LiftAffect has been working with professional pilots, airlines, flight departments, pilot unions, and pilot assistance programs throughout the world since 2007. Established by commercial airline pilot, mental health professional, and mental skills coach Matt McNeil, LiftAffect specializes in helping professional pilots with depression, anxiety, acute/chronic stress, complex trauma, mental performance issues, as well as alcohol and drug dependency/abuse concerns. LiftAffect is the industry leader in assisting professional pilots with mental health and mental performance-related concerns. We understand the challenges of operating in your environment, because we have operated there ourselves. LiftAffect is committed to providing the most accessible, comprehensive, protective, and effective services available to professional pilots, allowing them the ability to receive the help they rightfully deserve while preserving their ability to fly. At LiftAffect, we are Solution Focused and Results Driven.
The LiftAffect Podcast: Mental Health and Mental Skills Coaching for High-achieving, Overworked, & Overstressed Professionals
Mental Health and Mental Skills Coaching for the Underground (and often Invisible) High-Achieving, Overworked & Overstressed Professionals Working in High-Risk and High-Liability Professions.
Episodes

5 days ago
5 days ago
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Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl conclude their three-part series exploring AI's role in mental health and its applications as a supplementary therapeutic tool. Matt shares insights on maintaining human connection as the foundation of care, identifying red flags and safety considerations for AI integration, and building transparent therapeutic relationships. The discussion covers the importance of balanced approaches in navigating both technological capabilities and human-centered treatment, supportive frameworks for safe AI usage, and how honest communication practices enhance overall therapeutic outcomes, offering practical wisdom for maintaining authentic healing relationships in the evolving world of AI-supplemented mental healthcare. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Jun 13, 2025
Friday Jun 13, 2025
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Click here to sign up to receive LiftAffect's Weekly Gouge Newsletter!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl continue their conversation exploring the strategic integration of AI mental health tools and their applications within comprehensive treatment approaches. Matt shares insights on evaluating specific AI capabilities for skill development and crisis support, identifying privacy and security considerations that affect data protection, and building frameworks for responsible tool selection. The discussion covers the importance of balanced integration in navigating both technological benefits and therapeutic limitations, supportive strategies for data security, and how informed AI usage practices enhance overall mental health outcomes, offering practical wisdom for maintaining privacy and effectiveness in the evolving world of digital mental health support. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Click here to become a subscriber to receive exclusive content! |
Click here to sign up to receive LiftAffect's Weekly Gouge Newsletter!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl explore the emerging landscape of AI-powered mental health tools and their applications for safety-critical professions. Matt shares insights on recognizing the benefits and limitations of digital support systems, identifying when AI assistance is appropriate versus professional intervention, and building awareness of therapeutic boundaries. The discussion covers the importance of human connection in navigating both technological advancement and mental health needs, supportive frameworks for evaluating digital tools, and how informed decision-making practices enhance overall wellbeing, offering practical wisdom for maintaining mental health in the evolving world of AI-assisted care. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
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Click here to sign up to receive LiftAffect's Weekly Gouge Newsletter!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl explore the pervasive challenge of professional isolation and its applications for pilots and high-stress environments. Matt shares strategies for fostering genuine connections despite occupational barriers, identifying patterns that contribute to loneliness, and building effective support networks. The discussion covers the importance of psychological safety in navigating both career demands and personal wellbeing, supportive communities like the V1 Project, and how intentional relationship-building practices enhance mental performance, offering practical wisdom for maintaining meaningful connections in the isolating world of aviation. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
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Click here to sign up to receive LiftAffect's Weekly Gouge Newsletter!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl explore the complex dynamics of perfectionism and its applications for high-stakes professions like aviation. Matt shares strategies for accepting imperfections while maintaining excellence, identifying patterns of performance-related anxiety, and building mindfulness practices for stress management. The discussion covers the importance of incremental optimization in navigating both professional standards and human limitations, supportive approaches to celebrating small wins, and how balanced perspectives enhance both performance and wellbeing, offering practical wisdom for maintaining mental health while pursuing excellence in the demanding world of high-stakes professions. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday May 09, 2025
Friday May 09, 2025
Click here to become a subscriber to receive exclusive content! |
Click here to sign up to receive LiftAffect's Weekly Gouge Newsletter!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl continue their conversation on decision fatigue and its applications for high-stress professions. Matt shares strategies for conserving cognitive resources under pressure, identifying warning signs that affect decision quality, and building systematic decision-making processes. The discussion covers the importance of self-monitoring in navigating both professional and environmental challenges, supportive frameworks for structured choices, and how optimization practices enhance decision quality, offering practical wisdom for maintaining clear thinking in the demanding world of high-pressure professions. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday May 02, 2025
Friday May 02, 2025
Click here to become a subscriber to receive exclusive content! |
Click here to sign up to receive LiftAffect's Weekly Gouge Newsletter!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl explore the critical insights on decision fatigue and its applications for high-stress professions. Matt shares strategies for conserving cognitive resources under pressure, identifying warning signs that affect decision quality, and building systematic decision-making processes. The discussion covers the importance of self-monitoring in navigating both professional and environmental challenges, supportive frameworks for structured choices, and how optimization practices enhance decision quality, offering practical wisdom for maintaining clear thinking in the demanding world of high-pressure professions. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Apr 18, 2025
Friday Apr 18, 2025
Click here to become a subscriber to receive exclusive content! |
Click here to sign up to receive LiftAffect's Weekly Gouge Newsletter!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl explore the profound insights from David Foster Wallace's commencement speech, 'This is Water,' and its applications for pilots' mental health. Matt shares strategies for maintaining mindfulness in high-pressure cockpit environments, identifying emotional patterns that affect flight performance, and building psychological resilience. The discussion covers the importance of awareness in navigating both professional and personal challenges, supportive systems in aviation, and how mindful practices enhance pilot wellbeing, offering practical wisdom for maintaining mental health in the demanding world of aviation. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Apr 11, 2025
Friday Apr 11, 2025
Click here to become a subscriber to receive exclusive content! |
Click here to sign up to receive LiftAffect's Weekly Gouge Newsletter!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl explore how investors can manage psychological challenges during market volatility. Matt shares strategies for maintaining rational decision-making in uncertain times, identifying emotional patterns that undermine financial performance, and building resilience. The discussion covers the importance of historical knowledge, structured financial planning, and how innovation drives economic growth, offering practical insights for navigating market turbulence. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Apr 04, 2025
Friday Apr 04, 2025
Click here to become a subscriber to receive exclusive content! |
Click here to sign up to receive LiftAffect's Weekly Gouge Newsletter!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Mental Skills for Value-Based Living Online Course!
Click here to check out LiftAffect's Effortless Sleep Solution Online Course!
In this episode, Matt and Karl tackle listener questions about staying mentally sharp in high-pressure professions. They share practical techniques for handling stress in the moment, dealing with disrupted sleep patterns, and staying engaged when working with automated systems.
Their conversation explores how pilots can openly discuss personal challenges with their crew while maintaining professionalism. Matt and Karl draw from their experience to discuss real-world strategies for mental preparation before demanding flights and recovery afterward.
Their discussion emphasizes creating a psychologically safe environment in the cockpit where concerns can be voiced without judgment. Whether you're in aviation or another field where clear thinking under pressure matters, you'll find valuable insights on building mental resilience when it counts most. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website
