In this episode of the Performance Initiative Podcast, Dr. Grant Cooper and Dr. Zinovy Meyler speak with Mike Mullane, a former NASA astronaut. Mike discusses the connection between combat and spirituality, the impact of seeing Earth from space, and the fear and excitement of space travel. He also shares personal stories about his experiences as an astronaut and the drive and passion that led him to pursue a career in space exploration. Mike discusses his passion for aviation and space, the concept of destiny versus resilience and courageous leadership, and the importance of making your own destiny. He shares the story of the Challenger tragedy as an example. He emphasizes the importance of procedural compliance and the need to avoid deviating from best practices. He highlights the need for leaders to welcome differing opinions and create an environment of courageous conversations. Additionally, he mentions his books, including 'Do Your Ears Pop in Space?' and 'Lift Off: An Astronaut's Dream.' (00:00) Introduction: The Beauty of Space (00:40) Welcome to the Performance Initiative Podcast (00:57) Interview with Mike Mullane: A Decorated Astronaut (01:54) The Courageous Life of an Astronaut (02:44) The Spirituality of Combat and Space (03:43) The Fear and Thrill of Flying in Combat (07:20) The Emotional and Spiritual Impact of Seeing Earth from Space (16:21) The Importance of Taking Care of Our Planet (16:27) The Fear of Public Speaking (22:48) The Drive to Become an Astronaut (28:23) The Role of Resilience and Courageous Leadership in Becoming an Astronaut (31:59) The Impact of Childhood Dreams and Passions (47:08) The Importance of Always Doing Your Best (47:32) Life as a Box of Chocolates: Embracing Uncertainty (48:49) Overcoming Fear of Failure: Personal Growth in High School (49:21) The Transformative Power of West Point (50:41) Discovering Hidden Talents: The Unexpected Journey into Cross Country (53:10) The Rigors and Rewards of Academic Life at West Point (58:27) The Aftermath of Space Travel: Dealing with Post-Flight Depression (01:09:14) The Intriguing Possibility of Alien Life (01:21:30) Understanding the Dangers of Normalization of Deviance (01:27:47) Understanding Risk Perception and Its Evolution (01:28:44) The Power of Checklists in High-Risk Environments (01:29:43) The Importance of Procedural Compliance (01:30:04) Lessons from Aviation Training: The Value of Checklists (01:31:18) The Risks of Ignoring Procedures (01:32:13) The Art of Planning and Adapting in High-Stakes Situations (01:32:29) The Power of Individual Decision-Making in Military Operations (01:34:24) The Impact of Government Systems on Individual Empowerment (01:42:18) The Importance of Individual Responsibility in Hazardous Operations (01:51:55) The Role of Leadership in Encouraging Open Communication (02:05:27) The Challenges of Modern Technology and Self-Reliance https://mikemullane.com/ The Performance Initiative Podcast was born out of the conviction that we all have room to improve. We all have boundless potential if we have the will and the tools to unlock it.  At the Performance Initiative, we are dedicated to finding those tools, sharing them with you, and trying them out for ourselves.  A few weeks after each episode, Zinovy and Grant report their experiences trying to put into practice what they have learned from each guest. Social & Website Website: https://www.performanceinitiativepodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performanceinitiative TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@performanceinitiative