Lessons in Leadership and Life from 1,100 Skydives with Lana Starchuck

Send us Fan MailWelcome to another episode of Discover Fresh Perspectives! This week, David Gouthro sits down with Lana Starchuck, a seasoned skydiver who brings more than just adrenaline to the conversation. With nearly 1,100 jumps under her belt and a unique approach to team formation skydiving, Lana shares insight-packed analogies between life on the ground and life in the sky. Together, they explore how principles like trust, awareness, confidence, and embracing failure are essential not just for successful skydives, but for navigating organizational change, personal growth, and everyday challenges.In this episode, you’ll hear what it takes to coordinate hundreds of skydivers, why fear can be a springboard for opportunity, and how “Plan B” in skydiving relates to risk management in life and work. Lana also previews her upcoming book and leaves you with practical questions to turn avoidance into action. If you’ve ever wondered what parachute mishaps can teach you about leadership, resilience, or making bold moves, this conversation is sure to lift you up with fresh perspectives and actionable advice. Tune in to get inspired by sky-high wisdom—no jumpsuit required!A Bit About LanaLana Starchuck began her journey in competitive skydiving in 2007, quickly immersing herself in the sport’s vibrant community. Starting out at lower levels, she eventually became part of two, four-person teams and has competed nationally at both indoor and outdoor skydiving events. She also participated in a 250-person skydive attempt at Skydive Chicago in 2025. In these disciplines, adult athletes—many with families and careers—form intricate shapes in the sky, gripping each other’s arms and legs to create set patterns that correspond to letters and numbers. Lana’s passion for teamwork and her commitment to the sport have seen her soar to great heights, literally and figuratively, as she continues to embrace the challenge and camaraderie of competitive skydiving.For More InfoLana's WebsiteSignature KeynoteLana's LinkedIn***************************************************************You can connect with David Gouthro at:Website:https://davidgouthro.com/  (where you can also subscribe to my Blog)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgouthro/NOTE: If you wish to join in the podcast fun, please click here to book your own episode with me: https://calendly.com/gouthro/podcast-pals!