POPULARITY
Text Me Your Thoughts On This EpisodeMike Gruwell is a skydiving entrepreneur, master rigger, and industry leader whose journey in the sport began with a single jump in 1995. What started as a passion quickly turned into a career, leading him to become an FAA Master Rigger, AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, and 4-way competitor.In 1999, he founded ChutingStar, which began as a small rigging loft and grew into one of the most recognized skydiving gear suppliers in the world. Over the years, it expanded to include online gear sales in 2005, a DeLand, Florida storefront in 2011, and an international online presence serving skydivers worldwide.His entrepreneurial drive didn't stop at skydiving. In 2012, inspired by his twin sons, he ventured into skateboarding, opening a skate shop and park, blending extreme sports culture with his deep commitment to quality gear and expert support. Throughout it all, his wife, Stephanie, has played a vital role in growing and structuring the business.Outside of skydiving and business, Mike is also a freelance drummer, proving that his love for rhythm extends from music to freefall. His journey is one of passion, innovation, and building a career in an industry he never originally planned to join—but now helps lead.Join us as we dive into Mike's journey from jumper to entrepreneur, his insights into the skydiving industry, and how he's shaped ChutingStar into what it is today.
Text Me Your Thoughts On This EpisodeWith over two decades in skydiving and parachute rigging, Pablito Perazzoli has built a reputation for precision and expertise. Originally from Argentina, his journey began with an unexpected introduction to sewing during a high school exchange in New Zealand—an invaluable skill that shaped his career.Pablito has completed more than 6,400 jumps and holds multiple instructor ratings, including Tandem Examiner and AFF Instructor. As a Master Parachute Rigger, he has performed over 6,700 reserve repacks. His career includes key roles as Rigging Loft Manager at United Parachute Technologies (UPT) for a decade and three years at Skydive Dubai. He now brings his expertise to Complete Parachute Solutions (CPS), contributing to parachute technology and safety.A respected rigger and mentor in the industry, Pablito's passion for skydiving and commitment to safety are second to none. Tune in for insights from his remarkable career.MEDIA LINKS VIDEO: Why We JumpWebsite: Sky PiratesWebsite: GoFundMe | Naval Academy Demo TeamSupport The ShowLove the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Patreon Community! Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:- suggest who you'd like to hear on the podcast- learn what interviews will be upcoming- submit questions for future guests-receive show swagJoin our community and support the pod!Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcastADVERTISEAre you interested in partnering with the 20 Minute Call as an advertiser? Let's work together! E-mail us at podcast@beyondmarketing.xyz
Send Us Feedback via TextZainab Alibhai has defied expectations and broken significant barriers, earning a place of recognition within the international skydiving community. Originally from Kenya, Zainab made her first skydive in 2014—a life-changing experience that set her on a remarkable path. From that moment, she embarked on an unconventional journey, traveling across the globe to log enough jumps and earn multiple ratings. Today, Zainab is not only a Tandem Instructor, AFF Instructor, and Senior Rigger, but she is also the proud owner of a Go Jump Kenya, with operations in two locations.Her inspiring story of perseverance and determination in becoming a Dropzone Owner (DZO) is a testament to anyone facing obstacles in the pursuit of a dream. It's an honor to welcome Zainab Alibhai to the 20 Minute Call Podcast.
Send Us Feedback via TextSherry Butcher is a highly accomplished and influential figure in the skydiving community. She co-owns Aerohio Skydiving Center in Ashland, Ohio, and has been actively involved in the sport for over 30 years. Sherry made her first jump in May 1993 and has since made over 10,000 jumps. Her passion for skydiving led her to become a skilled instructor, eventually achieving certifications as an AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Senior Rigger, and Skydive University Coach.Sherry has been engrained at Aerohio Skydiving since 1996, where she remains deeply involved in teaching, coaching, and organizing skydiving events. Her dedication to the sport extends beyond her business; she has served on the United States Parachute Association (USPA) Board of Directors since 2001, holding positions such as Secretary, President, and currently, Vice President. Sherry is particularly proud of her work with the USPA's Safety & Training Committee, where she has contributed to the development of global training methods and safety standards.
