Overcoming Fear, Embracing Challenge: My Journey from Skydiving Instructor to Industry Expert

I took my first skydive to conquer a fear of heights. What I quickly learned is that height perception and depth perception are two entirely different things. While I could jump out of a plane without hesitation, standing on the edge of a tall building froze me in place. Ironically, half of skydivers share this fear. But that first jump ignited something within me. I became addicted to the thrill, the discipline, and the pursuit of mastery. As a perfectionist, I trained relentlessly, pushing myself to become better until I eventually earned my license as a skydiving instructor.

Being a skydiving instructor wasn’t just about the rush — it was about giving back. I wanted new jumpers to experience the same joy I did, but in the safest way possible. Like any other endeavor, skydiving has risks, just as driving does. You can be the most skilled driver, but you still share the road with those less experienced or careless. I faced this reality head-on when I was struck in mid-air by a less-experienced skydiver at 175 mph. That accident nearly cost me my life, but because I had taken every precaution possible, I survived. Despite what some may think, I still firmly believe skydiving is a safe sport. The statistics back it up — there are far more fatalities in car accidents than in skydiving…