#21 Phoenix Revival
In this powerful episode of the Purpose Maker Podcast, host Dr. Wegmann sits down with LT Kegan "Smurf" Gill, USN (Ret.) — a former F/A-18E Super Hornet pilot who survived the fastest ejection in Naval Aviation history at a blistering 695 mph, nearly breaking the sound barrier.
What should have ended his life (and career) instead became the beginning of an extraordinary comeback. After catastrophic injuries, over a dozen surgeries, battles with prescription drug addiction, undiagnosed brain trauma, and the depths of physical and mental despair, Keegan clawed his way back — not just to walk again, but to return to the cockpit and fly Super Hornets once more. This isn't just a survival story — it's a raw, unfiltered masterclass in rediscovering purpose after everything is stripped away.
Keegan opens up about:
- The terrifying moment of ejection and waking up shattered in a hospital bed.
- The grueling road of recovery, including groundbreaking alternative therapies like psychedelic-assisted treatment.
- Breaking free from pain meds and rebuilding his mind, body, and spirit
- How he now inspires others as a keynote speaker, performance coach, and author of Phoenix Revival.
If you've ever felt stuck, broken, or wondered whether it's truly possible to rise from your own wreckage stronger than before — this conversation will light a fire in you.
Prepare to be moved, challenged, and deeply inspired by one man's relentless proof that the impossible is just a starting point. Tune in now — because sometimes the greatest purpose emerges from the ashes.
Find his book here: https://a.co/d/1t1QiAC
Connect with Lt. Kegan "Smurf" Gill here: https://kegangill.com/
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