Send Us Feedback via TextMy guest today is making significant waves in the international skydiving community. Marta Molinska, a well-known skydiver and organizer, is behind one of the most thrilling events emerging out of Europe—the European Skydiving Symposium. With over 2,000 jumps to her name, Marta is an AFF Instructor and Event Manager at Sky Camp in Poland. Her dedication and passion for skydiving are evident in everything she does, and she's known for her ability to get things done with remarkable efficiency.Beyond her professional achievements, Marta is an inspiring force in the skydiving world, always pushing boundaries and encouraging others to reach new heights. Her expertise and enthusiasm make her a standout figure in the community.LINKSSupport Marta's Father with Funding Ambulances for UkraineVideo: European Skydiving Symposium 2024JOIN OUR COMMUNITYLove 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:- suggest who you'd like to hear on the podcast- learn what interviews will be upcoming- submit questions for future guests-receive show swagJoin our community and support the pod!Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcastADVERTISEAre you interested in partnering with the 20 Minute Call as an advertiser? Let's work together! E-mail us at podcast@beyondmarketing.xyz
Send Us Feedback via TextToday's guest is a standout figure in the skydiving world. Becca Farewell, with over 7,000 jumps and 11 years of experience, has served as a tandem instructor, AFF Instructor, and videographer at notable locations including Go Jump Oceanside, Skydive Elsinore, and Skydive Perris. Renowned for her vibrant energy and dedication as a teacher, Becca's life took a dramatic turn in July 2021 when a hard landing resulted in quadriplegia. Undeterred, she continues to inspire through her rehabilitation journey, engaging in activities like wind tunnel flying, tandem skydiving, tetra skiing, and even comedy. Although she no longer skydives actively, Becca's legacy and influence in the community remain profoundly impactful.
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 SkydiverThe start of Canopy PilotingEstablishing the Pro ShopDeparting the Ranch The BASR Videoand so much more..... (this is a good one!)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Love the 20 Minute Call Podcast? Support this Venture and Join our Community!Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Community! Supporting the show gives access to monthly private group chats, random swag, and insights to not yet released shows and future guests. Join our community and support the pod!Link: https://patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcast------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Advertise with the 20 Minute CallAre you interested in partnering with the 20 Minute Call as an advertiser? Let's work together! E-mail us at podcast@beyondmarketing.xyz------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 podcast@beyondmarketing.xyz
“Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise” -Frank Ocean=>Flying all over the world, literally =>Setting Women's records ( 19 so far) =>Winning International Competitions =>Married to her hero and best friend =>Listening to the call of her soul since she was 5 years old =>Opening the doorways of Nirvana =>And having a heavenly connection with Egypt, its pyramids and its vibes like very few people have.Jeannie Bartholomew is our beloved guest and the Owner of The Alter Ego Project, LLC, Team Alter Ego Fastrax, and the Florida Canopy Piloting Association. Professional competitor on Team Alter Ego Fastrax, Skydiving Videographer, AFF Instructor, Canopy Coach, Pro-Rated Canopy Pilot, ASG Athlete Swoop Freestyle and USPA National DirectorHer Future Goals are to continue to compete in the local and world-level competition scene. Provide exciting professional demo jumps into events! Produce more Alter Ego Fastrax Team projects. Continue to push the limits in freestyle canopy piloting with Swoop Freestyle. Not only to be among the top female competitors and icons of the sport but be among the best of the best!Jeannie shares with us her strategies for competing & winning - The power of visualization - Mental preparation - Pushing yourself to the next level - Breathwork and The Roller coaster of winning “Pressure is a privilege and it really shows us what we are really made of. It shows us how much we can push ourselves and how much we can take before we break. I'm not unbreakable, but through the years I've become mentally and physically stronger from injuries, setbacks, change and people telling me I can't do things. I take pride in being a true professional and rising to the challenge. I have a lot of work to do to achieve my ultimate goals in this sport, but I'm proud of where I'm at and the person/competitor that I've become. I will continue to stay true to myself and keep charging until I reach my goals”. -Jeannie BartholomewIf you want to learn more about Jeannie, visit her social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeannieBartholomew.7Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aex_pink/Webpage: https://thealteregoproject.com/jeannie-bartholomew/Visit https://delaflorteachings.com/faith to receive the “21 Days of Faith in Action Course” as our gift to you.Podcast sponsored by Delaflor Teachings International and produced by Asynd Media.
