Scott “Kidd” Poteet
- First Civilian Spacewalk
Scott “Kidd” Poteet Speaker Biography
Lt Col Scott “Kidd” Poteet (Ret.) is not your typical astronaut. As a young kid, Kidd struggled with intense motion sickness, fear of heights, and a less-than-stellar academic performance. After experiencing a serendipitous moment in college, a fire was lit from within, setting his sights on becoming an Air Force fighter pilot. Kidd served his country for 20 years and exceeded all expectations as a combat-proven warrior, USAF Thunderbird ambassador, and Fighter Weapons School graduate. Kidd excelled in his military career while fostering his passion for endurance sports by competing in 16 Ironman triathlons, including the World Championships in Hawaii. Following his epic military career, Kidd fulfilled his childhood dream as an astronaut aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on a 5-day earth orbit spaceflight. This Polaris Dawn mission to space made history by setting numerous records for future generations to strive for. Kidd’s experiences on orbit and throughout his career led to the realization that when you embrace your God-given gifts and have an attitude of humility, you can forge a path of purpose in pursuit of greatness.
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Humble Ascent: The Power of Teamwork, Sacrifice, and Service
In the cockpit of a fighter jet or strapped into a rocket on the launchpad, one truth becomes crystal clear—no mission is ever a solo act.
In this keynote, Kidd Poteet, astronaut and combat fighter pilot, shares a deeply personal and inspiring journey from the skies of combat zones to the edge of space. With powerful storytelling and hard-won wisdom, Kidd reveals how teamwork has been the unwavering foundation of every accomplishment.
From trusting wingmen during high-stakes combat engagements to relying on a mission control for a successful spaceflight, Kidd shows that excellence is never the result of individual effort—it’s the outcome of shared purpose, relentless collaboration, and mutual respect.
But teamwork isn’t just about coordination. It demands something deeper: sacrifice and service.
True teams thrive when individuals are willing to put the mission above their ego, to give more than they take, and to lift others even when no one’s watching. These values—sacrifice and service—are not just ideals; they are daily decisions that fuel trust, build resilience, and create unstoppable teams.
This keynote is more than a reflection on elite performance—it’s a call to action for leaders, organizations, and individuals to redefine success not by what we achieve alone, but by what we accomplish together.
Whether you’re leading a team, part of one, or building one from scratch, this speech will leave you inspired to lead with humility, contribute with courage, and always put people before pride.
