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

Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
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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 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
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 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

Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 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 engage in a candid discussion about mental health, emphasizing the importance of sleep, energy management, and the impact of modern lifestyle choices. They explore the core principles of mental health, including the significance of love and connection, and how to manage unfinished business in various aspects of life. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Mar 07, 2025
Friday Mar 07, 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 discuss the launch of LiftAffect's comprehensive 12-week course, "The Lift Effect Effortless Sleep Solution." Matt shares his personal struggle with insomnia and explains why traditional approaches like CBTI often fall short. The course is built around a revolutionary philosophy that insomnia is caused by "fear of wakefulness" and introduces the "gas and brake" model of sleep. They explain how excessive attention to sleep paradoxically makes it harder to achieve, and outline the course structure which includes weekly videos, group sessions, and ongoing support. This program aims to help participants rebuild a natural, effortless relationship with sleep without relying on supplements or complicated sleep hygiene rules.
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 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!
From the cockpit to the operating room, setting professional boundaries is crucial in high-stakes environments. Inspired by a heartfelt email from a listener - an anesthesiologist and newly-minted instrument pilot - this brief episode tackles the challenge of maintaining firm safety boundaries without damaging professional relationships. Featuring practical strategies and real-world examples that resonate across industries where lives depend on clear decision-making. Whether you're managing crew schedules or operating room pressures, learn how to stand your ground professionally and effectively. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website
