Overcoming tough challenges

If there’s one thing I know about life, it’s that the learning never stops. Life has this way of teaching you how to be better, how to keep going through the toughest times, how to live the best life you can. Most importantly, life has this way of showing you how to live the life you believe in.

Lately, I’ve been finding that, as I work through situations that seems stressful and even scary up front, simple solutions tend to shine their light, if you look hard enough.

Difficult as it may be, sometimes you just have to take time to work through the scary situations to see what’s on the other side – and from what I’ve seen lately, more times than not, it’s a positive outcome. You just have to allow yourself time to work through the challenges, to find the courage to leap the obstacles that life throws at you along the way, to get to the other side safely.

How does all this life lesson babble relate to skydiving you ask? Well, no matter where you are in your skydiving career, a seasoned jumper who is always looking for that next awesome swoop technique, an intermediate freeflyer working on their head down skills in hopes of being invited on that next record attempt, or you’re just beginning AFF and finding climbing out of the plane to be a challenge in itself, the concept applies.

Give yourself some time when a challenge presents itself, calm your nerves, work through the fear and stay open to the possibilities. A positive outlook usually breeds a positive outcome.

Love and Blue Skies!

Ashley

Back to Birdman

This season has been a slow one for me in terms of frequency of skydiving. Between an early season injury and the ensuing rehab, along with starting a new job, traveling and enjoying the summer in Chicago, I haven’t been in the air nearly as much as past seasons.

Though, I can’t complain, I’ve got a lot of great stuff going on in my life!

Last weekend, things took a bit of a turn as I donned a wingsuit and headed up with some of the flock. More specifically, I took a first jump course that’s now offered at Skydive Chicago’s Flock-U branch. My training last season, though thorough, just wasn’t ‘official,’ and when it comes to skydiving and safety, I like to do things by the book as much as possible.

So, since it’d been nearly a year since my last flight I decided a refresher was in order! The course was quick, about an hour, then you get to slip into a Tonysuit Intro and head up with an instructor (shout out to Greg Drogaline, thanks buddy)!

So great to be back in flight mode! Let me tell you, it’s like riding a bike. Although with much newer equipment. My main concern in getting my wings back was that my slider has a tendency to get hung up at deployment, requiring me to reach up and give my risers a couple pumps to get everything in working order. With my old Birdman Classic 2 I wasn’t able to reach the risers without unzipping the wings, which concerned me.

‘What if?’

So when I realized I’d be able to reach my risers comfortably in the Tonysuit, it seemed like a good time to get back at it. After one flight I moved on to the T-bird and placed my rental order with Wicked Wingsuits so I have one to fly for the next month (or two).

Thanks Simon, for heading out on the second flight to get some fun pictures!

I’ve gotta say, it feels great to have my wings back. Can’t wait till I get a bit more proficient and feel comfortable heading out with the flock.

Blue Skies!

Ashley

Jump for Diabetes at Skydive Chicago

Well it’s official folks, the 3rd annual Jump for Diabetes will be held at Skydive Chicago.

As I mentioned in the last post, this year’s event is going to be low key compared to the past couple years. We’re encouraging jumpers from all over the country to take part by collecting pledges for their jumps for the weekend (Aug 12-14) to support diabetes research.

Remember folks: tax write off here!

For those who plan to attend at Skydive Chicago, here’s what you can look forward to:

* Saturday night raffle: Tickets are being sold for $25 each or 6 for $100.
Prizes include:
-PD main or reserve canopy (grand prize)
-Bonehead Helmet
-Free Taste of Base with Miles Daisher
-Cookie Helmet package
-Free first flight course with Flock U at SDC
-% off Vigil
-% off Infinity and Wings container
-% off Bev Suit
-SDC gear store discounts
-And MUCH more!

For the price of a lift ticket you have a chance to win a new canopy, or other badass prizes, just like that. We’ll continue to keep you posted over at the Facebook Page as we get more sponsors.

* Support the cause with each skydive: For those who want to participate and are feeling a bit too lazy to go out and collect pledges from their friends and family, you can help the cause just by jumping. If you’re at Skydive Chicago Aug 12-14, all you have to do is tell manifest when you check in that you’re Jumping for Diabetes and a portion of your skydive will be donated to the cause. Thanks Rook, for generously taking part!

We’ll be hanging out at Summerfest this year selling tickets, handing out pledge forms and working some general excitement for this incredible cause. Or, you can always email jumpfordiabetes@gmail.com to enter the raffle, get your pledge sheet or simply to find out how to donate to the cause.

So many of us have been touched by diabetes in one way or another, let’s all join together to help find a cure for this disease, shall we?

Love and Blue Skies!

Ashley

Jump for Diabetes Round 3