Curiosity, Compassion, Cosmos: A NASA Engineer’s Story of Resilience

“There isn’t one rote path that you have to take to reach a goal... it’s okay to meander a little bit and live life and kind of explore.”

For Agnar Hall, the journey to NASA wasn’t linear—it was layered. In this episode, he opens up about stepping away from a PhD, working at Starbucks while healing from fibromyalgia, and embracing his identity as a transgender man. With gentle candour and sharp insight, Agnar talks about what it’s like to rewire your definition of success while still holding onto your dreams. We touch on space science, social dynamics, and the subtle bravery of taking the long way home.

There’s something deeply relieving about Agnar’s outlook. He offers a map that doesn’t require urgency or perfection, only honesty and small acts of momentum. His story reminds us that meaning doesn’t arrive fully formed—it’s built through slow pivots, quiet reckonings, and friendships that feel like gravity. If you’ve ever questioned the plan you were handed or felt behind in your own timeline, this conversation is a balm.

🎧 Episode Highlights 

• Growing up in Houston with a dream to study space from age two
• What a systems test engineer at NASA actually does
• Living with fibromyalgia while building a career in science
• Leaving a PhD program, working at Starbucks, and redefining “success”
• Exploring gender identity and transitioning during grad school
• The emotional weight of names, myth, and kindness
• Friendship, humour, and what really matters at the end of the day
• Why “titles” and urgency don’t define worth—and what does
• What the universe can teach us about being human
• The value of speaking up when you finally have the power to be heard

Guest Bio: 

Agnar Hall is a Systems Test Engineer at NASA and a cosmologist at heart. With a deep-rooted passion for the structure and origins of the universe, his research has spanned galaxy clusters, high-redshift gas structures, and feedback processes in distant galaxies. He holds a Master's degree from New Mexico State University and a B.A. in astronomy from the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he worked on both optical and X-ray observational studies. Agnar has contributed to research at institutions like LASP and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and his current work involves testing the software systems that support human spaceflight.

About Bountifull Podcast

The Bountifull Podcast explores the power of purpose, personal growth, and living with intention through real stories and actionable wisdom. Host Sian Simpson connects with interesting people from diverse backgrounds—from scientists and entrepreneurs to creatives and leaders—to dive into themes like identity, resilience, and the importance of embracing your unique path. This week, Agnar Hall, a NASA Systems Test Engineer, shares his remarkable journey of redefining success and building a life full of meaning through small steps and quiet courage. From battling fibromyalgia to transitioning during grad school, Agnar’s story reminds us that success doesn’t follow a straight line, and that purpose is often built through life’s twists and turns.

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