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Podcast #15: Learning to Skydive

Writer's picture: Lee Eel EislerLee Eel Eisler

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In this episode of the Vanning Ain't No Joke Podcast we talk with a skydive instructor Ryan Redfoot (@ryan_redfoot) who lives in a DIY truck camper and one of his students Maxamillian Crouch (maximilliancrouch) who lives in a van. Also joining in is one of the parachute packers Ryan Loggins (iamryanloggins) who's 18, lives in a tent and skydives every day.


In the middle of the episode Drew Newell (drewnewell6490), another skydiver living in a van joins in on the talk.


This episode was recorded at a campfire with all sorts of skydivers who had travelled to Moab specifically to skydive. Well actually it was filmed in the van next to the camp fire but you get the idea.


I got to do my first jump a few days before we recorded this. It was a tandem jump with a dude I have been following on Instagram for a long time, Sketchy Andy Lewis (@sketchyandylewis). What a unique experience. There's so much going on its hard to remember everything. I remember that I wasn't as scared as I probably should have been. It felt like an insane roller coaster ride. I was just strapped to this dude's belly and kinda just held on for the ride. The moment you get into the plane there's no turning back.


Ryan Redfoot and Maxamillian were on the same plane as me. They were giving me crazy fingers on the way up. It was Max's 11th jump and he was doing an AAF course certification jump with Ryan as his coach.


The door opened and Max and Ryan were the first ones out of the plane jumping almost at the same time. Right before he jumped Max said to me, "Welcome to the crazy club" and he jumped. Sketchy Andy told me to hang my feet out the plane and just like that we were rushing to the ground. All I remember is spinning out of control and watching the ground speeding towards me. The air rushing all around me. It seemed like we were falling for so long.


After Sketchy Andy deployed the parachute he said "Are you ready for the crazy shit?"

I thought we already did crazy shit. "The crazy shit happens after the parachute is pulled I asked."


"Oh yea." and we began helicoptering out of control. Basically we were just spinning so fast my legs were following my body around in circles. "Bring it back, bring it back" I could hear Andy yelling. We regained control and he was like "yeaaaaaaaaa!!!!" "How was that he asked?"


"It felt like we were out of control" I told him. "We kinda were. Want to do it again?" He asked. "Sure" I replied. "As long as you got it."


"I got it" he said and with that we were helicoptering out of control again. We did it one more time before gliding to a smooth landing.


Skydiving is something you won't forget and its probably actually even safer then driving a car because it's taken way more seriously. If you ever get the chance go skydiving. You will not regret it.


@ryan_redfoot

@maximilliancrouch

@iamryanloggins

@drewnewell6490


www.vanningaintnojoke.com


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A message from the Editor

“Vanning Ain’t No Joke.” This is all my friend Brad Parker said to me after showing him photos of this 1978 Dodge Tradesman 200 I was going to buy to live in. I had no idea what this meant at the time. I had no idea what I was doing. That little saying stuck in my head. I didn’t know why he had said that originally but I sure do now. Living in a van forces you outside your comfort zone. You are constantly learning and growing. You are always facing problems you have to overcome. You are always moving, always going...

Vanning definitely Ain’t No Joke!!!

 

After 4 years of living in a van, many people have told me they live in vans because of me or that I have changed their lives. That’s where this magazine comes from. I thought to myself. If I could change peoples lives just from living my own life and show it on Instagram then how can I do this on a bigger scale? Not only do I have tons of stories and information to share but I know lots of people who also do. 

 

I called my brother Neal Eisler and asked him if they wanted to start a van life magazine with me. We could change peoples lives I told them. After getting them on board, we got to work to make something we could be proud of...something that could not only change peoples lives but change peoples mindsets. I am really excited to share this first issue with everyone and can’t wait to share future issues we haven’t written yet. 

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