#35 - Fred Fugen

#35 - Fred Fugen

Author: Exit Point June 29, 2023 Duration: 2:30:11

In this episode, Laurent speaks with Fred Fugen, a pioneer of modern parachuting and one of the most talented and innovative skydivers, wingsuit pilots, and BASE jumpers on the planet. Fred has won multiple world championships in freeflying, set several world records in BASE jumping and wingsuit flying, and has executed some of the most incredible aerial stunts ever performed. Laurent talks with Fred about how it all started, what motivates him to push the boundaries of human flight, and how he copes with the risks and losses that come with his passion.

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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: 64

Exit Point
Podcast Episodes
#67 Feral the Good C#%t [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:17:05
This installment of Exit Point was pulled from the archives, where it was never intended to end up. In this episode Laurent Frat sits down with the globally notorious BASE jumper and locally legendary Australian BASE Ass…
#66 Jill Kuzman and the Mat Kenney Story Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:25
This is the second part in a multi-part series examining the life and death of jumper Mathew Kenney. Part 1 can be found on episode #56 with Jeff Shapiro. In this installment, Matt Blank sits down with veteran BASE jumpe…
#65 Katelyn Escott Part 2: Straight out of Compton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:59
This was supposed to be the second installment of a series following the career of Wingsuit BASE jumper Kate "Compton" Escott, but instead it has become the last in this series. This episode was recorded a month before s…
#64 Sara Pendlebury - mental health and high-risk sports [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:43
In this episode, we explore the critical topic of mental health, particularly within the context of high-risk sports. Sara Pendlebury, a registered psychotherapist from Chamonix Therapy discusses with Laurent Frat the un…
#63 Dante Wardlaw: cross-training, learning, and the joys of flight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:24
In this episode, Laurent sits down with Dante Wardlaw, a multidisciplinary air sports athlete. Their discussion covers Dante's journey from early exposure to skydiving and paragliding, to becoming a full-time professiona…
#61 Jon Devore: triumph, tragedy and team work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:34
In this episode, Laurent sits down with Jon Devore. Jon is a professional skydiving stuntman, aerial stunt coordinator, and captain of the Red Bull Air Force team. This episode is rich with insights and full of contrast.…
#60 Anne Helliwell: innovation, pioneering, BASE jumping legend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:56
In this episode, host Matt Blank pulls over with Anne Helliwell to get a look into the renaissance era of BASE jumping. An integral part of creating BASE specific equipment, Anne pioneered and invented a substantial port…