The Genuinely Interested Podcast Ep 49 - Sean Chuma - You Only Live Once
Sean is one of the most experienced BASE jumpers in the world and actually holds the record for most BASE jumps and most tandem BASE jumps. Sean's obsession with jumping off things started young - at age 8 he already wanted to go skydiving but had to wait till he was 16 years old before he could actually go for the first time. When he eventually did, he was immediately hooked.
Sean has jumped off some of the coolest places on earth, from the epic cliffs in the Dolomites to the KL Tower in Malaysia, and even the shipwreck sight In Zakynthos, Greece. He even took a very game 102-year-old lady on a tandem BASE jump off Perrine Bridge in Idaho, making her, I believe, the oldest woman to BASE jump (though that is not verified).
Sean has a BASE jump school in Idaho where people can come and experience, via Tandem jumps, the feeling of jumping off a bridge.
Sean and I discussed the misconception and incorrect narrative that the media is spinning around BASE jumping, his journey into this world, his school, many of the jumps he's done all over the world, some close calls he's had (!), the evolution of the gear, could BASE jumping be an Olympic sport, and what BASE jumping means for him.
This was a fun topic to cover. At the end of the day, our time here is limited, we should enjoy it.
My Take: If you make the decision to jump off a plane, or a bridge, or a cliff - you must come to terms with the fact that something could happen. If you go to a boxing ring you come to terms with the fact that you could get punched in the face. As adults, we make decisions that we feel will enhance our lives by allowing us to pursue our passions. We make calculated decisions to minimize the risk - but if you avoid risk altogether, you might as well stay at home your whole life. Life is risky, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't live to the fullest. On the contrary, it is precisely on the edge, where we feel the most alive.
Comments, requests, sponsorships, or questions, please reach out - roybntz@gmail.com