News

Doesn't it feel like every single piece of news you get lately is bad news? It doesn't matter the medium, everything from prime time news to our own Facebook pages, it is all gloom and doom. I fight this everyday. I will not go to bed at night until I have found "what's good about this?" It has been especially difficult lately to be so positive. It often comes in threes...and it did at my house this week, along with a four, and a five. I felt like a cast member of Grey's Anatomy as I kept saying "seriously?".

I realized during this tough time that certain things are essential. One, keep your friends close, and your family closer. Two, figure out what is to be learned in the process, and learn it. Three, find a way to take yourself out of the situation and find a little peace. For some this is a walk on the beach or a hike in the hills. Some will garden, some will surf, some will meditate. Most moms I know will settle for a long hot bath and consider it a trip to Fiji for an hour. For me, it's getting my feet off the ground. Body flight is my peace. Would I like to be skydiving over a beautiful jungle in Puerto Vallarta? For sure. Can I do that today? No way. But what I can do is jump in the indoor skydiving tunnel right here at home. I can get in my car, drive 5 miles to iFLY Hollywood and leave this earth for a bit. I can soak in the smiles. I can focus on being airborne. I can feel the freedom. This is something special that I know I have and am grateful for it every single day. What brings you peace? If you don't have something...I challenge you to try mine.

Heather Simon Risinger
Director of Public Relations,
iFLY California

Photo: Katey Segal, a woman I admire, "Sons of Anarchy", "Married With Children" and more

My favorite thing...

The actual feeling and sensation of flying offers a freedom and peace of mind that is hard to put into words. I get to share this with people every day and I love it! The best part….the atmosphere at iFLY San Francisco Bay. I sit in my office and over hear customers leaving. They talk about how amazing their flight was, how much fun they had, how badly they want to do it again, and their desire to master tricks and flips that their instructor showed them after their flight session. It is an excitement that I feel partially responsible for as the General Manager.

The culture and atmosphere at iFLY SF Bay is full of smiles and laughter. I think back to some of the jobs I have had in the past and can’t recall a staff more fun or a product more unique. On days I feel especially over whelmed, a quick jump into the tunnel reminds me to get back to the core of what I do. I get the unique privilege of teaching people how to fly! How many people can say that? I love my team I work with and I love my job and I love to fly. I have gratitude because I know there are not many people out there that leave work every day with this kind of outlook.

While some only view it as flying, others are having their wildest dreams come true. Either way, everyone will agree it's a really cool experience. I personally enjoy being able to share flight with the world and seeing the light bulb go off in their head every single time when they “get it”. Putting smiles on people as young as 3 and as wise as 94 is something I don't think will ever get old or boring. iFLY Indoor Skydiving provides more than just a place to experience human flight. It provides good clean fun for friends, family and colleagues to bond and enjoy something unique together. Where else would you possibly want to!?

Travis Richards

General Manager

iFLY SF BAY