The Performance Pilot Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-performance-pilot Join Ben Todd, student pilot and competitive bodybuilder, as he documents the journey from flight training to professional aviation, while pursuing peak physical and mental performance. Each episode of The Performance Pilot dives into the parallels between flying and fitness: discipline, precision, mindset, and continuous improvement. Through personal stories and conversations with industry professionals, Ben explores what it really takes to perform at the highest level — in the cockpit, in the gym, and in life. © 2026 The Performance Pilot 053c6f8c-769a-54d7-8777-8aa40b121cb3 yes en Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:00:09 -0600 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:01:58 -0600 https://img.transistorcdn.com/SgG2kG4XixTut4xijni59-w7KAlyDC0VGbsluNtGgFs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82OWUw/MzVhZDE0MmQ1NWEx/YTZjZDJlY2QyYmQ1/NjE0ZC5KUEc.jpg The Performance Pilot episodic Ben Todd Join Ben Todd, student pilot and competitive bodybuilder, as he documents the journey from flight training to professional aviation, while pursuing peak physical and mental performance. Each episode of The Performance Pilot dives into the parallels between flying and fitness: discipline, precision, mindset, and continuous improvement. Through personal stories and conversations with industry professionals, Ben explores what it really takes to perform at the highest level — in the cockpit, in the gym, and in life. Join Ben Todd, student pilot and competitive bodybuilder, as he documents the journey from flight training to professional aviation, while pursuing peak physical and mental performance. Aviation, Flight Training, Student Pilot, Bodybuilding, Fitness, Fitness Coaching, Nutrition, Discipline Ben Todd No Yes 6: The Power of Remaining a Student: Aviation, Bodybuilding, and High Performance | Kait Shaffery 6 6 6: The Power of Remaining a Student: Aviation, Bodybuilding, and High Performance | Kait Shaffery full a83f9667-7226-417e-8f83-bbc2e28f5597 https://share.transistor.fm/s/079cccca In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with airline First Officer and OCB bikini competitor Kait Shaffery to discuss her journey through aviation and fitness. From growing up in a small Arizona town and discovering aviation through her mother’s career as a flight attendant, to earning a seat at a major airline, as well as stepping on a bodybuilding stage, Kait shares the lessons, challenges, and mindset shifts that have helped her succeed.


The conversation dives into flight training, instructing, navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-era airline industry, the value of networking and interview preparation, and what it takes to build a successful aviation career. Kait also shares her experience balancing airline life with bodybuilding prep, proving that discipline, planning, and consistency can make even the most ambitious goals achievable.

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IG: instagram.com/beentodd
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Kait's IG: instagram.com/kaitshaff

]]> In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with airline First Officer and OCB bikini competitor Kait Shaffery to discuss her journey through aviation and fitness. From growing up in a small Arizona town and discovering aviation through her mother’s career as a flight attendant, to earning a seat at a major airline, as well as stepping on a bodybuilding stage, Kait shares the lessons, challenges, and mindset shifts that have helped her succeed.


The conversation dives into flight training, instructing, navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-era airline industry, the value of networking and interview preparation, and what it takes to build a successful aviation career. Kait also shares her experience balancing airline life with bodybuilding prep, proving that discipline, planning, and consistency can make even the most ambitious goals achievable.

FOLLOW:
IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd
Kait's IG: instagram.com/kaitshaff

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0600 Ben Todd Ben Todd 6162 In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with airline First Officer and OCB bikini competitor Kait Shaffery to discuss her journey through aviation and fitness. From growing up in a small Arizona town and discovering aviation through her mother’s career as a flight attendant, to earning a seat at a major airline, as well as stepping on a bodybuilding stage, Kait shares the lessons, challenges, and mindset shifts that have helped her succeed.


The conversation dives into flight training, instructing, navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-era airline industry, the value of networking and interview preparation, and what it takes to build a successful aviation career. Kait also shares her experience balancing airline life with bodybuilding prep, proving that discipline, planning, and consistency can make even the most ambitious goals achievable.

FOLLOW:
IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd
Kait's IG: instagram.com/kaitshaff

]]> Aviation, Flight Training, Student Pilot, Bodybuilding, Fitness, Fitness Coaching, Nutrition, Discipline No 5: My Journey to Becoming a Pilot 5 5 5: My Journey to Becoming a Pilot full 751107aa-91ed-465a-82a5-a975c43b82fb https://share.transistor.fm/s/8c2933b1 After a four month hiatus from the podcast, I'm back with one of the biggest milestones of my life: officially becoming a licensed private pilot.

