'If you want it, go for it': Katrina Amos-Atkins shares how she overcame fear at work and home, and came out stronger than ever

Katrina Amos-Atkins had never flown in an airplane when she began working at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, but seven years later, she's flown in everything from a historic PT-19 to a Lima Lima aerobatic aircraft.

"I really, really enjoy being around aircraft," she says now. "I love that I can sit in my office and hear the rumbling of a jet outside. And nine times out of 10, I can even tell you if that's a 727 or a Chinook or a Blackhawk."

As airport project specialist, Amos-Atkins is responsible for overseeing a good chunk of the airport's daily operations, from airlines, TSA compliance and airport maintenance to grant writing, payroll and leases. She also plays a huge role in coordinating the local air shows.

"I really like this because even after all the heartache and the long hours, it's amazing to see an event that you've worked so hard for come together before your eyes," she says. "I enjoy it, and I've learned so much working for the airport -- no college course could have prepared me for this."

Before coming to work at the airport, Amos-Akins worked as an administrative secretary in the City of Cape Girardeau's engineering office. She admits she was intimidated by the idea of working at the airport, but she liked business management and working for the city, and was drawn to continue this in a new way.

"I thought it would be interesting, and I thought if I didn't step out of my comfort zone, I would never know if this would be something I'd enjoy, and I wouldn't know what all I could do," she says.

Amos-Atkins says the 2010 air show was the biggest challenge of her professional life, but she succeeded and enjoyed every minute. Since then, she says, what started as a job has become her career.

"I truly, truly enjoy it," she says. "I'm passionate about it. I care about the airport and its growth. I'm passionate about where it's been and where it's going, and being here during that process, and I hope to be part of its growth in the future."

But the biggest test of her life was yet to come. Two years ago, on July 4, 2013, her husband, Leroy, was shot 11 times, and her son was shot in the leg. Her daughter witnessed the incident.

After being rushed to a hospital in St. Louis, Leroy survived and made a full recovery, while her son walked away with little more than a Band-Aid.

The family suffered physical and emotional scars, says Amos-Atkins, but she believes the experience made them better and stronger.

"You don't go through something like that and not have it be a life-altering experience," she says. "I'm very proud of that story because of how my family was able to rise above it. It renewed my ambition to want more out of life, to strive to be the best I am while I'm here, especially as a mother and a wife. You never know when something like that is going to happen."

Katrina Amos-Atkins, airport project specialist at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. (Laura Simon)

She relied on her faith to be strong and advocate for her family.

"The Lord doesn't give you more than you can handle," she says. "It was faith, 100 percent. I don't know where else that strength came from but God."

Amos-Atkins lives in Sikeston, Missouri, and her family includes her husband, Leroy, and three children: Destiny, age 13, Leroy Jr., age 12, and Levi, age 3.

She's also a huge sports fan and plays basketball in the women's league through the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

"When I play basketball, I'm not Katrina from the office -- I'm in beast mode," she laughs.

In all seriousness, though, she views basketball as her "me time," and says that's something every woman needs to have in her life.

"As women, we wear so many different hats, and it's hard to set out time to dedicate to this," she says. "But I'm a better mother when I allow myself those indulges, to get out there and relive my high school days. Having something that's not about your family enhances yourself. You're more yourself and happy."

Amos-Atkins also encourages women to take career leaps, as she did in taking a job at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

"What's the worst that can happen if you strive for something and fail?" she asks. "You go back to square one. If it doesn't pan out, it wasn't meant to be."

She's also learned to banish fear and doubt from her mind.

"Don't ever give up," she says. "It's never too late. If you want it, go for it. Nothing is holding you back except for yourself and your fear. When you remove that fear, it's a wide open field, and you can do whatever you want."

And she's had good reason to become fearless.

"Nothing I go through in life can compare to what I've already faced," she says, referring back to the shooting of her husband and son. "Nothing can be worse than what I've been through, so I'm stronger because of it."