Lilo reconnects with her friend and former Air Force colleague, John “Rain” Waters, a fighter pilot turned podcast host. Rain shares the personal lie that propelled him through his storied aviation career—“I’m invincible”—and the humbling lessons he learned along the way. From his experiences in the high-stakes world of military aviation to his journey through personal loss and resilience, Rain opens up about the alter ego that helped him succeed and the transition to life beyond the cockpit. 

In this episode:

• Introduction and Background
• Journey to Becoming a Fighter Pilot
• Invincible Mindset in Aviation
• Role of Ego in Fighter Pilot Culture
• Importance of Call Signs
• Balancing Public Persona and Personal Identity
• Reality of Air Show Performances
• Reflections on Risk and Loss
• Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
• Emotional Toll of Miscarriage
• Empathy Through Shared Grief
• Life’s Fragility and Invincibility

Subscribe to Rain’s Podcast here https://theafterburnpodcast.com/

KEYWORDS
fighter pilot, aviation, ego, call signs, military culture, air shows, personal identity, risk management, transition, podcast, pregnancy loss, miscarriage, emotional support, empathy, grief, life lessons, identity, personal growth, parenting