Our audience, our community is going to be so impacted by everything you've said, and your life's work, as it's been encompassed in this conversation today. I actually think most of my flying was emotional. We can only do so much with ourselves. I do that through meditation in the mornings. Jeff:Like what? And there's three tools. Then the debrief, what you're specifically asking about, which I think is really critical, is we go through stages, right? 0 bids. I could sense the space between my heartbeats. Yeah, me too. Jeff:My cousin wouldn't want to fight you for that one. I want to do stuff that I've never done before, and I didn't know how to do it. John Foley:But what hits me is, oh, okay, well, do I have the right personnel behind it? If they're aware, usually it's usually like, they're just not aware. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Then the environment, I think what's critical about flow states is the higher you challenge yourself, you increase the environment, and you guys have to tell me if this is true in climbing, but it isn't flying, is one of two things are going to happen. No Barriers is a registered 501(c)3 Non-Profit Guidestar Platinum Rating Part of the equation is diving into the learning process and trying to illuminate the universal elements that exist along the way. Let's bring it out. So, I like to put a nuance in there, Erik, and that's about being scared. Copyright 2023. It was during this same time period that Foley attended a Blue Angels air show and proclaimed to his father that one day he too would be a military aviator. There's fundamentals that work like breathwork, like my morning routine, what do I do when I wake up in the morning? Special thanks to The Dan Ryan Band for our intro song, Guidance. Audiences discover how to inspire success, create commitment, align teams toward a common goal and build unprecedented levels of trust. Because a lot of times you can be off but you're still within parameters. I'm so glad that we could share, and that you guys, your community, your audience is so powerful, and they've got stories that are way more powerful than ours when it comes to overcoming adversity and making a difference, and that's what I want to acknowledge, is that everybody has a great story. They leave the event not only transformed, but also with a set of concrete tools to immediately begin a high performance climb. I just want to do something that's personal. Thank you, Gucci, man. I think that's when you know you're in the zone, but here's the other thing, the minute you start realizing that, you're now losing focus, right? Half the pilots are new every year. To date, TCV has raised more than $15 billion in capital and emerged as a leading provider of growth capital to technology companies. Yeah, they're two points favorites, but here, this is the cross section of everything we've really talked about, which is you can line up the best pilots in the world. Learn more about glad to be here foundation. I don't need that anymore. Because we've already each other on the G of go. James kent/Old Foley rare vase blue and guildid all over Chinese scene 9.00 1 bid 6.45 postage 1d 13h James Kent old foley jug 6.99 Click & Collect 2.75 postage or Best Offer Vintage James Kent 'Pompadour' china Set 4.00 1 bid 5.20 postage 2d 11h Vintage James Kent Dubarry Chintz Fluted Floral Bowl 15.00 Free postage or Best Offer Whichever podcast platform you enjoy, were already there. I remember, Mark, 12-years-old, my dad took me to an air show. Now, to answer that gut feeling JB that you asked about. The fifth and sixth jet fly in solo formation. During 1992 season, the Blue Angels traveled to Europe for the first time since 1973 to perform 16 air shows in 8 different countries including Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, England, Spain, Italy, Finland and Sweden. Maybe it's a financial challenge, maybe it's a personal challenge, an emotional challenge, and you can feel yourself get tight, right? I initially tried to do drums, and I was just talking about this, and that is, I wonder why. Then here's the last thing, and I'll do this for any leader is go, or anybody really, go forward in your day, and I use my calendar, but think about others, not just yourself, and think about, how can I show up in a way that helps somebody else. We all know the science behind appreciation and gratitude, how it changes the way your brain thinks, the neurons fire and all that. It's the mental side and the emotional side, probably is, you'll have to tell me, but in flying and with the blues, I like to say you needed to connect the heart and the head because it wasn't enough to be just in your head. What's wrong? I was going to say a normal pilot, and then I realized there's no such thing as normal carrier pilots. But I do remember that distinct moment. I'm going to send