Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode

Mike Gruwell is a skydiving entrepreneur, master rigger, and industry leader whose journey in the sport began with a single jump in 1995. What started as a passion quickly turned into a career, leading him to become an FAA Master Rigger, AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, and 4-way competitor.

In 1999, he founded ChutingStar, which began as a small rigging loft and grew into one of the most recognized skydiving gear suppliers in the world. Over the years, it expanded to include online gear sales in 2005, a DeLand, Florida storefront in 2011, and an international online presence serving skydivers worldwide.

His entrepreneurial drive didn’t stop at skydiving. In 2012, inspired by his twin sons, he ventured into skateboarding, opening a skate shop and park, blending extreme sports culture with his deep commitment to quality gear and expert support. Throughout it all, his wife, Stephanie, has played a vital role in growing and structuring the business.

Outside of skydiving and business, Mike is also a freelance drummer, proving that his love for rhythm extends from music to freefall. His journey is one of passion, innovation, and building a career in an industry he never originally planned to join—but now helps lead.

Join us as we dive into Mike’s journey from jumper to entrepreneur, his insights into the skydiving industry, and how he’s shaped ChutingStar into what it is today.

Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode

Ashley Marquardt is a pilot, skydiver, and adventurer whose journey in aviation has been nothing short of remarkable. In just five years since earning her commercial pilot’s license, she went from flying a Cessna 172 at Skydive Cross Keys to piloting a Twin Otter at Skydive Dubai. Along the way, she served as the main pilot at Cross Keys and flew critical cargo across the Pacific from Saipan to Guam.

Her passion for aviation runs deep—growing up on a military base in South Korea, she eventually discovered skydiving in 2008 under the guidance of Kirk Knight. Since then, she’s become a tandem instructor, wingsuiter, BASE jumper, and accomplished free flyer. Beyond the skies, she’s an avid scuba diver and former instructor.

From the cockpit to freefall, Ashley’s fearless approach to life is an inspiration. In this episode of The 20 Minute Call, she shares her journey through the world of aviation and skydiving.

Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode

Stephen "Hatz" Hatzistefandis is a true adventurer and a standout personality in the world of skydiving. With over 3,500 jumps—including more than 2,000 tandems—Hatz has built a reputation for orchestrating skydives in some of the most breathtaking locations on the planet. From the Great Pyramids of Egypt to the Great Blue Hole in Belize, his expertise in planning and logistics has taken skydiving to new heights.

Beyond his accomplishments in the sky, Hatz is also a helicopter and airplane pilot, a PRO-rated demo jumper, and the founder of Pegasus Skydive Center in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, creating a new home for skydivers in a time when many drop zones are closing.

With a passion for aviation, adventure, and community-building, Hatz continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport.

Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode

Anthony “The Kid” Zerbonia is one of the most respected wingsuit pilots in the sport, with over 3,300 skydives—more than 2,300 of them dedicated to wingsuit flying. A two-time national champion in acrobatic wingsuit flying, Anthony has represented the U.S. on the world stage, earning podium finishes at national and international competitions, including the Acrobatic World Cup and USPA Nationals.

Beyond competition, Anthony is a coach, tandem and AFF instructor, rigger, and wingsuit coach examiner. His passion for innovation has led to groundbreaking projects, including deploying and flying by a massive 4,700-square-foot aerial target flag in a first-of-its-kind stunt.

When he’s not in the sky, Anthony applies his skills as an arborist and owner of Tactical Treescapes, embracing challenges both in the air and in the treetops. With a career marked by championship titles, cutting-edge projects, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of human flight, Anthony Zerbonia is a true leader in the wingsuit community.

MEDIA LINKS

- VIDEO: The Infamous Winch Jump (Instagram)
- VIDEO: Flag Jump! (Instagram)

Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode

With over two decades in skydiving and parachute rigging, Pablito Perazzoli has built a reputation for precision and expertise. Originally from Argentina, his journey began with an unexpected introduction to sewing during a high school exchange in New Zealand—an invaluable skill that shaped his career.

Pablito has completed more than 6,400 jumps and holds multiple instructor ratings, including Tandem Examiner and AFF Instructor. As a Master Parachute Rigger, he has performed over 6,700 reserve repacks. His career includes key roles as Rigging Loft Manager at United Parachute Technologies (UPT) for a decade and three years at Skydive Dubai. He now brings his expertise to Complete Parachute Solutions (CPS), contributing to parachute technology and safety.

A respected rigger and mentor in the industry, Pablito’s passion for skydiving and commitment to safety are second to none. Tune in for insights from his remarkable career.

