How to Fly
Life Lessons from a Professional Skydiver
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $24.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Melanie Curtis
-
By:
-
Melanie Curtis
About this listen
Melanie Curtis is a life coach, speaker, author, professional skydiver, and ball of light. This book is chronological anthology of every single Blue Skies Magazine column she wrote for every single issue for over a decade. Also every single feature article and in-depth interview. As you listen, you will hear Melanie grow and evolve as a professional skydiver and person. You will hear her more superficial sharing at the start open up into her biggest life breakdowns and move through to her deep healing and spiritual radiance on the other side. You will hear so much of what led her to becoming powerful light and leader she is today.
She is a passionate entrepreneur, influencer, and activist. With over 11,000 jumps and 25 years experience in the sport of skydiving, Melanie is the co-founder of Highlight Pro Skydiving Team and the Executive Director of the Women's Skydiving Network nonprofit. She co-creates the podcast, Trustthejourney.today, where the depth of sharing you hear in her writing continues in real-time conversation and community.
©2019 Melanie Curtis (P)2020 Melanie CurtisRelated to this topic
-
From Lukov with Love
- By: Mariana Zapata
- Narrated by: Callie Dalton, Teddy Hamilton
- Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one. After 17 years - and countless broken bones and broken promises - she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close. But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she's spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.
-
-
New Favorite MZ Slow Burn
- By Brittany M on 05-13-18
By: Mariana Zapata
-
Bigger Leaner Stronger
- The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body
- By: Michael Matthews
- Narrated by: Michael Matthews
- Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The bestselling fitness book for men who want to gain 25-35 pounds of lean muscle and lose as much fat or more in just 3-5 hours per week—and without giving up delicious foods or doing grueling workouts. Is Bigger Leaner Stronger a body building book that can help you pack on brain-shrinking amounts of muscle in 30 days flat? No. Is it a fitness nutrition book full of dubious diet and exercise “hacks” and “shortcuts” for melting belly fat faster than a roided hornet? Absolutely not.
-
-
Narration sounds like a Robot
- By pauly on 07-04-19
By: Michael Matthews
-
The Complete Book of Five Rings
- By: Miyamoto Musashi, Kenji Tokitsu - editor/translator
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Complete Book of Five Rings is an authoritative version of Musashi's classic The Book of Five Rings, translated and annotated by a modern martial arts master, Kenji Tokitsu. Tokitsu has spent most of his life researching the legendary samurai swordsman and his works, and in this book he illuminates this seminal text, along with several other works by Musashi.
-
-
Best translation I have encountered.
- By DW on 05-27-16
By: Miyamoto Musashi, and others
-
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker
- An Appalachian Trail Journey
- By: Derick Lugo
- Narrated by: Derick Lugo
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Derick Lugo had never been hiking. He certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. But with a job cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the New York comedy scene began to think about what he might do with months of free time. He had heard of the Appalachian Trail, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,184.2 miles of it. Suddenly he found himself asking, Could he do it?
-
-
On My Feet All Day
- By bannedbum on 08-21-21
By: Derick Lugo
-
The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation
- By: Michael Matthews
- Narrated by: Michael Matthews
- Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The bestselling fitness and self-improvement book for breaking through mental resistance and barriers, building unshakeable discipline, and keeping your goals alive when things get tough.
-
-
Diamond in the rough
- By Mike on 09-03-18
By: Michael Matthews
-
Thinner Leaner Stronger
- The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Female Body
- By: Michael Matthews
- Narrated by: Elliott Denkers
- Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The bestselling fitness book for women who want to lose up to 35 pounds of fat or more and gain whole-body muscle definition in just 3-5 hours per week—and without giving up delicious foods or doing grueling workouts.
-
-
"The Ultimate Female Body", but uses male examples
- By bookWorm on 06-29-15
By: Michael Matthews
-
From Lukov with Love
- By: Mariana Zapata
- Narrated by: Callie Dalton, Teddy Hamilton
- Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one. After 17 years - and countless broken bones and broken promises - she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close. But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she's spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.
-
-
New Favorite MZ Slow Burn
- By Brittany M on 05-13-18
By: Mariana Zapata
-
Bigger Leaner Stronger
- The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Male Body
- By: Michael Matthews
- Narrated by: Michael Matthews
- Length: 14 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The bestselling fitness book for men who want to gain 25-35 pounds of lean muscle and lose as much fat or more in just 3-5 hours per week—and without giving up delicious foods or doing grueling workouts. Is Bigger Leaner Stronger a body building book that can help you pack on brain-shrinking amounts of muscle in 30 days flat? No. Is it a fitness nutrition book full of dubious diet and exercise “hacks” and “shortcuts” for melting belly fat faster than a roided hornet? Absolutely not.
