Imagine what it takes to land an $80 million fighter jet on a moving target — in the middle of the ocean — at night.

The extreme precision, splitsecond timing, and unwavering focus required for such a feat are beyond the grasp of ordinary experience.

Our guest today, Commander Kristen Findlay (née Hansen), knows precisely what it takes to land an F/A18 Super Hornet on an aircraft carrier – in rough seas and in the dark, where every decision can have monumental consequences.

Kristen is a distinguished Naval aviator whose career spans two decades of sustained high performance in military service. She’s accumulated over 2,700 hours of flight time, 66 combat sorties over Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, and just under 500 carrier landings.

As a prior TOPGUN instructor yes, just like the movie and current Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (The “Flying Eagles”) she leads and trains some of the Navy’s most elite pilots.

Kristen's career experience now extends to Hollywood, where she served as a technical consultant and pilot for the hit film, "Top Gun: Maverick.” Epic.

Kristen offers a unique perspective on leadership, teamwork, and mental toughness. In this conversation you’ll hear valuable insights into highstakes decisionmaking and the lessons we can all learn from a life lived at full throttle.

With Fire,
MG


Chapters

00:00 Introduction and High Performance
19:31 Landing on an Aircraft Carrier
25:38 Dogfighting
30:18 Managing Mistakes
38:25 Being a Great Teammate
43:09 The Structured Debrief Process
47:02 Using Mental Imagery for Preparation
49:57 Involving Stakeholders in Mission Planning
55:56 The Role of Sleep and Nutrition
01:00:32 Investing in Your Inner Life
01:08:16 Being a Female Fighter Pilot
01:14:54 Involvement in the Movie TopGun: Maverick
01:22:32 Advice