#31 - Lonnie Bissonnette

#31 - Lonnie Bissonnette

Author: Exit Point April 25, 2023 Duration: 1:15:04
With us this week is Lonnie Bissonnette, a BASE jumping pioneer who after suffering a nearly fatal accident that left him paralyzed, became the first person to earn a BASE number as a paraplegic, jumping all four objects in the BASE acronym (Building, Antena, Span [bridge] and Earth). He has since traveled the globe BASE jumping and became a para-bobsleigh world champion representing his home country of Canada.  ________________________________________   If you have been listening to Exit Point and enjoy what you've heard, we want to hear from you!     lau@nextlevel.ws  blank@nextlevel.ws   Exit Point is completely self-funded and there are no ads. If you would like to support this independent project, you can visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/exitpoint Thanks to everyone who has already supported us!Mark Stockwell is the man that makes this podcast sound the way it does.  Please show him some love.  https://www.exitpointpodcast.com  

There's a particular kind of person drawn to the very edge of a cliff, a building, or an antenna, where the only way down is to leap. Exit Point is for them, and for anyone fascinated by what happens in that intense space between the decision to go and the ground far below. Hosts Laurent Frat and Matt Blank delve into the precise world of BASE jumping, but this isn't just a technical manual. The conversations naturally expand to explore the broader culture surrounding this extreme pursuit-the mindset, the community, and the constant negotiation with risk that defines it. You'll hear from individuals who have dedicated their lives to aerial sports and wilderness exploration, unpacking how they prepare, make critical decisions in split seconds, and process the profound experiences that come from human flight. Each episode feels like a candid hangar talk, offering tangible insights whether you're an experienced jumper with thousands of exits or someone who simply wonders what drives people to step into the sky. Tune in for a podcast that goes beyond the adrenaline, examining the meticulous craft and the powerful stories found at the literal edge.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Exit Point
Podcast Episodes
Exit Point #27 - Robert Pecnik [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:32:23
In this episode, Laurent speaks with Robert Pecnik. Robert is the director, owner lead wingsuit designer, and test pilot of Phoenix Fly. In Croatia, Robert's skydiving career started in 1982, and is still regularly BASE…
Exit Point #26 - Jamie Crawford [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:14
In this episode, Laurent and Matt speak with Jamie Crawford. Jamie is an expert in urban BASE jumping who has been honing his skill with patience, dedication, and intention for over a decade. Jamie provides a fresh persp…
Exit Point #25 - 22 Jumps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:55
In this episode, Laurent sits down with Tristan Wimmer and Ben Pitassi of 22 Jumps. 22 Jumps is a public charity that combines BASE jumping and fundraising to support the development of durable solutions for traumatic br…
Exit Point #24 - Jesse Hall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:49
Jesse Hall is an accomplished athlete who grew up in the mountains of Colorado and developed a love for skiing, rock climbing, and backpacking at a young age. Jesse was inspired by air sports early and made his first jum…
Exit Point #23 - Todd Shoebotham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:54:18
In this episode, Laurent Frat and Matt Blank speak with Todd Shoebotham. Todd is the co-founder and President of Apex BASE, one of the premier manufacturers of BASE Jumping equipment. Todd has been involved in the sport…
Exit Point #22 - Kenny Daniel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:11
In this episode, we speak with Kenny Daniel, the founder and designer of Baseline.ws. Baseline.ws is a website and mobile app that provides tools designed to help skydivers and BASE jumpers improve their safety margin an…
Exit Point #21 - Jay Moledzki [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:32
In this episode, Matt Blank interviews Jay Moledzki. Jay Mo is one of skydiving's foremost canopy instructors and we've brought him on to talk about his history as a test pilot, his experience pioneering high-performance…
Exit Point #20 - Sean Chuma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:41
Sean Chuma has made BASE jumping his life and livelihood for the better part of one and a half decades, moving from southern California to Twin falls to BASE jump full time. Despite being a world-renowned aerialist, tand…
Exit Point #19 - Dr. Matt Wilkes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:07
Dr Matt Wilks is an adventure medic, ICU doctor and seasoned paraglider pilot. He founded the Flight Physiology Project, which is a multidisciplinary bid to study physiology, cognitive performance and safety of pilots du…