Tell Us What You Thought Of This Episode

Wendy Kiwi Smith is one of skydiving's most decorated figures - an aerial cinematographer, athlete, coach, and safety leader with over 23,000 jumps, 10 world records, three Guinness World Records, and an Emmy Award. In 2025, she was inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame.

Topics covered:

• Growing up on a farm in rural New Zealand and what shaped her fearlessness
• How she stumbled into skydiving and never looked back
• Building a career as an aerial cinematographer across Europe
• The Everest Skydive and jumping at altitude
• Big way world records, from 150-way to 400-way
• Thoughts on safety, gear, and longevity in the sport
• Her Hall of Fame induction and what it meant to her

Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.

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Tell Us What You Thought Of This Episode

This is a must-listen episode. Jim Cowan's passion for skydiving is infectious, and his storytelling will have you hanging on every word. A second-generation skydiver from St. Louis who started packing parachutes at age 10, Jim recounts jumping into a Cardinals game at 18 and being interviewed by Jack Buck - then taking Jack on a tandem jump 20 years later. He also talks about forming Quantum Leap with his brother and best friend, winning the World Championships just nine months later, and the incredible coordination behind last year's 104-way canopy formation world record.

Jim dives into his award-winning presentation on unusual canopy emergencies - dual deployments, down planes, and entanglements - and the harrowing personal experience that inspired him to start teaching it.

He reflects on celebrity encounters from delivering a flag for President Trump to jumping into Snoop Dogg's Gin & Juice Bowl, his equipment pet peeves, and the pivotal decision to sell Quantum Leap and move to San Diego to work with the military.

Throughout it all, what shines through most is Jim's deep love for the sport and the people in it. His faith, humility, and simple personal creed - be good to yourself, others, animals, and the earth - make this one of the most inspiring conversations we've had.

Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.

📲 STAY CONNECTED
Website: The 20 Minute Call
Instagram: @20MinuteCall
Facebook: /20MinuteCall

💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
Love the podcast? Join our Patreon community for early access, bonus content, and exclusive perks.
→ patreon.com/The20minutecallPodcast

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW
Your 5-star review helps us reach more skydivers like you.
Apple Podcasts: [direct-link]
Spotify: [direct-link]

🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE
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Tell Us What You Thought Of This Episode

Pete Allum (36,000+ jumps, 19+ British national titles, four Italian national championships, 2022 Hall of Fame inductee) sits down for a candid look at four decades in skydiving.

He reflects on finding his identity on the drop zone as a teenager, how he transformed crippling competition anxiety into a refined mental performance system, and his ongoing work continuing Vince Reffet's UPT Mutant legacy.

Pete also speaks with rare honesty about processing grief and loss in the sport, and credits the people closest to him as the foundation behind everything he has achieved.

Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.

📲 STAY CONNECTED
Website: The 20 Minute Call
Instagram: @20MinuteCall
Facebook: /20MinuteCall

💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
Love the podcast? Join our Patreon community for early access, bonus content, and exclusive perks.
→ patreon.com/The20minutecallPodcast

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW
Your 5-star review helps us reach more skydivers like you.
Apple Podcasts: [direct-link]
Spotify: [direct-link]

🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE
Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts | Spo...