WazzyCircus Radio Podcast

On this episode of WazzyCircus Radio, we sit down with Joey Jones—a competitor, coach, canopy pilot, industry leader, and one of the most accomplished figures to come out of modern skydiving. After 37 years in the sport and more than 19,000 skydives, Joey has built the kind of résumé that almost sounds impossible when you read it all at once. He is an 18-time National Champion and five-time gold medalist, and he won the first two international swoop competitions—the Daytona 5000 and the Margarita Challenge on Isla Margarita, Venezuela—during the pioneering days of competitive canopy piloting. Then there was Team Black Magic—doing 4-way formation skydiving on their backs and pushing the boundaries of what people thought competitive freefall could look like. But Joey's impact reaches far beyond his own medals. He coached the 2002 World Champion U.S. Women's Team, worked with Hayabusa, coached the French National Team, and has worked with the world champions of Arizona Airspeed. His influence has crossed borders, disciplines, teams, and generations. He has also played a role in the military side of our world, bringing elite skydivers including Jason Peters and Steve Curtis into military contracting work. And after decades of jumping, competing, coaching, and building the sport, Joey is still deeply connected to the industry as a traveling representative for Vertical Suits, Mirage Systems, and CYPRES AADs, as well as a brand advocate for FLARE and Performance Designs canopies. This isn't just someone who witnessed skydiving history. Joey Jones helped make it. We talk competition, innovation, swooping before swooping became what it is today, world-class coaching, military contracts, legendary teams, the evolution of the industry, and what you learn after nearly 20,000 jumps and four decades in the sky. There are skydivers. There are champions. And then there are the people whose fingerprints can be found all over the sport. Joey Jones is one of those people. Step right up—the circus is open!   www.sitflyclothingshop.com www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio   My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?

On this episode of WazzyCircus Radio, we sit down with Denise “Nise” Williams—a true pioneer, aviation professional, BASE jumper, nurse, adventurer, and one of those rare people who seems to beam love and life everywhere she goes. Nise has logged more than 1,000 skydives and an extraordinary 650 BASE jumps, earning BASE #532—a number that places her firmly among the early generation of jumpers who helped shape the sport. Her experience in the air does not stop there. Nise is also a powered hang glider examiner with a flawless safety record and more than 14,000 trike landings, bringing an incredible level of experience, discipline, and professionalism to another corner of human flight. And somehow, that is still only part of the story. By profession, Nise is a psychiatric nurse. By personality, she is colorful, fearless, hilarious, deeply compassionate, and—according to just about everyone who knows her—one of their favorite people on the planet. And then there is “Boobs in Space.” Yes. You read that correctly. Nise helped organize a now-legendary topless photo featuring women skydivers that was ultimately sent all the way to the International Space Station. Because of course she did. This conversation is about pioneering BASE jumping, aviation, nursing, adventure, community, safety, friendship, and living life with enough color and courage that people never forget you. Denise “Nise” Williams is proof that you can be wildly accomplished, deeply compassionate, completely unconventional, and still somehow be everybody’s favorite person. Step right up—the circus is open!   www.sitflyclothingshop.com   www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio   My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?

On this episode of WazzyCircus Radio, we sit down with one of the true legends of Monterey Bay skydiving—Sunset Bill. With more than 8,000 skydives and 37 years in the sport, Sunset Bill has spent nearly four decades living the skydiving life. He is a fixture on the packing mat, a familiar face to generations of jumpers, and still actively working in the sport he has given so much of his life to. Every drop zone has people who become part of its identity. Sunset Bill is one of those people. He has watched the sport evolve, watched countless jumpers come and go, and remained a steady presence through it all. His experience cannot be measured only in jump numbers—it lives in the stories, friendships, lessons, and memories built over decades at the drop zone. Beloved by the community and respected by everyone who knows him, Sunset represents something special about skydiving: the people who keep showing up, year after year, simply because they love the life and the people in it. We talk about 37 years in the sport, the changing culture of skydiving, life on the packing mat, the people who have shaped Monterey Bay, and what keeps a person connected to the sky after nearly four decades. Some legends are famous. Others are simply loved by everyone who knows them. Sunset Bill is both. Step right up—the circus is open!   www.sitflyclothingshop.com   www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio   My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?

