Life’s journey is uniquely personal. While some of us map out decades of careful planning, others live with an intensity that compresses a lifetime of experiences into brief, brilliant moments. I was fortunate enough to cross paths with someone who embodied this latter philosophy—a Red Bull wingsuit flyer whose approach to mortality forever changed my perspective.
We met by chance on an airplane, two strangers seated next to each other. But I don’t believe in coincidences. This encounter was meant to teach me something profound about how differently we can view our time on earth.
A Different Kind of Faith
My wingsuit-flying friend possessed an extraordinary faith in infinite life. He didn’t fear death; he accepted it as an inevitable conclusion to his chosen path. When we discussed his dangerous profession, his candor stunned me.
“I’m gonna keep doing this until I die,” he told me matter-of-factly.
Thinking he meant retirement in old age, I asked for clarification. His response was chilling in its clarity: “No, no. You know, until like, this thing screws up and I hit the side of the mountain.”
There was no fear in his voice—just acceptance. He had made peace with his mortality in a way few of us ever achieve. His belief in something beyond this physical existence gave him the freedom to live exactly as he chose, regardless of the risks.
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Different Paths, Different Timelines
The contrast between our life philosophies couldn’t have been more stark. I’ve always believed my journey is meant to be long—to 111 years or beyond. My plans, goals, and vision extend into the future for decades. My wingsuit friend, however, lived with the understanding that his timeline might be dramatically shorter—”could be a hundred eleven days,” as I came to realize.
Neither approach is inherently right or wrong. They simply represent different ways of engaging with the fundamental truth that all of us must face: our time here is limited, whether measured in days or decades.
What makes this perspective so powerful is the questions it forces us to confront:
- How would you live if you knew your time might be cut short?
- Would you take more risks or fewer?
- Would you prioritize different experiences?
- What would gain importance, and what would fade into insignificance?
These aren’t hypothetical questions for those who, like my friend, engage in extreme activities. They are daily realities that shape every decision.
The Ultimate Freedom
Sadly, my friend’s prediction came true. His life ended doing precisely what he loved—soaring through the air in his wingsuit before a fatal crash into the side of a mountain. While many would view this as tragic, I believe he found a kind of freedom most of us never experience.
He lived completely aligned with his values and passions. He made a conscious choice to embrace risk in pursuit of the exhilaration and freedom he cherished. There was no disconnect between his words and actions, no compromise with his authentic self.
This doesn’t mean we should all take up wingsuit flying or other dangerous pursuits. Instead, it suggests a more nuanced approach to our own mortality—not with fear and avoidance, but with acceptance and intentionality.
The Lesson I Carry Forward
Meeting this remarkable person changed something fundamental in my understanding of life’s journey. While I still plan for my long future, I now carry a deeper appreciation for the present moment and the courage to live authentically.
His example taught me that a meaningful life isn’t measured primarily in years but in alignment—how closely our daily choices reflect our true values and desires. Some of us are meant for the marathon, while others are suited for the sprint, but all of us have the opportunity to run our own race with conviction.
I believe we’re all placed in each other’s paths for a reason. My brief friendship with this wingsuit flyer was no accident—it was a profound lesson about different ways to approach our time on earth. His legacy lives on not just in my memory, but in how his example continues to challenge me to live with greater authenticity and purpose, however long my journey may be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Was the wingsuit flyer afraid of death?
No, he wasn’t afraid of death. He had accepted it as an inevitable outcome of his chosen lifestyle and had made peace with the fact that his pursuit might end with a fatal accident. His belief in something beyond this physical existence gave him a unique perspective on mortality.
Q: Do you think his approach to life was reckless?
I don’t view his approach as reckless, but rather as deeply intentional. He made a conscious choice to pursue what brought him joy and fulfillment, fully aware of the risks involved. There’s a profound difference between taking risks without knowledge and making informed choices that align with your values, even when those choices involve danger.
Q: What was the most important lesson you learned from this friendship?
The most valuable lesson was understanding that a meaningful life isn’t measured primarily in years but in how authentically we live. His example showed me that living in alignment with your true values—whether that means planning for 111 years or embracing each day as potentially your last—is what creates a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Q: How did this encounter change your own approach to life?
While I still plan for a long future, this friendship deepened my appreciation for present moments and authentic living. I became more conscious of ensuring my daily choices reflect my true values, regardless of how long my journey might be. It helped me balance long-term planning with present-moment awareness.
Q: Do you believe people are placed in our paths for specific reasons?
Yes, I firmly believe we encounter people for specific purposes in our lives. This chance meeting on an airplane resulted in a friendship that provided me with profound insights I might never have gained otherwise. These seemingly random connections often carry the most important lessons if we’re open to receiving them.
