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

7 days ago
7 days ago
Spirit Airlines went dark overnight. On May 3rd, 2026, the airline filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations—leaving 2,000 pilots and 17,000 employees without a job.
But this isn't just about unemployment. For pilots, it's an identity crisis.
In this episode, Matt and Karl sit down with Benji French and Ed Smith from the V1 Project Peer to Peer Support Line to discuss:
Why this moment is different—and harder—than a typical furlough
The mental health crisis pilots face after sudden job loss
The identity loss that comes with losing the uniform
Why the medical certification system keeps pilots from seeking help
How to talk to your family about what's happening
Suicide prevention resources for pilots in crisis
Most importantly: we're offering direct support.
✈️ Free V1 Community access for displaced Spirit pilots☎️ Free peer-to-peer hotline: (303) 276-0456💬 Clinical care through LiftAffect—we'll work with you individually so that cost won't be a barrier
This episode is a lifeline. If you're a Spirit pilot, share it. If you know one, send it to them.
Resources mentioned:
V1 Project: thev1project.com
LiftAffect: lifteffect.com
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
V1 Peer-to-Peer Hotline: (303) 276-0456

Friday May 01, 2026
Friday May 01, 2026
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 common pilot mental health questions and their applications for thriving in demanding aviation careers. Matt shares strategies for understanding anxiety as adaptive rather than pathological, identifying when normal stress requires professional intervention, and building frameworks for effective communication with partners about occupational strain. The discussion covers the importance of early mental health care in navigating both FAA disclosure concerns and career longevity, supportive approaches to managing reserve sleep unpredictability and difficult crew dynamics, and how proactive wellbeing practices enhance both flight deck performance and personal relationships, offering practical wisdom for maintaining resilience and control in the demanding world of professional piloting. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Apr 24, 2026
Friday Apr 24, 2026
In this episode, Matt and Karl conclude their medication series exploring the critical intersection of pilot culture and mental health treatment and its applications for creating lasting change in aviation. Matt shares insights on understanding how stoicism and self-reliance can compromise safety, identifying the courage required to seek help as true operational excellence, and building frameworks for honest communication with prescribers and aviation medical examiners. The discussion covers the importance of breaking the silence in navigating both FAA policies and career preservation, supportive partnerships with HIMS doctors and specialized professionals, and how proactive mental health care enhances both individual wellbeing and flight safety, offering practical wisdom for transforming weakness narratives into strength through action. Enjoy!

Friday Apr 10, 2026
Friday Apr 10, 2026
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 medication series exploring the profound risks of sleep medications and their applications for pilots seeking safe, restorative rest. Matt shares insights on understanding how antihistamines, Z-drugs, and benzodiazepines undermine sleep architecture and cognitive performance, identifying the dangers of medication dependence that affect decision-making and reaction times, and building frameworks for addressing sleep struggles without pharmaceutical Band-Aids. The discussion covers the importance of recognizing structural sleep issues versus personal failure in navigating both circadian disruption and operational safety, supportive alternatives grounded in sleep science, and how sustainable approaches enhance both natural rest quality and career longevity, offering practical wisdom for safeguarding performance and medical certification in the high-stakes world of aviation. One more part to go. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Apr 03, 2026
Friday Apr 03, 2026
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, Karl and Matt continue their exploration of psychiatric medications and their applications for pilots and high-stakes professionals seeking effective mental health treatment. Matt shares strategies for understanding how the body adapts to medications over time, identifying when side effects are temporary versus concerning, and building frameworks for honest communication with healthcare providers. The discussion covers the importance of proper assessment and diagnosis in navigating both treatment effectiveness and FAA regulations, supportive approaches to managing SSRIs, stimulants, and alternative options like BuSpar, and how informed decision-making practices enhance both symptom relief and career safety, offering practical wisdom for breaking free from emotional struggles while maintaining medical certification in the demanding world of aviation. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Mar 20, 2026
Friday Mar 20, 2026
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 essential episode, Matt tackles one of the most misunderstood topics in aviation mental health: psychiatric medication. Drawing from his experience as both a licensed professional counselor and airline pilot, he pulls back the curtain on the complex world of medication for aviators—exposing common myths that hold pilots back from seeking effective treatment. Matt breaks down FAA regulations, approved medication protocols, and the critical importance of working with knowledgeable aviation medical examiners and healthcare providers. He explains when medication can be a game-changer versus when it might complicate your medical certificate, and provides practical guidance on navigating the treatment process while protecting your career. Whether you're considering medication, already in treatment, or just want to understand your options, this episode delivers the clear, honest information pilots need to make informed decisions about their mental health. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Mar 13, 2026
Friday Mar 13, 2026
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 sits down with Capt. Jillian Dauscher to explore what happens when life throws unexpected challenges. Jillian shares her journey through pandemic furloughs, career pivots, relationship struggles, and learning to set boundaries—offering lessons every high-achiever needs to hear. From navigating imposter syndrome and loneliness to redefining her identity beyond the cockpit, she breaks down how therapy, yoga, and intentional community transformed her approach to wellness. Essential listening for any professional feeling overwhelmed or disconnected. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Mar 06, 2026
Friday Mar 06, 2026
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 follow-up episode, Matt and Karl to dive deeper into finding the right mental health support in aviation. Drawing from his dual expertise as both a licensed counselor and airline pilot, Matt breaks down the critical questions to ask when choosing a clinician and how to navigate FAA and HIMS processes without derailing your career. He provides concrete action steps for proper documentation, red flags to watch for with providers, and how to stay in control of your recovery journey. Karl adds the pilot's perspective throughout, translating clinical guidance into practical aviation reality. Matt explores the three primary pathways to wellness in detail—from early peer support to crisis intervention—with checklists and strategies for each stage. Whether you're noticing early warning signs or facing significant challenges, this episode provides the roadmap to find the right help, avoid costly mistakes, and keep flying with confidence. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Feb 27, 2026
Friday Feb 27, 2026
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 essential episode Matt and Karl tackle the critical mistakes pilots make when seeking mental health support—and how these missteps can derail both recovery and careers. The biggest error isn't waiting too long to ask for help; it's going to the wrong sources first. From unprepared therapists to career-threatening documentation mistakes, Matt reveals why choosing the right professional matters from day one. Drawing from his dual expertise as both a licensed counselor and airline pilot he breaks down three concrete pathways to mental wellness: early peer support networks, working with aviation-savvy clinicians, and timing professional treatment strategically. Learn how to spot warning signs, implement preventive strategies, and navigate treatment while protecting your medical certificate. Whether you're dealing with stress, burnout, or a diagnosable condition, this episode provides the roadmap every pilot needs to stay healthy, flying, and in control of their career. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website

Friday Feb 13, 2026
Friday Feb 13, 2026
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 unravel the neuroscience behind nighttime anxiety, panic, and racing thoughts that plague countless professionals, especially pilots. You'll discover how fatigue cripples your prefrontal cortex, making threat detection and negative rumination worse. We break down the roles of cortisol spikes, the default mode network, and amygdala activation in fueling those terrifying 3 a.m. episodes. Plus, learn practical, evidence-based tools—like naming your thoughts, anchoring in your senses, and shifting your perspective—that can help you regain control when sleep evades you. Enjoy!
For more information, please visit the following websites:
- LiftAffect Website
- The V1 Project Website