Jacklyn Foust — WazzyCircus Radio #102 On this episode of WazzyCircus Radio, we sit down with Jacklyn Foust—drop zone owner, veteran skydiver, entrepreneur, and one of the most driven people I have ever had the privilege to work with. With more than 19,000 skydives and 32 years in the sport, Jacklyn has built a life around aviation, leadership, and an unrelenting commitment to excellence. Her journey is especially powerful because it did not begin at the top. Jacklyn started in the office and worked her way through the sport with determination, discipline, and a clear vision for what she wanted her life to become. Today, she is the owner of Skydive Monterey Bay, home of the 18,000-foot skydive experience, as well as Skydive Santa Cruz. I have worked at a lot of drop zones over the years, and Jacklyn runs one of the most dynamic skydiving operations I have ever seen. She is dedicated. Hardworking. Passionate. Relentless. But what makes Jacklyn truly inspiring is not just what she has built—it is the way she built it. Her story is proof of what can happen when someone has a vision for their life and refuses to stop until they make it real. This conversation is about skydiving, leadership, business, sacrifice, perseverance, and the power of creating your own path. Jacklyn Foust is not just a leader in skydiving. She is an example of what focused human potential looks like. Step right up—the circus is open!   www.sitflyclothingshop.com www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio   My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?

WazzyCircus Radio — Special Election Edition Anthony Ramirez: Not Red. Not Blue. Arizona. On this special election edition of WazzyCircus Radio, we welcome back our friend, fellow skydiver, attorney, small-business owner, and now candidate for the Arizona State Senate in Legislative District 12—Anthony Ramirez. Anthony is running as an independent under a simple banner: “Not Red. Not Blue. Arizona.” His campaign is built around the idea that public policy does not have to begin and end with party loyalty. Anthony says he will not caucus with either major party and instead intends to evaluate legislation bill-by-bill based on what he believes serves the people of District 12. His platform centers around three ideas: Prepare Arizona. Preserve Arizona. Protect Arizona. Prepare Arizona means expanding STEM education and building pathways into careers in aerospace, engineering, technology, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and other industries shaping Arizona’s future. Preserve Arizona means confronting one of the most important long-term issues facing our state—water—through conservation, infrastructure, cooperation, and planning for Arizona’s continued growth. And Protect Arizona means focusing on public safety, effective law enforcement, accountability, and creating communities where families and businesses can thrive. Anthony also speaks about government transparency, fair ballot access, protecting the voice of independent voters, supporting small businesses, workforce development, and moving beyond the political gridlock that has come to define so much of modern government. But this is WazzyCircus Radio, so before there was Candidate Ramirez, there was the guy we knew from the drop zone. Anthony is a longtime member and supporter of the Arizona skydiving community. Through Abogado Más Chingón, he and his firm have invested in our sport and supported major competitions and events, including USPA competition and events at Skydive Arizona in Eloy. He understands our strange little flying family because he is part of it. So this conversation is not about telling anyone how to vote. It is about sitting down with someone from our own community and asking the questions that matter: Why politics? Why now? What does independent actually mean? What does Anthony believe Arizona needs? And what happens when a skydiver decides that instead of complaining about the system, he is going to strap in and jump directly into it? Attorney. Business owner. Skydiver. Candidate. No red corner. No blue corner. Just Arizona. Welcome to the WazzyCircus Radio Special Election Edition with Anthony Ramirez. Step right up—the circus is open!   www.sitflyclothingshop.com   www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio   My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?

# Guru O’Connell — WazzyCircus Radio #100 For the 100th episode of WazzyCircus Radio, we sit down with Guru O’Connell—skydiver, indoor skydiving instructor, artist, former fashion model, and a man whose life has evolved into something much deeper than any single title can explain. Guru’s path has taken him through art, fashion, flight, movement, creativity, and ultimately toward a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him. This conversation goes far beyond skydiving. We dive into human existence, consciousness, identity, purpose, growth, connection, and what it means to become truly present in your own life. Guru brings the perspective of someone who has lived many different lives in one lifetime—model, artist, instructor, flyer, seeker—and somehow found a way to connect all of those experiences into a philosophy of living. For episode #100 we wanted a conversation that represented everything WazzyCircus Radio has become: flight, friendship, curiosity, transformation, and the search for meaning in this incredible human experience. This one went deep. One hundred episodes. One unforgettable conversation. Step right up—the circus is open!   www.sitflyclothingshop.com www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio   My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?

