In this episode, Camille L. Miller and co-hosts Adam Guzmán Poole and Adam Dickinson sit down with Dr. Melissa Corley Carter—rocket scientist, seven-continent marathoner, “astronaut reject,” retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, award-winning author, and certified professional coach.

Melissa shares the story of pursuing her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut for 20 years, only to be medically disqualified after finally meeting all the requirements. She walks us through her “dark night of the soul,” the identity crisis that followed, and how that loss became a doorway into deeper spirituality, coaching, running marathons on all seven continents, and learning to live in alignment with her true mission.

• Dreams can be guides, not destinations.
• Melissa’s 20-year astronaut pursuit shaped who she became—even though she never got the title. The value of the dream lived on beyond its outcome.
• Identity built on roles is fragile.
• When her “future astronaut” identity collapsed, Melissa had to discover who she was without that label—and found a deeper, more authentic self.
• Failure can be a form of divine redirection.
• Being medically disqualified, something outside her control, eventually led her to coaching, spiritual exploration, and a life more aligned with her soul.
• Body practices can be spiritual pathways.
• From Bikram yoga to marathons on all seven continents, movement helped her process grief, build resilience, and hear her own inner guidance.
• Success is being the person for whom no dream is impossible.
• Instead of chasing a single dream, Melissa now lives as someone who can hold and pursue many possibilities.

Dr. Melissa Corley Carter, The Barefoot Dancing Rocket Scientist, uses basic principles of rocket science to help rockstar humans reclaim their power, own their awesomeness, and take giant leaps of faith. An actual rocket scientist, 7-continent marathoner, astronaut reject, speaker, award-winning author, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and certified professional coach, Melissa will inspire you to celebrate the power of who you are and ignite your passion for the life you live.

Connect with her at:

-website: https://www.epiclifeactually.com/speaking

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissacorleycarter/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacorleycarte

The Soul Professional Podcast - Global Conversation Series isn’t about giving you all the answers—it’s about opening portals of curiosity and possibility. If you’re a seeker, visionary, leader, or simply someone who feels the shift within and around you, this episode welcomes you into a community of impact-driven humans across 6 continents and spanning more than 48 countries who are ready to help each other rise.

Unedited. Unscripted. Unsanitized. No hierarchy, doctrine, or dogma—just real conversation at the intersection of human potential, reinvention, leadership, metaphysics, and the unseen forces shaping our world.

Come Join the Movement at: https://www.soulprofessional.com/