In this episode, Laurent speaks with Steph Davis. Steph is a world-class free solo climber and an avid BASE jumper. She has a unique background, including being a dedicated pianist and holding a master's degree in literature. While attending law school, she decided to drop out to pursue climbing full-time and has never looked back. Steph is an inspirational figure with her approach to risk management and how she dedicates herself to her passions.

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Mark Stockwell is the man that makes this podcast sound the way it does.  Please show him some love:  https://www.instagram.com/mtstockwell/ 

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We want to hear your thoughts about the podcast!    

Exit Point is completely self-funded and there are no ads. Please support this independent project by visiting: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint

Thanks to everyone who has already supported us!

Tension knots might be the scariest and least understood malfunction in BASE. In 2019 and 2020, Squirrel conducted surveys in an attempt to get a better understanding of tension knots and their occurrence. In this episode, Blank and I sit down with Will and Matt from Squirrel to have them share what they learned, and some suggestions on how to train our emergency procedures.

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We want to hear your thoughts about the podcast!    

Exit Point is completely self-funded and there are no ads. Please support this independent project by visiting: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint

Thanks to everyone who has already supported us!

With us this week is Lonnie Bissonnette, a BASE jumping pioneer who after suffering a nearly fatal accident that left him paralyzed, became the first person to earn a BASE number as a paraplegic, jumping all four objects in the BASE acronym (Building, Antena, Span [bridge] and Earth).

He has since traveled the globe BASE jumping and became a para-bobsleigh world champion representing his home country of Canada. 

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If you have been listening to Exit Point and enjoy what you've heard, we want to hear from you!    

Exit Point is completely self-funded and there are no ads. If you would like to support this independent project, you can visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint

Thanks to everyone who has already supported us!

In this episode, Laurent speaks with Espen Fadnes. Espen has somehow stayed at the top of the discipline, basically from the beginning of wingsuit BASE jumping, was part of the community that opened the world's eyes to what was possible and how base jumpers could fly.  He is an FAI world champion, regularly holds sell-out camps at the indoor wingsuit tunnel, and it completes hundreds of wingsuit BASE jumps a year. Espen has been part of many film projects and continues to inspire the masses with his creative approach to filming and sharing the air with his partner Amber.

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If you have been listening to Exit Point and enjoy what you've heard, we want to hear from you!    

Exit Point is completely self-funded and there are no ads. If you would like to support this independent project, you can visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint

Thanks to everyone who has already supported us!

In this episode, Matt Blank speaks with Taylor Cole.  Taylor is a member of the US parachute team, CTO of the Navy’s technology lab in Southern California, stuntman, and long-time BASE jumping community organizer. His open-minded and logical approach to BASE jumping may appear in contrast to his wild antics, but after listening to this conversation we hope you gain some valuable insights into his unique and innovative approach to risk analysis and performance. Among other things, Matt and Taylor discuss canopy flight, teamwork, and the training it takes to be a world-class competitor and BASE jumper. 

In this episode, Laurent and Matt speak with Chris McNamara. Chris is an expert in big wall climbing and describes himself as a recovering wingsuit BASE jumper.  

Climbing Magazine once pointed out that three percent of Chris's life had been spent on the face of El Cap - of which he has climbed over 70 times, he holds 9 big wall speed climbing records, and is a winner of the American Alpine Club's prestigious Bates Award. 

Chirs has written 10 books, and is the founder of SuperTopo and now the Editor-in-Chief of outdoorgearlab.com

Chris on Ammon Mcneely: https://watch.reelrocktour.com/the-sharp-end/videos/ammon-mcneely

Chris essay from the Great Book of BASE: Why I Quit BASE jumping

Great Book of BASE: BASE Book

If you have been listening to Exit Point and enjoy what you've heard, we want to hear from you!    

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Exit Point is completely self-funded and there are no ads. Please consider donating to help cover our operational costs: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint

Thanks to everyone who has already supported us!

In this episode, Laurent speaks with Robert Pecnik.  Robert is the director, owner lead wingsuit designer, and test pilot of Phoenix Fly.  In Croatia, Robert's skydiving career started in 1982, and is still regularly BASE jumping with unrelenting enthusiasm.

Among other things, we talked about his thoughts on the risks and dangers of wingsuit BASE and how his passion for flying has remained so resilient.

Phoenix-Fly

@pecnikrobert

If you have been listening to Exit Point and enjoy what you've heard, we want to hear from you!    

Exit Point is completely self-funded and there are no ads. Please consider donating to help cover our operational costs: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint

Thanks to everyone who has already supported us!

In this episode, Laurent and Matt speak with Jamie Crawford. Jamie is an expert in urban BASE jumping who has been honing his skill with patience, dedication, and intention for over a decade.  Jamie provides a fresh perspective on Exit Point with his hardcore urban style. He has generously agreed to shed some light on what has historically been a shadowy dark art. 

Jamie's FB

His Insta

If you have been listening to Exit Point and enjoy what you've heard, we want to hear from you!    

Exit Point is completely self-funded and there are no ads. Please consider donating to help cover our operational costs: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint

Thanks to everyone who has already supported us!

In this episode, Laurent sits down with Tristan Wimmer and Ben Pitassi of 22 Jumps.  22 Jumps is a public charity that combines BASE jumping and fundraising to support the development of durable solutions for traumatic brain injuries. 

The project was initiated by Tristan Wimmer after his brother Kiernan's tragic death. Kiernan, who had suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in Iraq for almost a decade, tragically took his own life in 2015. Tristan and his family watched as Kiernan's injury affected his mental and physical well-being, leading to emotional and violent behavior. Unfortunately, Kiernan's story is not unique, with an estimated 22 veterans taking their own lives each day, according to a 2012 report by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In response to this, Tristan and his team are working to raise awareness and funds for organizations researching and treating TBIs by completing 22 BASE jumps in one day, the same number of veterans who take their own lives each day. 22 Jumps serves as a tribute to honor those veterans and bring attention to the struggles they face.

Our second guest is a member of the board of directors for 22 Jumps and is currently serving with the Navy Parachute Team while on active duty. He has deployed 7 times to various parts of the world during his career.  Ben is passionate about helping his fellow service members and founded The Uplift Union in 2019, a nonprofit centered around adaptive paragliding.

Note from Tristan: "22 Jumps would not be possible without the groundswell of love, support, and time that people give to make it a reality. There are too many to name, but Adam Ghannoum, COO of 22 Jumps, has been a shoulder since the beginning of this journey and has been invaluable to its success."

Their next event is scheduled for February 4, 2023 more info here: Feb 22 Jumps event

General info: https://22jumps.org/

If you have been listening to Exit Point and enjoy what you've heard, we want to hear from you!    

Exit Point is completely self-funded and there are no ads. Please consider donating to help cover our operational costs: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint

Thanks to everyone who has already supported us!