Astronaut's Guide to Taking YOUR Moonshot, with Mike Massimino from NASA and Big Bang Theory
Dec 6, 2023
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Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino shares his journey from a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut to overcoming obstacles like failing exams, re-training his eyesight, and learning to swim to join NASA's astronaut candidate program. Topics include bodily functions in space, the importance of teamwork and taking risks, rebuilding trust after a tragic incident, and overcoming misconceptions about success.
The importance of pursuing dreams against the odds and persisting through challenges and failures.
The significance of teamwork, communication, and speaking up, even as a new member of the team.
The value of perseverance, learning, and helping others in achieving success.
The need to let go of disappointments and mistakes, learn from them, and focus on moving forward.
Deep dives
Taking the Moonshot: Pursuing Dreams Against the Odds
The guest on the podcast is a former NASA astronaut who shares insights on achieving big dreams. He emphasizes the importance of taking the long shot and defying the odds. He recounts how he was inspired by the moon landing and how he initially felt that becoming an astronaut was out of reach. However, through persistence and learning from failures, he eventually achieved his goal. He also highlights the significance of teamwork and speaking up, sharing an experience where he failed to speak up and almost encountered a serious incident. Overall, the episode encourages listeners to pursue their dreams and not give up, even when faced with challenges and setbacks.
Overcoming Obstacles: Eyesight and Swimming
Two obstacles on his journey to becoming an astronaut were eyesight and swimming. He initially failed the eye exam during the selection process, but by undergoing vision training, he managed to re-qualify and submit his application again. He also struggled with swimming and was afraid of embarrassing himself in front of his experienced colleagues. However, he learned the importance of speaking up and seeking help. This lesson was reinforced during a flight with an experienced pilot when he failed to speak up about a potential issue. He realized the importance of vocalizing concerns and working as a team to ensure safety and success.
Importance of Speaking Up
One of the key lessons the guest learned as an astronaut was the importance of speaking up, even as a new member of the team. He shares an incident where his failure to speak up almost led to a serious incident during a flight. This experience taught him the significance of raising concerns and offering ideas, even if they may not always be correct. The episode emphasizes that speaking up fosters collaboration, prevents potential issues, and promotes a culture of continuous improvement and safety.
Lessons for Pursuing Dreams
The podcast episode provides valuable lessons for pursuing dreams against the odds. It encourages listeners to take the long shot, persist through challenges, and learn from failures. The importance of teamwork, communication, and speaking up is emphasized, emphasizing the need to support and learn from one another. The guest's personal experiences highlight the value of perseverance, learning, and helping others. Overall, the episode inspires listeners to pursue their dreams, embrace challenges, and prioritize collaboration and communication.
Importance of Persistence and Grit
Success is not about innate talent, but about persistent effort and perseverance. It requires not giving up in the face of challenges and setbacks. The key to success is sticking to it, even when things get tough and not letting failure stop you.
The Importance of Speaking Up
Even as a rookie, it is crucial to speak up when you see something wrong or have an idea. Not speaking up can have serious consequences. Everyone, regardless of their experience or position, should voice their opinions and advocate for what they believe is right.
Dealing with Disappointment
When faced with a disappointment or mistake, it is important to allow yourself to feel the disappointment briefly, but then let it go and move on. Dwelling on mistakes or setbacks prevents growth and progress. Learn from the mistake and focus on moving forward.
#476: Mike Massimino stared in disbelief at his TV. The date was July 16, 1969, and he marveled as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon.
At that moment, he knew he wanted to become an astronaut. He was six years old.
But as Mike grew older, he developed more “realistic” dreams. After all, every kid wants to become an astronaut. The chances of making it are incredibly slim. He went to a local college, studied engineering, and took a job at IBM.
But he couldn’t shake the tiny voice inside that said – “why not try?”
So Mike upended his life. He enrolled in a Ph.D. program at MIT, and then proceeded to fail the qualification exam so badly that his professors gently suggested that perhaps a doctorate isn’t right for him.
He battled to pass the exam on his second attempt, and went on to teach at Georgia Tech, from where he repeatedly submitted applications to NASA for their astronaut candidate program – which they called “as* can.”
He was thrilled when he finally received his acceptance – until he learned that he needed 20/20 vision. At the time, NASA required astronauts to have naturally 20/20 eyesight, without surgery.
So he sought out a doctor to help him re-train his eyesight.
Then he learned that he’d need to pass a swim test. He was in his 30’s and had never swum. “Can’t I just take a math quiz?,” he joked.
But he … didn’t let that sink him. (Pun intended).
In today’s special episode, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino explains how anyone – including you – can take your own moonshot.
