From Fighter Pilot to Reinvention: How to Break Autopilot, Find Your Wingman, and Lead With Purpose

From Fighter Pilot to Reinvention: How to Break Autopilot, Find Your Wingman, and Lead With Purpose

Author: AJ Jones, Founder, MORE® — Aligned Reinvention Guide June 29, 2026 Duration: 34:04
In this episode of Code 3: Life. Reinvented., I sit down with former fighter pilot and Afterburner CEO Christian “Boo” Boucousis to explore what high-stakes aviation can teach us about life, leadership, transition, and reinvention. Boo shares how near misses, health challenges, and losing his fighter pilot identity forced him to rebuild his life with intention. We talk about the power of having a “wingman” who can see your blind spots, why purpose does not have to be grand to be meaningful, and how to move from living on autopilot to taking purposeful action. This conversation is packed with practical wisdom for anyone facing a chosen or forced transition and asking, “What comes next?” Boo’s framework of intention, reality, curiosity, and action offers a powerful way to turn ambition into movement and build a life aligned with who you are becoming. To find out more about today's guest, find Boo at: Website: https://callmeboo.com Learn more about Afterburner: https://afterburner.com To learn about MORE, please visit bemorealigned.com.

AJ Jones has a story that gets your attention, but it's not where his story ends. Surviving two widowmaker heart attacks after a high-powered finance career at places like Schwab and BlackRock led to a doctor's order to retire. He chose a different path. Now, as the founder of MORE®, he acts as an Aligned Reinvention Guide, and this Code 3: Life. Reinvented. podcast is the conversation that follows from that choice. It’s born from the urgent realization that sometimes you have to tear up the old blueprint completely. Here, we move past simple motivational talk into the tangible, sometimes messy work of building a life and career that truly fits who you are. You’ll hear from AJ and a range of guests who have navigated their own pivots, discussing the practical strategies and mindset shifts needed to step off autopilot. The discussions naturally weave through business, career development, education, and personal growth, because reinvention doesn’t respect neat categories. Tuning into this podcast means listening in on honest dialogues about risk, purpose, and crafting a definition of success that has personal meaning. It’s for anyone feeling the nagging sense that there’s a more aligned version of their professional journey or daily life waiting to be built, and who wants to hear how others have started that construction.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 45

Code 3: Life. Reinvented.
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