What happens when your lifelong dream gets taken away in an instant?

In this story, I share how I discovered—at the Air Force Academy—that I could never become the fighter pilot I had always wanted to be. Inspired by my grandfather, who flew F-101s in the Korean War, I had imagined following in his footsteps. But a routine preflight check revealed I was far too tall to safely eject from a fighter jet. No waiver, no exception. Just a firm “no.”

That moment forced me to rethink everything. Instead of flying jets, I had to pivot my entire career and life trajectory. Out of that disappointment, I found my first guiding North Star: to design a life where I could spend the most possible time with the people I love.

Key takeaways:

• Sometimes dreams end for reasons completely outside of your control.

• Life pivots can feel crushing but lead to deeper clarity.

• Your “North Star” can emerge from moments of loss, shaping every decision forward.

• True success is building a life filled with love, family, and meaning.

This is a story about identity, resilience, and finding purpose when your original plan gets taken away.