How to master your FEAR of extreme sports

Mental training for paraglider pilots … and other nutters!
Fear can grow in the back of your mind whilst doing your favourite extreme sport. Here's how to hack the mental traps and find your positive mindset. Bring it on!
Would you like to develop your confidence and get in touch with enthusiastic pilots who'll keep you stoked? Join my academy and I'll help you get the best out of this incredible sport. Get started with Greg for free on flywithgreg.com/yt/59-upstart
In this video:
00:00 Intro
00:34 Training
03:21 Altitude
05:08 Targets
06:23 Why do you do it?
09:00 How to master fear
Video © Greg Hamerton
Edited by Courtney Dawe
Music from Audiio: Henrik Meierkord (Flyktenover Oresund), Chill Winston (Astroboi, I See Angels)
Photo by GLEIVE MARCIO RODRIGUES DE SOUZA: www.pexels.com/photo/lightnin...
#paragliding #extremesports #mentaltraining #fear #fearless
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[@FlyWithGreg]

another way to tackle this problem is through my preflight procedure flywithgreg.com/programs/fly-with-confidence

[@Weedjoe]

Hey @FlyWith Greg: Could you maybe do a Video on how to kill a reserve on ground so it does not drag you along? Couldn't find a video on KZbin, would be great! Thanks

[@carljacobs1287]

My Why. I started aviation in sailplanes about 9 years ago, and grew to love exploring through cross country flight. I loved the complete pointlessness of that way of flying - done purely for the love of it. During Covid, in the midst of restrictions and shutdowns, I ended up selling my glider and leaving the sport. About a year ago, I started missing flying, so went and got my light recreational aircraft license, although only got as far as a single solo flight to realise that I didn't have any passion for power flight. About three months ago I had my first paraglider lesson, and I'm now up to about 8 hours of flight time - the joy of flight has returned, and I can hardly wait to start going cross country again. It's lower and slower than a sailplane, but has delights all of its own. As a bonus, it's a half hour drive to launch instead of almost two hours to the sailplane airport.

[@ChasingContours]

Well done and have fun on your journey! I’ve been paragliding for 10 years but only just now starting XC so I’m on a journey also.

[@carljacobs1287]

@@ChasingContours I recently started going XC! I've done 3 XC flights for a total of 65km - fun times!

[@thisisyol]

Greg, the timing of your content ALWAYS coincides with my current experiences so well, I almost feel like you watch my flight journal videos and that you're my personal mentor. It's scary!!! I love it, though! Stalk me as much as you want. You make me complete ;)

[@LittleNoiseBoy]

"I'm a teacher and a film-maker". You most certainly are, Sir. Thank you on all fronts.

[@rmbru2k]

I needed this. To think is to create. Fear struck me hard during a training session last week, so much so that I created a problem that could have been avoided. One of my fear solutions is to realize there is no need to rush or hurry. One step at a time, one day at a time. Next is to learn something new everyday and discover ways to put it into practice. I ask what my why is quite frequently. It is amazing how my answers change and enhance. Thanks again!

[@gml380]

Yes Greg, you are a filmmaker and a teacher, but you are also a poet! And therefore such a great source of inspiration! Keep bringin it on! 👍

[@SuperCoucouz]

Not doing it full on is exactly where I am now. And the fear just eat me everytime. I'm glad to have members in my PG club that left nobody behind and are here to support my doubts on sites. But I really need to fully commit or I'll never improve. I'm now where I have to trust myself on my capacities to fly after all these stages. Thank you for all your videos, but I think this one may be the right one for me to evolve.

[@rudolfgalsterer]

I love you for teaching and sharing Greg! Greets from the Austrian alps.

[@CarlosArruda77]

Although I'd love to get involved in this beautiful sport, my fear of hights (did not used to be, maybe it's an age thing at 46) and the fear of it could go terribly wrong, I don't think I'd ever even start! And with a young family and the obligations, responsibilities that come with that, it's just another deterrent to stop me from ever doing it. Darn, if my glider was to collapse and I was to find myself on a free fall I think I'd pass out before deploying the spare shute. But GOD this looks wonderefull.

[@marcinchudziak9922]

Thank you for explanation in a very poetry way. I feel like i was on the therapy,and you explained everything like the best psychologist. Thanks Greg.

