Episode 20: Commanding Resilience: J. Scot Heathman’s Journey from Brain Tumor to Triumph
In this powerful episode of the Positively Altered Podcast, Dr. Cindy sits down with J. Scot Heathman, a former military commander who faced a life-altering challenge after a car accident led to the discovery of a brain tumor. J. Scot shares his inspiring journey of resilience, including how his military mindset helped him tackle the unexpected. From naming his tumor “Toby” to navigating a lengthy recovery, J. Scot’s story is a testament to strength, leadership, and the power of perspective. Tune in for a mix of humor, vulnerability, and practical advice on navigating adversity and embracing life’s challenges!
In this episode, we cover:
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Raised in Minnesota with traditional Midwest values, he was an active participant in school, sports, and his community. However, his greatest passion emerged at just three years old, when he saw Star Wars in the theater for the first time.
That day, he knew he was destined to fly airplanes. This dream prompted a 25-year career in the Air Force, during which time he became a colonel, combat instructor pilot, squadron commander, and eventually an Air Force base commander leading and serving roughly 14,000 personnel.
In 2019, however, his resilience would be tested beyond anything he had ever experienced. Following a car accident, doctors discovered he had a brain tumor. The next year was spent in observation and eventually culminated in a nearly ten-hour surgery.
Despite four months of extreme therapy to learn how to walk, talk, see, and regain his balance, J. Scot returned as the Base Commander for Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, only to go through 30 rounds of radiation, all while under the global pandemic.
This experience taught him how impactful his lessons could be in inspiring others and prompted a unique opportunity to elevate others. So, in 2022, he retired from the Air Force and set out to bring his ideas of courage and a proven leadership style to help corporate and senior leaders command their own cultures.
Today, J. Scot inspires CEOs to front-line leaders to ‘command with courage’ so they can unleash the force within their team, ignite their innovative spirit, and skyrocket their bottom line.
His Commander Level coaching/training programs, along with his keynote presentations, inspire his clients to lead with relatability and respect and embrace their vulnerability and emotional intelligence for positive change. J. Scot has Master’s degrees in Organizational Leadership, Operational Planning & Strategy, and National Security & Strategic Studies, and is certified in Emotional Intelligence and Wiley’s Everything DiSC curriculum and assessments, designed to take leadership performance to the highest altitudes.
He has earned the 2024 Emotional Intelligence Facilitator and Retired Colonel of the Year award from the International Association of Top Professionals.
He contributed to “The Military Effect: Fifty Stories of Those Who Have Served” by Scott Manthorne and author of the upcoming book “Command With Courage: Elevating Beyond Adversity,” a release date to be announced.
www.elevatingothersllc.com
https://themilitaryeffect.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jscotheathman/
J. Scot would love to give away five hours of free coaching to five individuals. The first five people to DM him on LinkedIn will receive a one-on-one, 60-minute session with him!
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