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In today's episode of "The 20 Minute Call," we're thrilled to feature someone who is nothing short of a legend in the skydiving community: Melissa Nelson. To many, she is simply known as 'Melissa'—a testament to her unmistakable presence and influence in the world of aerial sports. With a reputation as an upbeat force, a vocal leader, and an unapologetic badass in the skies, Melissa's track record is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Here's a snapshot of what she brings to the table:

• A staggering 12,000 skydives
• Participation in 26 World Records
• Three US Nationals Gold Medals
• AFF Instructor and PRO Rating holder
• Pioneer of Vertical Formation Skydiving
• Key member of the Highlight Pro Skydiving Team
• Serving as a USPA National Director
• Organizing efforts with Project 19
• TEDx Speaker
• 3 Times Published Author

But beyond this remarkable résumé, Melissa stands out as an embodiment of courage and determination. In this conversation, we delve deeper into what makes Melissa a standout personality, not just in the skydiving world but in life. Tune in to discover more about this incredible woman, whom I'm privileged to call a friend.

SHOW NOTES 

1. Diving into Legacy: Unraveling Life as Roger Nelson's Daughter
2. Aloha Adventure: The Journey from Skydive Chicago to Hawaii
3. Behind the Pages: The Stories of "Sugar Alpha" and "Charlie Bravo"
4. Bad Ass Women: Meeting Amy Chmelecki & the Birth of the Sugar Gliders
5. Raising the Bar: Advocating for Inclusion and Amplifying Voices
6. Braving the Storm: Navigating Mental Health Amidst Divorce
7. From Self to Motherhood: Transformative Moments Before & After Parenthood
8. Soaring with the Best: Embracing the Thrills with Highlight Pro Skydiving Team

MELISSA IN THE MEDIA

• Melissa's Website: Melissa-Nelson.com
• TEDx Speech - Drug Smuggler’s Daughter: Creating Light From Darkness
• Grab Your Copy of "Sugar Alp

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Born in Tempe, Arizona, Craig Girard made his first jump on March 14, 1981, at Sky Hi-Pioneer DZ, Phoenix, AZ, and has since accumulated over 32,000 jumps. His illustrious career spans more than four decades, and he has won numerous awards and championships, including US National Champion 8-way for an impressive 18 times, and US National Champion 4-way six times. Craig's success in World Cups is equally outstanding, securing five 8-way championships and two 4-way championships. He is also a two-time World Games Champion, a four-time Bodyflight World Challenge Tunnel Champion, a six-time World Champion in 8-way, and a two-time World Champion in 4-way.

A former U.S. Army Golden Knight, a long-time member of Arizona Airspeed, and the chief freefall instructor at Skydive Dubai, Craig's achievements also include being a key member of the 300, 357, and 400-way large formation world records. His influence on the sport earned him a place in the International Skydiving Hall of Fame.

Whether flying with the Golden Knights, leading Airspeed's 8-way team, or coaching the next generation of World Class teams, Craig's influence on the sport is truly unparalleled.

SHOW NOTES 

• Defying Odds: Remaining Injury-Free After 32,000 Skydives
• The Ultimate Risk: Taking the Leap with... A Unicycle?
• Elite Lessons: Gleanings from the Legendary Golden Knights
• Dream Match-ups: Who Craig Wished He'd Battled in the Sky
• The Edge: Harnessing a Killer Instinct in the Sport
• Unforgettable Heights: Craig's Most Cherished Competition Memories
• Beyond the Dive: The True Essence of Being a Sportsman
• Mental Mastery: Building Resilience and Fortitude for the Jump
• Legends in the Sky: Skydivers Craig Holds in High Esteem
• Behind the Scenes: The Vital Role of Sponsorship in Skydiving Success
• The Inner Circle: Understanding Team Dynamics Among Skydiving Elites
• The Pact: Crafting a "Contract for Working Together"
• The Blueprint: Inside the Systems of Arizona Airspeed
• Surreal Skies: Unforgettable "Pinch Me" Moments at Skydive Dubai
• Presidential Encounters: The Unforgettable Day Meeting Ge

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If you don’t know my guest today, you’ve likely taken a canopy course that was originally designed by him. In the early 2000s, Scott Miller was the face of formal canopy instruction. Using his signature Gatorz, and Keynote on his Mac, he taught thousands of civilian and military skydivers at more than 40 dropzones around the world how to be better, safety pilots.

During his 16-year career in the sport, Scott amassed more than 8,500 jumps and  served as the chief test jumper at Performance Designs for five years. In different chapters of his career, he also worked as a camera flyer, an AFF, Tandem and static line instructor and was a founding member of the Flight-1 canopy school. 

Today, Scott is a personal and professional development coach, speaker and podcaster.

