Astronaut Susan Kilrain on What It Really Takes to Get to Space | EP 641

What happens after you’ve lived the dream—and it’s over? In this profound conversation, astronaut and Navy fighter pilot Susan Kilrain joins Passion Struck to explore her journey from humble beginnings in Georgia to piloting two Space Shuttle missions, becoming one of the few women to fly the F-14 Tomcat, and raising a family while married to a Navy SEAL. But this isn’t just a story about spaceflight. It’s about grit, reinvention, and identity. Susan opens up about how landing on an aircraft carrier prepared her less for motherhood than she thought—and why stepping away from NASA was harder than launching into orbit. Together, we explore what it means to chase excellence, embrace failure, and start over without losing yourself. If you’ve ever asked, “Now what?”—this episode will meet you there. Visit this link for the full show notes. Go Deeper: The Ignited Life Substack If this episode stirred something in you, The Ignited Life is where the transformation continues. Each week, I share behind-the-scenes insights, science-backed tools, and personal reflections to help you turn intention into action. Subscribe 🔗 and get the companion resources delivered straight to your inbox. Catch more of Astronaut Susan Kilrain: www.susankilrain.com If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally. How to Connect with John: Connect with John on Twitter at @John_RMiles Follow him on Instagram at @John_R_Miles Subscribe to our main YouTube Channel and to our YouTube Clips Channel For more insights and resources, visit John’s website See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .