Scott 'Kid' Poteet, a former combat fighter pilot turned astronaut shares his inspiring journey from struggling with motion sickness and fear of heights as a child to becoming a fighter pilot and eventually fulfilling his dream of flying on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.

He also discusses his passion for endurance sports, having completed 16 Ironman triathlons, including the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Scott details his unique educational path through an outdoor education program, the intense training required for space missions, and the pioneering work he is involved in with SpaceX's Polaris missions. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging one's natural gifts and forging a personal path to success.

Takeaways:

• Embrace Your Unique Strengths: Recognize and leverage your natural talents and passions to create a personalized path to success.
• Prepare and Adapt: Thoroughly prepare for challenges and stay flexible in the face of unexpected changes. Effective planning and adaptability are key to success in dynamic environments.
• Overcome Personal Obstacles: Confront your fears and limitations, like overcoming motion sickness or fear of heights. Persistence in overcoming obstacles unlocks new achievements.
• Join Supportive Communities: Engage in structured programs or supportive communities, such as ROTC or endurance sports, to stay motivated and connected with like-minded individuals.
• Set Clear Goals: Establish specific, attainable goals—like qualifying for events such as the Ironman World Championship—to stay focused and driven.
• Build Meaningful Connections: Nurture relationships and networks, as demonstrated by collaborations with organizations like SpaceX. Networking opens doors to unique opportunities.

Quote of the Show:

• “ We are all born with gifts, talents, passions, and perspectives. It’s just figuring out what truly motivates and inspires you.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kidd-poteet-5a548610a/
• Website: https://www.kiddpoteet.com/
• Email: kidd@kiddpoteet.com

Ways to Tune In:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ghmiiaRwVtQ9kqqqvmVQY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-to-finish/id1781753842
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/665cacbf-79ed-4745-8856-1d8465943c65
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/built-to-finish-5907037
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/Lvgy-aXv49U