Flag jumping, being a chef, & good coaching

Records, coaching, making a living as a skydiver and working in the very first wind tunnel.

Identity, purpose, self-doubt and the reasons we skydive.

Chris Frayer breaks down his path from rock climbing to skydiving, the realities of coaching in the wind tunnel, and the behind-the-scenes challenges of running the Colorado facility. He digs into equipment maintenance, safety, mentorship, and what it really takes to build a strong training culture. The conversation also explores upcoming skydiving events, the future of tunnel flying, and the community that keeps the sport progressing.

Chris and JRuss discuss various topics related to skydiving, including updates on the USPA board's decisions, the dynamics of the skydiving community, new coaching initiatives, and safety concerns surrounding tandem jumps. They also reflect on the concept of integrity within the sport and explore the use of technology, such as ChatGPT, in enhancing the skydiving experience.

Chris and J Russ discuss various topics related to skydiving, including updates on the USPA board's decisions, the dynamics of the skydiving community, new coaching initiatives, and safety concerns surrounding tandem jumps. They also reflect on the concept of integrity within the sport and explore the use of technology, such as ChatGPT, in enhancing the skydiving experience.

Mike Swanson—legendary skydiver and Red Bull Air Force athlete—opens up about a life built around flight. From his roots in a skydiving family to mastering wingsuiting, speed riding, and BASE jumping, Mike shares the exhilaration and dangers of extreme sports. He reflects on the discipline required for safety, the challenges he’s faced along the way, and the joy that keeps him pushing the limits of human flight.

JRuss and Chris take listeners on a wide-ranging journey—from the energy of Rookie Fest and the challenges of running a safe, successful skydiving event to unexpected detours into culture, science, and philosophy. They reflect on the curious world of Scientology, share candid stories about health insurance, and swap book recommendations. The conversation then shifts to human evolution—exploring Neanderthal genes, the Great Leap Forward in intellect, and cultural ties across continents. Along the way, they dive into the moon’s role in life on Earth, the deep value of art, creativity’s link to mental health, and pressing questions about suffering, memory, and identity. The episode closes with provocative thoughts on AI and the future of human connection.

Chris and JRuss welcome Swati Varshney, a seasoned skydiver and one of the candidates for the Hera Rising mission, which aims to break the record for the highest altitude freefall. Swati shares her journey in skydiving, the engineering challenges of the Hera Rising project, and the importance of women's empowerment in STEM fields. The conversation also touches on the selection process for the mission, the training involved, and the current state of civil discourse in society.

Discover the awe-inspiring journey of Olav Zipser, the "Godfather of Freeflying." In this episode, we explore how Olav truly transformed skydiving because of three wonderful qualities: imagination, creativity and a child-like desire to have fun.