The thing about setbacks that make them especially difficult is that they rarely happen when we’re prepared for them. For example, they sometimes look like a mountain biking accident that leaves you with a broken finger and shoulder injury. Other times, they involve biting your tongue while eating an apple and suddenly being unable to speak, forcing you to take a brief hiatus from your podcast.

In this episode of Pilot 2 Co-Pilot, Antonio Neves and Jason Lindstrom are back, and they open up about what happens after life interrupts the plans that we’ve made. Jason shares how his biking accident has affected his physical routine, mental well-being, confidence, and annual biking goal, while Antonio reflects on his own injuries and the perspective that they have given him about health and the things which we can easily take for granted.

The conversation goes beyond physical recovery, though. More broadly speaking, Antonio and Jason explore the difference between experiencing a setback and allowing that setback to become part of your identity. They discuss why resilience requires giving yourself grace while still taking the next step, how repetition can help rebuild confidence, and why returning to something after an injury or disappointment can sometimes initially feel awkward.

The conversation also focuses on leadership and the responsibility managers have when members of their teams are struggling, with Antonio and Jason discussing balancing empathy with accountability, respecting personal boundaries, listening when people need support, and having the difficult conversations that can help someone move forward rather than remain stuck. They also examine how leaders can create workplaces in which people feel trusted enough to take risks without being frozen by the fear of failure. Open communication, encouragement, and a willingness to support people when things don’t go according to plan can truly make all the difference!

This episode of the show offers a reminder that setbacks are part of putting yourself out there and that what matters is how you respond, what you learn, who you allow to support you, and whether you’re willing to get back up and take the next step! Enjoy this episode of Pilot 2 Co-Pilot!

What You'll Take Away:
●How setbacks are temporary interruptions, not new identities
●Why resilience means giving yourself grace while continuing to move forward
●How rebuilding confidence takes patience, practice, and repetition
●How being a great leader means balancing empathy and compassion with accountability
●What a supportive, trusting culture can accomplish

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Join Antonio Neves and Jason Lindstrom for this episode of Pilot 2 Co-Pilot as they unpack what happens when life feels too heavy - not always necessarily because something is going wrong but because everything is happening at once: full calendars, constant responsibilities, and seasons when you realize that you’ve stopped coming up for air. They explore how staying grounded in such moments requires more than just pushing through and instead calls for intentional habits that create space for presence, joy, and clarity. From work pressures and leadership demands to personal seasons of stress and change, Antonio and Jason examine how both structure and self-awareness can help prevent overwhelm from taking over and causing burnout.

Tune in as they share how easy it can be to slip into reactive mode when schedules are packed and distractions are constant and why being proactive with time, attention, and attitude can make a major difference in how we experience each day. They discuss the role of movement such as bike-riding, real connection, and simple breaks that don't even necessarily require money. They also get open about how guilt and productivity pressure often block people from doing things that are actually helpful, especially when it comes to rest, hobbies, and “non-productive” joy.

Toward the end of their conversation, Jason and Antonio reflect on mindset, resilience, and the difference between simply feeling grateful and recognizing daily wins, especially during difficult seasons. Jason shares how his personal experiences have shaped his ability to compartmentalize, stay grounded, and show up for others with empathy, while still maintaining focus and discipline in his own life. This episode ultimately centers on the idea that even in full and demanding seasons, we still have choices about how we show up, what we prioritize, and how we create space for meaning, connection, and joy in the middle of it all!

What You'll Take Away:

• Why full seasons of life aren’t always bad can still feel overwhelming
• How staying grounded comes from being intentional with time and energy
• Why breaks, movement, new experiences, and real human connection are essential tools for clearing mental overload
• Examples of how fun, rest, and joy don’t have to be expensive or rare
• Why a strong mindset also matters: focusing on what you can control and recognizing small wins

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In this episode of Pilot 2 Co-Pilot, Antonio Neves and Jason Lindstrom discuss a real challenge that almost every leader faces but rarely ever solves: taking real time off. Hear how Jason recently took 100 hours of PTO for the first time in nine years, traveling across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, while Antonio reflects on months spent abroad with his family. The two of them unpack the tension that leaders feel between wanting to disconnect and the deep sense of responsibility that keeps them tethered to work, from checking emails across time zones to worrying about how their absence affects their teams.

Hear Jason openly reflect on the internal struggle of leaving behind oversight for 130 employees and how being truly disconnected (especially on international trips) can surprisingly evoke both anxiety and unexpected clarity. Antonio brings his perspective as someone with a nontraditional schedule, reflecting on the rare mental space that extended time off can create, allowing for creative thinking, big-picture reflection, and personal growth.

Their conversation also goes beyond epic adventures, highlighting that meaningful PTO doesn’t require crossing oceans, and they explore practical strategies to plan time off without overburdening colleagues or feeling guilty. Jason shares the steps that he took to prepare for his absence - coordinating coverage, setting boundaries, and thinking through contingencies - while Antonio touches upon some of the subtle ways that even a few days away can reset your nervous system, refresh your mindset, and deepen connections with loved ones.

Antonio and Jason also dig deep into culture: how leaders can create an environment where employees feel safe to take time off, why modeling PTO is crucial, and how celebrating or sharing personal time away strengthens the workplace. Beyond vacations, PTO becomes a tool for healing, perspective, and renewed energy, benefiting both individuals and organizations, so whether you’re an executive, manager or anyone juggling responsibilities and burnout, this episode of the show offers both inspiration and insights to reclaim your time, recharge fully, and come back to work with clarity, focus, and gratitude!

What You'll Take Away:

● How leaders often struggle to fully disconnect, even while encouraging their teams to take time off

● Why extended PTO creates space for reflection, big-picture thinking, and renewed perspective

● How planning ahead, setting clear boundaries, and preparing the team are important for taking meaningful time off

● Why it is that PTO isn’t just a vacation; it supports mental health, prevents burnout, and allows employees to return energized and focused

● An explanation of how even short breaks or small excursions can be powerful tools for resetting!

If you like our podcast, send us a text!