In this fascinating episode of The Brian Moylett Podcast, Brian Moylett sits down with Irish wingsuit pilot, BASE jumper, and professional tandem paraglider Michael Moran to explore one of the world's most dangerous—and exhilarating—sports.

From growing up on a farm in Tipperary, Ireland, to living in Ölüdeniz, Turkey, one of the world's most famous paragliding destinations, Michael shares his extraordinary journey into wingsuit flying, BASE jumping, and paragliding.

But this conversation goes far beyond extreme sports.

Brian and Michael dive into the psychology of fear, performance under pressure, mental resilience, mindfulness, risk management, peak performance, personal growth, and what it truly means to live a meaningful life.

Whether you're interested in sports psychology, high performance, mental toughness, adventure sports, leadership, or simply living with more courage, this episode is packed with insights.

In this episode, we discuss:

What wingsuit flying is and how it works
Flying at over 250 km/h through the mountains
The psychology of fear and how elite performers manage it
Why preparation creates confidence under pressure
Performance psychology and staying calm in high-risk environments
The importance of routines and rituals before performing
Managing adrenaline in extreme sports
BASE jumping and the realities of risk
Losing friends in dangerous sports and dealing with grief
Building mental resilience through discomfort
Why cold water, exercise and movement improve mental health
Alan Watts, mindfulness and living in the present moment
Why success isn't always about money
Finding purpose through passion
The simple life versus chasing ambition
Sponsorship in extreme sports
Lessons anyone can apply to sport, business and everyday life

Who is Michael Moran?

Michael Moran is an Irish wingsuit pilot, BASE jumper, and professional tandem paraglider based in Ölüdeniz, Turkey, widely regarded as one of the world's best locations for paragliding and free flight.

Alongside flying tandem paragliding professionally, Michael continues to pursue wingsuit flying at the highest level while mentoring newer pilots and promoting safe progression within the sport.

Key Takeaways

Fear isn't the enemy—it's information.
Confidence comes from preparation, not bravado.
Managing pressure is a skill that applies in sport, business and life.
Purpose often comes from pursuing what you genuinely love.
The greatest moments in life can't be bought.

Memorable Quotes

"Fear is what keeps you alive."

"I feel like I've won the lottery after a perfect sunset flight."

"Time is the real currency."

"If you really love something, you'll always find a way."

About The Brian Moylett Podcast

The Brian Moylett Podcast features conversations with world-class performers, athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, psychologists, authors and thought leaders exploring:

High Performance
Mindset
Sports Psychology
Leadership
Mental Health
Personal Development
Success
Human Performance
Peak Performance
Wellbeing

New episodes every week.

Connect with Michael Moran

Follow Michael's incredible flying journey on Instagram:

@michaelmoran

Connect with Brian Moylett

Brian Moylett is a keynote speaker, mindset coach, bestselling author, rugby coach and performance coach helping athletes, teams and organisations perform at their best.

Follow Brian for more conversations on mindset and high performance.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.