The Lunatic Fringe Podcast

He may not say so, but I certainly will.  A pioneer and role model in the sport, Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld (or Dan B.C.) has to say the least done more than most to push skydiving forward, starting from his very beginnings in the sport. With drive and determination he set out to compete and dominate, and ended up helping form one of the most successful teams in our sports history. Surviving one of the most horrific aircraft crashes in skydiving history, he went on to not only further his own career as a competitor, pilot and instructor, but become a true ambassador, teacher and mentor. Published author and motivational speaker, Dan B.C. is more than worthy of his stellar reputation.

Next generation skydiver and author of "Perfectly Good Airplane", meet Ali Rumbaugh, currently dipping her toes into the Lunatic Fringe.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Cody McMains may not have known he was destined for an "extreme" lifestyle, but apparently he mother did.  Having followed the L.A. dream with a fair amount of success, but without the happiness that he expected to come with it, a well timed chance comment by a close friend set him on a completely different path.  Finding himself in the strangest of living situations in one of the least known areas of the state, the sky and the tunnel soon took over, leading him not only to find his love of the sport, but of teaching others about his passion. Now tossing drogues, instructing and aiming toward competing, Cody McMains has without a doubt purchased his lifetime membership in the Lunatic Fringe. 

Sammy Vassilev may just have himself an unofficial world record. One of the most unique at that... managing to rack up well over 200 jumps, if you can believe it, in the womb. Son of a world champion Style and Accuracy mom, Sammy was literally born with skydiving in his blood, so there's no doubt in his mind its the path he was always meant to be on. Having found a creative way out of communist Europe, he managed to plant roots (wandering roots) in the Midwest of the United States, and eventually in Sin City, where his skydiving career really took off.  From camera to skysurfing, wingsuits to Skydive TV, Sammy has hit all angles of our sport, eventually leading this lifelong jumper to open up his own shop, catering to all those in the Lunatic Fringe.

The Father of Freefly.  Was he the first person to be on his head in the air? of course not, but he was most certainly the first to go out of his way to stay there! Dancing around the clouds like Peter Pan for the last 30+ years, Olav Zipser has been "freeflying his mind" and traveling the world encouraging others to learn to do the same with not just technical ability, but with heart and passion. With ambitions that range from catching his shadow and its rainbow on every cloud he could find, to looking for ways to blast into outer space, Olav has led his best version of the life he almost didn't choose.

Don't let the package fool you.  Michael Washburn, or should I say, Officer Washburn, Retired US Army Ranger may not be large and imposing, but this guy has been there and done that! Coming to civilian skydiving later in life after a military freefall career that left him less than thrilled with the sport, it was a chance meeting with a guy named "Noah" who flew "wing suits" that drove him to chase a new dream.  Years later, as the team captain of "Sky Trash" wing suit team, he's got a humble outlook, but big dreams, and when it comes to chasing them, you can most certainly see the "Ranger"! Join us on this edition of Lunatic Fringe.

Even for charity it was a hard no. She'd managed to do what a lot of English people did when they wanted to skydive back then, and raised money for a charity jump; but after a less than idea ride on a round followed by an "assertive" landing, Maxine Tate had gotten her fill. Right up until she got her first taste of freefall about a dozen years and a high powered career later. Now, World record holder, Proud member of the Highlight Skydiving Team, Long time coach for Flight 1 and all around badass, she's hung up her competition spurs (or so she says) but has just as much drive, determination and passion as ever, solidifying her lifelong top slot deep within the Lunatic Fringe.

Back in the can, this time on location in North Carolina living the boogie life, Pussfoot's Brian Casserly sits down with Mr. Todd Thompson, who's life in the sky started out as more of an "order" than a desire, care of the US Military.  Wanting more of the freefall taste than Uncle Sam was gonna provide, there was no way that Todd wasn't going to end up a proper jumper on his own.  Working now as an AFF instructor and Senior Rigger at Skydive Shenandoah and enjoying the hell out of it all, there's no doubt he's a lifelong member of the Lunatic Fringe.

With everything she does, it's all in.  From Hollywood, to writing, to skydiving, Alethia J Austin is not one to do things halfway. Her passion for growth and achievement in everything that she does is what continues to drive her. Having spent more than 10 years working with Skydive Mag in a desire to help share with a community that has given her so much, it's the next steps that just might be the most exciting in Alethia J. Austin's  Lunatic Fringe journey.

Back in the can once again to talk design, innovation, safety and prevention, it's Julien Peelman from the one and only JYRO.

He might not be the best known name in the sport, and you've not seen him standing atop a podium after a sick canopy competition, but he's been there none the less.  Julien Peelman wasn't just creative in how he began his time in skydiving or even in how he got his gig with NZ Aerosports, but it's that exact creativity and training that has forever solidified his name and legacy in our sport. Designing wings that not only saves lives, but smash world records, he's put his skills to work on everything from the Petra to the Kraken and everything in-between, and he's helping keep himself and so many more happy and active with the Lunatic Fringe.