In this deeply personal episode, I share the full story of my 15 month journey from my first flight lesson to passing my private pilot checkride. I discuss the challenges of balancing a demanding career in IT with flight training, the difficult decision to leave a stable job, and the sacrifices required to pursue a lifelong dream.


Listeners will get an inside look at what pilot training actually involves, including the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, solo flights, stage checks, simulator training, cross-country flights, and the intense preparation required to earn a pilot certificate.


More importantly, this episode is about far more than aviation. It’s a conversation about discipline, delayed gratification, resilience, and what becomes possible when you fully commit yourself to a goal that truly matters.


Whether you’re pursuing a pilot certificate, building a business, preparing for a competition, or chasing a dream you’ve held for decades, this episode serves as a reminder that extraordinary achievements are possible when focus, sacrifice, and persistence align.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

]]> After a four month hiatus from the podcast, I'm back with one of the biggest milestones of my life: officially becoming a licensed private pilot.

In this deeply personal episode, I share the full story of my 15 month journey from my first flight lesson to passing my private pilot checkride. I discuss the challenges of balancing a demanding career in IT with flight training, the difficult decision to leave a stable job, and the sacrifices required to pursue a lifelong dream.


Listeners will get an inside look at what pilot training actually involves, including the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, solo flights, stage checks, simulator training, cross-country flights, and the intense preparation required to earn a pilot certificate.


More importantly, this episode is about far more than aviation. It’s a conversation about discipline, delayed gratification, resilience, and what becomes possible when you fully commit yourself to a goal that truly matters.


Whether you’re pursuing a pilot certificate, building a business, preparing for a competition, or chasing a dream you’ve held for decades, this episode serves as a reminder that extraordinary achievements are possible when focus, sacrifice, and persistence align.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

]]> Mon, 01 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0600 Ben Todd Ben Todd 4387 After a four month hiatus from the podcast, I'm back with one of the biggest milestones of my life: officially becoming a licensed private pilot.

In this deeply personal episode, I share the full story of my 15 month journey from my first flight lesson to passing my private pilot checkride. I discuss the challenges of balancing a demanding career in IT with flight training, the difficult decision to leave a stable job, and the sacrifices required to pursue a lifelong dream.


Listeners will get an inside look at what pilot training actually involves, including the differences between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, solo flights, stage checks, simulator training, cross-country flights, and the intense preparation required to earn a pilot certificate.


More importantly, this episode is about far more than aviation. It’s a conversation about discipline, delayed gratification, resilience, and what becomes possible when you fully commit yourself to a goal that truly matters.


Whether you’re pursuing a pilot certificate, building a business, preparing for a competition, or chasing a dream you’ve held for decades, this episode serves as a reminder that extraordinary achievements are possible when focus, sacrifice, and persistence align.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

]]> Aviation, Flight Training, Student Pilot, Bodybuilding, Fitness, Fitness Coaching, Nutrition, Discipline No 4: From Personal Passion to Community Impact - Building a Highly Successful Fitness Coaching Business | Tyler Fluitt 4 4 4: From Personal Passion to Community Impact - Building a Highly Successful Fitness Coaching Business | Tyler Fluitt full 490b6892-8060-40e2-baea-de97feca6c7e https://share.transistor.fm/s/1244c459 This week's episode is another interview episode. My guest this week is Tyler Fluitt, an Austin, TX-based fitness coach and owner of Level Up Physiques. He is an IFBB Professional Bodybuilder in the Men's Physique Division, and has also been my personal bodybuilding coach for the last 3 years.

We begin the conversation by discussing how Tyler got his start in the fitness industry, growing up as a skinny kid in Louisiana. We dive into how he began working out and why he got started competing in bodybuilding, culminating in winning his IFBB Pro Card in 2023.

We then move on to talking about his fitness coaching business, Level Up Physiques. Tyler shares his journey from bartending at a luxury Austin hotel, to becoming a personal trainer at Gold's Gym, and how that experience led him to building his own online coaching business. Tyler's passion for what he does as a coach is very evident from our conversation. He shares some very insightful information around fitness and why he believes investing in a coach is helpful for people who have a specific fitness goals that they would like to achieve, whether that is to step on stage and compete in a bodybuilding show, or just to look and feel better overall.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd/
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd
Tyler's IG: instagram.com/level_up_physiques/
Level Up Physiques Website: https://www.levelupphysiques.com/

]]> This week's episode is another interview episode. My guest this week is Tyler Fluitt, an Austin, TX-based fitness coach and owner of Level Up Physiques. He is an IFBB Professional Bodybuilder in the Men's Physique Division, and has also been my personal bodybuilding coach for the last 3 years.