From school teacher to maintenance girl on the DZ to AFF Instructor, Videographer, and all out hustler., Stephanie is someone who has a bright fire for skydiving and shares the passion with anyone willing to listen....so listen!
Bryn Chaffe, Advanced Instructor talks... shit. ;-) We discuss his background in the sport. Jumping through clouds and in strong winds Bryn claims to be a better AFF Instructor than Craig Craig is happy to let Bryn 'think' that Bryn can't remember the 10 qualities of an instructor Craig nails the 10 qualities immediately, without hesitation or homework, ahem. Rai competed (months ago) at Windoor RSUK is supported by Indoor Wingsuit and Flysight Dean Ricci gets another play of his poem "when it's done" Listener feedback Craig offers to send Brian a photo taken next time Craig is having a poo. And there's more banter than you can shake a Dan BC easter egg at. If you enjoy the show, please rate us 5* wherever you get your podcast from. It really does help us and if you leave a review we will read it out too. Or record us a message on your smartphone and email us using studio@radioskydive.uk
Master Rigger, Tunnel Instructor, AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor... Fucking over achiever is more like it! Mr Rory Corrigan Started his jumping career at one of the craziest dropzone's on the planet at its peak, and has the stories to tell! Tattoos, suspension (whoa) and body modification may have been his first stroll down the Lunatic Fringe, but Skydiving has become his life.
Shell Meakins is a five foot beast when it comes to flying. Shell is an expert skydiver, AFF Instructor and a master of tunnel formation flying. Shell is here for the season running the AFF student program at Skydive Lonestar in Lulling Texas. She holds multiple medals in a wide array of disciplines and shares her joy of flying every chance she gets My name is Waz Choudhry. I have been blessed with over 4,000 skydives and more than 13 years of experience in the sport of skydiving. WazzyCircus Radio is a show where I sit down with some of the most amazing people that I have met over a decade of professional skydiving
Nick is a Tandem and AFF Instructor, BASE jumper, and unofficial hay-bale-swoop champion is with us tonight. Join us as we discuss sick bridge swooping, world traveling, the Moab scene, and general shenanigans. You can follow Nick on: Facebook: @nicholas.reyes.35 Instagram: @nreyes1092 Gravity Lab Radio is hosted by DJ Marvin and Nick Lott with our favorite lab rats, Justin Grubbs and Ben Nelson. You can find us on the web at www.GravityLabRadio.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gravitylabradio/ and on Vimeo www.vimeo.com/user73147073 DJ owns and operates The Ratings Center, where he trains skydiving coaches and instructors. TRC also provides canopy coaching. You can find TRC on the interwebs at www.TheRatingsCenter.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theratingscenter Nick Lott is the Director of Video Marketing for Skydive Spaceland and has a wonderful nack for producing videos. You can follow Nick's work for Spaceland on the video page of Spaceland's Facebook www.facebook.com/spaceland2/
DJ is on the road this week but the show must go on! GLR will come you from Skydive Spaceland Dallas with our guest David Pugin. David is a full-time skydiver and like many instructors, has lived an eclectic life. David is taking his good buddy Sean from 22kill on a tandem skydive to help raise support for organizations supporting our troops, veterans, and first responders. We'll dive into what these organizations mean to David. We also have Ben Nelson co-hosting. Gravity Lab Radio is hosted by DJ Marvin and Nick Lott with our favorite lab rats, Justin Grubbs and Ben Nelson. You can find us on the web at www.GravityLabRadio.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gravitylabradio/ and on Vimeo www.vimeo.com/user73147073 DJ owns and operates The Ratings Center, where he trains skydiving coaches and instructors. TRC also provides canopy coaching. You can find TRC on the interwebs at www.TheRatingsCenter.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theratingscenter Nick Lott is the Director of Video Marketing for Skydive Spaceland and has a wonderful nack for producing videos. You can follow Nick's work for Spaceland on the video page of Spaceland's Facebook www.facebook.com/spaceland2/