[@user-lh5ol3ge6j]

Hi Greg I am changing on the fly with your tutorials You are a sweet teacher who should always be followed Hamid Iran

[@grejen711]

I fly because.... Yeah this is a really tough thing to think about for me. It's the sense of accomplishment with every flight. I did it yet again. Gotten into the air, successfully aviated and returned safely to the ground. I love the scenery when I'm flying. The uniqueness and specialness of it. Though it's often spectacular I enjoy the view even when it's more mundane. But yeah the "why" has to continually evolve.

[@LiiMuRi]

I've done some rock climbing, paragliding and other so-called extreme sports. Sometimes, out of nowhere I may get a fear of falling. Not in a difficult situation (although I do get that, but it's reasonable), but in an otherwise calm and easy moment, when I'm relaxed. The mind just suddendly thinks "hey, you're up in the air, suspended by fancy shoestrings. What if they break? Look at all the hard rocks below you!" Usually it passes after a while, when I concentrate on what I'm doing and remember all my practice. Minds are weird.

[@hekikuu]

Awesome video. Thank you. I’m at a point where I started flying alone and it’s exciting, but getting close to scary although nothing “bad” has happened in any of my flights. I do proper planning before flying, talk to locals and simply don’t fly in conditions above my skill level. But yeah, “safe side” should not be used as an excuse for being afraid of or avoiding - probably - flyable moments. Some friends said it was very unsafe “to fly alone”. Others said it’s perfectly fine and pretty much the only way to progress and enjoy the sport. I did the latter without regrets :) I’m going to do a SIV training this year to improve skill and confidence :)

[@ParaglidingClub]

The part about the new "why" was interesting. After few years of flying, I think the why can change and it can affect our motivation. I usually fly when I need more paragliding in my blood. Usually when there is a good "why" you can feel the urge to fly and you are less worried.

[@UltimateLogbookApp]

This video is priceless and on my weekly playlist! Thank you Greg, this video is a huge help in so many ways.🤙

[@NourLababidi]

❤ Pure Awesomeness 🎉

[@EARAISED]

Best teaching video I've seen about paragliding

[@onewheelisbetterthan2]

This is the sport i need to get into....

[@3RDPeakAdventure]

Excellent video - thank you

[@freddydad1]

Great advice.

[@superkruger]

I'm about to start in a few months. I love the way you combine teaching, safety, experience and philosophy!

[@chrisdervin5420]

Broke my ankle 6 months back. Hope to be back in the air in a couple more months. WHY? - because I love it 🙂Nice video.

[@smuderwahrhaftige]

Thank you! This inspired me a lot! Every point speaks to me

[@Eirikhorvli]

Awesome video Greg! Your training videos are great, and I'm learning alot!

[@NelsonsWings]

Yes higher is usually good. I love getting tall! But in the SW USA, and in other locations, the thermal strength often increases with altitude. Look at the thermal plots in XCskies and you will confirm that At 10 000 feet you might be in 4 m/s lift, but at 15K it can be 8m/s... and then you need your oxygen ... might not have chosen to fly with your bottle. The thermals are rocketing you up, you fear leaving the core because the edge turbulence can frontal you quicker than you can stop it. I envy the puffy cumulus skies in England... looks relaxing.

[@candlestove4441]

Hi Greg, Thanks for this vidéo... The best of all your good vidéos 😉... It help me to understand why i'm feeling lest motivated this time... I realizing that i'm changing my "why" ....thank you very much... Ben

[@SkywalkerPaul]

Greg is the best

[@ManuChambPictures]

Very good way of filming! Dynamic and interesting! Thanks for the advices Sensei!

[@jasonsmith6508]

Great topic and thank you so much for another great post just when I needed it 🙏👍

[@StoryAndCompass]

This is so helpful, thank you.

[@davidstaples1668]

Thanks Greg! Always inspiring thoughts and ideas.

[@P4n0r4mA]

Another inspiring amazing video Greg ;)

[@florianhaug2431]

Great motivation, thank you.

[@trombonetortoise3406]

Amazing pictures, lovely spirit, inspiring thoughts! Thank you, Greg!