-
-
Narration sounds like a Robot
- By pauly on 07-04-19
By: Michael Matthews
-
The Complete Book of Five Rings
- By: Miyamoto Musashi, Kenji Tokitsu - editor/translator
- Narrated by: Brian Nishii
- Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Complete Book of Five Rings is an authoritative version of Musashi's classic The Book of Five Rings, translated and annotated by a modern martial arts master, Kenji Tokitsu. Tokitsu has spent most of his life researching the legendary samurai swordsman and his works, and in this book he illuminates this seminal text, along with several other works by Musashi.
-
-
Best translation I have encountered.
- By DW on 05-27-16
By: Miyamoto Musashi, and others
-
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker
- An Appalachian Trail Journey
- By: Derick Lugo
- Narrated by: Derick Lugo
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Derick Lugo had never been hiking. He certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. But with a job cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the New York comedy scene began to think about what he might do with months of free time. He had heard of the Appalachian Trail, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,184.2 miles of it. Suddenly he found himself asking, Could he do it?
-
-
On My Feet All Day
- By bannedbum on 08-21-21
By: Derick Lugo
-
The Little Black Book of Workout Motivation
- By: Michael Matthews
- Narrated by: Michael Matthews
- Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The bestselling fitness and self-improvement book for breaking through mental resistance and barriers, building unshakeable discipline, and keeping your goals alive when things get tough.
-
-
Diamond in the rough
- By Mike on 09-03-18
By: Michael Matthews
-
Thinner Leaner Stronger
- The Simple Science of Building the Ultimate Female Body
- By: Michael Matthews
- Narrated by: Elliott Denkers
- Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The bestselling fitness book for women who want to lose up to 35 pounds of fat or more and gain whole-body muscle definition in just 3-5 hours per week—and without giving up delicious foods or doing grueling workouts.
-
-
"The Ultimate Female Body", but uses male examples
- By bookWorm on 06-29-15
By: Michael Matthews
-
Playing to Win
- By: Michael Lewis
- Narrated by: Michael Lewis
- Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All over America, families are investing blood, sweat, tears, and retirement savings in their children’s sports careers, all with the ultimate goal of…what exactly? A college scholarship? A professional contract? Simply the taste of victory? Through the lens of the highly competitive world of girls’ softball, Lewis reveals the youth sports industrial complex that has arisen to aggressively monetize after-school pastimes.
-
-
Great Listen
- By Brian Bray on 10-15-20
By: Michael Lewis
-
Barbarian Days
- A Surfing Life
- By: William Finnegan
- Narrated by: William Finnegan
- Length: 18 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Pulitzer Prize, Biography, 2016. Barbarian Days is William Finnegan's memoir of an obsession, a complex enchantment. Surfing only looks like a sport. To initiates it is something else entirely: a beautiful addiction, a demanding course of study, a morally dangerous pastime, a way of life.
-
-
What a Jerk.
- By ML Sadler on 03-06-17
By: William Finnegan
-
Buried in the Sky
- The Extraordinary Story of the Sherpa Climbers on K2's Deadliest Day
- By: Peter Zuckerman, Amanda Padoan
- Narrated by: David Doersch
- Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Edmund Hillary first conquered Mt. Everest, Sherpa Tenzing Norgay was at his side. Indeed, for as long as Westerners have been climbing the Himalaya, Sherpas have been the unsung heroes in the background. In August 2008, when eleven climbers lost their lives on K2, the world’s most dangerous peak, two Sherpas survived. They had emerged from poverty and political turmoil to become two of the most skillful mountaineers on earth. Based on unprecedented access and interviews, Buried in the Sky reveals their astonishing story for the first time.
-
-
Sherpas, The True Unsung Heroes
- By Kathy in CA on 07-26-15
By: Peter Zuckerman, and others
-
The Best Hunting Stories Ever Told
- By: Jay Cassell - editor
- Narrated by: Jason Culp
- Length: 32 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Follow the trails of hunters - the original storytellers - as they interpret signs, examine tracks, and chase and catch their prey (or fail to). Listeners can curl up with the best authentic hunting fiction and non-fiction, bringing the great Mount Kenya and the prairies of the American Bison into your living room. From Theodore Roosevelt and Gene Hill to Rick Bass and Charles Dickens, remember classic hunting tales and discover new stories of hunters’ luck, camaraderie, and use of smarts on the trail.
-
-
A broad collection of hunting tales
- By Elaine on 06-21-15
-
Wildlife Wars
- The Life and Times of a Fish and Game Warden
- By: Terry Grosz
- Narrated by: Pete Simonelli
- Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Wildlife Wars, Terry Grosz serves up fascinating stories - alternately hair-raising, hilarious, and heart-wrenching - from his 30-year struggle to protect wildlife in America. A natural storyteller, Grosz writes about the remarkable characters he met - on both sides of the law - as he matched wits with elk poachers, salmon snaggers, commercial-market duck hunters, and a host of other law-breakers. Best of all, though, these stories are so remarkably entertaining you won't want to put them down.
