Exit Point

Exit Point #17 - Matt Gerdes

In 2012 Matt founded Squirrel, a company that manufacturers wingsuits, parachutes, and BASE jumping equipment. Among many other articles and publications Matt wrote the Great Book of BASE which is arguably the most comprehensive piece of writing on the sport. We talk to Matt about his early days in BASE, how he has seen the sport develop, and his process as a test pilot.  We dive into what motivates him to improve BASE jumping educational material and develop new technology in BASE.  Matt's links: www.squirrel.wshttps://base-book.com/
 

Exit Point #16 - Will Mitchell

Will Mitchell has been using an analytical approach to open short-start wingsuit BASE jumps in the United States while pioneering some technical and aesthetic lines. Will’s approach has also led him to challenge the conventional wisdom in BASE jumping.  In this episode, we talk to him about some of his recent observations which include: slider-down packing/rigging, short-start wingsuit performance, and using technology for site evaluation.Will's links:  https://www.instagram.com/will.i.am.mitchell/https://www.facebook.com/3pt141592
 

Exit Point #15 - Amber Forte

Amber Forte holds the world record for the fastest female in a wingsuit. She is a member of the Norwegian national wingsuit team and placed 2nd in an international FIA performance wingsuit competition. We discuss her flying progression, her thoughts on training in the wingsuit tunnel for skydiving and BASE, and the emotional and physical challenges that come with recovering from injury. We chat about her romantic relationship with her jumping and competition partner, Espen Fadnes. Amber's links: https://www.amberforte.com/
https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=/amber4t/ https://www.facebook.com/Amber4T/
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We love hearing your thoughts on the podcast and topic ideas for future episodes.Please reach out through any of the following methods:Laurent Frat: lau@nextlevel.wsMatt Blank: matt blank@nextlevel.ws
 

Exit Point #14 - Roch Malnuit

Roch Malnuit started BASE jumping in 2003, at the age of 21. Roch learned how to jump from his father who is a pioneer in the sport. Roch moved to Chamonix when he was in high school to play ice hockey and soon after dedicated himself to climbing and jumping in the Alps. He has over 2000 BASE jumps and has opened many exits in his home region. He has also completed technical alpine ascents and wingsuit BASE jumps in Antarctica and Pakistan.
He is heavily involved in the sport and is President of the French BASE Association. Roch also provides teaching and guiding with his Rock Drop BASE jumping school. He believes that being a good coach is not just about performance, but also being able to support and advise students on their path in the sport. When he’s not out jumping, you can find Roch in his hometown of Chamonix, rock climbing, snowboarding, paragliding, or spending time with his two daughters. 
https://www.rock-drop.com/
https://www.facebook.com/roch.malnuit

Exit Point #13 - Jeff Shapiro

Jeff Shapiro is a multifaceted adventure professional.  Drawn to the mountains and the air above them, Jeff is an elite level climber, bush plane pilot, a professional paraglider pilot, and has competed in hang gliding at the highest level.  Jeff dedicated 10 years to wingsuit BASE jumping during which he pioneered new exit points in Montana, often solo.
Jeff is grounded, thoughtful and approaches his pursuits with passion and gratitude. 
Jeff's links: https://searchingforsatori.com/https://www.instagram.com/jeffreyshapiro/https://www.facebook.com/Jeff.M.Shapiro
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Exit Point #12 - Brett Kistler

Brett Kistler shares what he's learned while exploring the human mind and takes us through the finer points of his journey to understand fear and the role it played in his BASE jumping career which spanned dozens of countries and nearly two thousand jumps without any injuries. If you're looking for an opportunity to question how to process fear or how you've constructed your ego, this is the episode for you.Brett's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-accomplishment/id1540650504
 

Exit Point #11 - Tim Howell

Tim Howell is a BASE jumper, climber, alpinist, and former Royal Marine. He is one of the most active jumpers on the planet in a variety of disciplines and is also an instructor.  We discuss expedition mindset/recognizance, ski BASE, proposing to his wife and her subsequent crash, social media positives and negatives, teaching new jumpers, and a wide variety of other topics.    
https://timhowelladventure.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tim_howell_adventure/
https://www.facebook.com/TimHowellADVENTURE/
 

Exit Point #10 - Cedric Dumont

Cedric Dumont is a Red bull athlete, author, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and business consultant.  He splits his time between leading expeditions, flying, speaking, writing and consulting for elite athletes and major companies all over the world.Alongside his career as an action sports athlete, Cedric is also an authority in High-Performance Psychology.  For over a decade, Cedric has been helping elite athletes and major organisations worldwide grow leaders at all levels by doing things differently and demonstrating that performance comes from purpose, passion and presence.Risk mitigation and hyper-awareness have been the foundation for his consistent performance and survival - for Cedric "it’s flow or die!"Cedric's book: http://www.cedricdumont.com/books.htmlWebsite and social links:
http://www.cedricdumont.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cedricdumont/
https://www.facebook.com/cedricdumontofficial

Exit Point #9 - Jeff Weatherall

Originally from New Zealand, Jeff Weatherall's background is in professional wakeboarding.  His career has seen 2 World Wakeboard titles, 9 New Zealand National titles, Australian Pro Tour Series title, and X Games medals. These days Jeff is a professional skydiver in Byron Bay, Australia where he also mentors new BASE jumpers.  In this episode, Jeff shares with us a gnarly story of a BASE mission gone wrong, in hopes their mistakes will provide valuable lessons for others.  

Exit Point #8 - Vincent ”Le Blond” Descols

Vincent ”Le Blond” Descols - Stories from a Wingsuit BASE pioneer, visualization for success, and world’s first tandem wingsuit operation
Le Blond is a professional skydiver and BASE jumper who pioneered some of the longest terrain flights ever done.  Along with his buddies from the Vercor BASE team, Le Blond opened many new school wingsuit BASE jumping classic exit points in the French Alps - including Brevent and the Aiguille de Midi.  
Vincent is a multi-time WWL Champion, and Wings for Love medalist.  He holds a degree in engineering at ENAC (Ecole Nationale Aviation Civile) and worked as an air traffic controller. 
Le Blond now coaches wingsuit skydivers and runs the WORLD'S FIRST tandem wingsuit skydive operation.
Links:https://skyvibration.com/en/https://www.instagram.com/vincent_descols_le_blond/
https://www.instagram.com/skyvibration/