[@sonyarter]

Great video Greg ! Thank you

[@iangordon8078]

Thanks Greg, wow what a topic topic to cover. I feel like this must be so relevant for so many pilots too.

[@emmawrathall2700]

Fantastic video - this sport is amazing!

[@martinrodion6893]

Hi Greg, you nailed it. Thanks for perfect analysis and HOW TO...🙂

[@motivationnation224]

Fantastic video, really on the money with a number of points

[@johnathanhimka]

Wise master Greg gifts his knowledge

[@pastyves]

HAHAHA!!! " How I flew from A to B and nothing happened" Very good line :)

[@HelloFlyingKK]

Good !❣

[@cristianomayer3216]

…very well analysed, reflected, structured and packed into „down to earth“ (haha) recommendations 👍🏻

[@vizlerandras]

This video came at the perfect time for me. I started flying over 10 years ago, but in the last five years I had very little time to actually practice it (10-20hrs airtime a year), and yesterday, in a weather that turned out to be a bit of a challenge for my skills, I realized that this affects my confidence as well. Great advices in this video, very useful! Thank you! I'd just add one note to myself and to the fellow pilots who are in a similar situation: it is essential to dedicate time to this sport. Don't let this be the last thing you do, once everything else is taken care of.

[@dymanoid]

You are absolutely right - there's no compression algorithm for experience, you just have to dedicate time as much as you can to stay safe and current. Having more than 350h airtime a year, I still feel I would learn a lot more if I could spend more time flying.

[@almircosta5834]

Top palestra...

[@MrKbtor2]

I started paragliding at sites in China where ridge soaring off the mountain launch was the way to stay in the air. I saw some nice forming clouds in the valley and thought how nice would it be to make a bee-line over there to try and thermal under it. It was absolutely forbidden. Club mates put the fear of god in me saying how dangerous that idea is. Back home where I live there are no mountains so it's winch launch and cloud thermal. The mindset of enthusiasts here is it's no problem but I sill I have this fear of getting back into it.

[@kylewolfman]

I might need help from a Moster and a trike but I'll be up there someday. I'm only 40 now so hopefully soon so I can experience unpowered flight and foot launch PPG flights. 🤞🤞🤞

[@edwinlooy6551]

It's so weird that the mind can hold us back so much. I fly good, Have good glider control, Am good in coring thermals and keeping the glider overhead in turbulent air. Barely have any collapses or have them open fast even in thermals when i find myself on the edge of them sometimes. And still i can get pretty scared of hard thermals. I want to get rid of that feeling. I will get some more practice in wingovers and stuff again, Maybe that indeed might help. I have no problem doing them on sanddunes low by the ground tho, So it's really contra intuïtive. And i love doing spirals and make steep turns too.

[@ercanunal44]

In our country , a successful person is called Bİg Brother. You are my Big Brother @Greg

[@lobbyrobby]

I've done 2 tandem skydives and 8 solo jumps. I'm still terrified jumping from that plane but I absolutely love being under canopy. Hence why I'm doing it. I'd really like to get into paramotoring but for some reason I'm more scared about that then skydiving. Maybe it's because of the fact that after training I'd be flying alone. I also worry about the weather. What happens when everything looks great than 1 hour into the flight the winds get nasty? I'd assume a person would just land immediately but if you're not around the lz then you're walking or calling someone for a ride.

[@Palamatar]

My current fear is that I have this spot I want to try and if it's not a good spot then it'll reduce my flight opportunities by a lot.

[@MrJoel9679]

I hope this means we’ll get more vol biv training and beautiful adventure videos! Check out what Martjin Doolaard is doing with his mountain cottages in Italy. A visit from a paragliding nature aficionado would be amazing. I’d live to see where you think his best launches are.

[@CoIoneIPanic]

Martin Dullard is a smelly reclusive hermit. He does not welcome visitors from the sky.

[@philmarshall4098]

Greg, I'm a beginner with about 10 hours of flying in paragliders (400 in Airplanes and sailplanes). Every once in a while when I'm about 1000 meters above the ground, I look down and realize I'm held up by just a collection of strings and it weirds me out just a little bit. Any suggestions apart from time - just flying more?

