Welcome to The Route to Success with Sara Orellana.
In this powerful episode, Sara sits down with retired Air Force Colonel, pilot, nonprofit leader, and private equity founder Austin Moore for a real conversation about faith, fear, service, and leadership under pressure.
Austin shares how growing up in humble circumstances shaped his mindset and why he considers early adversity a gift rather than a limitation. From wrestling under Hall of Fame coach Russ Weiner to building a 26 year military career and retiring as a colonel in the United States Air Force, his journey is rooted in discipline, belief, and personal responsibility.
Inside this episode, you will learn:
• Why having no backup plan can force you to make Plan A work
• How to accept feedback without letting it break your confidence
• The difference between criticism from supporters and noise from detractors
• Practical tools for managing fear when it feels overwhelming
• How focusing on positive outcomes rewires your response to anxiety
• Why service should start now instead of someday
• How to grow an organization without losing mission clarity
• The leadership lessons that transferred from military service to nonprofit CEO to private equity
• How prayer, meditation, and time outdoors create grounded leadership
Austin also reflects on his time leading the Special Operators Transition Foundation, where he helped grow the organization by more than 300 percent while staying focused on serving special operations veterans transitioning into meaningful careers. He explains why growth should follow mission, not ego, and how strong leadership requires constant alignment with purpose.
This conversation explores imposter syndrome, self doubt, resilience, and what it really means to move forward when fear is loud. Austin shares a powerful story from pilot training about sitting alone in a jet before his first solo flight and choosing to shift from what if I fail to what if I succeed.
If you care about leadership development, military transition, nonprofit growth, private equity leadership, faith driven decision making, or building resilience under pressure, this episode delivers practical insight and honest reflection.
Connect with Austin Moore on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinamoore/
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