I posted some considerable time ago (months, if not years) that a simple and full apology would make the whole thing to away, and the dinner speaking engagements return.
Something along the lines of: "I'm really sorry, I got carried away with it all and made claims that I shouldn't have made. I just hope that the positive aspects of my journeys continue to help young people into aviation..".
I think that would kill the criticism, and this thread, dead. Even now.
Safe flights in 2017! Sam.