[@dymanoid]

Just believe in the high tech materials of your wing. Every wing is load-tested by 8x take off weight (e.g. 800 kg load for 100 kg max take off weight), and there should be no wing damage to pass the test. Each single line can hold a lot of load, and you have many-many lines on your wing. Search for a 'paragliding bingo' video on KZbin - the folks started to cut off their lines in flight to see when the wing stops flying. You'll be surprised - your wing will continue flying even when the half of the lines is gone. So these 'tea bags' we fly on are actually extremely robust and reliable, as long as you let them fly and do not stall them.

[@nkronert]

I tend to have fears about mechanical constructions failing on me, but I once got into very nasty turbulence and the amount of collapses and violent openings that this glider handled without ripping to shreds made me realize that these things are designed with huge margins and won't come apart. I do fly with steel carabiners because I don't like the failure modes of aluminium (aluminum 😊).

[@CoIoneIPanic]

What about the fear of flybubble holding your catch a cloud video hostage forever?

[@stevenmellet5555]

This is really good stuff, as a pilot who is scared of heights, I'm most happy when fighting with a 6m/s thermal and having small deflations, as it keeps my mind fully engaged, when I'm on glide I have time to get worried about whether I closed my karabiners, what the lines are made of, etc. I find I'm happiest when close to the rocks of Porterville, as I feel close to the ground, while at 3000m I'm a bit overwhelmed at my distance from the planet. I know it's safer when high, and dangerous when low, but my brain works the other way around. Hard to overcome fear of heights, but it makes the sport interesting.

[@dymanoid]

You could keep your brain busy on glides too (to avoid those unneeded fears and doubts). Search for interesting features on the ground (water, valleys, forests, motorways, ...), look up to the clouds and observe them, take a selfie, check airspaces and routes on your flight instruments, have a meal :)

[@CarlosArruda77]

@@dymanoid have a meal? lol. You can't be serious? LOL. Or are you? Can you really?

[@dymanoid]

@@CarlosArruda77 When you fly for 10 hours, you have to :) I always take some sandwiches and fruits with me when I intend to fly for longer than 3-4 hours.

[@CarlosArruda77]

@@dymanoid WOW! I think I'd be petrified to let go of the controls. I hope one day I'm up there. Maybe when the kids are older and don't need me, so in around 10 years time, I'll be 56 outch.

[@carljacobs1287]

Start learning now, don't wait to 56. Your reflexes are still fast enough, and the beginner wings are made to be highly tolerant of inefficient user input. But as time passes you'll want instinctive response, which will get harder to acquire as you age.

What outstanding landscape Greg. Where is it? Did you upload anywhere the Track? I will convince my whole family to visit your country

[@FlyWithGreg]

hi Cedric, this is the south of England .. it wasn't an xc so I don't bother with tracklogs .. I often just fly from one cloud to another, barking madly at them until they are all collected in their pen

[@drregg1]

@@FlyWithGreg 🤣😂

[@tatami0131]

nice tail look

[@rideronbike7763]

Greg can you test the new En A+ Wing from Drift the Carancho ?

[@Maverick_allobroge]

What do you use for filming? I thought you had a stick, but aroune 1'40" it rather behaves like a drone?

[@nkronert]

"Height is safety" (gets sucked into a Cb) 😊

[@bawabrijeshjoshiuk0469]

Nice video ❤🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🎥🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@user-wo6zt1hf9q]

Do you get bored once the fear has dissipated?

[@AndreyGreenYtube]

There are only two types of pilots: the brave pilot and the old pilot.

[@Slaeowulf]

Most sports play with balls. Paragliding requires them.

[@MattnUska]

Ignoring the clickbait crash videos has been key for me. I found the vast majority of those videos aren’t helpful in any way.

[@poisonedslo]

I learned a lot from blooper videos. Interestingly, they don't get me scared as you can always find the reason why things went south. Doesn't mean I can't make a mistake, but maybe watching others make mistakes makes me help avoid them. On the other hand, I still feel weird and a bit scared when I get really high above the terrain.

[@MattnUska]

@@poisonedslo You’re right there are things to learn from the crash. Everyone is different in how they process things. I am a little hyper aware so I tend to think about everything that can go wrong even without watching crash videos.

[@rickyalger8569]

He rolled one right before the video🤣