#281: Hummingbirds, Helicopters & an Underwater Guinness World Record – Eric Pittman

The Toastmasters Podcast with Greg Gazin

The Toastmasters Podcast is like a radio talk show featuring interviews with Toastmasters usually featured in the Toastmaster magazine. The purpose of the podcast is to amplify the magazine - to dig deeper or to put a voice to a face or written wordBut unlike a radio show, a podcast is on the Internet, and available, for free, to anyone in the world with an Internet connection, and a connected device capable of playing audio. 260+ episodes are at ToastmastersPodcast.comThe Toastmasters Podcast is co-produced by Toastmasters International and Archieboy Holdings, LLC, for our global audience of Toastmasters and those interested in public speaking and leadership.

[24:08] What do helicopters, hummingbirds, and an underwater puppet show have in common? In the world of Eric Pittman—just about everything. From bush pilot to wildlife filmmaker to Guinness World Record holder, this Toastmaster has lived a life full of bold pivots, creative stunts, and surprising impact. In this episode, Greg Gazin chats with Eric about filming for BBC and Netflix, building a foundry, saving orcas, and how Toastmasters helped him find his voice—on stage and on camera.

Eric Pittman’s life reads like an adventure novel. He began his career as a helicopter bush pilot in the wilds of Saskatchewan and British Columbia, building his first aircraft from wreckage to earn his wings. He later launched a glass recycling foundry, created choreographed light shows for royalty and rock stars, and eventually discovered a new obsession in his own backyard—filming hummingbirds.

That obsession led to The Bird in My Backyard, a short documentary featuring his high-speed hummingbird footage, which has racked up over 1.7 million YouTube views and earned a Canadian Screen Award nomination.

But Eric didn’t stop there. To promote his book, he staged an underwater press conference—complete with a puppet show—and broke a Guinness World Record in the process. He also co-founded the Canadian Orca Rescue Society with Gregg McElroy, raising awareness with life-sized inflatable orcas that now float above environmental rallies across British Columbia.

A long-time member of Thunderbird Toastmasters in Victoria, B.C., Eric credits Toastmasters with helping him eliminate crutch words, boost confidence, and speak effectively on camera and in public.

Whether you're a nature lover, creative soul, or just appreciate a great story, this episode will leave you inspired to think bigger—and bolder.

Listen now and discover:

• How Eric filmed over 130 hummingbird nests from egg to flight

• The hilarious origin of his underwater Guinness World Record

• What it’s like to work with BBC, Netflix, and National Geographic

• Why saving salmon is key to saving orcas

• How Toastmasters helped him become a better presenter—and storyteller

You can read Eric’s story, From Helicopters to Hummingbirds: How One Toastmaster Used His Skills on Camera, Underwater and Beyond, by Megan Preston Meyer, in the August 2025 issue of Toastmaster magazine.

Eric Pittman is a member of Thunderbird Toastmasters in Victoria, B.C., a Guinness World Record holder, environmental advocate, and co-founder of the Canadian Orca Rescue Society. You can find his stunning footage at HummingbirdsUpClose.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram under the same name.

You can also watch his documentary: Birds in My Backyard on YouTube.