Lies My Ego Told Me Ep. 19: There is No Time for Fear, with Sharon “Betty” Preszler
Feb 17, 2026
58:10
Lilo sits down with trailblazing fighter pilot Sharon “Betty” Preszler, one of the first women to fly the F-16 after the 1993 combat exclusion law change. From ejecting out of an F-16 in a five-second life-or-death emergency, to working inside Cheyenne Mountain on 9/11 while six months pregnant, to navigating her young son’s leukemia diagnosis, Preszler shares the “lie” her ego told her for decades: There’s no time for fear.
In this episode:
What is this episode of Lies My Ego Told Me about?
This episode of Lies My Ego Told Me explores the dynamic between courage and fear. The discussion reveals that courage does not mean the absence of fear; it means acting despite fear. The episode explains that fear is natural and often unavoidable but it does not have to dictate decisions. True courage is acknowledging fear and moving forward anyway.
Who is Sharon Preszler and why is her story important?
Sharon “Betty” Preszler is a history-making fighter pilot, one of the first women to fly an F-16 after the law was changed in 1993. Besides her military credentials and experience, she overcame personal challenges including her young son’s cancer diagnosis. Having stepped away from aviation to become a keynote speaker and life coach, she now helps others conquer their fear and move forward.
What does this episode say about suppressing fear?
This episode reveals that fear doesn’t disappear, it takes root and grows. Preszler says that while compartmentalizing helped her function in high-stakes roles, unprocessed stress eventually manifested physically. Healing only began when she stopped flying, reflected deeply, and allowed herself to revisit buried experiences.
What does this episode say about having a healthy relationship with fear?
This episode reveals that fear is neither enemy nor weakness—it’s information. It’s a survival response. The key is to recognize it, accept it without shame, evaluate whether it’s rational and choose a response intentionally.
Resources & Links
Learn more about Betty and her causes
For more information about Lies My Ego Told Me
For more resources: liesmyego.com
In this episode:
What is this episode of Lies My Ego Told Me about?
This episode of Lies My Ego Told Me explores the dynamic between courage and fear. The discussion reveals that courage does not mean the absence of fear; it means acting despite fear. The episode explains that fear is natural and often unavoidable but it does not have to dictate decisions. True courage is acknowledging fear and moving forward anyway.
Who is Sharon Preszler and why is her story important?
Sharon “Betty” Preszler is a history-making fighter pilot, one of the first women to fly an F-16 after the law was changed in 1993. Besides her military credentials and experience, she overcame personal challenges including her young son’s cancer diagnosis. Having stepped away from aviation to become a keynote speaker and life coach, she now helps others conquer their fear and move forward.
What does this episode say about suppressing fear?
This episode reveals that fear doesn’t disappear, it takes root and grows. Preszler says that while compartmentalizing helped her function in high-stakes roles, unprocessed stress eventually manifested physically. Healing only began when she stopped flying, reflected deeply, and allowed herself to revisit buried experiences.
What does this episode say about having a healthy relationship with fear?
This episode reveals that fear is neither enemy nor weakness—it’s information. It’s a survival response. The key is to recognize it, accept it without shame, evaluate whether it’s rational and choose a response intentionally.
Resources & Links
Learn more about Betty and her causes
- Check out her Substack https://substack.com/@thebettypreszler
- For Coaching or Keynote Speaking https://sharonpreszler.com/
- To support families navigating childhood cancer, please support Camp KEMO https://prismahealthchildrens.org/programs-and-services/camps/camp-kemo
For more information about Lies My Ego Told Me
- Episode page, resources, and links: liesmyego.com
- Leave a 5-star rating and written review on Apple Podcasts to support the show.
For more resources: liesmyego.com