Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to leap from a cliff, building, or airplane thousands of feet in the air? Does the thought of free falling through clouds at over 100mph get your adrenaline pumping? If so, you’re not alone my friend. Welcome to the wild world of parachuting, base jumping, and wingsuit flying!

Now I know what you’re thinking – jumping from crazy heights? That sounds straight up nuts! And you wouldn’t exactly be wrong. But hear me out for a minute. This stuff is a total blast if you have the skills and take the right safety precautions. Let me break down the basics real quick…

Parachuting (or skydiving as the cool kids call it) is jumping from an airplane and safely landing with a parachute. Usually you free fall for 30+ seconds, giving you that superman soaring feeling, before releasing a parachute to guide you down nice and easy. Tandem jumps attached to an instructor are the most common for beginners.

Base jumping kicks it up a notch by leaping from fixed objects like buildings, antennas, spans (bridges), or earth (cliffs) instead of planes. We’re talking some straight Mission Impossible style stunts! A bit more dangerous but man what a thrill seeking that next challenge.

Finally, wingsuit flying is like having a flying squirrel superpower. Special jumpsuits with webbed fabric under the arms and between the legs let you actually “fly” forward as you descend. We’re talking over 150 feet of forward travel for every 10 feet you drop! It looks and feels almost magical gliding over forests and canyons before parachuting to the ground.

Now I don’t want to pretend these sports are without risk. With extreme heights and speeds come hazards that need proper assessment and precaution. But that’s half the fun! Mastering all the technical skills around weather analysis, equipment maintenance, flight patterns, etc. is very rewarding. And when done safely, the actual jumping part is an unparalleled adrenaline surge!

Let me tell you about my first tandem parachute jump to give you a taste…I’ll never forget waiting by the open hatch in that tiny Cessna plane with butterflies in my stomach. At 15,000 feet I was jittery with nerves and self-doubt, wondering what the heck I was doing. But at the same time I was wicked pumped to finally live out a long-time dream!

When my instructor Tony gave the signal, we lunged into nothingness. My mind went blank as my body floated weightlessly above a bed of clouds. It was the craziest view I’d ever seen! I started yelling nonsense out of sheer amazement before reality set in that WE WERE ACTUALLY FALLING TOWARDS EARTH AT 120MPH!!

But surprisingly I felt total peace in free fall. Flying like Superman without a care in the world. Then came my favorite part after the chute deployed. Gently floating amongst vibrant green forests and lakes with 360 degree views. An experience of awe-inspiring natural beauty I’ll remember forever. Touching back down I was filled with elation and sense of freedom. I was officially hooked!

That adrenaline rush you feel when jumping stays with you long after too. For days afterwards I felt oddly clear and motivated, like I could take on anything. I signed up for skydiving lessons the very next week and haven’t looked back since!

Over the past year I’ve gone on 20+ jumps working my way up through various certifications. My goal is to master wingsuit flying by the end of 2025. It’s challenging sure – meticulously planning each jump accounting for all variables, undergoing thorough equipment checks, carefully controlling your body in the air – but so rewarding.

The cool thing is the skydiving community is super welcoming. From your first tandem to mastering solo jumps, there’s a whole support network helping you learn proper technique and safety. I meet the most interesting, risk taking people in this sport. We exchange epic jump stories and tips for reaching new heights (both figuratively and literally, ha). It feels like joining an exclusive club that enjoys nature’s thrills.

And I swear wingsuit flying is as close as humans will get to having superpowers. That footage you see online of pros in colorful suits effortlessly gliding through rugged mountains? It’s REAL bro! With enough skill and the right equipment, you can fly too. How fricking cool is that??

Skydiving unlocked a daring part of me yearning for freedom and transcendence. As Vince Lombardi once said: “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.” If you want to touch the sky, all it takes is some guts and drive to make it happen!

Sure, jumping from extreme heights isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s totally cool! But I hope sharing my story inspires some spark in you for confronting fears, pushing comfort zones, and deepening that bond between mind and body. Whether it’s skydiving or something else epic, I encourage you to discover those activities that make you feel truly alive.

Because let me tell you, once you fly high above the world soaring as free as a bird, it changes your whole perspective. Suddenly “impossible” goals back on land don’t seem so scary anymore. You look inward and realize that same rush pushing you out of airplanes can propel you through life’s toughest challenges. And that my friends is pretty freaking awesome.

So if you’re craving your next adventure filled with adrenaline and personal triumph, consider taking the leap into the world of parachuting, base jumping or wingsuit flying. I double dog dare you! And who knows, maybe I’ll see ya in the air soon ;). Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with a cliffside calling my name…Geronimo!!!