Katie Higgins Cook on Becoming the First Female Blue Angels Pilot

Episode 20 - How to Reinvent Yourself

Sometimes the boldest decisions start with a 17-year-old asking, “What if I could?”

In this high-flying episode of Passion Struck, I sit down with Major Katie (Higgins) Cook—the first female pilot in the legendary Blue Angels demonstration team—for a conversation about grit, growth, and what it really takes to fly. Not just on the runway or in combat zones, but through some of life’s most pivotal transitions.

Katie’s story struck me as one of remarkable strength and unwavering service. What inspired me most was how she faced both visible and invisible resistance with humility, emotional intelligence, and a belief in something bigger than herself. From choosing the Marine Corps over Navy aviation to flying combat missions in Afghanistan and ultimately joining one of the most elite flight teams in the world—her path was anything but easy. And yet, she never stopped pushing forward.

In our conversation, we explored: