Ep 7: From Top Gun to Total Surrender
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Power of OR Podcast, Brad Hawkins and Jim Brangenberg sit down with longtime friend and former Navy fighter pilot John Ramstead to explore the unexpected turns that reshaped his life, faith, and identity. From achieving his lifelong dream of flying F-14s to losing his career overnight, and later surviving a near-fatal accident that led to a profound encounter with Jesus, John shares what it truly means to live with the Power of OR – trusting God when everything familiar is taken away.
This is a story of ambition, loss, surrender, healing, and learning that God’s plans are often revealed through our greatest disruptions.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
The mentorship lesson that John learned from his dad and applied to his life
The devastating injury that ended his military career just months before Top Gun
Losing his identity, struggling with depression, and being a door-to-door cell phone salesman after leaving the Navy
A divine encounter with Christ that radically transformed his faith and marriage
A second life-altering “OR moment” after a catastrophic horseback accident
Why “all things work together for good” became the foundation of his life
How suffering reshaped his understanding of joy, identity, and purpose
Key OR Moments
Top Gun or Total Loss – Chosen for Top Gun, then medically disqualified days later
Career Identity or Kingdom Identity – Losing his dream forced John to confront who he really was in Christ
Death or Divine Encounter – A traumatic brain injury led to a supernatural experience with Jesus
Regret or Redemption – Learning to trust that God redeems even the paths we don’t understand
Why This Episode Matters
John’s story speaks directly to anyone who has faced disappointment, career loss, identity crises, or deep suffering. It’s a reminder that our greatest calling isn’t found in titles, success, or achievements but in intimacy with Christ. This episode challenges listeners to ask: What if the very thing I see as loss is actually God’s invitation to something deeper?
Featuring: John Ramstead
Organizations: Beyond Influence; Hangar X Studios