Tell Us What You Thought Of This Episode

Jens Gronemeyer is the President & CEO of Alti-2 Technologies. A computer engineer, entrepreneur, active skydiver, experienced jump pilot, and former drop zone operator, Jens made his first skydive in Höxter, Germany in 1997 and has since logged more than 8,900 jumps. Before acquiring Alti Two in 2021, he built and sold successful technology companies in Europe. He competes in 4-way, 8-way, and 16-way formation skydiving and brings a rare perspective shaped by both deep technical expertise and real-world experience in the air.

Topics Covered

• Founding a computer company in high school — now in its 40th year
• Serving in the German Air Force at a NATO radar station on the Iron Curtain
• Building and selling a time & attendance software company
• Operating two drop zones in Germany, including purchasing a struggling municipal airport
• Co-founding a compostable plastics company now generating ~€35M in revenue
• Acquiring Alti Two in 2021: streamlining repairs, achieving ISO 9001 certification, and tripling the R&D budget
• Philosophy on debt-free living, calculated risk, and leading by example

Key Quotes

Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.

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Tell Us What You Thought Of This Episode

Wendy Kiwi Smith is one of skydiving's most decorated figures - an aerial cinematographer, athlete, coach, and safety leader with over 23,000 jumps, 10 world records, three Guinness World Records, and an Emmy Award. In 2025, she was inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame.

Topics covered:

• Growing up on a farm in rural New Zealand and what shaped her fearlessness
• How she stumbled into skydiving and never looked back
• Building a career as an aerial cinematographer across Europe
• The Everest Skydive and jumping at altitude
• Big way world records, from 150-way to 400-way
• Thoughts on safety, gear, and longevity in the sport
• Her Hall of Fame induction and what it meant to her

Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.

📲 STAY CONNECTED
Website: The 20 Minute Call
Instagram: @20MinuteCall
Facebook: /20MinuteCall

💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
Love the podcast? Join our Patreon community for early access, bonus content, and exclusive perks.
→ patreon.com/The20minutecallPodcast

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW
Your 5-star review helps us reach more skydivers like you.
Apple Podcasts: [direct-link]
Spotify: [direct-link]

🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE
Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts | Spo...

Tell Us What You Thought Of This Episode

This is a must-listen episode. Jim Cowan's passion for skydiving is infectious, and his storytelling will have you hanging on every word. A second-generation skydiver from St. Louis who started packing parachutes at age 10, Jim recounts jumping into a Cardinals game at 18 and being interviewed by Jack Buck - then taking Jack on a tandem jump 20 years later. He also talks about forming Quantum Leap with his brother and best friend, winning the World Championships just nine months later, and the incredible coordination behind last year's 104-way canopy formation world record.

Jim dives into his award-winning presentation on unusual canopy emergencies - dual deployments, down planes, and entanglements - and the harrowing personal experience that inspired him to start teaching it.

He reflects on celebrity encounters from delivering a flag for President Trump to jumping into Snoop Dogg's Gin & Juice Bowl, his equipment pet peeves, and the pivotal decision to sell Quantum Leap and move to San Diego to work with the military.

Throughout it all, what shines through most is Jim's deep love for the sport and the people in it. His faith, humility, and simple personal creed - be good to yourself, others, animals, and the earth - make this one of the most inspiring conversations we've had.

Presented by SSK Industries, CYPRES, Free Fall Films, SKYCRU and Burble.

📲 STAY CONNECTED
Website: The 20 Minute Call
Instagram: @20MinuteCall
Facebook: /20MinuteCall

💙 SUPPORT THE SHOW
Love the podcast? Join our Patreon community for early access, bonus content, and exclusive perks.
→ patreon.com/The20minutecallPodcast

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW
Your 5-star review helps us reach more skydivers like you.
Apple Podcasts: [direct-link]
Spotify: [direct-link]

🎧 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE
Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts | Spo...