From Sea Kings to Stout with Rob Truscott

“You don’t know what you don’t know—until you travel.”

Today’s guest is Rob Truscott—retired Canadian Forces navigator, brewer, and motorcycle enthusiast. From flying in Sea Kings and responding to Swissair 111 to surviving cancer and brewing in Nova Scotia, he’s living proof that memento mori is less about dying—and more about living.

This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world.

In This Episode

In this episode, Michael Dargie welcomes Rob Truscott—retired military navigator, brewer at Great Roads Brewing, motorcycle tour lead, and veterans’ advocate. Rob shares how growing up off-grid in BC set him on a path to the Canadian Armed Forces, where he logged nearly 3,000 hours on Sea Kings, taught mission planning, and supported major operations—including the response to Swissair Flight 111 off Peggy’s Cove.

Rob speaks openly about his bladder cancer diagnosis, the whirlwind of surgeries and treatments, and how memento mori (“remember you will die”)—and its counterpart, memento vivere (“remember to live”)—reshaped everything. Today he brews beer, rides long distances, and helps fellow veterans with marketing and awareness.

From navigating by starlight to crafting a double-chocolate oatmeal stout, Rob’s story is a masterclass in resilience, planning under pressure, and choosing joy—now, not later.

Quoteable Quotes

“Build the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go off the rails, make a new plan.”

“Motorcycling is about the journey, not the destination.”

“Your time is limited—so go for it.”

“You don’t know what you don’t know—until you travel.”

“What can you control? Start there.”

Episode Highlights

Off-Grid Beginnings | Growing up in BC with hippie parents, trading horses for bikes, and planning an exit strategy.

Too Tall to Fly | Turned away from being a pilot, Rob became a navigator—learning celestial navigation by starlight.

Sea King Life | Nearly 3,000 hours in the air, operations around the world, and teaching future mission commanders.

Swissair 111 | A night seared into memory, flying search patterns off Peggy’s Cove with a handheld spotlight.

Cancer Shock | A diagnosis that flipped everything upside down—five surgeries, treatments, and a medical release.

Memento Mori | Living with mortality in view, and embracing memento vivere—to live your best life now.

Brewing Beginnings | From buckets in the barracks to becoming head brewer at Great Roads Brewing.

Drinkability First | Reds, ambers, stouts, and a double-chocolate oatmeal stout—beer designed to enjoy more than one.

Motorcycle Therapy | Why riding clears the cobwebs, and why branch plans matter on the Cabot Trail.

Travel Perspective | Rome, Korea, Japan—why you don’t know what you don’t know until you’ve been there.

Simple Rebel Advice | “Start now. Define your own path. Your time is limited—so go for it.”

LINKS FROM EPISODE

Rob on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dead_nought)

Rob on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Noughtdead)

Rob on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-truscott-99510818/)

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