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Hello Mindsetters! Welcome to Episode 3 of The Retired Mindset—and trust us, this one is something special.

Podcast host Bob Preston's guest today is aviation royalty. Rogers E. Smith—“Rog” to his friends—is a former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot, Air National Guard veteran, and NASA test pilot who spent nearly two decades at the legendary Dryden (now Neil Armstrong) Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base.

During his incredible career, Rog flew some of the world’s most advanced aircraft: the X-29, X-31, F-15, F-16, and F-18 jets. But his crown jewel? Eight years in the cockpit of the SR-71 Blackbird—the world’s fastest airplane. We’re talking 85,000 feet and over Mach 3—more than 2,300 miles per hour. Yes, faster than a speeding bullet.

Beyond his jaw-dropping resume, Rog is a man of humility and depth. One of his quotes that stuck with me is: “Money is necessary, but it’s not a sufficient ingredient for fulfillment in life.”

That wisdom is what makes this conversation perfect for The Retired Mindset—a deep look at how purpose and passion evolve when the afterburners of our careers shut off and we enter new airspace: retirement.
We recorded this episode on location in beautiful Coronado, California, and we’re releasing this story in two parts.

• Part 1 (this episode): Rog’s incredible aviation journey—from fighter pilot to NASA test pilot—and the lessons learned along the way.
• Part 2 (coming soon): Rog’s personal philosophy on leadership, passion, and life after NASA, including his work today as a consultant, volunteer, and member of the Mountain Host and Safety Team at Mammoth Mountain.

Key Takeaways:

• The mindset and courage it takes to fly experimental aircraft at Mach 3+
• Why humility and curiosity matter more than speed or status
• Rog’s reflections on fulfillment beyond career achievements
• How to carry leadership, purpose, and passion into retirement

Join us as we post new episodes weekly!

Connect with Bob: [email protected], LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.