The Lunatic Fringe Podcast

Intimidated by the sport. In his own words "lacking natural talent"...  Words that only Ernesto Gainza would use to describe himself because nobody I know would use anything other than "Calculated" or "Driven". Maybe "Forward Thinking" or even "Fucking Crazy" (that was me...).  Currently holding the record for the smallest canopy every landed, the man has taken on challenges that very few ever would, and he's done them with success and professionalism to say the least. Join me as I get the wonderful opportunity to catch up with my friend Ernesto, and find out how he ended up with all of us deep in The Lunatic Fringe.

Hannah Parker PHD.  Fuck skydivers are amazing at themes (life changing course corrections), and this is one of my favorite ones by far!  Well on her way to becoming a full blown Doctor and researcher (did I mention the fuckin’ PHD?), Hannah and her friend decided to make a skydive to jazz things up a bit, at jazz it up it certainly did! Managing to finish off that PHD while fucking around at the dropzone, she gave her family the impression that she just needed some "down time" after all the hard work,  which is why she was pissing off to Portugal to go skydiving... Seven years later, she's still on that vacation from her original path! Join us for a fun look into the life and style of a hard working skydiver on this episode of Lunatic Fringe!

Wow is all I have to say! First off, Julio Ruiz, the owner and operator of Liquid Sky is doing his part. Having thought not just about his families well being in these crazy times, but of his employees and those around him, he decided to put his design skills to work to put out masks to help stem the forward push of the Coronavirus. Secondly, he tells me about his beginnings in our sport, life in Puerto Rico, what it was like to have his arm shoulder deep in a cow's ass, and if its easier to shoe a horse than outfit a skydiver! This one you've gotta hear!  

On this "Special Report" edition of Lunatic Fringe, I have a whole bunch of recent guests back to take on the YouTube Channel sensation "Hot Ones" challenge as we eat crazy hot wings while discussing great ways to deal with the "social distancing" we need to be observing while the world tries to get over Coronavirus.  Join us, and if you've got the balls, try the challenge yourself, get those video cameras rolling, grab the insane HOT SAUCES pictured and try the #thefuckinpilotchallenge right along with us!  Stay safe, wash your hands, entertain yourself at home for a while (with whatever works for you!) and DON'T masturbate right after the hot sauce! (or do...)

Back in the can to talk about her summer competition season, Olga Namova takes her time to fill us in on pushing canopy limits, traveling for her passion and life outside of skydiving.  Take the time to enjoy a great bonfire chat with Olga, and make sure to check out the amazing photos we talk about on her Instagram at sky_umka today!

As one of the very first people I met in the sport, one of my first co-workers and especially as my first and only competition team member, Mary Tortomasi and I shared many of the same memories, experiences and losses and we started our way down the skydiving path; and even though we ended up going in very different directions, we've both managed long and "blessed" careers.  From her first job as an instructor at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving in Las Vegas, to skysurfer, AFF and Tunnel instructor, Perris Valley tunnel manager, multiple world record holder and big way skydiver, Mary Tortomasi has run the gambit. Lots of reminiscing, a few forgotten stories and some really cool insights, this is a very enjoyable and funny walk down memory lane on this edition of Lunatic Fringe.

Another converted member of the masses, Omar Alhegelan went from just another bean counter to one of modern skydivings most influential figures.  Filled with the feeling that this is what he was meant to do, Omar didn't think twice about walking away from the real world with all its rules and regulations and jump head first (Actually head up and feet first) into the wonderful world of skydiving.  World champion, world traveler and one of the pioneers of modern freeflying, join us on this episode of Lunatic Fringe to get his take on the "zen" of airtime.

Matt Munting. Nicholas Scalabrino.  Heterosexual life mates, BASE wing suit apex predators and all around great fucking guys take the time once again to sit down with The Fuckin' Pilot to fill me in on what sounds like a pretty epic summer season of "sending it". From seriously intense Dam flare's, 270's into cracks and totems off towers, their idea of a good time is the stuff of nightmares to some, but a good fucking laugh to every fuckin' body. Join on in to another fun and informative Lunatic Fringe!

From a missed shot a military flying career due to a childhood illness, to a desire to skydive which lead to an off the beaten path flying lifestyle, Taihuka Smith has had quite a ride so far. Near death experiences in West Papua, peeing in a bottle over the Mediterranean and looking ahead toward an airline career, This is a fun one to give a listen to! (and he sings and plays guitar... Just sayin').

Beep Beep! Or, depending on your perspective, Meep Meep.  Without question one of the most unique souls ever to walk the planet, he was without a doubt one of the most memorable in skydiving and BASE.  With over 20,000 skydives and countless BASE jumps, Mr. Stanley not only left his mark on these sports with his accomplishments, but he left it with his unique interaction with all those he jumped and played with.  On this edition of Lunatic Fringe, two of his closest friends, Mr. Mark Norman and Mr. Will Lajeunesse take the time to share some of their fondest and craziest memories of a legend that passed much sooner, and a hell of a lot later than anyone would have thought.