Lt Col Scott “Kidd” Poteet (Ret.) is not your typical astronaut. As a young kid, Kidd struggled with intense motion sickness, fear of heights, and a less-than-stellar academic performance. After experiencing a serendipitous moment in college, a fire was lit from within, setting his sights on becoming an Air Force fighter pilot. Kidd served his...
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Lt Col Scott “Kidd” Poteet (Ret.) is not your typical astronaut. As a young kid, Kidd struggled with intense motion sickness, fear of heights, and a less-than-stellar academic performance. After experiencing a serendipitous moment in college, a fire was lit from within, setting his sights on becoming an Air Force fighter pilot. Kidd served his country for 20 years and exceeded all expectations as a combat-proven warrior, USAF Thunderbird ambassador, and Fighter Weapons School graduate. Kidd excelled in his military career while fostering his passion for endurance sports by competing in 16 Ironman triathlons, including the World Championships in Hawaii. Following his epic military career, Kidd fulfilled his childhood dream as an astronaut aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on a 5-day earth orbit spaceflight. This Polaris Dawn mission to space made history by setting numerous records for future generations to strive for. Kidd’s experiences on orbit and throughout his career led to the realization that when you embrace your God-given gifts and have an attitude of humility, you can forge a path of purpose in pursuit of greatness.
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Speaker Programs
Pushing Beyond Limits Through Sacrifice, Humility, and Human Connection
In the cockpit of a fighter jet or strapped into a rocket on the launchpad, one truth becomes crystal clear—growth only comes when you’re willing to push beyond what you think is possible. In this ...more
In the cockpit of a fighter jet or strapped into a rocket on the launchpad, one truth becomes crystal clear—growth only comes when you’re willing to push beyond what you think is possible.
In this keynote, Kidd Poteet, astronaut, Ironman triathlete, and combat fighter pilot, shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey from the skies of combat zones to the edge of space. Through powerful storytelling and hard-won wisdom, Kidd reveals that true achievement doesn’t begin with titles, medals, or records—it begins with the courage to sacrifice, the humility to keep learning, and the connections we form with others along the way.
From breaking through fear in the air, to enduring the limits of the human body in sport, to relying on teammates in combat and spaceflight, Kidd shows that greatness is never a solo act. It’s discovered in the moments we set aside ego, embrace vulnerability, and choose service over self.
This keynote isn’t just about elite performance—it’s a call to action. A call to leaders, teams, and individuals to chase goals that scare them, to embrace the discomfort of sacrifice, and to discover purpose not in what we accomplish for ourselves, but in what we unlock for others.
Whether you’re leading an organization, striving for personal excellence, or searching for a deeper sense of “why,” this keynote will leave you inspired to push beyond limits, embrace humility, and connect with others to achieve something far greater than yourself. ...less
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