We begin the conversation by discussing how Tyler got his start in the fitness industry, growing up as a skinny kid in Louisiana. We dive into how he began working out and why he got started competing in bodybuilding, culminating in winning his IFBB Pro Card in 2023.

We then move on to talking about his fitness coaching business, Level Up Physiques. Tyler shares his journey from bartending at a luxury Austin hotel, to becoming a personal trainer at Gold's Gym, and how that experience led him to building his own online coaching business. Tyler's passion for what he does as a coach is very evident from our conversation. He shares some very insightful information around fitness and why he believes investing in a coach is helpful for people who have a specific fitness goals that they would like to achieve, whether that is to step on stage and compete in a bodybuilding show, or just to look and feel better overall.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd/
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd
Tyler's IG: instagram.com/level_up_physiques/
Level Up Physiques Website: https://www.levelupphysiques.com/

]]> Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0700 Ben Todd Ben Todd 3298 This week's episode is another interview episode. My guest this week is Tyler Fluitt, an Austin, TX-based fitness coach and owner of Level Up Physiques. He is an IFBB Professional Bodybuilder in the Men's Physique Division, and has also been my personal bodybuilding coach for the last 3 years.

We begin the conversation by discussing how Tyler got his start in the fitness industry, growing up as a skinny kid in Louisiana. We dive into how he began working out and why he got started competing in bodybuilding, culminating in winning his IFBB Pro Card in 2023.

We then move on to talking about his fitness coaching business, Level Up Physiques. Tyler shares his journey from bartending at a luxury Austin hotel, to becoming a personal trainer at Gold's Gym, and how that experience led him to building his own online coaching business. Tyler's passion for what he does as a coach is very evident from our conversation. He shares some very insightful information around fitness and why he believes investing in a coach is helpful for people who have a specific fitness goals that they would like to achieve, whether that is to step on stage and compete in a bodybuilding show, or just to look and feel better overall.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd/
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd
Tyler's IG: instagram.com/level_up_physiques/
Level Up Physiques Website: https://www.levelupphysiques.com/

]]> Aviation, Flight Training, Student Pilot, Bodybuilding, Fitness, Fitness Coaching, Nutrition, Discipline No 3: Flight School Expectations and Bodybuilding Update 3 3 3: Flight School Expectations and Bodybuilding Update full 9e4f50ba-be29-4256-a894-f9016343cc69 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9015db33 In this week's solo episode, I discuss my expectations for beginning flight school, as well as provide an update to my bodybuilding journey. Since the college semester begins this week, I outline my expectations for how I expect the semester to unfold, the different ways of accomplishing flight training, and what my future plans may entail in order to expedite my training. I also reveal that my bodybuilding coach and I have selected the first bodybuilding show that I will be competing in this summer, so I share some thoughts on getting ready to begin prep, what my expectations for prep are, and how I plan to balance all of the different life priorities that I will have over these next six months.

FOLLOW:
IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

]]> In this week's solo episode, I discuss my expectations for beginning flight school, as well as provide an update to my bodybuilding journey. Since the college semester begins this week, I outline my expectations for how I expect the semester to unfold, the different ways of accomplishing flight training, and what my future plans may entail in order to expedite my training. I also reveal that my bodybuilding coach and I have selected the first bodybuilding show that I will be competing in this summer, so I share some thoughts on getting ready to begin prep, what my expectations for prep are, and how I plan to balance all of the different life priorities that I will have over these next six months.

FOLLOW:
IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

]]> Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0700 Ben Todd Ben Todd 2068 In this week's solo episode, I discuss my expectations for beginning flight school, as well as provide an update to my bodybuilding journey. Since the college semester begins this week, I outline my expectations for how I expect the semester to unfold, the different ways of accomplishing flight training, and what my future plans may entail in order to expedite my training. I also reveal that my bodybuilding coach and I have selected the first bodybuilding show that I will be competing in this summer, so I share some thoughts on getting ready to begin prep, what my expectations for prep are, and how I plan to balance all of the different life priorities that I will have over these next six months.