you out tomorrow night and you better show me something. And then reverse engineer, what are you thinking about? They are one of the largest one percenter motorcycle clubs in the United Kingdom. It evolves over time, but we need that pocket. That's one of the rare professions that, that's true. I get that. The way I do that is I just say, when my eyes open up, the first conscious thought that hits my head, I just go, what am I grateful for? I'm going to learn this. Or you're going to quit, or you're going to move on to something else. It wasn't the physical side. Right. Maybe we as humans sort of divide those. I have the skills to do this. The idea is you got to work way up to it. I got you. I think about you guys, when you decided, I want to climb, something clicked in my heart. How did he get there, what happened after that, what lessons did he learn along the way, and what discoveries he continues to make today? 192 Listens. I mean, you got the energy of the crowd, the noise of the jets going overhead. Now, for me, personally, so when I left the team, it was not a big deal. I mean, clearly, you know what I want to do, I want to sit around a campfire with you and sip on just a little snifter of some good bourbon sometime. Jeff:Number one question would be, were you the one who said it's time to step away from the teams, or did they say, we need some new blood in here? I can't teach climbing right now. Because there's a lot of pressure out there not to make a mistake. I'm okay with being scared. Glad To Be Hereoffers apurpose greater than self, which galvanizes people and focuses individuals and teams on WHY they do what they do. Jeff:Yeah, or you say, I'm not good enough. At some point, you've got to snap out of that and snap into pure focus. He also explains a process that he believes is the primary key to continuous improvement and exceptional growth. Subscribe 3K views 2 years ago John Foley is a top leadership keynote speaker and former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels that delivers keynote experiences to inspire leadership, improve. He is the former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, Bestselling Author of Fearless Success, an expert in the How of High Performance teams and 'The Guru of Gratitude.'. What I think the key is, is can you call that up on demand? High Performance Climb What happened after that? And time actually did slow down. So, you get to see us closing our eyes. As a thought leader on high performance, John created the "Glad To Be Here" Mindset Methodology and the Diamond Performance Framework. Erik Weihenmayer:Jeff, Imma slap you on the back. John Foley -Blue Angel. They're just small. It doesn't have to be this intense stuff that the three of us are doing. All of a sudden, as the complexity goes up, so do your skills. Some people, I think, climb mountains, let's say this is something I know, like to almost escape, but for me, I think, okay, how do you come down from the mountain and move forward in your life and take certain things with you that help you with your happiness, with your growth, with your evolution as a human being? I'll go off there to get very clear on how long I can hold my focus because I need a break. Our first conversation of this new year is with a former Navy jet pilot, an 18 year journey that began after a visit to an air show as a young boy, piqued when he was selected to join the Elite Blue Angels Squadron. JOHN FOLEY - BIOGRAPHY In 2015, John Foley has been recognized as one of the top 10 most in demand speakers. You're you're in that focused state. Then I actually went to another challenging field, which was flying jets off aircraft carriers in a leadership role again. Erik Weihenmayer:And what's an example of a fear-based belief that maybe you have had that you had to struggle with or work through? John Foley:No, actually, Erik, it's just the opposite. We're constantly in a state of training. That's even worse. They're not going to be the Blue Angel necessarily, right? Peloton founder John Foley stepped down from his CEO role on Feb. 8 following a tumultuous period for the connected fitness company. Think about it in your own life. And now my mind, I'm out of that heightened state of awareness, and I actually drop down a state, check out the three dimensional world, and then I can pull myself back in. I get better at focusing my mind, knowing that I'm not perfect. What I've learned is, it's like two sides of the same coin, operational excellence, process, briefs, debriefs, preparation, focus, trust, and then you add in this glad to be here mindset. For me, it's this purpose larger than self. I think that's, what's going to happen with Georgia tonight, and I think you and I are going to be prognosticators, extraordinaire here in few weeks when this thing airs, because Georgia's going to suck them, get them dogs