MEDIA LINKS

VIDEO: Why We Jump
Website: Sky Pirates
Website: GoFundMe | Naval Academy Demo Team

Support The Show

Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Patreon Community! Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:

- suggest who you'd like to hear on the podcast
- learn what interviews will be upcoming
- submit questions for future guests
-receive show swag

Join our community and support the pod!

Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcast

ADVERTISE

Are you interested in partnering with the 20 Minute Call as an advertiser? Let's work together! E-mail us at podcast@beyondmarketing.xyz

Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode

With over 10,000 jumps and more than three decades in the sport, Ossie Khan has made a lasting impact on skydiving and BASE jumping. As the owner of Melbourne Skydive Centre, he has trained countless skydivers and contributed as a safety management speaker and tourism consultant, shaping adventure tourism in Australia and beyond.

His expertise extends internationally as a Tourism and AeroSports Consultant, working through the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Partnership Agreement. He also serves as the Safety & Training Advisor (S&TA) for Southeast Asia, helping to guide skydiving standards and safety practices across the region.

A longtime member of the Everest Skydive Team, Ossie has completed high-altitude jumps over Mount Everest and worked as a producer and safety officer for Australian Ninja Warrior. He also founded the Experience Series, a network supporting athlete-driven filmmaking.

His work has attracted brands like Xbox, Ford, and Intel. In this episode, Ossie shares insights from his career, the evolution of the sport, and the mindset behind pushing limits.

MEDIA LINKS ABOUT OSSIE

• Video: Experience Gravity
• Video: Experience Zero Gravity
• Video: Ossie on the Footy Show
• Website: OssieKhan.com
• Website: Everest Skydive
• Intagram: @OssieKhan
• Youtube: @OssieKhan
• Facebook: /ossie.khan

Support The Show

Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Patreon Community! Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:

- suggest who you'd like to hear on the podcast
- learn what interviews will be upcoming
- submit questions for future guests
-receive show swag

Join our community and support the pod!

Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcast

ADVERTISE

Are you interested in partnering with the 20 Minute Call as an advertiser? Let's work together! E-mail us at podcast@beyondmarketing.xyz

Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode

Born in Tempe, Arizona, Craig Girard made his first jump on March 14, 1981, at Sky Hi-Pioneer DZ, Phoenix, AZ, and has since accumulated over 32,000 jumps.

His illustrious career spans more than four decades, and he has won numerous awards and championships, including US National Champion 8-way for an impressive 18 times, and US National Champion 4-way six times.

Craig's success in World Cups is equally outstanding, securing five 8-way championships and two 4-way championships. He is also a two-time World Games Champion, a four-time Bodyflight World Challenge Tunnel Champion, a six-time World Champion in 8-way, and a two-time World Champion in 4-way.

A former U.S. Army Golden Knight, a long-time member of Arizona Airspeed, and the chief freefall instructor at Skydive Dubai, Craig's achievements also include being a key member of the 300, 357, and 400-way large formation world records. His influence on the sport earned him a place in the International Skydiving Hall of Fame.

Whether flying with the Golden Knights, leading Airspeed's 8-way team, or coaching the next generation of World Class teams, Craig's influence on the sport is truly unparalleled.

Text Me Your Thoughts On This Episode

Matt Blank is a true adventurer who has packed a lifetime of extraordinary experiences into his years. A well-known figure in multiple adventure sports communities, Matt has traveled the globe, embracing the highs and lows that come with a life of pushing boundaries. From leaping off iconic objects like great sequoia trees to sliding down a greased ramp of a Skyvan and landing on a slip and slide, Matt has truly redefined the limits of what's possible in the world of skydiving and BASE jumping.

As the co-host of the Exit Point Podcast, one of the most popular podcasts in the BASE and skydiving worlds, Matt shares incredible stories, insights, and expertise with a dedicated global audience. He’s also the founder of the Free Fall Foundation, a nonprofit organization that’s changing lives in the skydiving community by creating opportunities for others to experience the sport he loves.

Matt’s journey is a testament to living boldly, embracing adventure, and inspiring others along the way.

Media

Video: BASE Jump Diaries, Episode 2
Video: When We Were Knights
Video: Giant Sequoia Tree BASE Jump
Video: GoPro: Space Net BASE Jump
Video: Evolv: BASE Jumping in 2015
Video: Perrine Bridge BASE Jump

Podcast: Exit Point
School: BASE Camp

Support The Show

Love the show? Help support it by becoming a member of the 20 Minute Call Patreon Community! Supporting the show gives access to a private group page where you can:

- suggest who you'd like to hear on the podcast
- learn what interviews will be upcoming
- submit questions for future guests
-receive show swag

Join our community and support the pod!

Link: patreon.com/The20MinuteCallPodcast

ADVERTISE

Are you interested in partnering with the 20 Minute Call as an advertiser? Let's work together! E-mail us at podcast@beyondmarketing.xyz