In this episode of Limitless, host Tracy Poizner welcomes Cathyrine “Lilo” Armandie, retired U.S. Air Force officer, combat aviator, branding executive, and host of the podcast Lies My Ego Told Me.
From commanding 600 people in a high-stakes military role to confronting burnout and choosing a new life of alignment, Lilo shares a raw and refreshing perspective on leadership, identity, motherhood, and walking away from “success” when it’s no longer serving you.
This conversation is a masterclass in mental health advocacy, high-performance detox, and rewriting the script on what it means to be strong. Lilo’s journey from decorated commander to storyteller and purpose-driven entrepreneur is a reminder that our greatest strength is not pushing harder—it’s listening inward and leading with truth.
The story behind Lies My Ego Told Me—and why it hit like a ton of bricks
“You can have it all” and other lies high performers believe
Why Lilo walked away from a 20-year military career at its peak
The difference between mentors and sponsors—and why both matter
Burnout, motherhood, identity, and the danger of performance-based worth
Why mental health needs more than lip service in leadership culture
The epidemic of suicide in the military (22 per day) and why we’re not talking about it
Life after leaving the military: navigating fulfillment vs. chasing success
Hyper-focus, high-functioning anxiety, and the path to conscious entrepreneurship
Human design, personal expansion, and the gift of letting go
“Just because you can do something—and do it well—doesn’t mean you have to.”
“Now, I’m chasing fulfillment. I don’t need to be everything anymore.”
“Success cost me everything I didn’t think I was allowed to want.”
“We lose more service members to suicide than to combat. That’s an epidemic.”
Cathyrine Armandie—known as Lilo—is a retired U.S. Air Force officer, combat aviator, and former commander of 600 personnel. Today, she is the founder and CEO of GauxMax, a boutique PR and branding firm, and the host of the podcast Lies My Ego Told Me, which explores mental health, identity, and truth-telling through storytelling. A recovering high performer and fierce advocate for veterans and mental wellness, Lilo is redefining what strength looks like—from the inside out.
Connect with Lilo:
🎧 Listen to Lies My Ego Told Me on all major platforms
🌐 GauxMax Agency
📱 LinkedIn | Instagram
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LIMITLESS, hosted by Tracy Poizner, brings together visionaries, rebels, and innovators exploring human potential at the outer edge of consciousness, business, healing, and transformation.
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Produced by Neil Haley | Music by Danny Colomby
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