Episodes

  • #275 Hike and Fly Racing, Supporting, and Having One with Ben Hodgson

    #275 Hike and Fly Racing, Supporting, and Having One with Ben Hodgson
    Jun 19 2026
    South African pilot and veteran sailor Ben Hodgson has been competing in some of the most well-known and intense hike and fly races around the world for a decade, beginning with the XBerg in 2017 and then advancing to the Bornes to Fly, X-Pyr and many others. Last year he was the main supporter for the wunderkid rookie Gabe Jansen in the Red Bull X-Alps after they met competing in a hike and fly race in Brazil.
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • #274- Breaking Barriers: Fatemeh Eftekhari’s journey as Iran’s “Queen of the Skies” and the Power of Aviation

    #274- Breaking Barriers: Fatemeh Eftekhari’s journey as Iran’s “Queen of the Skies” and the Power of Aviation
    Jun 5 2026
    Have you ever imagined a woman soaring through the skies at 6,000+ meters, shattering the proverbial glass ceiling in a country where female pilots are a rare sight? Today, we delve into the remarkable story of Fatemeh Eftekhari, Iran’s first female pilot and a trailblazer for women in aviation and extreme sports. Her journey is not just about flying; it's about defying societal norms, pushing boundaries, and inspiring a new generation of women to chase their dreams no matter the obstacles. In a time of enormous geopolitical tensions and societal restrictions, Fatemeh's story offers a breath of fresh air—an inspiring example of resilience, courage, and relentless pursuit of passion.
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    57 mins
  • #273 Elite performance, Flow States and Mindset with NBA coach and author Bret Burchard

    #273 Elite performance, Flow States and Mindset with NBA coach and author Bret Burchard
    May 23 2026
    Explore the psychology of elite performance, flow states, and mindset with Bret Burchard, former NBA coach and author of Catching Confetti, Developing the Mindset of a Champion. Discover how mental training can transform sports, your flying, and everyday life.
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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • #272 From Zimbabwe to China to the Alps- a Paraglider’s Journey through Adventure, Trauma and Healing

    #272 From Zimbabwe to China to the Alps- a Paraglider’s Journey through Adventure, Trauma and Healing
    May 11 2026
    Anthony Dillon learned to fly without any proper instruction back in the...
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    55 mins
  • #271 Why the Sports Racing Class (SRS) is taking the Paragliding world by storm with Brett Janaway

    #271 Why the Sports Racing Class (SRS) is taking the Paragliding world by storm with Brett Janaway
    Apr 25 2026
    In this conversation Brett Janaway discusses the evolution of this exciting new take on paragliding competitions, the structure and scoring of the SRS, and the unique vibe that sets it apart from traditional events. Brett shares insights into the challenges and successes of organizing competitions, the importance of community, and the non-profit nature of the SRS, which aims to enhance the sport while providing a fun and competitive environment for pilots. We discuss the evolution of sports wings in paragliding, the impact of new safety regulations, and the balance between safety and competitiveness in the sport.
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    48 mins
  • #270 From the Czech Mountains to Kenyan Volcanoes: Jakub Rott’s Flying Journey

    #270 From the Czech Mountains to Kenyan Volcanoes: Jakub Rott’s Flying Journey
    Apr 10 2026
    Join us as Czech pilot and last year's Czech hike and fly national champion Jakub Rott shares his journey through paragliding, speed flying, skydiving and hike and fly competitions across the globe. Discover insights on safety, training, and the joy of flying in diverse terrain, along with some fantastic tips for aspiring pilots.
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    59 mins
  • #269 Navigating Doubts with Violeta Jimenez

    #269 Navigating Doubts with Violeta Jimenez
    Mar 30 2026
    Violeta Jiminez has become one of the most elite competition paragliders in the world in a relatively short period of time. Her first World Cup was only 5 years ago in Aksaray, Turkey flying a Zeno. Last year she was on the podium in the OVERALL, again in Turkey, this time in Çameli. But it's been anything but easy. Violeta came to flying from a background in ballet and ultra running and as Will Gadd says, coming to flying from non-gravity sports can be not just challenging but risky. In the early years Violeta's desire was well ahead of her skills and she had a number of incidents and accidents, and one particularly violent accident that required a long mental and physical rehab.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • #268 Control Theory, Winning a PWC, and behind the scenes of X-Alps madness with Estefano Salgado

    #268 Control Theory, Winning a PWC, and behind the scenes of X-Alps madness with Estefano Salgado
    Mar 13 2026
    This episode features one of Valle De Bravo's most loved and successful pilots, Estefano Salgado. Estefano is a world-class trained chef who supported the Fra 4 team of Tanguy Renoud-Goud in the 2025 Red Bull X-Alps, is one of (maybe the only?) North American pilots to win a World Cup in recent history, is an elite instructor/guide for ParaglidingGuides.com and is a wicked story-teller! In this episode Estefano discusses his experiences in competitive paragliding, putting control theory into use, team management, and the importance of training and mentorship in the sport.
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    1 hr and 12 mins