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The Shawn Ryan Show

#326 Kegan Gill - F-18 Pilot Survives Two Hours in the Atlantic With a Broken Neck

July 30, 2026·3h 0m

Kegan "Smurf" Gill is a former U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot and the author of Phoenix Revival. In 2014, he survived the fastest ejection in naval aviation history, an event that left him facing devastating physical injuries and the invisible wounds of trauma. After battling PTSD, addiction, and a long road to recovery, Gill returned to the cockpit before ultimately dedicating himself to advocating for veteran mental health and alternative approaches to healing. Through his speaking, writing, and advocacy work, he shares a powerful message of resilience, purpose, and the possibility of rebuilding a life after profound adversity. Privacy isn't Paranoia, it's Protection.