Life Begins Now

Peter Hunt: Navigating Life’s Challenges with Courage and Words

• From Jill Heinerth

I recently reached out to my friend, author and diver Peter Hunt, with a special request. We first met while sharing a booksellers' table at a diving conference in Texas, and I was immediately drawn to his dry wit. Soon after, I discovered his incredible talent for storytelling—his writing has a way of making every scene feel vivid, immediate and authentic.

Peter’s life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at just 43. But instead of retreating, he chose to share his journey with honesty and insight, blending his challenges with the same adventurous spirit that defines his life.

I asked Peter if I could record one of his books for a friend facing a similar diagnosis. To practice, I read aloud to my mom, whose Alzheimer’s and blindness have made listening to stories especially meaningful. As always, Peter responded with warmth and enthusiasm, reminding me once again of the generosity that makes him such a remarkable person.

Peter Hunt is an adventurer, and his five excellent books prove it—each one packed with real-life experiences, fresh prose, and fascinating personal insights.

Born in New York, Peter spent six years of his childhood in Greece, where his parents taught at the American Community School in Athens. Even as a kid, he had a rebellious streak—his first four scuba dives were in Greek waters, well before he took the "required" diving class. Back in New York by 1979, he officially became a certified diver and started working part-time on wreck diving boats. By his early twenties, he was diving deep inside the legendary Andrea Doria, retrieving artifacts and making history alongside a team of daring explorers.

After earning a history degree from Brown University in 1985, Peter took to the skies, training as a U.S. Navy Aviator - an A-6 Intruder pilot. Over the next decade, he completed three aircraft carrier deployments, flew 45 combat missions during Desert Storm, and made 450 carrier landings—200 of them at night. His skill and bravery earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals.

After leaving the Navy, Peter became a commercial pilot for United Airlines and was in the cockpit on the first day of regularly scheduled flights after 9/11. In 2005, he was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease, which grounded his flying career. Instead of slowing down, he turned to writing, bringing his extraordinary experiences to life on the page.

Today, Peter lives on Whidbey Island, Washington, with his wife. He’s a proud father of two, a grandfather, and an explorer at heart. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him boating, swimming, hiking, or catching up with old friends—always in search of the next great adventure.

Peter Hunt is the author of:

Angles of Attack, an A-6 Pilot's War (2002 & 2011);

Setting the Hook, a Divers Return to the Andrea Doria (2011);

The Lost Intruder, the Search for a Missing Navy Jet (2017);

Beyond Identity, Navigating Life's Waters with Parkinson's Disease (2020), and

Blue Water: Born a Pisces, Poseidon has always been my God (2023).

His books are available on Amazon and through retailers worldwide.

Above: Pilot, explorer, and author Peter Hunt.

Peter has given us permission to release recordings weekly, so you can enjoy The Lost Intruder as an audio book. I’ll try to record a chapter each week, so you can follow along, but please support Peter by buying some of his books on Amazon.

Audio: Jill reads from Peter Hunt’s “The Lost Intruder” -

We’ll begin with Peter Hunt’s Sources:

And continue with an explanation of terms used in the book:

Here’s the introduction:

And…here’s Chapter One of “The Lost Intruder” -

We will continue with the audiobook in our next newsletter.

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Reinvention

• From Robert

How many times have you "reinvented" yourself? If you are like me that question is usually answered with a list of occupations and educational achievements. Almost like a verbal resume, as if we are applying for a new job.

Having dozens of "jobs" and a few actual "careers" in my time, I used to answer that question like most people; I started out in the film and live entertainment business, fell off the tour bus because I liked the rock and roll lifestyle more than actual stage management, spent the next few decades as a combat photographer in the military, got a degree in psychology and nursing, spent about twenty years working in the medical and addictions fields, resumed my career in film and photography with Jill, and...Who knows what's next?

Again, an unorthodox CV, but not really "reinvention."

My physical, psychological, and spiritual rearrangement came when I committed myself to a life in recovery from addiction. Every moment of my life until that time seemed to have been lived not by me, but by a separate person. After many years of sobriety, along with some therapy and counseling, I experienced that mysterious moment of clarity when I came to believe that I could reinvent myself in a better way - a healthier, empathetic person who had something to contribute to the world around me.

But I’ve been coasting along that road for a while, riding that wave for a decade or more.

Which brings me to the theme of this week’s newsletter: Life Begins Now.

A few nights ago, Jill and I were watching the “Anthony Bourdain - Parts Unknown” TV series. (I won’t get into a review of the program right now but will highly recommend it). In this particular episode, Bourdain visits Japan with one of his mentors, Masa Takayama, who is recognized as the world’s top Sushi Chef. As they are visiting the academy where Masa studied the culinary arts for many years, a former peer of his seems a bit jealous, and expresses thinly veiled resentment that Masa left Japan behind for New York, establishing a Sushi restaurant where a typical meal costs over $600 US dollars. Now, Masa worked extremely long and hard to build his business - from cleaning bathrooms and washing dishes to Master Chef. Masa Takayama gently replied to his old friend, “Life begins now…”

This really hit me. As I’m getting a bit older I’ve been mourning the loss of some of my physical and mental strengths. It happens to most people my age. I’ve become a bit slower, I feel every little crack and crackle in my joints, I’ve begun to realize my mortality. “Life begins now” can be a very appropriate mantra for me. Unlike Peter Hunt, (see Jill’s article above) I am not bravely dealing with a disease process. I am, however, learning each day about my limitations. Accepting them is the path to reinventing myself. I don't have to be weighed down by them. I know this sounds a bit like a cheesy motivational poster, but I can awaken each day and decide how I live the next 24 hours - and ultimately reinvent the rest of my life.

Life begins now, so I’m going to devour some sushi…

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This newsletter is 100% organic - no algorithms, chatbots, or artificial sweeteners - just original thoughts and stories from cave diver/explorer Jill Heinerth and an old guy with Sushi on his mind, Robert McClellan. You can help keep our creative wheels turning with a small donation at Buy Me a Coffee. Please share and enjoy!

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OK, another item in the ongoing USA vs. Canada culture wars: Even though American teams have dominated the sport (sorry Toronto Raptors), basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith, who was raised on a farm at Almonte, Ontario - just about 10 kilometers from our home. The family farm still stands on the edge of town. Each year Almonte hosts a basketball festival and the 3-on-3 basketball championships featuring everyone from school kids to NBA players. In winter, local people thoughtfully knit toques (hats) and gloves, placing them in plastic bags for anyone who may need them on the good doctor’s statue at Naismith Square. And, yes, as you can see from Jill’s layers of Fourth Element cold weather protection, it is snowy and cold in Ontario during February.

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Thanks for spending some time with us today. Stay safe, stay warm (or cool), stay close to your friends and family - and Love One Another…