National Writers Series Presents - Lieutenant Kegan “SMURF” Gill

The National Writers Series is honored to present Lieutenant Kegan “SMURF” Gill, a decorated U.S. Navy fighter pilot, ultra-endurance athlete, and motivational speaker, to discuss his extraordinary debut memoir, Phoenix Revival: The Aftermath of Naval Aviation’s Fastest Ejection.

On January 15, 2014, during a high-intensity dogfight training exercise, Lieutenant Gill was forced to eject from his F/A-18E Super Hornet at an unprecedented speed of 695 miles per hour. It was the fastest survived ejection in naval aviation history. The explosion shattered his body, and he woke up in a hospital with catastrophic injuries, paralyzed and told he might never fly again. But that was only the beginning of his story.

In Phoenix Revival, Gill shares the harrowing details of his physical recovery, the emotional toll of over a dozen surgeries, and his battles with prescription drug addiction and undiagnosed brain trauma. His return to the cockpit marked a powerful victory—but the unseen wounds of traumatic brain injury and PTSD soon led him down a dangerous path of psychotropic medication, paranoia, and mental health collapse.

Through unwavering determination, support from loved ones, and groundbreaking alternative therapies—including psychedelic-assisted treatment—Gill found his way back to health, purpose, and service. He has since become an advocate for veteran mental health, an ultra-endurance athlete, and a public speaker inspiring others to rise from their darkest moments.

Phoenix Revival is more than a military memoir—it’s a powerful story of resilience, reinvention, and the human spirit’s ability to overcome even the most overwhelming odds.

Join us for this unforgettable evening as LT Kegan Gill takes the stage to share his journey from the cockpit to the edge of survival—and back again—with courage, vulnerability, and hope.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the conversation begins at 7 p.m. This event includes a Q&A session and an author signing immediately following in the lobby.

Guest Host: Ron Jolly