Meet Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld
Author. Speaker. Coach. World Champion.
Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished skydivers in history; a living legend. His journey from mid-western kid to winning multiple gold medals is remarkable, and his ability to distill his experiences into practical leadership strategies has allowed Dan to enrich, empower, and inspire people worldwide.
Dan has had a deep fascination for flight – specifically human flight – since about age five. He made his first jump while a freshman at Ohio State University and never looked back. He washed planes, mowed grass, and cleaned facilities in exchange for free jumps. By the time he graduated with a degree in Aviation, Dan was a licensed FAA Single & Multi Engine Pilot, an FAA Parachute Rigger, and a United States Parachute Association Instructor / Jumpmaster.
But Dan’s real passion was for competition. Having set his sights on winning gold on the national and world stage, he moved to sunny California in pursuit of his dream. Before long, he was recruited to Skydive Perris to form a competition team.
Today, Dan runs the dropzone. Skydive Perris is one of the largest and most esteemed skydiving operations in the world. With over 100 employees, it is known industry-wide for professionalism, customer service, quality, and a culture of safety.
Formative Years
In 1992, Dan survived a life-altering setback – a catastrophic plane crash during a routine training jump. The accident claimed the lives of 16 of the 22 people on board, including a friend and teammate who Dan considered a little brother.
Dan was in a coma for six weeks. His critical injuries included a broken neck, cracked skull, collapsed lung, severe concussion, and internal trauma. Doctors were skeptical about his chances of survival; returning to skydiving was out of the question.
Defying the odds, Dan embarked on a grueling path to physical and mental recovery. His determination and unwavering commitment to his goals propelled him back into the sport he loved. Within a year, Dan was not only skydiving again but competing at the highest level.
The Plane Crash
The lessons Dan has learned through his lifelong pursuit of excellence are so universal that his book – Above All Else – has been embraced by leaders in personal development, peak performance, business, and sports, and today he is a sought-after motivational speaker.
Dan has been engaged by organizations worldwide – from the United States military and elite universities, to major corporations and industry giants. The most common feedback Dan receives is about how down to earth and relatable he is. Audiences directly benefit from hearing about goal setting, team building, and perseverance from someone whose life has been devoted to it.
As an active skydiving coach and mentor, Dan continues to nurture the next generation of athletes, instilling in them the importance of vision, resilience, and mindset. His far-reaching influence has helped make skydiving a more collaborative, innovative, and respected sport.
Dan has 32,000 skydives, and counting …