Skydiving was not on my bucket list 5 years ago. I wasn’t always a thrill seeker. In fact I remember specifically going to Six Flags as a family (when I was 12). I refused to go on the Raging Bull and American Eagle roller coaster because I didn’t feel secure. And I wouldn’t go on Batman because I couldn’t stand the thought of my legs dangling! Instead, my father and I road the Demon roller coaster over and over again. It’s not a bad roller coaster…still has some loopty loops!…but just a little smaller. I wonder if those coasters are even there anymore!
I got more daring when I was older. To be honest, I think Adderall played a big factor. If you want to read my Adderall story, here’s the links for part one https://healthyhappyhumble.net/adderall-pt-1/ and part two https://healthyhappyhumble.net/adderall-pt-2/). Adderall numbed a lot of my senses (especially to anxiety and stress). When I went back to Six Flags with some of my friends during college I was in the front row of Raging Bull…and it didn’t bother me one bit.
After weening myself off of my pills in 2014 my anxiety worsened. My diet was horrible, and I wasn’t finding healthy ways to process stress. For many reasons I drank a lot of alcohol. One of those reasons was to numb some of the emotions like Adderall did. I wasn’t even aware of it.
A few years ago one of our best friends started dating a guy named Luke who is a skydiving instructor at Wisconsin Skydiving Center. I was ASTOUNDED that he was an instructor! After talking with him about it, I decided I wanted to go. But I never pulled the trigger. The next few seasons came and gone. I could not muster up enough courage to skydive. I knew Luke would take really good care of me (he currently has done over 2500 jumps!). But I was afraid I’d get an anxiety attack.
I’ve had a few anxiety attacks in my life. Most of the attacks occurring when I was (in my opinion) quite unhealthy. My anxiety would occur when I was unprepared or when I felt I didn’t have control over situations. I thought skydiving would for sure be a trigger. So I put it on the back burner. I knew I wasn’t ready.
Most of you know about my transformation journey of 2019 (and is still happening each and every day). I started doing things out of my comfort zone to push me physically and mentally to prove to myself that I could do whatever I put my mind to. Running a half marathon, jumping into the FREEZING LAKE for the polar plunge, and currently working on my Health Coaching business are a few mental adventures I have journeyed on. At our house warming party in June I started talking to Luke again about skydiving. I thought to myself “What better way to celebrate a new decade with jumping out a perfectly good plane!”. I told Luke that this would be the year.
I told Lucas that I for sure wanted to skydive for my birthday so he booked it immediately. Excited was an understatement. I felt confident, and ready to face whatever few limiting beliefs that I had left in my brain. BOOM.
It was more incredible than I could have imagined.
The anticipation of the flight up was where I was most nervous. It’s the build up, the ears popping, and slowly seeing the ground get further and further away from you that did it for me. All in all though, I was only a 4 on a scale of 10 for nervous in this picture. But it was definitely the highest point!
As soon as the door opened the nerves went away!! Even though that’s a very LONG way down, I knew I was going to be jumping, and I was ready! I put my hands on my harness and we leaned out…and then we flew.
The feeling was unlike anything I ever felt. I thought it would feel like a roller coaster (even though Luke told me it wouldn’t!) and he was right! I was supposed to wait until Luke tapped my harness to let my arms fly…but I was so excited I couldn’t wait!
Free falling is not the way it feels in a dream when you are jolted awake. It’s a feeling of weightlessness, freedom, and wind. You have all but a moment to absorb and process everything that is happening to you. You are parallel with fluffy white clouds and you see the beautiful earth below you. And I had time to take a deep breath, close my eyes and say “I did it.”
I was grateful for all that I went through to get me to this moment. To be able to feel everything organically. Every limit, fear, and negative thought I had for myself…vanished. I wish we wouldn’t have had to wear masks to see how big my smile was (my cheeks still hurt) I was so happy.
We were able to do a few tricks in the sky before landing. I’m so happy that I jumped when I did because the wind picked up and they had to call it a day shortly after I landed before the storms came.
We landed safely and I gave Luke the biggest hug. It was so much fun to be able to jump with him even if he hadn’t been one of my friends already! But I’m still so happy I was able to go with him for my first time! I told Luke before I jumped “It feels good to be jumping with a Vet.” and he chuckled. Everyone at Wisconsin Skydiving Center is/was amazing. You can tell that they’ve been running a tight ship for over 20 years. And all the instructors are like Luke…passionate, fun, and ready to help you enjoy one of the best experiences of your life. I even got a little special treatment because it was my birthday!
I would highly recommend Wisconsin Skydiving Center for their professionalism and yet laid back atmosphere. You can check them out here: https://wisconsinskydivingcenter.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb
Skydiving was an incredible experience, not just for the rush but for the mental aspect of it. I shed so many things up in the sky and I feel so ready to take on another decade. I’m determined that it will be even better than my 20s. A decade that is full of love, adventure, and life.
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Great writeup! Congrats on officially being a skydiver! Now you now. :) I look forward to taking you on some backflips next time!
YES, oh my gosh, yes please!! Thank you so much Luke, so happy I finally did it. And I'll be looking forward to doing it again!
Enjoyed examining this, very good stuff, regards . "I will do my best. That is all I can do. I ask for your help-and God's." by Lyndon B. Johnson. Diann Giacomo Frum