Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
đŻ What does it take to fly just 18 inches apart at 500 MPH? Former Blue Angel John âGucciâ Foley shares jaw-dropping stories from the cockpit and powerful lessons on trust, leadership, and gratitude at the 2024 Vail Symposium.
âď¸ Drawing from his experience with the elite U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Foley explores how connection, alignment, and commitment shape high-performance teamsâand how these same principles can transform your life, business, and community.
đĄ Whether you're a student, executive, athlete, or dreamer, this keynote is packed with insights that go far beyond aviation. Experience what it's like to be part of something biggerâand why Foley's signature phrase, âGlad to be here,â might just change how you see the world.
John âGucciâ Foley is a former lead solo pilot of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Top Gun graduate, and Sloan Fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He has flown in combat, landed jets on aircraft carriers, and led some of the most intense precision flying demonstrations in the world. Today, heâs a sought-after speaker and founder of the Glad To Be Here Foundation, which has supported over 400 nonprofits globally. Through his captivating storytelling and deep leadership insights, Foley inspires audiences to embrace gratitude, build trust, and perform at their best.
0:00 Introduction â Glad to Be in Vail
0:45 What âGlad to Be Hereâ Really Means
3:30 Behind the Scenes of the Blue Angels
7:55 Building a High-Performance Team
10:10 The Power of Connection, Alignment, and Commitment
13:25 Flying at 18 Inches Apart
16:30 Creating Trust Under Pressure
20:50 Why the Blue Angels Exist
24:15 Inside the Blue Angels Debrief Room
28:10 Neuroscience Behind Gratitude
30:30 Audience Engagement and Live Insights
34:10 Equality Without Rank and True Respect
37:50 Owning Mistakes and Radical Accountability
41:00 Courage, Vulnerability, and Leadership
45:00 From Fighter Jets to Life Transformation
48:25 Continuous Improvement and Feedback Culture
52:00 Flying Through TurbulenceâTogether
54:30 Innovation in Formation Flying
58:00 Giving Back Through the Glad to Be Here Foundation
1:00:15 Final Message: Become the Teacher
Please like, subscribe and click the bell icon above to get notifications when we post new videos!
Join our mailing list to get advance info on our upcoming programs and to sign up for livestreams: signup.e2ma.net/signup/1887647/1895526
We rely on our donors to keep our programming going, please donate here: vailsymposium.org/donate
Are YOU glad to be here?
If this message inspired you, like, comment, and share it with someone who needs a boost in their mission, mindset, or life direction. đ
đ§ Get more from John Foley at gladtobehere.com
đŹ Drop your favorite takeaway from the talk belowâletâs keep the conversation going!
#GladToBeHere #JohnFoley #BlueAngels #LeadershipLessons #highperformanceleadership #highperformance
đŻ What does it take to fly just 18 inches apart at 500 MPH? Former Blue Angel John âGucciâ Foley shares jaw-dropping stories from the cockpit and powerful lessons on trust, leadership, and gratitude at the 2024 Vail Symposium.
âď¸ Drawing from his experience with the elite U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Foley explores how connection, alignment, and commitment shape high-performance teamsâand how these same principles can transform your life, business, and community.
đĄ Whether you're a student, executive, athlete, or dreamer, this keynote is packed with insights that go far beyond aviation. Experience what it's like to be part of something biggerâand why Foley's signature phrase, âGlad to be here,â might just change how you see the world.
John âGucciâ Foley is a former lead solo pilot of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Top Gun graduate, and Sloan Fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Business. He has flown in combat, landed jets on aircraft carriers, and led some of the most intense precision flying demonstrations in the world. Today, heâs a sought-after speaker and founder of the Glad To Be Here Foundation, which has supported over 400 nonprofits globally. Through his captivating storytelling and deep leadership insights, Foley inspires audiences to embrace gratitude, build trust, and perform at their best.
0:00 Introduction â Glad to Be in Vail
0:45 What âGlad to Be Hereâ Really Means
3:30 Behind the Scenes of the Blue Angels
7:55 Building a High-Performance Team
10:10 The Power of Connection, Alignment, and Commitment
13:25 Flying at 18 Inches Apart
16:30 Creating Trust Under Pressure
20:50 Why the Blue Angels Exist
24:15 Inside the Blue Angels Debrief Room
28:10 Neuroscience Behind Gratitude
30:30 Audience Engagement and Live Insights
34:10 Equality Without Rank and True Respect
37:50 Owning Mistakes and Radical Accountability
41:00 Courage, Vulnerability, and Leadership
45:00 From Fighter Jets to Life Transformation
48:25 Continuous Improvement and Feedback Culture
52:00 Flying Through TurbulenceâTogether
54:30 Innovation in Formation Flying
58:00 Giving Back Through the Glad to Be Here Foundation
1:00:15 Final Message: Become the Teacher
Please like, subscribe and click the bell icon above to get notifications when we post new videos!
Join our mailing list to get advance info on our upcoming programs and to sign up for livestreams: signup.e2ma.net/signup/1887647/1895526
We rely on our donors to keep our programming going, please donate here: vailsymposium.org/donate
Are YOU glad to be here?
If this message inspired you, like, comment, and share it with someone who needs a boost in their mission, mindset, or life direction. đ
đ§ Get more from John Foley at gladtobehere.com
đŹ Drop your favorite takeaway from the talk belowâletâs keep the conversation going!
#GladToBeHere #JohnFoley #BlueAngels #LeadershipLessons #highperformanceleadership #highperformance