 Courtney Wilson — WazzyCircus Radio #99 On this episode of WazzyCircus Radio, we sit down with Courtney Wilson—mother, skydiver, mountaineer, BASE jumper, world traveler, and proud member of the Ill Vision BASE jumping team. Courtney’s story is one of transformation. She has overcome a dark past that included heroin addiction and prison, and fought her way toward a life filled with purpose, adventure, family, friendship, and flight. Today, Courtney travels the world chasing mountains, exits, and unforgettable experiences. Her BASE jumping journey has taken her to international events including the Czechoslovakian BASE Boogie and the legendary Norwegian Helicopter Boogie, where a jump from Kjerag nearly ended very differently after an extremely low opening. But Courtney is more than the wild stories and close calls. She is the person who **lights up the room when she walks into it**—bringing laughter, joy, ridiculous socks, and, naturally, a rubber chicken that somehow finds its way into the sky. This conversation is about addiction, redemption, motherhood, fear, friendship, mountains, BASE jumping, and what can happen when someone decides their darkest chapter will not be their final one. For WazzyCircus Radio episode #99, we could not have asked for a better story. Courtney Wilson didn’t just survive her past. She built one hell of a life beyond it. Step right up—the circus is open!   www.sitflyclothingshop.com www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio   My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?

Michael Bougher — WazzyCircus Radio On this episode of WazzyCircus Radio, I sit down with my longtime friend Michael Bougher—a professional skydiver, elite VFS competitor, high-level wind tunnel instructor, world traveler, and one of those people whose journey I have been lucky enough to witness almost from the beginning. Years ago, I had the privilege of teaching Michael how to skydive at Skydive Airtight in Skiatook, Oklahoma. From those first jumps, he went on to become one of the best 4-way Vertical Formation Skydiving competitors in the country and an incredibly accomplished indoor skydiving instructor. His career with iFLY took him to multiple locations and eventually around the world—literally—working aboard cruise ships equipped with indoor skydiving wind tunnels. From Houston to Chicago and everywhere in between, Michael became the kind of flyer everybody knew, everybody wanted to fly with, and everybody was happy to see walk through the door. And then there are the stories that remind you just how unpredictable this life can be. Michael survived a plane crash—and walked away. We talk about where it all began, competing at the highest levels of VFS, life inside the wind tunnel, traveling the world, surviving the unthinkable, and the friendships built through a lifetime of flight. For me, this one is special. I got to watch a student become a world-class flyer—and, more importantly, a lifelong friend. Come meet everybody's favorite flyer. Step right up—the circus is open!   www.sitflyclothingshop.com www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio   My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?

Tony Peralta — WazzyCircus Radio On this episode of **WazzyCircus Radio**, we sit down with **Tony Peralta—a proud Chicano skydiver whose story is built on honesty, accountability, perseverance, and the decision to fight for the life that mattered most.** Tony doesn’t hide the difficult chapters. His journey has included substance abuse during his time in the military, incarceration, alcoholism, and the consequences that came with those struggles. But his story is not defined by where he fell—it is defined by what he chose to do next. **He fought for his family. He fought for himself. And year after year, he did the work to become the man he wanted to be.** Today, Tony is a badass **big-way skydiver**, a respected member of the **worldwide big-way skydiving community**, and, most importantly, a husband, father, friend, and human being whose life proves that your past does not have to dictate your future. This episode is about far more than skydiving. It is about redemption, identity, family, brotherhood, and what can happen when a person stops running from their story and starts writing the next chapter. Tony Peralta earned his place in the sky—and the respect of the people fortunate enough to know him. Come hear his story. Step right up—the circus is open! www.sitflyclothingshop.com www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio   My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?

On this episode of WazzyCircus Radio, I sit down with my longtime friend and colleague, Anthony deGreef—an elite canopy pilot, military and civilian skydiving instructor, tandem master, and former indoor skydiving instructor at the legendary **Flyaway Las Vegas**. With more than **14,000 skydives** and **31 years in the sport**, Anthony has spent a lifetime mastering the air, developing other flyers, and operating at the highest levels of both military and civilian skydiving. Anthony also runs **Jump at Life**, a nonprofit organization that pays for and participates in skydives with terminally ill individuals, helping them experience the freedom of flight and fulfill a final dream while they still can. We talk canopy flight, instruction, the evolution of the sport, the early days of indoor skydiving, and the lessons that can only be earned through three decades of experience. This is more than an interview with a world-class skydiver. It is a conversation with a trusted friend, respected instructor, compassionate leader, and true veteran of human flight. Come hang with us and discover what **14,000 jumps, 31 years in the sky, and a life dedicated to helping others fly** can teach you. Step right up—the circus is open! www.sitflyclothingshop.com www.patreon.com/wazzycircusradio My name is WazzyCircus. I have been blessed with more than 6,000 skydives and over 21 years of experience exploring the world of human flight. WazzyCircus Radio is where I sit down with the extraordinary people I have met throughout more than two decades in the air—skydivers, BASE jumpers, speed flyers, paramotor pilots, airplane pilots, innovators, pioneers, and adventurers who refuse to live with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Together, we share the stories, lessons, risks, triumphs, and unforgettable moments that define the flying community—and explore the deeper question that connects us all: Why do we fly?