Mental Toughness in Space and on Earth

From Charge Forward Coaching · 34:02

Show by James Blasco

What does it take to chase a dream all the way to space?In this episode of the Charge Forward Coaching Podcast, James Blasco sits down with former NASA astronaut Dr. Janet Kavandi, a Hall of Fame astronaut who flew three Space Shuttle missions, to discuss mental toughness in space, business, and life. Dr. Kavandi shares how a childhood dream became reality and the role persistence, preparation, adaptability, and confidence played along the way.She explains how astronauts prepare for high-pressure situations, manage risk, and train to remain calm when things don’t go according to plan. She also shares how setbacks can become valuable feedback, why strong teams need confidence without arrogance, and what her experiences at NASA taught her about leadership, teamwork, and continuous learning. From pursuing audacious goals to becoming a better leader, this conversation offers powerful lessons for staying focused, overcoming obstacles, handling adversity, and developing the mental toughness to keep charging forward.Key Topics:-Childhood dreams and setting audacious goals-Persistence, resilience, and overcoming setbacks-Astronaut training and performing under pressure-Confidence, teamwork, and mental toughness-Leadership, feedback, and continuous growthAbout the Guest:Dr. Janet Kavandi is a highly accomplished leader in aerospace and technology who leverages her extensive experience in human spaceflight, aerospace research and development, and strategic planning to strengthen national capabilities in space exploration and commercial aerospace. Dr. Kavandi is President and CEO of Kavandi Consulting, LLC.She previously served as President and Chief Science Officer at Sierra Space; before that, she was Executive Vice President in the Space Systems Group at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). Preceding her tenure at Sierra, Dr. Kavandi served 25 years at NASA where she was Director of NASA’s Glenn Research Center, overseeing innovative advancements in aeronautics, space propulsion, and energy storage technologies. Under her leadership, the center significantly contributed to the U.S. space exploration agenda and collaborated extensively with the international space community. Prior to her time at Glenn, Dr. Kavandi was Director of Flight Crew Operations and Deputy Director of Health and Human Performance at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.She was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1994 and flew on three space shuttle missions, logging 33 days in space and 13.1 million miles in 535 Earth orbits. The recipient of two Presidential Rank Awards, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, two Exceptional Service Medals, three NASA Space Flight Medals and the Distinguished Service Medal, Dr. Kavandi was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2019.Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Missouri Southern State University, a Master of Science from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, and a PhD in analytical chemistry from the University of Washington.About the Host:James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.Resources:Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoachingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoachingSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoachingApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching

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