Would have to agree that enduring heavy turbulence as a passenger is far worse than when you’re at the pointy end (I’m not a good passenger at all). Having said that my worst experience happened whilst hour building in Texas a long time a go. I was returning to Lubbock Int when Air Traffic advised me that the Low Level Wind Shear Advisory was in effect. Having never heard anything like this before I blindly carried on in my C152. At about 800ft on a clear day I hit what felt like brick wall. My Door flew open, my bag levitated displacing all its contents, my head hit the ceiling and the control column was wrenched from my hand. By the time I recovered the situation my alti showed I had lost over 400ft. Needles to say I checked up on this phenomenon after that.