Beyond Survival: Fighter Jet Pilot Kegan Gill's Recovery From Ejection, TBI, and PTSD
Listen now
Description
Kegan "SMURF" Gill, a former US Navy F/A-18E pilot whose life took a dramatic turn following a near-fatal high-speed ejection at 695mph. Kegan's story is not just about survival; it's a profound narrative of overcoming life-altering injuries, battling and defeating prescription drug addiction, and enduring a gruelling two-year recovery process. His triumphant return to flying Super Hornets symbolises a victory over adversity that few can imagine, yet many can draw inspiration from. Kegan's tale, however, unfolds further as he confronts delayed-onset PTSD and cognitive issues from a severe traumatic brain injury—a battle that traditional pharmaceutical treatments only worsened, leading to his hospitalisation. Faced with the limitations of the VA healthcare system and a daunting mental health struggle, Kegan embarked on a quest for healing beyond conventional medicine. His transformative experiences with alternative therapies, including indigenous medicine, are pivotal in his journey toward holistic healing. Now medication-free and a competitor in ultra-endurance events, Kegan advocates for chronic health. Join us as he shares his inspiring story of recovery, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of wellness, all while raising a family and giving back through speaking and writing about his life-changing experiences. Here’s the outline of this interview with Kegan Gill: [00:01:17] Becoming a Navy aviator. [00:05:48] Kegan's story. [00:13:18] When things went wrong. [00:25:23] Trauma surgery. [00:27:03] "SMurF". [00:28:38] Paralysis. [00:30:53] Nutrition at the VA hospital. [00:33:27] Weaning off pain medications. [00:37:47] Book: Black Box Thinking, by Matthew Syed. [00:42:36] Effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI). [00:55:25] Stanford prison experiment; Documentary: The Experiment. [01:02:13] Book: Finding Ultra, by Rich Roll. [01:02:27] Book: How to Change Your Mind, by Michael Pollan. [01:02:48] Book: Why We Sleep, by Matthew Walker. [01:03:33] Book: In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan. [01:05:49] Vet Solutions [01:06:57] Podcast: Healing Trauma with MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy, with Dan Engle. [01:08:45] Warrior Angels Foundation. [01:11:28] Heroic Hearts Project. [01:14:40] Defenders of Freedom. [01:16:21] Kirk Parsley; Doc Parsley's Sleep Remedy; Podcasts: Sleep To Win: How Navy SEALs and Other High Performers Stay on Top and How to Get Perfect Sleep with Dr. Kirk Parsley, MD. [01:18:13] Book: When Brains Collide, by Michael D. Lewis, MD [01:18:26] Dr. Mark Gordon on the Joe Rogan Experience. [01:23:12] No Fallen Heroes. [01:23:43] Max Afterburner Podcast. [01:24:19] Psychotherapist Troy Valencia; Iboga. [01:27:06] Awaken Your Soul Iboga retreats. [01:28:27] 7x Project. [01:32:59] Book coming: Phoenix Revival. [01:33:15] Dead Reckoning Collective. [01:33:21] Book: First Train Out of Denver, by Leo Jenkins. [01:34:53] Find Kegan Gill on LinkedIn and Instagram.
More Episodes
Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author dedicated to evidence-based nutrition. With a deep respect for current scientific findings and ancestral wisdom, Lily's clinical proficiency and extensive experience in prenatal nutrition have...
Published 05/09/24
Published 05/09/24
Deborah Gordon, MD, is the founder and medical director of Northwest Wellness Center, LLC. She has a lifelong interest in health and wellness, which she has incorporated into an integrative medical practice in southern Oregon for over thirty years. She is dedicated to finding lifestyle choices...
Published 04/15/24