What does it take to survive the fastest ejection in Naval aviation history—and rise again with purpose?

In this powerful episode of The Alternative Flight Plan Podcast, host Dr. Kristin Barnes welcomes former Navy F-18 pilot and bestselling author Kegan “Smurf” Gill. After ejecting at nearly the speed of sound, Kegan endured catastrophic injuries, a long and painful recovery, misdiagnoses, and mental health crises that pushed him to the edge. But instead of giving up, he fought to reclaim his life—and is now helping others do the same.

Kegan’s story is a breathtaking look at the intersection of trauma, brain injury, psychedelics, and true resilience. He opens up about the limits of conventional medicine, the dark reality inside VA mental health facilities, and the healing power of sleep, nutrition, nature, and plant medicine. If you or someone you love is searching for hope through extreme adversity, this episode will stay with you.

📺 Watch the full episode of The Alternative Flight Plan Podcast with Dr. Kristin Barnes and guest Kegan Gill here: https://youtu.be/I-uIBYkpQzY

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00:00 The Unthinkable Ejection

05:48 The Psychological Battle

11:52 The Struggles of Recovery

18:09 The Dark Side of Treatment

23:51 Finding Hope in Alternative Therapies

26:13 The Harsh Reality of Mental Health Facilities

30:04 The Role of Psychedelics in Healing

36:52 Integration: Building New Habits for Recovery

44:27 Sharing the Journey: The Importance of Storytelling

48:41 Creating a New Healthcare Model for Veterans