

Check out the YouTube video here