#15 - Jason Gumz - Blackwater Ops, Himalayan Rescues, and Stoic Resilience

#15 - Jason Gumz - Blackwater Ops, Himalayan Rescues, and Stoic Resilience

What happens when you spend a decade in the shadows of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones? In this gripping episode, Hayden Thomas sits down with one of his oldest friends, Jason Gumz, a former Air Force veteran and Blackwater private contractor. Jason opens up about the reality of high-stakes protective services in Iraq and Afghanistan, from the haunting mental toll of documenting judicial killings in Baghdad to the massive VBIED explosions that rattled his base. This conversation isn't just about war stories; it’s a deep dive into the transition from a "feast or famine" mercenary lifestyle to the serenity of Himalayan mountaineering. Discover how a failed trip to Nepal and a standoff with the NYPD at LaGuardia became the essential catalysts for Jason’s growth and his embodiment of the Stoic philosophy: "The Obstacle is the Way."  Main Topics Covered * The Reality of Blackwater: Demystifying the private security industry and the high-stakes world of protecting dignitaries in armored motorcades. * War Stories from the Front: First-hand accounts of FOB Salerno, Chapman, and the massive "Hiroshima-style" mushroom cloud of a van bomb breach. * Documenting the Dark: Jason's mentally taxing role photographing over 250 judicial killings during the Shia-Sunni conflict in Baghdad. * The Military-to-Contracting Pivot: Why lucrative private contracts and the freedom of the "beard and smart car" lifestyle draw veterans back to the sandbox. * Himalayan Expeditions: Prep climbs on Island Peak and Lobuche, and a harrowing account of altitude sickness and a long-line helicopter rescue on Ama Dablam. * Climbing Conspiracy: A look into the rumored fraud scams where guides may intentionally weaken climbers to trigger insurance-payout rescues. * Stoicism in Action: How a failed trip to Nepal (and an NYPD standoff at LaGuardia) lit the fire to begin a serious mountaineering career. * The Transition to Cyber Security: What it’s like for a battle-hardened veteran to work a "normal person" office job at age 42. Key Takeaways * The Obstacle is the Way: Drawing from Marcus Aurelius, Jason explains how the hardest moments and failures of his life were the essential catalysts for his greatest growth. * Choose Your Hard: Life is difficult whether you are sitting on a couch or climbing a mountain; the secret is choosing the struggle that leads to strength rather than decay. * The Weight of Equilibrium: High-altitude mountaineering is as much a mental game as a physical one; once your equilibrium and energy are gone, even a simple repel becomes life-threatening. * De-escalation Skills: Lessons from the military on why kitted-out tactical gear is sometimes the most effective de-escalation tool. * The Value of Mentorship: The importance of having friends who push your boundaries and introduce you to "ambition, drive, and commitment." Connect with Hayden * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/ [https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1] * X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT [https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT] * YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT [http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT] * Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas [https://open.spotify.com/show/6Bjw9Hp4ouw3w6Hqqfbyoz?si=933570ccd73f41cb] * Get Stokes Picks! Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/ [https://stokespicks.com/] * Use promo code: Entertheunknown for a 20% discount!   If this episode gave you a new perspective on resilience and the power of the journey, please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

#14 Weekends at Morningside Live with Christian Eaton - the first in a series of casual conversations with pilots in the hangar

What drives a marketing professional for one of the world's leading ski brands to jump off mountains in his spare time? In this episode, Hayden Thomas chats with Christian Eaton about the evolution of a paragliding pilot and the maturity required to fly "conservatively." Christian shares how his background in multi-pitch rock climbing and backcountry skiing shaped his approach to free flight, emphasizing the magical simplicity of a 9:00 a.m. "boat sledder" off Cannon Mountain. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the psychology of risk, the "Dunning-Krueger" effect in adventure sports, and the importance of checking your ego before you clip into your wing. Main Topics Covered * The Inspiration of Birds: How watching vultures soar while stuck on a climbing crux at Cannon Mountain sparked Christian's desire to fly. * Hike-and-Fly Magic: The unique appeal of earning your flight through hiking and the tranquility of early morning launches. * The Conservative Pilot: Why Christian is intentionally choosing to progress slower to develop a reputation for safety rather than boldness. * Adventure Sport Cross-Training: Comparing the variable management of rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and paragliding. * Heuristic Traps: Navigating the "comparison trap" and why following the crowd can lead to dangerous aeronautical decisions. * The Dunning-Kruger Curve: Assessing where pilots land on the curve of competence versus confidence and the dangers of the "Intermediate Syndrome." * Personal Risk Assessment: Balancing a passion for flight with family responsibilities and the upcoming birth of a niece or nephew. Key Takeaways * Stay Scared, Stay Alive: Embracing a healthy level of fear prevents the complacency that often leads to accidents in adventure sports. * Fly Your Own Flight: External motivations—like trying to keep up with more aggressive peers—are a leading cause of unnecessary risk-taking. * Optional Launch, Mandatory Landing: Every time you choose to fly, you are accepting a set of risks; the power lies in knowing when to keep the wing in the bag. * The "Easy" Trap: Paragliding is deceptively easy to learn at a basic level, which often leads high-aptitude students into "air" they aren't mentally prepared for yet. * Harmony over Balance: Success in flight and life requires constant self-monitoring of stressors, sleep, and mental headspace before engaging in high-stakes activities. Connect with Hayden * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/ [https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1] * X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT [https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT] * YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT [http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT] * Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas [https://open.spotify.com/show/6Bjw9Hp4ouw3w6Hqqfbyoz?si=933570ccd73f41cb] * Get Stokes Picks! Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/ [https://stokespicks.com/] * Use promo code: Entertheunknown for a 20% discount! If this episode helped you re-evaluate your own risk-reward ratio, please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

