What does it take to stay calm while flipping a plane at 14 Gs? In this high-octane episode, host Marcus Arredondo connects with AJ Wilder to explore how precision in the sky shaped his mindset on the ground—from building an architecture firm to launching a foundation for young pilots. Hear how he turned setbacks into strategy, fear into focus, and a bucket-and-squeegee startup into the launchpad for bigger dreams. Whether you’re leading a team or chasing your version of flight, AJ’s story will challenge how you think about pressure, purpose, and performance.

AJ Wilder is the President of Wolcott Architecture, a world-ranked aerobatic pilot, and co-founder of the Figure One Foundation. With over 10,000 flight hours and eight U.S. National Aerobatic Team appearances, he brings focus, discipline, and passion to both the sky and the studio. Whether leading design projects or flying the Rumble Bee, AJ is driven by purpose—and a desire to help others rise.

Episode highlights:
[0:00] Intro
[2:49] How AJ got into flying and world competitions
[11:46] G-forces and physical toll on the body
[16:36] Physical and mental training
[27:43] Applying flight discipline to business
[32:54] Prepping for complex flight sequences
[39:38] Surviving a near-fatal accident
[44:25] AJ’s entrepreneurial journey begins
[56:30] How Figure One Foundation took off
[59:22] Legacy and purpose
[1:00:24] Outro