Katie Higgins Cook on Becoming the First Female Blue Angels Pilot and Reinventing Yourself
Episode 20
Sometimes the boldest decisions start with a 17-year-old asking, “What if I could?”
In this high-flying episode, John R. Miles sits down with Major Katie (Higgins) Cook, the first female pilot in the iconic Blue Angels demonstration team, to talk about grit, growth, and what it really takes to fly—on the runway, in combat, and through life’s biggest transitions.
Katie’s story is one of strength, service, and self-belief in the face of visible and invisible resistance. From choosing the Marine Corps over Navy aviation to flying combat missions in Afghanistan and earning her place in one of the most elite flight teams in the world, Katie shares her journey with humility, clarity, and deep emotional intelligence.
Together, they explore:
Why the Blue Angels live by the mantra “Glad to be here”—and what it means far beyond the cockpit
What it takes to overcome adversity in male-dominated environments—and what she told herself when others said “you can’t”
The mental toll of fear that blindsides you—and the mindset shift that changed everything
How combat experience shaped her courage, leadership, and emotional resilience
Why self-debriefing and owning your mistakes is a critical leadership skill
Her hardest decision yet: leaving the military—and her message to veterans navigating their own transitions
This episode is more than a military story. It’s a masterclass in inner strength, personal growth, and the quiet bravery it takes to keep choosing the harder path—especially when no one else has gone before you.
✨ “Viewing things as a potential to learn is a mindset you can change. And that mindset is everything.” – Major Katie Cook
Listen to the full episode. Then reflect: What fear are you facing today that could become a turning point if you chose to lean in instead of hold back?