#13 - Arash Farhang - Juggling Life's Balance, XC Paragliding Records, Fatherhood and Flying in The Karakorum

What do world-record juggling and high-altitude paragliding have in common? In this episode, Hayden Thomas sits down with Arash Farhang, a doctorate holder in optics and a world-record-holding juggler, to explore the discipline of mastery. Arash shares how he transitioned from the structured world of site-swap notation and competitive juggling to pioneering new "hike-and-fly" routes in the Wasatch Mountains and the towering Karakoram range of Pakistan. Whether you’re curious about the "poor man’s helicopter," the mechanics of thermalling to 24,000 feet without oxygen, or the delicate harmony of balancing high-risk adventures with family life, this conversation is a fascinating look into the mind of a modern polymath. Main Topics Covered * The Physics of Juggling: Understanding "site-swap notation," world records in 180-degree spins, and the discipline required to practice four hours a day. * Paragliding as a "Poor Man’s Helicopter": Using a wing to summit peaks for backcountry skiing and speed riding. * Cross-Country (XC) Exploits: Breaking records for "fully closed" flat triangles in Utah and the mental game of nine-hour flights. * The Karakoram Experience: Flying in Pakistan, camping at 14,000 feet, and soaring past 7,000-meter giants like Rakaposhi. * Risk Assessment & Family: How becoming a father shifted Arash's risk tolerance and his strategy for maintaining "harmony" with his wife. * The Iranian Connection: A personal look at Arash's heritage, the current political climate in Iran, and the underground paragliding community there. * Survival in the Sky: A harrowing account of throwing a reserve parachute over the Utah wilderness and steering to safety. Key Takeaways * Structured Mastery: Whether it's juggling or flying, high-level skill is achieved through rigorous, drill-based practice rather than just "playing around." * The 5% Rule: In competitive paragliding, a flight is only "closed" if you return to within 5% of your starting distance—a feat of both skill and meteorological luck. * Altitude Adaptation: "Vol-biv" (fly-and-camp) allows pilots to acclimate to extreme heights, enabling flights at 24,000 feet without the immediate need for oxygen. * Honesty vs. Peace: In adventure sports, being "too honest" about potential risks can sometimes cause more stress at home; finding the right level of transparency is key to family harmony. * Redemption Flights: Even after a "bomb-out" or a scary incident, getting back in the air the next day is often the best cure for the psychological weight of a mistake. Connect with the Guest Arash Farhang on X-Contest: Track Arash's Flights [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.xcontest.org/world/en/pilots/detail:arashf] World Juggling Federation (WJF): Juggling Competitions & Tutorials [http://www.worldjugglingfederation.com]Connect with Hayden * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/ [https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/] * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1] * X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT [https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT] * YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT [http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT] * Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://open.spotify.com/show/4N9v2u1p5I8J26S8N8Z8J8] Get Stokes Picks!  Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/ [https://stokespicks.com/] Use promo code: Entertheunknown for a 20% discount! If this episode helped you find the rhythm in your own "juggling act," please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!

#12 - Chip Hopper - The BookJEDI: AI Futurism, Ghostwriting, and Rewriting Your Story

