We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joi Schweitzer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joi below.

Joi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Success for me is about return on investment, not just financially, but in time, energy, and impact. It’s about committing to quality and excellence in everything you do, whether that’s in aviation, entrepreneurship, or personal growth.

My journey from being a flight attendant to a pilot required an immense investment of time, discipline, and resilience. That same mindset carried over into building my brand. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about working hard, it’s about working with intention. Every effort should lead to something meaningful, whether it’s greater flexibility, financial freedom, or the ability to inspire others.

For me, that return on investment has meant gaining the flexibility to be home more with my family while growing a business I’m passionate about. Aviation taught me structure, adaptability, and how to navigate high-pressure situations, entrepreneurship demanded those same skills. Today, I use those lessons not just to build my own success but to inspire others to take BOLD steps, embrace change, and invest in themselves. Because real success isn’t just about what you achieve, it’s about how it elevates your life and the lives of those around you!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I love this question! I didn’t just step into entrepreneurship, I soared into it. After years of mentoring and coaching, I noticed a recurring theme: so many people feel stuck! Some of my clients feel stuck in fear, stuck in doubt, stuck in cycles that keep them from reaching their full potential. Whether it’s the fear of taking flight (literally or metaphorically), the fear of standing out, or the fear of failure, I’ve seen how these invisible barriers hold people back.

That’s where my mission takes off! My brand goes beyond motivation, it’s about TRANSFORMATION. I help people shift their mindset, take bold action, and land their dreams with confidence and purpose! As an author, coach, and speaker, I equip my clients and community with the tools they need to move from hesitation to elevation. And the best part? The formula is simple. When you implement the 5 P’s – Prayer, Pen to Paper, Picture Yourself, Put It to Play, and Pivot – you won’t just reach your goals; you’ll surpass them! It works for everyone, because God made us perfectly with neuroplasticity and we are able to change route, direction and be delivered by strongholds.

Beyond coaching and speaking, I’m building a lifestyle brand that embodies confidence, strength, and elevation. I’m beyond excited for the upcoming release of my book, ‘Landing Your Dreams’, this summer, but that’s just the beginning. I’m also launching two powerhouse products designed to uplift, empower, and fuel your success:

Empowering Hat Line | The moment you put one on, you’ll feel unstoppable! These hats aren’t just stylish, they’re designed with a satin lining to protect your crown, because confidence should never come at the cost of self-care.

Ride High Coffee | Your energy should be as pure as your purpose. Ride High is a clean coffee brand infused with collagen and all-natural ingredients, giving you the boost you need, without the chemicals you don’t. It’s the perfect pre-workout, morning pick-me-up, or daily dose of confidence in a cup.

At the core of everything I do is this message: You were made to fly higher! Whether in the flight deck, the boardroom, or life itself, the key to unlocking your highest potential is already within you. I’m here to help you position yourself for takeoff. So let’s go, your dreams are waiting, and I’m here to make sure you don’t just chase them, but land them!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience has been the driving force behind my career and my journey into entrepreneurship. When I transitioned from being a flight attendant to a pilot, I faced financial, mental, and physical challenges. Balancing flight school with a full-time job was no easy feat, I’d land from an international trip and head straight to the flight deck for training. I even failed my first check ride, which was a humbling experience. But instead of letting it define me, I used it as fuel. I analyzed my mistakes, trained harder, and passed on my next attempt.

That resilience didn’t just help me become a pilot, it also catapulted me into entrepreneurship. Going through that intense transformation made me realize the power of taking bold risks, pushing past self-doubt, and investing in personal growth. That mindset became the foundation for my brand, which is all about inspiring others to break barriers and chase unconventional dreams.

Just like in aviation, where every setback is a learning experience, building my brand required adaptability and persistence. There were moments when things didn’t take off as planned (pun intended), but I treated every challenge as turbulence…temporary and navigable.
Today, that same resilience continues to drive my success, helping me scale my brand and inspire others to embrace bold transitions in their own lives.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was allowing negative thoughts to take hold and welcoming the spirit of fear. Overcoming this hurdle has been life-changing, and now I’m able to help others shift their mindset from “What if?” to “What’s next?” I believe fear is something we all face, but it doesn’t have to control us.

I remember my first speaking engagement, fear and anxiety flooded my mind. Here I was, a coach, mentor, airline pilot, and soon-to-be speaker, and yet, I was overwhelmed by doubt.

I’ve always believed in over-preparing, but I knew I had to confront the fear head-on. I told myself, “If I’m prepared, at least I’ll deliver a good speech, and I’ll pray the fear passes.”
Thoughts of doubt kept creeping in…“What if they don’t like me?” or “What if my message falls flat?” I had to remind myself of the message I always shared with my mentees: “You become your thoughts. Change your thoughts, recognize your power, and you will never think another negative thought.” But more than that, I remembered the words of Jesus in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In that moment, I knew I wasn’t alone. I could surrender my fear to Him and trust that His peace would guide me. I needed to practice what I preached, so I embraced the fear, took a step of faith, and moved forward with confidence.

Though I was still nervous that day, I knew this was part of my growth. By continuing to face my fears and applying the tools I teach, I was able to unlearn the power that fear once had over me. Today, I help others do the same.
Fear can drain us, especially with so many people afraid to fly amid challenges in the airline industry. But when we empower ourselves with FACTS instead of feeding our spirits with fear, we can step forward boldly in faith, knowing that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://JoiRideHigh.com
• Instagram: @TheJoiSchweitzer
• Facebook: Joi Schweitzer
• Linkedin: Joi Schweitzer
• Twitter: @joischweitzer
• Youtube: joiridehigh_fit2993

Image Credits

Uniform | in the kitchen photos: by Jennifer Keilani
Pink photo: by Chad Lawson
Flight deck and boat photo: my own Phone