Below Deck’s Captain Sandy Unveils the Surprising Career Path She Nearly Chose
We didn’t see that one coming!
Captain Sandy Yawn, the dynamic and tenacious captain of Bravo’s hit reality series “Below Deck,” is widely known for her exceptional maritime skills and ability to navigate both turbulent waters and complex crew dynamics. However, fans of the show may be surprised to learn that her journey to becoming a renowned superyacht captain was almost derailed by a very different career path. Before anchoring her life in the world of luxury yachting, Captain Sandy had aspirations that could have taken her in a completely different direction.
Her work on boats exposed her to the world of yachting and the possibilities within it. The more time she spent on the water, the more she felt at home. She was fascinated by the mechanics of the vessels, the skills required to navigate them, and the leadership necessary to manage a crew. These experiences gradually shifted her focus from a potential medical career to one in maritime leadership.
The turning point came when Sandy decided to pursue formal training in yachting. She enrolled in maritime school, where she excelled and quickly rose through the ranks. Her determination, combined with her natural aptitude for the job, led her to earn her captain’s license. The transition from aspiring nurse to professional yacht captain was complete, and Sandy never looked back.
Sandy Yawn is best known for being the only Below Deck female captain, however, the renowned yachting pro almost took another career path.
During an interview with Chattr, Sandy revealed that she dreamt of owning her own hairdressing business when she was younger.
“I wanted to own a hair salon because it has a cool vibe!” She shared.
“But not necessarily to do the hair, but to own the salon, and just walk around and get to know the people, because every time you go to the hair salon, I love all the stories. It’s such a cool vibe!”
Sandy reveals how she handles the crew’s drama on Below Deck
It wouldn’t be a season of Below Deck if there wasn’t drama involved, and season nine certainly hasn’t scrimped in that department.
Between the saga between Bri Muller and Elene ‘Ellie’ Dubiach and their competitiveness over Joe Bradley, things can get hectic in the crew quarters.
Sandy tells Chattr that while she doesn’t see everything that goes on between her staff members when she’s aware there’s an issue going on, she always tries to get to the root of the problem.
“I don’t really see [the drama], so I don’t know it, but if I knew it, I would address it in a way where I could motivate them to stay focused on their job,” she explained.
“There’s drama everywhere you go, and in every profession. There’s always one that stirs it up. I think I would eliminate the one [causing the drama], however, I [also] believe in people.”
However, she added that she doesn’t like to meddle too much, and often leaves the crew to figure out their dramas on their own.
“I can feel the energy, but I like people to work things out on their own, otherwise, I feel like a parent. How are you going to grow if you don’t figure it out? So I just don’t get involved until I have to.
Today, Captain Sandy is celebrated not only for her expertise and leadership on “Below Deck” but also for her inspiring journey. She serves as a role model, showing that with perseverance and an open heart, it is possible to navigate the waters of life and find fulfillment in unexpected places. Her story reminds us that the paths we almost take can shape us just as profoundly as the ones we do, adding depth and richness to our personal and professional lives.
