EP 99: Karina Hollekim - Norwegian free skier and first female ski BASE jumper

07/20/20 • 122 min

"What makes the difference between the ones who succeed and those who fail? Why do some choose to quit while others come back even stronger when facing adversity? Today’s story with Karina Hollekim answers these questions in an incredible way.

Karina Hollekim is an international keynote speaker, author, computer programmer, and professional athlete where she competed for Red Bull as a big mountain skier and Base jumper. Karina is a truly inspirational female pioneer, being the first woman in the world to perform a ski BASE jump.

Karina shares her story about those moments that change our lives forever, about raw willpower and passion.

She inspires us to be targeted as living proof of the importance of little changes and how they make a difference in the long run. By raising awareness of our choices, she challenges our willingness to change. She shows the importance of stretching your comfort zone to achieve your goals. Karina’s incredible journey, her gripping story about struggle and resilience together with her indomitable spirit makes a story to remember.

In 2006, Karina’s life was turned upside down when she had a freak, near-fatal skydiving accident, leaving her in a wheelchair with the low odds of ever walking again. After 20 surgeries and years of relearning how to walk, she’s returned to skiing and is living life to the fullest today. Her autobiography ‘The Wonderful Feeling of Fear’ is internationally published and her speech is part of the exclusive group of TedX talks. Karina’s coaching skills comes from a background in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Active Commitment Therapy, and working as a performance consultant since 2012, with clients ranging from professional athletes to top business executives. Her ability to push boundaries, stay focused, and re-mobilize through hardship are core qualities she transmits through her coaching & speaking and serves as key themes all throughout her life story.

Karina shares her story about those moments that change our lives forever, about raw willpower and passion.

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EP 98: Aaron Fitzgerald - Red Bull Helicopter Pilot & Owner of Airborne Images

Aaron Fitzgerald, known as ‘Fitz’ to his friends and colleagues, grew up in Wenatchee, Washington. Wenatchee is home to a USFS Tanker base and Aaron grew up watching airplanes and helicopters overhead as they fought fires in the surrounding mountains. Seeing these aircraft in the skies all summer instilled in him a strong desire to fly. After serving in the US Army as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, Aaron began formal flight training in Long Beach, CA in 1994 and quickly earned his commercial rating. He went right to work flying news helicopters in Los Angeles. Throughout his career, Aaron has primarily focused on flying for the film and television industry. He is a member of the prestigious Motion Picture Pilots Association, and the Screen Actor’s Guild. He has performed and filmed for over 100 films and television shows. He has also flown in various other capacities such as utility flying in mountainous terrain and offshore support. He has flown in flight test programs for NASA and Lockheed/Martin. He was the aerial coordinator for several projects that broke world records and he continues to work as an aerial coordinator and stunt pilot for the movie industry. His company, Airborne Images, provides aircraft, pilots, and support services for aerial production worldwide. Aaron has two Emmy nominations and a BAFTA award for his work in aerial production. Aaron was introduced to Helicopter Aerobatics in 2017 when he was trained by Rainer Wilke and Blacky Schwarz, the masters of Helicopter Aerobatics. He joined The Flying Bulls that same year, becoming the only American pilot on the team. He has performed aerobatic helicopter displays for millions of spectators throughout North America. In March of 2000, Aaron was awarded the Medal of Valor for rescuing two people from a burning helicopter. When not flying or performing, Aaron lives with his family in Los Angeles. He spends most of his spare time on the ocean; fishing.

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EP 100: Chelsea Yamase - Freediver, acrobat, & world traveling creative

So many of us are going down the path that we think we want, only to realize that something is missing. The same was true for Chelsea Yamase (@chelseakauai) who found herself heading into a potential career that wasn’t fulfilling her in the way she had hoped. Through a winding path of architecture, graphic design, journalism, and a myriad of side hustles, she found herself faced with the big question: pursue the unconventional life of your dreams or stick to a “real job”. So, she took the leap.

Today, Chelsea is a sought after freediver, model, photographer, influencer, creative, and movement enthusiast from Hawaii with a focus on mindful living. She’s been featured in Travel and Leisure & Cosmopolitan to name a few, and has worked with numerous brands such as Canon USA, Adidas, Google, Athleta, GoPro, DJI Global, and The National Parks Foundation.... and this is her story.