A Champion's Journey

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/324332/open_sms] Ever wonder what it takes to become a world-class athlete before you can even drive? Emma Johnson and Gabriel Heller, the silver medalists at the Fifth FAI World Indoor Skydiving Championships in Belgium, reveal exactly how they pulled it off at just 14 and 12 years old. These extraordinary young competitors take us into the exhilarating world of dynamic two-way indoor skydiving, where they race through wind tunnels at breathtaking speeds while executing precisely choreographed patterns. With remarkable maturity, they describe their journey from last place after the first round to claiming silver on the world stage, demonstrating resilience rarely seen in competitors three times their age. What's truly fascinating is how they've balanced competitive flying with their education. While Gabriel maintains excellent grades at his private Christian school and plays basketball, Emma has been accepted into an early college program. Their time management strategies alone offer valuable lessons for anyone juggling multiple priorities. The duo shares intimate details of their mental preparation, from visualization techniques to managing pre-competition nerves. Their coach's advice to "get comfortable being uncomfortable" has become their mantra, pushing them to continually expand their capabilities. They also explain how they've overcome communication challenges and learned to harmonize their different flying preferences – Gabriel's love of speed versus Emma's artistic inclinations. Beyond their athletic achievements, Emma and Gabriel serve as ambassadors for Children of Fallen Heroes, a charity supporting kids who've lost parents in military service or as first responders. Their perspective on competition – where they'll help opponents understand rule infractions because "you want to make it a fair playing field" – reveals character far beyond their years. Want to learn how two teenagers conquered the skydiving world while most kids their age are playing video games? This episode will inspire you to push beyond your own perceived limitations, regardless of your age or chosen pursuit. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/324332/support]

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/324332/open_sms] Join us for an inspiring journey with Kurt Isenbarger, a renowned skydiver and former member of the Golden Knights, who takes us through his life filled with daring adventures and significant lessons. In this episode, Kurt shares his incredible experiences, from entrepreneurial beginnings as a young guy fishing for golf balls to rising through the ranks of elite skydivers. His engaging storytelling captures the essence of teamwork, resilience, and the bonds formed on and off the skydiving drop zone. Discover how Kurt balanced his thrilling skydiving career with his business endeavors, showcasing his passion for entrepreneurship and community service. Through his anecdotes, he provides insights into the world of skydiving competitions, the importance of camaraderie in high-stress environments, and his efforts in disaster response initiatives. Kurt’s unique blend of humor and thoughtful reflection can motivate anyone looking to pursue their dreams. Whether you’re exploring skydiving, business, or simply searching for inspiration, Kurt’s journey offers useful lessons for all. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from an exceptional individual! Remember to subscribe, share, and leave a review. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/324332/support]

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/324332/open_sms] Christopher "Ace" Acevedo. U.S. Army Parachute Team Veteran, National Skydiving Champion, Musician and Actor This was a wonderful conversation with my great friend and former teammate where we cover a lot of ground including his deployment to Iraq during the Global War on Terror, how he dealt with the transition of coming back to the U.S., his time on the Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and much more.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/324332/support]

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/324332/open_sms] Ken Breeden, CW5 (Retired), is one of the most highly experienced aviators on the U.S. Army Parachute Team, "The Golden Knights."  With over 40 years of experience as an Army aviator, Ken has logged over 12,000 hours of flight time in various rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft and currently serves as a pilot and Chief Maintenance Officer for the Golden Knights.  It was an incredible honor to share a conversation with Ken on the podcast. I hope you enjoy his stories as much as I did.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/324332/support]

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/324332/open_sms] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/324332/support]