Meet Jeb Corliss, Death-Defying BASE Jumper

From as young as six years old, Jeb Corliss dreamed of flying, setting the stage for his lifelong journey into extreme sports and high-octane adventures. As a boy, he would watch in awe as birds jumped and soared off telephone poles. Mesmerized, he proudly declared, “When I get older, I’m going to do that.”

Despite his loved ones’ objections and explanations that humans can’t fly, he insisted. “Maybe you can’t,” he said. “But I’m going to.”

And fly he has. Having been profiled by outlets like The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and ESPN, Jeb is one of the most renowned BASE jumpers and wingsuit pilots in the world. Known for his unrelenting spirit and insatiable sense of adventure, Jeb is a living legend in the extreme sports community.

This week, we were lucky enough to chat with Jeb on the Team Ignition Show podcast, a new video series where we meet extraordinary people from around the world who share a risk-taking mindset and push themselves to their very limits in a quest to break boundaries.

Background: A Nomadic Childhood

Born in 1976 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jeb had an unconventional upbringing. His parents were both international artifacts dealers and, as you’d imagine, their work took them (and their three children) all around the globe. From India and Nepal to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Jeb and his family hopped from one country to another for a great deal of his childhood.

Even once he and his family returned to the United States, they still lived a nomadic life, moving from town to town. As a result, Jeb spent most of his school years as the “new kid” — something that unfortunately made him a target for bullies.

To distract himself from his own loneliness, Jeb pursued a longtime passion of his: animals. Having always felt fascinated by creatures of the desert, he started capturing rattlesnakes and poisonous spiders, taking them in as his pets. The danger posed by these animals didn’t faze Jeb. In fact, it had the opposite effect: it made him feel more alive than he ever had. He continued chasing that feeling by getting into shark diving at just 16 years old. The only thing that exceeded his fear of these majestic creatures was his intrigue for them.

Not long after, he witnessed BASE jumping for the very first time. From that moment, Jeb knew his life would never be the same.

Career: Taking Flight

When he turned 18, Jeb started skydiving to prepare for his BASE jumping career. At the age of 21, he successfully finished a BASE training course. It was then that he was ready for his first jump — and needless to say, he was chomping at the bit. He headed to a bridge in Northern California, stepped to the edge, and off he flew.

For Corliss, this was the moment that changed the trajectory of his future. He’d gotten a taste for the thrill. He understood what it meant to feel truly alive — and he had no intention of letting that feeling slip through his fingers.

Over his career — which has now spanned more than 25 years — Jeb has successfully completed more than 2,000 jumps from some of the planet’s most iconic structures. The Eiffel Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Petronas Towers — Jeb’s hunt for the ultimate jump has known no bounds.

With that said, Jeb’s career has come with its fair share of challenges. In 2003, Jeb attempted a jump with his close friend, Dwain Weston. Unfortunately, the jump was fatal for Weston, who collided with the Royal Gorge Bridge in a tragic accident.

Jeb himself has also experienced the perils of the sport. In 2012, Jeb performed a jump off Table Mountain in South Africa. After hitting rocks on the mountain, Jeb sustained serious injuries, including broken ankles, three broken toes, and a severe gash on his leg. He was airlifted off the mountain and received medical aid, living to tell the tale.

Despite the trauma from the incident, Jeb was determined not to give up on his goal. Seven years later, he returned to the mountain and performed the exact same jump that almost claimed his life. Although he described the experience as “truly horrifying”, Jeb faced his fear head-on and successfully completed the jump.

Newest Projects: Film, Podcasting, and a Clothing Line

While taking flight will always be Jeb’s top passion, he’s dabbled in a variety of other areas throughout his career.

In 2015, he served as the technical advisor for the film Point Break, guiding the crew on how to safely perform wingsuit stunts. Not only that, but he also made a cameo in the movie.

In early 2024, Jeb co-founded the clothing line 3777, alongside his close friends Pete and Joseph Pepe. Bold and daring, the brand is all about embracing fear instead of resisting it. Jeb’s own words — “There is no courage without fear,”  — would even become the slogan, perfectly capturing the brand’s essence.

Jeb has also appeared on several podcasts. In May 2024, he appeared on Pretty Sure I Can Fly with stunt performer Johnny Knoxville of Jackass fame. Even more recently, he appeared right here on the Team Ignition podcast, chatting with host Leticia Bufoni about his incredible life and career.

Fun Facts About Jeb Corliss

• In 2006, Jeb tried to BASE jump off the Empire State Building — a risky move that ended up getting him arrested!
• Jeb has released an autobiography called Memoirs from the Edge: Exploring the Line Between Life and Death.
• Jeb’s longtime partner, Aly DeMayo, is also a serious skydiver and BASE jumper.
• Jeb loves skulls and has several skulls in the interior decor of his Vista, California home.

Keep Up With Jeb Corliss

Want to stay updated on Jeb’s high-flying feats? We are, too.

Tune into the Team Ignition podcast episode with Jeb to hear more about everything he is getting up to.

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