Episode · The Shawn Ryan Show · 2026-07-30
Shawn Ryan & Kegan Gill: books mentioned on The Shawn Ryan Show #326
#326 Kegan Gill - F-18 Pilot Survives Two Hours in the Atlantic With a Broken Neck
Kegan "Smurf" Gill is a former U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot and the author of Phoenix Revival. In 2014, he survived the fastest ejection in naval aviation history, an event that left him facing devastating physical injuries and the invisible wounds of trauma.
Kegan Gill recommended Finding Ultra by Rich Roll and How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan, and discussed The Last Run by Norbert Gal and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Last Run
Discussed“I had read this book called The Last Run, and it's all about the rescue missions those guys are doing up in Alaska.”
Where to get it
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Finding Ultra
Recommended“It's called Finding Ultra. It was basically his story of being basically struggling with alcohol”
Where to get it
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In Defense of Food
Discussed“And so I opened my eyes to uh some books by Michael Poland. There's one called indefensive food and I started reading”
Where to get it
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How to Change Your Mind
Recommended“And the book that really changed it was uh in defense of food or not in defense of food, how to change your mind by Michael Poland, which is now a Netflix documentary on the use of psychedelic assisted therapy”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (2) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Plugged Phoenix Revival
“In Phoenix Revival, you recount your journey of survival, recovery, and finding purpose after unimaginable adversity.”
Plugged Phoenix Revival
“This is a copy of my book. I signed that one for you.”