In this episode, we sit down with a captain who transformed his career from building on solid ground to soaring through open skies. After years in construction and masonry, he knew the physical toll the trade was taking on his body would only get harder to bear. With a passion for flying that had started as a hobby, he found himself prepared in ways he hadn’t realized for a life-changing pivot to aviation. But the journey wasn’t easy—between balancing his family’s big move from their peaceful country home to the suburbs, adjusting to a high-stakes training environment, and pushing through the demanding pace of his new career, the challenges came fast and fierce. Now, as an airline captain, he shares what he’s gained from the freedom and satisfaction of the flight deck, and gives us an honest, no-nonsense look at the ups and downs of moving into the airline industry later in life. Whether you’re thinking about a similar leap or simply curious about the transition from a hands-on career to high-flying, this episode offers an inspiring, real-world perspective on making a big change to pursue a lifelong dream. AeroExploration: Check out Jim's new YouTube Channel. ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Social Media Handles: Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/flythetranstion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jim on Instagram: ⁠@flymidwestjim⁠ Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ Sponsor Information:Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.