Ever wondered what it's like to fly Marine One for the President of the United States? Who does that? This guy: John Ballenger. But that's only what you see on the outside ... The story is on the inside.

On this week's Normal 40 Podcst, we navigate the highs and lows of life with John Ballenger, a former Marine Corps pilot whose #normal40 story will inspire you.

We start with his love for aviation, his adrenaline-pumping journey to become the lead pilot for the President of The United States, and how his life was transformed through an encounter with his wife, orchestrated by faith.

There is hardly a more impressive duty for a Marine than to fly the President. It's the highest honor for a pilot and a Marine. But behind all of that achievement, behind the uniform, underneath all of the decorations and sterling performance and flight reviews, there can be self-doubt and heartbreak. And no matter the rank, learn how nothing in his lifetime of training had prepared him - or his marriage - for how to navigate the loss of a child.

John and Lon Stroschein discuss the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life and the imposter syndrome that found John along the way. And hear - in his words - how he has moved from grappling with self-doubt to becoming a coach for others who have been where he's been.

Learn about the hidden grind behind achieving big goals and the power of persistence, and grasp the 'grueling it out' portion of the journey, a testament to John's resilience.


Finally, we explore Normal 40, a mission close to John's and my heart that aims to make a profound impact on the lives of those transitioning from military to civilian life. Discover the transformative power of group events and how they've changed lives. Hear John's thoughts on mindfulness, the power of failure, and how our experiences, rewarding or otherwise, shape our stories. Join us as we navigate this journey, filled with emotion, inspiration, and insights.


Normal 40 is a process that gets you out of your head and into your gut. It helps you get back to where you used to be going…and back to how you used to feel. You can choose to explore it and let it out, or you can choose to suppress it and hold it in.

Join Normal 40 founder Lon Stroschein for a really interesting Ramble with a dude you need to know, John Ballenger.

John has a unique background and story that has called him to be "on mission" and help define his second-half story.


You can follow more of John's story here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ballenger53/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com