The Hidden Safety Risk: Stress, Perfectionism, and Pilot Wellbeing with Avi Gordon

Season 2 Episode 1



Aviation demands precision, resilience, and flawless execution—but what happens when the pressure to perform leaves no room to be human?



In this episode we explore the deep mission that motivated us to create this podcast: addressing a long-standing gap in aviation culture around mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Our conversation examines why stress, anxiety, fatigue, and fear are so prevalent among pilots—and why traditional “push through it” thinking no longer serves safety or performance.



To help us, we invited podcaster and guest expert Avi Gordon to guide the discussion. Along with his podcast skills, Avi is a mind-body coach, meditation teacher, and Director of the Integral Yoga Teachers Association. 



Avi helps us dig into the core paradox of pilot life: that the profound love of flying is inseparable from the fear of losing one’s career and identity. This fear drives perfectionism, discourages vulnerability, and often prevents pilots from seeking help—medical or otherwise. From training events to line flying, the pressure to appear flawless creates a constant “performance self,” leaving little space for authentic wellbeing.



 



You’ll hear why most mistakes aren’t caused by lack of skill, but by lack of presence—being stuck in future worry or past self-judgment. The episode reframes self-care not as a personal indulgence, but as a practical, safety-oriented performance tool that directly supports focus, decision-making, and consistency in the cockpit.



 



To put the discussion into action, Avi shares a simple, actionable framework pilots can actually use—without needing hours of meditation or lifestyle overhauls. His 8 Practical Tools for Pilot Wellbeing can be put into action immediately and yet provide profound results. 



 



This episode is an invitation to rethink what strength, professionalism, and peak performance really look like. It’s time to embrace the core concepts of self-care as part of aviation culture, turning pilot wellbeing into a prerequisite for every training and flight.



 



Helpful Links:



Avi's Coaching: (https://www.life-chronicles.com/pages...) Mind Body Coaching for Peak Performance 



Avi's Book: (https://www.amazon.com/A-Light-in-the...) A Light in the Tunnel Audiobook and Paperback



Integral Yoga Podcast (https://iyta.org/podcast/) : Hosted by Avi. Discussions on yoga, spirituality, and conscious evolution



Avi's Newsletter Sign-Up (https://www.life-chronicles.com/pages...)