Garet, 27, is a professional skydiver and tunnel flyer in Chicago, IL. As the Lead Instructor at iFly Chicago, and believes the best tool for any skydiver to progress is tunnel flying, as it lets you break down each skill and perfect it. In skydiving, he is a 5-time World Record holder, including the 164-Way Head Down World Record. In 2018, he hope to break it yet again.
We are so stoked and honored to share your skydiving journey and adventures. As a 5X world record holder, professional skydiver and tunnel flyer, we’d say you are quite accomplished in the sport! How did you get involved in skydiving, and how has it changed your life?
A friend asked if I wanted to go skydiving; I quickly said yes. Before I knew it I was strapped to an instructor on a plane. As soon as I landed I signed up for the student course and the rest is history.
What has skydiving taught you about living life?
You only get one life, make it count. Life is a beautiful thing, once you understand how to truly live it.
What are some of the most memorable jumps and achievements from your skydiving journey?
The most memorable jump I’ve done was the 164-way Head Down World Record. 164 of the most elite skydivers across the world came together to make one goal happen. There’s an endless list of events and things that lead up to that being possible. A feeling of accomplishment I’ll never forget when we set that record. Good thing is, records are made to be broken so I’m looking forward to 2018 in which we’re going to try and break it again!
What do you love about being a skydiving and tunnel coach?
I love to teach. But most importantly its a great feeling as a coach seeing your students progress and get better. Building confidence and skill sets with people is very rewarding as a coach.
How has tunnel flying improved your skydiving abilities?
Tunnel flying is hands down the best training tool for any skydiver. If you’re a skydiver and don’t fly in the tunnel, you have to start. It’s a controlled environment that lets you hone in on very specific goals. Tunnel flying allows you to break each skill down and perfect it.
What activities do you like to do outside the skydiving world?
I eat, breathe, and sleep skydiving. When I need a break or get a day off I enjoy shooting. I recently became a very big fan of 3-gun. I’ve been studying and training it for a year now.
Who do you look up to? How do they inspire you in how you live your life?
A wise man once said, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I look up to anyone who can truly say they live by that.
We at This Adventure Life want our readers to live life fearlessly in the pursuit of living their ideal life. What would your advice be for someone who wants to live fearlessly and pursue their wildest dreams?
Find your passion, find a way to get paid for it, work work work. Life doesn’t give handouts. You have to put your blood, sweat, and tears into your dreams. It’s not going to be easy. Work for it!
What is your next big adventure?
I have so many things I still want to do in life. Mostly all revolve around the skydiving. My main focus right now is moving forward with my job at iFLY. I would ultimately like to travel more and see the world.
Check out his adventures on Instagram: @garetbloodworth
Check out his Facebook page: /garetbloodworthofficial
At This Adventure Life we celebrate the lives and stories of the people who live life fearlessly. #livefearlessly