The Smile of Fear...

As an instructor at iFly Hollywood I have discovered that taking people for their “first flight” is quite an experience not only for the flier, but also for me. The expressions that are left on people once they have flown are always priceless. I think the best expressions come from the kids. I’ll never forget this one little girl who was 3 years old and a very afraid of the giant wind tunnel she was about to step into. At first, she sat on the bench in her bright pink flight suit shaking her head, “No, no.” She did not want to fly. After a little bit of encouragement, I was able to get her to come to the door. She was a little more than curious about what all the wind was about. She peaked her head in, got a taste of the air, backed up, took a big deep breath and said, “Ok! ” I saw the bravery come over her like a magic wand had given her special powers. I told her to put her arms up like she was Superwoman and I took her into the air. At first she grabbed on to my arm, frightened. Then a few seconds later, she realized, “Hey…I’m flying! “ Immediately her hands were out in front of her, she was donning a huge smile and looking like she was having the time of her life! I was able to let go of her and she was flying on her own. Amazing for a 3 year old who just a few minutes before was struggling to tie her shoes. Once the flight was over, I took her to the doorway noticing she still had a huge grin on her face. She high fived all of the others waiting for their turn then proudly took her seat on the bench as an accomplished flier. After the other customers flew, it was her turn again. This time she did not hesitate. She jumped off the bench like she’d been doing this for years. I told her to stand back, then run and dive into the tunnel. Amazingly, she was not the scared little girl she was before her first flight. Now she was a daredevil ready to take on anything! She stood back, got a running start and jumped right in. She flew around, able to go higher this time, still with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on a child. When the flight was over she was ecstatic, smiling, jumping and yelling to her parents who were watching outside. I gave her a Flight Certificate providing official proof of all she accomplished in her first flight. She took pictures with me and thanked me for letting her fly. As she walked away she still had the same big smile she had after the first flight. Knowing that I was a part of helping her overcome her fear and experience something amazing puts a smile on my face as well, and I was reminded of what a great place iFLY Indoor Skydiving really is. Not only do we give people the ability to fly, we help them overcome their inner fears and make them realize they can do something extraordinary in their lives, and this may only be the beginning.

James Halski
Infrastructure Manager, Instructor
iFLY Hollywood

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

Coolest Mom in Town?

In this day and age it is awfully hard to impress our kids. The one thing my kids love to tell their friends is "my mom is a skydiver!" I've always got a chuckle out of this. I'm often asked why I love to fly. I find myself explaining how amazing it is to prove to your kids you can do anything you want to! One day, I set my mind to skydiving, accomplished my goal, and now enjoy the gift of flight. Working at iFLY Indoor Skydiving I get to enjoy this gift even more. I've come to learn that indoor skydiving is even a cooler playground conversation. "Really, your mom works at iFLY?" The pride that comes over my kids' faces fills me with the kind of feeling that runs a chill through my veins. Imagine my joy when my 10 year old son, Sam, begged me to have his birthday party at iFLY. I watch other kids have their parties and how much fun they have all the time. How is it that I thought my own kids wouldn't see how special it is? I assumed they had become complacent because they get to fly every Saturday morning at our Kids Club. We scheduled Sam's party, and I became the customer. I got to experience an iFLY Birthday Party from a different perspective. The kids had a blast, the dads begged to fly too, everyone was hyped up, taking pictures, and three went home and asked their mom if they could have their party there! This just warmed my heart. Sam's party reminded me that I work somewhere special.