Courage isn’t loud. It’s a small, quiet moment — a simple yes that shifts everything.
As Austria’s first and only wingsuit trainer, skydiver and long-time management professional, I’ve learned that big dreams rarely come from perfect plans. They grow from the decision to begin.
Or in other words: from the courage to start.
Why the First Step Matters Most
Whenever we think about big dreams, career moves or bold projects, the end goal often feels overwhelming.
Our mind whispers: “Too big, too risky, too soon.”
But no meaningful success begins with perfection. Every path begins with one single step — and that step is rarely comfortable.
A Personal Moment That Changed Everything
Before I became the person who flies wingsuits, competes internationally and has guided hundreds of people through their first jumps, I faced countless small decisions that felt far too big.
One of them was the moment my brother wanted to jump with me. For ten years he insisted he’d never jump out of an airplane. Then one day, he said he wanted to try.
And suddenly, I was afraid — not for myself, but for him.
We jumped.
It became one of the most beautiful experiences we ever shared.
And it taught me something essential: the most meaningful moments often wait on the other side of fear.
Courage Is Born in the Moment of Decision
Whether in the air, in a salary negotiation, in leadership or when deciding to finally speak to someone:
courage happens the second we choose to act.
Courage doesn’t mean being fearless.
It means acting despite the fear.
A Hard Setback That Redefined My Resilience
After an extremely hard parachute opening, I lost my vision for a few moments and was close to passing out.
The MRI afterwards showed an irregularity in my brain.
A neurologist told me I should never skydive again.
In one moment, my dream was gone — and with it a huge part of my identity.
But resilience doesn’t show when life runs smoothly.
Resilience shows in the moments when you have no idea how to keep going — and you choose to move anyway.
A specialist gave my dream a second chance.
Three months later, I was cleared to jump again.
Terrified, but determined, I stepped back into the plane.
Today, I teach wingsuit flying, compete internationally and have more than doubled my jump count.
Optimism Is a Muscle — and We Can Train It
Optimism doesn’t mean being unrealistic.
Optimism means believing that things can develop.
That solutions exist.
That growth is possible, even when a challenge feels impossible to overcome.
This belief — “there’s still a way forward” — carried me through every setback, in freefall and in management.
What Are You Waiting For?
Maybe you have a dream you’ve never said out loud.
A project that feels too big.
A career step that excites and scares you at the same time.
A wish that has been with you for years.
Ask Yourself One Question
What is the very first, smallest, imperfect step I could take today?
Because no dream begins with a jump.
It begins with a step.
Say yes.
Start walking.
And trust that your wings will unfold along the way.