going. I had the privilege this week to hear John Foley, former lead solo pilot for the Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, as one of the keynote speakers at a technology conference I was attending. One of them was my commanding officer on the carrier air group commander, called a carrier group commander, a CAG. Through their interdependence as a team, members are also challenged and stimulated to achieve higher levels of individual performance. We're constantly in a state of mentoring each other and we're in a constant state of basically up and out. Gone. It's at an angle. First, is just being aware, is am I operating from fear? He's working with us now. They just run by so quickly that I'm seeing a continuum. His charismatic and enthusiastic presentations stimulate audiences emotionally and intellectually with a whole new perspective on their ability to excel. Number one, Alabama, Nick Saban, that program is probably one of the strongest programs I've ever seen. That person asked me if I would mind saying some words on stage. If I were to move that far and did not clear the formation, that's a safety. To me, that's operating from a fear based mentality, as compared to, wait a minute. They continually have a process that wins. As a Blue Angel, John consistently performed in an extreme, high-stakes environment, flying at speeds of more than 500 miles per hour in formations as close as 18 inches apart. So, you can decide if you're going to step up or not. It's important to know, it's easy to kill yourself. They knew it. They can't do it forever. I remember thinking to myself, I'm going to do that. (167) 19.00. LINKS TO JOHN FOLEYS SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEBSITE:Website: https://www.johnfoleyinc.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnGucciFoleyInstagram: @johnguccifoleyTwitter: @johnguccifoleyINTERVIEW TIMESTAMPS0:00 Intro1:14 How \"Gucci\" Got His Callsign3:05 Upbringing5:22 Attending the Naval Academy6:48 Jet Training in Beeville, TX8:09 Flying the A7 Corsair12:21 Operational Deployments 13:45 Joining the Blue Angels21:35 Opposing Solo22:20 Lead Solo23:38 New Maneuvers26:35 1992 European Tour32:20 Historic Moscow Visit 47:11 Blue Angel Reunions49:28 Blue Angels Foundation51:30 Glad to Be Here I don't have those all the time. It didn't mean I didn't get sidetracked into, hey, I want to play professional football or something like that. As a Blue Angel, John consistently performed in an extreme, high-stakes environment, flying at speeds of more than 500 miles per hour in formations as close as 18 inches apart. [1] Formed in 1946, the unit is the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world, after the French Patrouille de France formed in 1931. No kidding, 300%. Disappointed with the assignment at the time, Foley now reflects that the three years he spent flying the A-7 were critical in his development as a Navy pilot. They're going to be off. Jeff:You got nervous, you and I have known each other for decades, you got nervous a few months ago playing in front of me. You can't do it forever. I don't know. That gives me way more joy than the actual climbing or the flying. I've been doing this for about six months now, learn, grow, give. He's one of the Top 10 most sought-after keynote speakers and trainers on leadership, performance, teamwork and trust. You're in the zone. But it was a dream that I remember in my heart. John Foley:Because you got some off Georgia defensive lineman who got their butt handed to them. I know you do and facilitate, you do personally, but also facilitate a lot of breathwork and meditation with clients, and you do it yourself. Can you actually call your own mind on demand to be in that state, and for how long can you hold it? That's a fact. Foley, the former lead solo pilot of the Navy's elite Blue Angels shares their process and mind-set for achieving the highest level of performance. Here's the difference. I think you've had to have lived something at the nuance level to really be able to teach it at the highest levels. Whether it's meditation, whether it's learning to take your game to a whole new level. That you were appreciative of or that you enjoyed. Does the gratitude negate that or overtake that in some way? At a recent sales kick-off, I had the pleasure to listen to John Foley (call sign Gucci) who was a Naval Aviator, Blue Angel pilot and Stanford Business School graduate. But you put in like 200 hours, not 10,000 hours. He received his commission as an Officer in 1997. they have even more significance to me today. John Foley:Yeah. John Foley:Absolutely. I never met him, but he was a huge mentor. I just don't need to do it at the level I used to. Lt. Amanda Lee has made history as the first woman to serve as a demonstration pilot in the Blue Angels. Erik Weihenmayer:I got my accelerated free