Exit Point

Laurent sits down with Jeff Shapiro to share the profoundly personal and emotional experience of leading a fatality recovery from a remote wingsuit accident. Jeff provides a vivid recount of the technical challenges and emotional weight faced bringing the body of Mat Kenney home, while reflecting on the deep bonds within the BASE jumping community. Their conversation explores the balance between ambition and caution, the importance of camaraderie, and how personal adversities reshape perspectives in high-risk sports. This episode offers a poignant insight into human resilience and the powerful connections formed through shared intense experiences. This independent project is only possible with the support of our listeners. You can contribute by visiting: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpointsupport Exit Point For more info visit exitpointpodcast.comProducers: Laurent Frat, Mark Stockwell, Matt BlankHost: Laurent FratSound: Mark StockwellMusic credit: Staccato Strings by Andreas Beats

In this episode, hosts Laurent Frat and Matt Blank step outside the realm of BASE jumping to gain valuable insights from Gavin McClurg, the host of Cloudbase Mayhem and a celebrated figure in the paragliding world. Gavin, a former Red Bull X-Alps pilot and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, shares his journey from ski racing to paragliding, offering lessons that resonate across high-risk sports. The discussion covers the importance of SIV training, the dangers of intermediate syndrome, and the crucial role of mentorship in extreme sports. Gavin also delves into maintaining passion and sustainability in high-risk activities and the value of community support. -This independent project can only survive with the support of our listeners. You can contribute by visiting: support Exit Point For more info visit exitpointpodcast.comProducers: Laurent Frat, Matt Blank, Mark Stockwell Host: Matt BlankSound mixing: Mark StockwellMusic credit: Staccato Strings by Andreas Beats

In this episode, Matt records with Sean Devlin who comes on to share his perspective on wingsuit progression, using data driven analysis to enhance performance and the importance of water training in the BASE environment. Devlin has built an impressive career outside of BASE jumping as a risk analyst in the financial tech world as well as compiled an impressive wingsuit resume traveling the world to jump both to compete and adventure. He's a multi-sport instructor with several accreditations in both water and air sports and holds several world records in a few outrageously fun categories. We dive into navigating the BASE jumping world as both an outsider and a community resource as Devlin shares some stories about the mistakes and successes of his journey off the exit point. Please support this independent project by visiting: support Exit Point For more info visit exitpointpodcast.comProducers: Laurent Frat, Matt Blank, Mark Stockwell Host: Matt BlankSound mixing: Mark StockwellMusic credit: Staccato Strings by Andreas Beats

In this episode, Matt Blank talks with Avery Badenhop, Dennis McGlynn, and Harry Parker, who were known during the 90s as the “three-headed dragon” of BASE and founders of the infamous Team Ill Vision. This team has been a timeless model for outlaw extreme sports gangs living an endless summer lifestyle. The leader of Team Ill Vision, Avery, is the quintessential counterculture athlete, creating a unique lifestyle that would inspire generations of jumpers to go all in and totally cut away from the mainstream. Dennis McGlynn, one of the first jumpers to perform BASE stunts for film and television, is also a pioneer of manufacturing BASE-specific gear. He was one of the original FJC instructors and the first to be prosecuted by the federal government for BASE jumping. Harry Parker, the man with the perspective, has been an active jumper and photographer for more than three decades, participating in and capturing some of our community’s historic moments. Harry helped put a face and voice to the BASE jumping lifestyle. Their team created a culture around the pursuit of BASE jumping, opening the first public events, competitions, and demonstrations. Their access efforts helped open jumps on BLM land, the Perrine Bridge, and recrafted Bridge Day in West Virginia, as well as forged paths to international BASE events, which have continued to grow over several decades. Please support this independent project by visiting: support Exit Point For more info visit exitpopintpodcast.comProducers: Laurent Frat, Matt Blank, Mark Stockwell Host: Matt BlankSound mixing: Mark StockwellMusic credit: Staccato Strings by Andreas Beats Timestamps: 00:39 Avery Badenhop: The Counterculture Athlete 00:51 Dennis McGlynn: Pioneer of BASE Stunts and Gear 01:07 Harry Parker: The Man with the Perspective 01:22 Creating a Culture Around BASE Jumping 03:23 The Evolution of BASE Jumping Gear and Techniques 09:22 The Dark and Dangerous Early Days of BASE Jumping 24:55 The Transition to Legal and Sponsored BASE Jumping Events 28:52 The Art of BASE Jumping: Performance, Evolution, and Community 40:49 Cliff Camp '94: A Pivotal Moment in BASE Jumping History 44:14 The Legal Battle Over Aerial Delivery 46:47 The Cliff Camp Incident: A Tragic Turning Point 50:06 Learning from Mistakes: The Importance of Gear Awareness 54:07 From Legal Battles to Building a BASE Jumping Legacy 57:29 The Rise of Team Ill Vision and BASE Jumping Competitions 01:09:47 Navigating the World of Sponsorship and Event Organization 01:21:19 The Impact of Legal Troubles on Personal Life and the Sport 01:25:01 Surviving and Thriving in BASE Jumping: Lessons Learned 01:33:48 The Evolution of Safety and Community in BASE Jumping 01:34:00 The Shift in BASE Jumping Culture: From Tight Crews to Independence 01:34:30 Finding Community and Collaboration in a Solo Sport 01:36:13 The Challenges and Rewards of BASE Jumping Hiatus 01:38:24 Identity and Lifestyle: The Essence of Being a BASE Jumper 01:41:17 The Double-Edged Sword of Currency in BASE Jumping 01:54:03 The Impact of Gear and Training on BASE Jumping Sustainability 01:57:40 The Role of Community and Mentorship in BASE Jumping 02:08:26 Reflecting on Careers, Sacrifices, and Gifts in BASE Jumping

In this episode, Matt Blank interviews John Cox, a mostly self-taught BASE jumper who recently shattered the world record for "Most BASE jumps in 24 hours". He surpassed the previous record holders (Miles Daisher and Danny Weiland) at the end of 2023 with an outstanding performance, completing more than 100 jumps off the Perrine Bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho. We talk to him about his progression in BASE, his training for the world record attempt, and what it was like during the grueling 24-hour slog to accomplish his childhood dream of being in the Guinness Book of World Records. If you'd like to donate to either of John's causes mentioned in the episode, John has provided this link: https://venmo.com/u/baseworldrecordIf you would like to support Exit Point, please visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint For more information about the podcast visit www.exitpopintpodcast.comMusic credit: Staccato Strings by Andreas Beats

In this episode, Matt and Laurent interview Dan Darby. Dan has been skydiving and BASE jumping for over fifteen years. He's a competitive wingsuit skydiver, BASE jumper, and a member of the US parachute team for wingsuit performance flying. He's also a co-founder of Arcus Flight wingsuit school in DeLand, Florida, and a multidisciplinary skydiving and wind tunnel instructor. In this episode, Dan talks about wingsuit progression, survival tactics, training techniques for performance flying and the new wingsuit BASE race he created in Sass Pordoi, Italy.https://www.instagram.com/dandarbybase/_______Please support this independent project by visiting: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint _____ For more info visit www.exitpopintpodcast.com