What does it mean to be a "ghost" in a world that is increasingly loud? In this episode, Hayden Thomas pulls back the "wizard curtain" with Chip Hopper, known as the BookJEDI, to reveal the fascinating world of celebrity ghostwriting. Chip is the founder of Disrupt Normal LLC, a personal evolution company focused on improving the way we live and love by helping people write their "JEDI Stories." From the ethics of AI in literature to the philosophy of "harmony over balance," this conversation explores how storytelling defines our reality. Whether you’re an aspiring author, a tech futurist, or someone looking to step into the "uncomfortable" to find your next breakthrough, Chip’s insights on "quantum surprises" will challenge you to write a better chapter for your own life. Main Topics Covered * The Life of a Ghostwriter: Transitioning from a corporate executive to writing memoirs for celebrities and athletes under strict NDAs. * The AI Frontier: How LLMs are changing the value of knowledge and why "human-connected" writing still wins over algorithms. * Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Using AI as a research tool versus a creative engine, and the danger of the "summary of summaries" echo chamber. * The Intelligence of Nature: Why plants are more "aware" than we realize, and how to find a true flow state through forest bathing. * The Comfort of Discomfort: Why we must make the unfamiliar familiar and intentionally seek out "quantum surprises" to trigger growth. * Harmony vs. Balance: A paradigm shift on life management—why taking a step always puts you out of balance but keeps you in harmony with your goals. * Rewriting the Past: How our present lens determines our history, and the power of shifting your narrative to become the hero. Key Takeaways * You Are Only One Away: One relationship, one moment, or one story can completely pivot your trajectory toward your best life. * Knowledge Trends Toward Zero: In an AI-driven world, pure information is cheap; original human experience and intellectual property are the new high-value currencies. * Suck to Soar: No one starts as an expert. Action must precede the feeling of being "ready" to avoid the trap of analysis paralysis. * Witnessed by Nature: Spending time in the forest is a spiritual experience of being "seen" by a complex, living system. * Additive Bias: Humans often try to solve problems by adding more. Frequently, the breakthrough lies in subtraction and simplification. Connect with the GuestWebsite: chiphopper.com Social Media: @chiphopper on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok Connect with HaydenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/ [https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1] X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT [https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT] YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT [http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT] Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas Get Stokes Picks!Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/ [https://stokespicks.com/] Use promo code ENTERTHEUNKNOWN for a 20% discount! If this episode inspired you to rewrite your story, please follow, like, and share Enter the Unknown on your favorite platform!

#11 - Jacob Dodd & Dallan Jacobson - Handcrafting Heirloom Blades with Jagged Mountain Knives

What started as an 11-year-old’s experiment with a shoelace and a Harbor Freight machete has evolved into a premier American knife company. In this episode, Hayden Thomas sits down with Jacob Dodd, the Founder of Jagged Mountain Knives, and artisan Dallan Jacobson to discuss the grit and artistry behind their handcrafted blades. Jacob shares how he turned a backyard hobby into a world-class operation after studying entrepreneurship at BYU, while Dallan, a former river guide with a background in product design, explains how they bridge the gap between rugged utility and refined aesthetics. Discover why staying true to the "one maker, one knife" philosophy is the key to building a 100-year legacy brand, the secrets of heat-treating high-carbon steel, and why every Jagged Mountain Knives blade carries the unique mark of the specific person who built it. Main Topics Covered * The Garage Origin Story: Turning a childhood hobby into a thriving business through local mentorship. * Jagged Mountain Knives Production Standards: The anatomy of the Nomad and Scout blades and sourcing 1095 carbon steel. * The Insignia of the Maker: Why every knife includes a maker’s mark and a bio of the specific artisan. * Scaling Artistry: Growing a high-revenue business without resorting to assembly-line manufacturing. * Sheath Innovation: Combining traditional leatherwork with modern, thermomolded Kydex designs. * Field Testing: How these knives are pushed to their limits in the Alaska and Utah wilderness. * The Heirloom Philosophy: Creating tools meant to be passed down through generations. Key Takeaways * One Maker, One Blade: Quality is maintained by ensuring one person handles the entire process from start to finish. * The Value of American-Made: Keeping production domestic in Springville, Utah, preserves the soul of the tool. * Material Matters: Using materials like moose antler and cedar burl creates a connection to the environment. * Patina over Rust: Essential professional tips on caring for high-carbon steel blades to ensure longevity. Connect with the Guests Website: www.jaggedmountainknives.com [www.jaggedmountainknives.com] YouTube: @jaggedmountainknives [https://www.youtube.com/@jaggedmountainknives] Instagram: @jaggedmountainknives [https://www.instagram.com/jaggedmountainknives/] Facebook: facebook.com/customknivesJMK [https://www.facebook.com/customknivesJMK/?ref=profile_intro_card] Personal Handles: @jacob_pdodd [https://www.instagram.com/jacob_pdodd/] | @dallan_jacobson [https://www.instagram.com/dallan_jacobson/] Connect with Hayden Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/ [https://www.instagram.com/entertheunknown.hayden/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@entertheunknown1] X: https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT [https://x.com/ETUwithHaydenT] YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT [http://www.youtube.com/@EnterTheUnknownwithHT] Spotify: Enter the Unknown with Hayden Thomas [https://open.spotify.com/show/6Bjw9Hp4ouw3w6Hqqfbyoz] Get Stokes Picks! Premium flavored nicotine toothpicks: https://stokespicks.com/ [https://stokespicks.com/] Use promo code: Entertheunknown for a 20% discount! If this episode sharpened your perspective on American craftsmanship, please follow, like, and share Enter The Unknown on your favorite platform!