How Skydiving Changed My Life: Falling Into Courage
In October 2022, I decided to take a small road trip back to Colorado for my birthday. While I was there, I wanted to make a tandem skydive—something I hadn’t done since the age of 18, almost 20 years prior. At that age, I hadn’t really registered it as a fear; it was more about youthful adventure and fun.
Talking to one of my good friends—James Herrera, who is a licensed skydiver—got me interested in maybe becoming a skydiver myself, and though I was there to do a tandem, I started seriously thinking about getting my license.
So I did that birthday tandem in October 2022 with my instructor, Lee Kizziar. Afterward, I had to return to Iowa, but Lee and I started talking and became a couple. Now, I was submerged in the skydiving world.
In June 2023, I decided that I did want to pursue my license. At 39, I had a completely different mindset than when I was 18. I was also juggling going back and forth between Iowa and Colorado because my son was still in high school.
I began my AFF program at Out of the Blue Skydiving in Limon, Colorado, jumping out of a King Air. Around jump three or four, I developed door fear. I started going long periods without jumping, but I kept showing up to the drop zone, observing and learning from the ground.
What held me back most was not trusting myself and the fear that my instructors wouldn’t be able to reach me if I lost control. And that door became the focal point of everything. You get in the door, you get out of the door. I began to hate it. After only a couple of jumps and then going home without finishing, it became even harder. Then, the drop zone closed indefinitely. I thought, "Maybe skydiving just isn’t for me."
In 2024, my son graduated, and I moved to Colorado with my boyfriend. A new drop zone opened—Skydive Colorado Springs in Penrose—operating a Cessna 182 and offering an IAD student program. Despite my doubts and fear, I made a few IAD jumps to get back in the sky and build confidence.
While it’s all personal preference, I preferred the IAD process, learning to fly my canopy first and then my body. And learning canopy skills early is crucial, as landing can be the most dangerous part of a skydive.
I did run into more roadblocks, and more fear, but I started my skydiving journey again and didn’t give up. There were times I rode the plane up just to come back down. The door would open and I’d say, “No, I’m not going.” What helped was finding an instructor who was patient and helped me relax with breathing exercises. If you’re like me and find an instructor who works well with you, stick with them!
Throughout the 2024 season, I continued to jump on and off, taking long breaks due to fear. Once again, I didn’t finish my license. But once the 2025 season began, I started working at the drop zone, becoming fully immersed in the industry—learning manifest, bookings and more.
Skydiving continued to represent a boundary I wasn’t sure I could cross. It was a mix of terror and fascination. And each year, I told myself, “This is the year I’m going to become a licensed skydiver.” And while I hadn’t gotten there yet, I still hadn’t given up.
It had been six months since my last jump. I kept seeing students come in and pass me by, and it made me jealous. Finally, I didn’t want to get left behind anymore, so I told my instructor, “Let’s get in the air today.”
It was perfect weather, and we planned a dive exit. I had always been scared of those, fearing instability, but we rode the plane up, the door opened, and I got into the dive position—and out we went. Once I was in freefall, my worries disappeared and the jump went great. We followed the dive plan, and I landed safely. In that moment, I was proud. I conquered my fear and proved to myself that yes, I can skydive.
After months of frustration, self-doubt and re-doing levels, I finally felt calm, present, confident and in control. My instructor had the biggest smile on his face as we flew together, and that moment said it all. Not because I nailed it perfectly, but because I kept going. That’s what this sport is all about: Progress, not perfection.
After that jump, I wrote down everything I needed to complete my license and made a plan. I reviewed all the skills and knocked out my license within a few weeks.
I still get nervous when the door opens. But now I sit by the door and say, "I’m in charge, not you." Once I leave the plane, I know I’m going to have fun with my friends. I now look forward to skydiving.
Brooke Morrison A-117936
Fountain, Colorado