FOLLOW:
IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

]]> Aviation, Flight Training, Student Pilot, Bodybuilding, Fitness, Fitness Coaching, Nutrition, Discipline No 2: Save Money on Flight Training | Colin Boone 2 2 2: Save Money on Flight Training | Colin Boone full 53a3d5ea-5d38-496b-aec2-f0badbccb68a https://share.transistor.fm/s/8300f5b8 This week's episode is an interview with Colin Boone: Gulfstream G150 pilot, Gold Seal Flight Instructor, and owner of Flight Sim University, an online flight training platform that teaches student pilots all of the fundamentals of flight training right from the comfort of their own home. The conversation begins by Colin discussing how he developed an initial interest and passion for aviation, then moves into a discussion on his experience flying the Gulfstream G150 and how he found his way into corporate aviation. We spend the rest of the conversation talking about his experience as a flight instructor and why he decided to create his own online flight training platform, and what he hopes it will accomplish now that it has been launched. Colin concludes by offering some advice to aspiring pilots, both in terms of corporate aviation, as well as student pilots who are looking to maximize their training.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

Colin's IG: instagram.com/colin_boone_aviation/
Flight Sim University Patreon: patreon.com/cw/FlightSimUniversity

]]> This week's episode is an interview with Colin Boone: Gulfstream G150 pilot, Gold Seal Flight Instructor, and owner of Flight Sim University, an online flight training platform that teaches student pilots all of the fundamentals of flight training right from the comfort of their own home. The conversation begins by Colin discussing how he developed an initial interest and passion for aviation, then moves into a discussion on his experience flying the Gulfstream G150 and how he found his way into corporate aviation. We spend the rest of the conversation talking about his experience as a flight instructor and why he decided to create his own online flight training platform, and what he hopes it will accomplish now that it has been launched. Colin concludes by offering some advice to aspiring pilots, both in terms of corporate aviation, as well as student pilots who are looking to maximize their training.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

Colin's IG: instagram.com/colin_boone_aviation/
Flight Sim University Patreon: patreon.com/cw/FlightSimUniversity

]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0700 Ben Todd Ben Todd 3522 This week's episode is an interview with Colin Boone: Gulfstream G150 pilot, Gold Seal Flight Instructor, and owner of Flight Sim University, an online flight training platform that teaches student pilots all of the fundamentals of flight training right from the comfort of their own home. The conversation begins by Colin discussing how he developed an initial interest and passion for aviation, then moves into a discussion on his experience flying the Gulfstream G150 and how he found his way into corporate aviation. We spend the rest of the conversation talking about his experience as a flight instructor and why he decided to create his own online flight training platform, and what he hopes it will accomplish now that it has been launched. Colin concludes by offering some advice to aspiring pilots, both in terms of corporate aviation, as well as student pilots who are looking to maximize their training.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

Colin's IG: instagram.com/colin_boone_aviation/
Flight Sim University Patreon: patreon.com/cw/FlightSimUniversity

]]> Aviation, Flight Training, Student Pilot, Bodybuilding, Fitness, Fitness Coaching, Nutrition, Discipline No 1: A New Chapter 1 1 1: A New Chapter full 38b45d31-c040-4448-b645-ff279ed7acef https://share.transistor.fm/s/15a0bc7a In this inaugural episode of the podcast, I begin by discussing my inspiration for starting the podcast in the first place. I then move into talking about my journey as both a competitive bodybuilder and student pilot, and how each of those journeys will be the focal points of not only future podcast episodes, but also my life this year. I conclude by issuing a call to action to invite everyone to get uncomfortable this year to finally pursue and make progress towards a goal or desire that they've been chasing in their own lives.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

]]> In this inaugural episode of the podcast, I begin by discussing my inspiration for starting the podcast in the first place. I then move into talking about my journey as both a competitive bodybuilder and student pilot, and how each of those journeys will be the focal points of not only future podcast episodes, but also my life this year. I conclude by issuing a call to action to invite everyone to get uncomfortable this year to finally pursue and make progress towards a goal or desire that they've been chasing in their own lives.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

]]> Sun, 04 Jan 2026 20:49:14 -0700 Ben Todd Ben Todd 2256 In this inaugural episode of the podcast, I begin by discussing my inspiration for starting the podcast in the first place. I then move into talking about my journey as both a competitive bodybuilder and student pilot, and how each of those journeys will be the focal points of not only future podcast episodes, but also my life this year. I conclude by issuing a call to action to invite everyone to get uncomfortable this year to finally pursue and make progress towards a goal or desire that they've been chasing in their own lives.

FOLLOW:

IG: instagram.com/beentodd
YT: youtube.com/@beentodd

]]> Aviation, Flight Training, Student Pilot, Bodybuilding, Fitness, Fitness Coaching, Nutrition, Discipline No