Mr. Rodriguez is a full-time skydiving vidiot and AFF Instructor at Skydive Spaceland Houston. Carlos is always a source of smile and laughter around the DZ. Tonight Carlos joins us for more silliness and stories from the DZ. You can follow Carlos on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/chuloskdv/ Gravity Lab Radio is hosted by DJ Marvin and Nick Lott with our favorite lab rats, Justin Grubbs and Ben Nelson. You can find us on the web at www.GravityLabRadio.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gravitylabradio/ and on Vimeo www.vimeo.com/user73147073 DJ owns and operates The Ratings Center, where he trains skydiving coaches and instructors. TRC also provides canopy coaching. You can find TRC on the interwebs at www.TheRatingsCenter.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theratingscenter Nick Lott is the Director of Video Marketing for Skydive Spaceland and has a wonderful nack for producing videos. You can follow Nick's work for Spaceland on the video page of Spaceland's Facebook www.facebook.com/spaceland2/
Evgeny Schupak AKA The "Tall Russian," is aprofessional skydiver with more than 5,000 skydives and hundreds of hours of tunnel time. Born in Russia and raised in Israel Evgeny Schupak is one of the most interesting and accomplished people that I know. Tandem instructor, AFF-Instructor, skydive cinematographer, indoor skydiving nstructor, entrepreneur and business owner Evgeny Schupak does not stop! My name is Waz Choudhry. I have been blessed with over 4,000 skydives and more than 13 years of experience in the sport of skydiving. WazzyCircus Radio is a show where I sit down with some of the most amazing people that I have met over a decade of professional skydiving.
The boys are back in town. DJ has returned from running an AFF Instructor course in Dallas and Mr. P (Nicholas) is back from his travels to Switzerland and Dubai. It's time to catch up on some the wonderful journeys the boys have been on. Gravity Lab Radio is hosted by DJ Marvin and Nick Lott with our favorite lab rats, Justin Grubbs and Ben Nelson. You can find us on the web at www.GravityLabRadio.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gravitylabradio/ and on Vimeo www.vimeo.com/user73147073 DJ owns and operates The Ratings Center, where he trains skydiving coaches and instructors. TRC also provides canopy coaching. You can find TRC on the interwebs at www.TheRatingsCenter.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theratingscenter Nick Lott is the Director of Video Marketing for Skydive Spaceland and has a wonderful nack for producing videos. You can follow Nick's work for Spaceland on the video page of Spaceland's Facebook www.facebook.com/spaceland2/ and on his Vimeo channel https://vimeo.com/user11479606
Dave Butterell and Paul Cooper talk bigway formations in wingsuiting and head down respectively. Alex 'Buzz' Busby-Hicks School of Hard Knocks Front Cover by Dan Guest of the World Record VFS Large Formation 170way first attempt over Skydive Chicago. Back Cover 1 by Ming Chu of x and y competing at the CF Nationals at Black Knights Parachute Club. Back Cover 2 by Roy Wimmer-Jaglom of Hannah Parker and Elise Sharp performing a front roll out of the door over Skydive Hibaldstow. Skydive Hibaldstow do 403 tandem skydives in 11 hours. AND put up seven three plane formation loads. AND run a normal jump program. The Hib Machine is unbeatable. Phil Wayper's home made canopy gets jumped in the UK by Ray Armstrong. Craig celebrates his 18th year in the sport and creates an alti clock app for his android watch. Woop-di-do. Tash has a shave and shows us a gash or two. The first caused by a mock-up on the ground not matching the plane door, the second caused by an alarming bacon incident. Brian gets approached in the toilets and prepares for his AFF Instructor course. Craig gets binned from his CF team and aroused by being on the same plane as Tash. Thanks to Tash for editing. Brian and Craig are both on the naughty step for not finishing off the post-production sooner. We hope you enjoy. If you do, please tell one person about us. Cheers.