SHOW NOTES 

• Bombing Out of Embry Riddle 
• Learning from Rocky Evans 
• Meeting John LeBlanc 
• Becoming a Test Jumper at Performance Designs 
• The start of rapid downsizing: F111 to Zero P
• The Genesis of Flight-1 
• Burning Out
• Rickster Powell - The King of Swoop
• Caring for Tigers
• Scott's Podcast: Task Time Energy Podcast
• Teaching the LSAT 
• Finding Balance 

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📲 STAY CONNECTED
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Today's guest is a global ambassador for the sport and soon-to-be member of the International Skydiving Hall of Fame. 

Within months of his introduction to skydiving, Shannon Pilcher began competing in 4-way FS. Between 2003 and 2010 as a 4-way FS and CP competitor, Shannon earned 14 first-place titles and three seconds, broke three world records, and represented the USA at four World Meets and six World Cups. He was integral in defining and promoting canopy piloting, including establishing the PD Factory Team and Flight-1 Canopy School, and being featured in a documentary entitled Sky Jumpers which can be viewed on Amazon Prime. 

Additionally, he has served as a coach for the Australian, Austrian, Brazilian, British, Canadian, Irish and Norwegian national teams, and has worked with elite military operations, and SDC Rhythm XP. It should also be mentioned he was the 2006 Skydiver of the Year in Skydiving Magazine

Today, he serves as a leadership coach specializing in organizational and leadership development working with some of the top executives in the highest echelons of the business world. 

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Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Community! Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:
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- learn what interviews will be upcoming
- submit questions for future guests
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Join our community and support the pod!

Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcast

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Get in Touch!

Have ideas for a guest or want to leave us some feedback? We

📲 STAY CONNECTED
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Facebook: /20MinuteCall

💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
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Keri Bell is a trailblazer in our sport. As a third-generation skydiver, for her, skydiving isn’t a mere choice. It’s a legacy. 

A legacy that traces back to her grandfather, Lenny Aikins, a World War II pilot who discovered his love for skydiving after his return from Europe. This passion was ingrained in her family's DNA, ultimately shaping Kapowsin Air Sports, a DZ that grew out of the family's initial skydiving club and a place she calls home.

Today, Keri has over 14,000 skydives, is a member of the esteemed Highlight Pro Skydiving Team, an instructor examiner, tandem instructor a world record holder, DZO, a wife, and proud mother of three. 

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In this episode: 

• Keri shares what it was like growing up on a dropzone
• What it was like growing up with cousins Luke Aikins and Andy Farrington
• Video: An epic demo introducing Google Glass in downtown San Francisco! 
• Some of her most memorable jumps
• Running a DZ - Skydive Kapowsin! 
• Being on the Highlight Pro Skydiving Team 

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Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Community! Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:
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- receive show swag

Join our community and support the pod!

Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcast

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Website: The 20 Minute Call
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💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
Love the podcast? Join our Patreon community for early access, bonus content, and exclusive perks.
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⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW
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Our first guest is like no other person in the sport due to his incredible enthusiasm, love for the sport and its people.

Kamuran “Sonic” Bayrasli is the man behind the famous Ranch Pro Shop. “Buy Baby Buy.”  Since making his first jump at a small DZ in New Jersey in 1992, Sonic has accrued more than 7,000 jumps, become a Master Rigger with more than 3000 reserves packed and more than 150 saves.

Sonic is also a former AFF Instructor and, at one point, was even a container manufacturer building the BASR, which had a main and reserve canopy that could be used for both BASE jumping and skydiving.

In this episode: 

• How Sonic Became a Skydiver
• The start of Canopy Piloting
• Establishing the Pro Shop
• Departing the Ranch 
• The BASR Video
• and so much more..... (this is a good one!)

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Advertise with the 20 Minute Call

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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Get in Touch!

Have ideas for a guest or want to leave us some feedback? We'd love to hear from you! 
E-mail us at [email protected]

📲 STAY CONNECTED
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💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
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Hi everyone, it’s James La Barrie from Beyond Marketing. I’m excited to share a passion project that’s been rolling around in my brain for years! A new skydiving podcast called the 20 Minute Call! 

This podcast is focused on interviews with the people I’m most curious about. I’ll be taking a deep dive with them, not just talking about their skydiving accomplishments, but getting to know them beyond the jumpsuit.

The 20 Minute Call is a podcast about the dreamers, boundary pushers, rebels and champions of the skydiving industry.

I believe everyone has a story and I’m thrilled to capture the stories from every perspective within the sport from Hall of Famers, World Champions, DZO’s, riggers, fun jumpers and instructors. 

Your support is instrumental in making this project a success. So, I'm extending an invitation to you to be a part of this journey with me. Please follow The 20 Minute Call to ensure you stay connected and never miss an episode. 

📲 STAY CONNECTED
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Facebook: /20MinuteCall

💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
Love the podcast? Join our Patreon community for early access, bonus content, and exclusive perks.
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⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW
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Apple Podcasts: [direct-link]
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Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall...