Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jeff Senour of Mesa

We recently had the chance to connect with Jeff Senour and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Jeff, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Every day is always a unique adventure. Lots of my friends compare me to the saying, “Where’s Waldo?” and ask the question, “Where’s Jeff?’. As a professional Pilot as well as a Singer/Songwriter, Author and Speaker, on any given day I could be anywhere somewhere in the United States flying a corporate jet somewhere or on a stage with my band at a music festival, recording studio or playing at Church.
I am blessed to get to do two of my passions for a living and the diversity of each of them never allows for a dull day. Of course my down time is with family and friends.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am often referred to as Pilot by day, Rocker by night. I have been a career Pilot and have logged over 30,000 hours which is about 3.5 years in the air. From corporate jet pilot flying celebrities around to airline pilot for Southwest Airlines. I have also had the honor of flying in the movie industry as an aerial coordinator filming other aircraft in flight. From flight test research for Boeing, Lockheed, McDonnell Douglas and others to feature films such as True Lies, Executive Decision, Hot Shots, Silence Of The Lambs to name a few, I have flown formation and filmed hundreds of different aircraft for purposes of advertisements and flight test. I also had the privilege of flying helicopters for Channel 9 News in Los Angeles and other missions.
My other passion is music and a number of years ago started writing music as a Singer/Songwriter and formed the band CTS-Called To Serve. We dedicated a lot of our mission in honoring our Veterans and First Responders and in 2024 got signed by Universal Music. With 3 studio albums I have enjoyed inspiring people of all ages through our music to live their dreams and “Reach For The Sky”.
I also wrote a book several years ago called, “Life Lessons From 7 Miles High” as an inspirational journey of what Aviation taught me about living your dreams and how to navigate this journey we call life.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I have to give my parents credit for that. As a young boy I didn’t have a lot of confidence but my Mom and Dad were instrumental in helping me believe in myself and that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to.
Nothing ever came easy for me and life is like that. As in flying there will always be a storm in our path, or an emergency to overcome and it’s how we handle it that separates if we succeed or not. One of my favorite stories is when I was in college I went to the Air Force recruiter to inquire about being a fighter pilot. One of the first questions they asked me was did I wear glasses or contacts. When I answered yes, they said I would never be a fighter pilot as it was a requirement to have perfect vision. I was devastated but decided at that moment I would figure out a way to overcome that obstacle.
Determined, I went the civilian route obtaining my ratings, paying a lot of money I didn’t have and eventually started flying jets. I ended up in the movie industry as a Pilot and one day found myself sitting in the briefing room with the Blue Angels. As we planned for our formation film flight to film a movie for the Blue Angels, I remember thinking back on the young guy that was told I would never be a fighter pilot.
Dreams can come true and with enough determination we can all achieve them.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were many times as a young aviator I almost gave up. I didn’t have much money and my parents weren’t rich so it was a struggle. It taught me however that nothing good worth having comes easy and it shouldn’t come easy because in the end you appreciate your accomplishments much more and have a lot more gratitude.
Everyday is a blessing to be cherished but nobody ever said life was going to be easy. I wouldn’t have it any other way though.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I actually think the public version is the real me. I have always tried to be humble and without ego even if I’m on a stage performing or flying high end celebrities around for a living. Every human being has a special gift to share with this world so together we all make the world a better place.
I admire people of all walks of life as each is unique in their own way and that is what keeps me humble and the same version of myself in public or private.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
There are two dates in our lives, the day we’re born and the day we die. The dash in between is the sum total of this journey here we call life. The average lifespan is around 80 years and none of us know when our time is up. Some get less, some more. What really counts is the dash, our legacy, what we leave behind and the lives we affected while we were here.
It would be my hope that when I’m gone, people would say that I was kind, fair, humble and that I inspired so many to live a fulfilled life. Each one of us is responsible for making a difference while we are here and using our God given talents to touch other lives in a positive way.
I would hope that my dash would be touching and moving for those who knew me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jeffsenour.com, https://www.ctsmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffsenour/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-senour-7268a310/
• Twitter: https://x.com/ctsfreedomrock
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.senour
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeffreySenourCTS

Image Credits
Unknown, various photos taken by friends.