fall license as a civilian to skydive. How has it impacted your life? But the point is that-. The point is, I want to know just your general feeling. They say like, "I put in six years, but it was the best six years of my life in certain ways." And then you're going to be the best of the best. True to his word, Foley applied to the military academies but was initially rejected for having too much protein in his urine. John Foley:Right. Or, you know what? All of a sudden, the light bulb went off. I'll just be very too transparent as I'm closing here. I want to appreciate it. I'm grateful to be healthy. Jeff:That's three times in a row, three misses on the same John Foley:Yeah. It was really awesome. For nearly 20 years, I was a commander in the US Navy and became Lead Solo Pilot for the Blue Angels. That's what it meant while I was a Blue Angel. It's been a struggle to live what I call a no barriers life, to define it, to push the parameters of what it means. Team Oneness If you acknowledge that empathy, that compassion, and then actually take the action to reach out to them, amen. That was the basketball team, not the football team, but it's still the athletic department. Well, absolutely. What does John Foley suck at? Business people, we don't necessarily know. We brief every Monday mornings on the week and stuff. The famed Blue Angels regularly take to the skies for maneuvers that bring their jets within mere feet of each other. For my life, very quickly, is on the teams, on the Blue Angels, you go into that assignment knowing exactly how long you're going to be there. In his dynamic presentations, Foley addresses the essential elements of exceptional team performance and makes them relevant, simple, and immediately actionable. I'm coming down for the shoot for my first night landing, and it goes okay. It's like, oh, that would be cool, but geez, that's a pipe dream. We go around the table and everybody first gets a chance to say that, the general safe. Do we have the right setup? I don't mind that. If you've ever been at an air show, it's visceral, right? John is a former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels, a Sloan Fellow at Stanford School of Business, a top rated Keynote Speaker to over 1500 organizations worldwide, 'Gratitude Guru', bestselling author and expert in the "how" of high performance teams. You bring the best athletes you can, but it's not about an individual. John Foley:Well, guys, I want to say the honor's mine, and the thanks are for you. Before we flew, we briefed, and after we flew, we debriefed, and that's a whole different emotional and intellectual episode than the actual physical. John Foley:Well, now here's the challenge I have. Erik Weihenmayer:I've had a few perfect runs, but a lot of them are just reacting and responding to chaos. I love it because I'm in front of groups all the time blah, blah, blah. It was in Newport, Rhode Island place called Kwanzaa Point. Okay. You give, then you learn, and you grow. Erik Weihenmayer:Yeah, for sure. You got a chance to let the whole, we call it, lay it on the table, let the whole team know that A, you're number one, aware that you have made a mistake. Keep going JB. You don't want a whole bunch of safeties. Boom. I think the first thing, Erik, that I've learned over time is I like to say there's two beliefs. It was an emotional click that said, I'm going to do that now. Plus, he admitted the origin of his call sign "Gucci," helping out on the original "Top Gun," and some of the . It doesn't John Foley:Erik, I got to a question for you. We've become good friends. John Foley:Oh, music, just what we're talking about. Erik Weihenmayer:Over time, you talk about focus, right? The departure of Foley, who led the company since its. 10 Frame Work and 10 Dynamics of Debrief Wallet Cards. Then the referee crew, I had spoken to the referee crew beforehand, and they got selected as the best individual. It's like the Blue Angels. Jeff:Yeah, or kayaking, right? To me, those can be fear based, they can hold you back, as compared to just saying, I'm going to try this, I'm going to be smart about it, but I'm going to try it. (Navy) The Navy's Blue Angels will conduct their final flight in the legacy F/A-18 Hornet . Our first conversation of the new year is with a former navy jet pilot. As I think about though, with the jets, and maybe this is a good metaphor with your climbing, is we don't start as a Blue Angel. I was supposed to deploy on the midway, which was a four deployed carrier. Oh, it's simple for me. The significance of these events were not lost on the Blue Angels Lead Solo Pilot, John Gucci Foley, who joins this episode of Blue Angel Phantoms to share insights and behind the scenes stories from that now famous 92 European tour, as well as his naval career that spanned 17 years and saw him ascend to the rank of Commander.