-
-
Title should be: "reckless egomaniac tells lies"
- By ross on 03-01-17
By: Terry Grosz
-
The Spartan Way
- Eat Better. Train Better. Think Better. Be Better.
- By: Joe De Sena, Jeff Csatari
- Narrated by: Christian Rummel
- Length: 4 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Joe De Sena has one ultimate goal: to help improve everyone’s physical and emotional health by teaching them the tenets of Spartan living from ancient Greece: simple eating, smart training, mastering resilience, and an all-out commitment to achieving a goal.
-
-
Don’t know what to think...
- By bakaDOH! on 07-20-19
By: Joe De Sena, and others
-
Where's the Next Shelter?
- By: Gary Sizer
- Narrated by: Gary Sizer
- Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Where's the Next Shelter? is the true story of three travelers on the Appalachian Trail, a 2,000-mile hike that stretches from Georgia to Maine, told from the perspective of Gary Sizer, a seasoned backpacker and former marine who quickly finds himself humbled by the endeavor. If you long for the horizon or to sleep under the stars, then come along for the hike of a lifetime. All you have to do is take the first step.
-
-
If You Liked AWOL, You'll Like This
- By Rebecca on 06-02-16
By: Gary Sizer
-
Stay Sane in an Insane World
- How to Control the Controllables and Thrive
- By: Greg Harden
- Narrated by: Greg Harden
- Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Champions aren’t born. They’re built. Greg Harden spent over 30 years building them at the University of Michigan, including 400 future professional athletes, 50 NFL first-round draft picks, and 120 Olympians from over 20 countries. He gained national recognition when 60 Minutes Sports profiled him as “Michigan’s Secret Weapon.” Now, in his first book, Greg Harden is reaching out to help anyone who wants to live their best life by offering powerful and practical advice.
-
-
Good book, However, prejudice shows through a bit
- By Don Dotson on 08-22-23
By: Greg Harden
-
The Other Talent
- The Curiously Complex Role of Mental Health in Athletic Greatness and Why It's Never Too Late to Harness Your Potential
- By: Matt Fitzgerald
- Narrated by: Gregory Abbey
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On the playing field, natural talent isn’t enough—there’s a mental component that determines whether athletes win the race or wipe out before the finish line. But what separates standout sports stars from the rest? In a paradigm-shifting new theory, acclaimed sportswriter Matt Fitzgerald identifies two key traits behind athletic success: strict self-regulation over thoughts and emotions and an unquenchable psychological need to pursue victory—even when it means enduring extreme mental and physical suffering.
-
-
Excellent
- By CC Coach Mike on 12-18-24
By: Matt Fitzgerald
-
Ball Four
- The Final Pitch
- By: Jim Bouton
- Narrated by: Jim Bouton
- Length: 18 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Ball Four was published in 1970, it created a firestorm. Bouton was called a Judas, a Benedict Arnold and a “social leper” for having violated the “sanctity of the clubhouse.” Baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to force Bouton to sign a statement saying the book wasn’t true. Ballplayers, most of whom hadn’t read it, denounced the book. It was even banned by a few libraries. Almost everyone else, however, loved Ball Four.
-
-
Three Ten Year Updates Give Bouton a 5th Star
- By Byron on 08-09-12
By: Jim Bouton
-
Horses Never Lie, 2nd Edition
- The Heart of Passive Leadership
- By: Mark Rashid
- Narrated by: Dan Lawson
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A revolutionary approach to the techniques of working with horses, by a renowned instructor. In Horses Never Lie, renowned horse trainer Mark Rashid challenges the conventional wisdom of "alpha leadership" and teaches the listener to become a "passive leader" - a counterpart to the kind of horse other members of a herd choose to associate with and to follow. Applying Rashid’s principles and techniques helps cultivate horse personalities that are responsive and dependable regardless of the rider.
-
-
Robotic reading
- By Julie Lynn on 05-08-15
By: Mark Rashid
-
Exploitative Play in Live Poker
- How to Manipulate Your Opponents into Making Mistakes
- By: Alexander Fitzgerald
- Narrated by: Alexander Fitzgerald
- Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many poker players can make good decisions at the table with a reasonable frequency. Nevertheless, there are numerous situations where even very experienced players behave in predictable ways. These deeply-ingrained habits lead them to make mistakes. The problem is that these situations won't often arise at the table by chance - you have to make them happen. Exploitative Play in Live Poker is a ground-breaking work that teaches you how to create the circumstances where your opponents will be likely to blunder and how to exploit them when they do.
-
-
Thank you! Alex
- By Rebekah Hernandez on 05-26-19
What listeners say about How to Fly
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Travis M.
- 08-09-21
I can't imagine anyone else reading this book!
No one else could read this hilarious, life-changing book other than the author! It's a must listen! So many lessons to be used in everyone's life, for those who crave rich, deep experiences, and a life well-lived. Not just for skydivers!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kelly Gilbert
- 07-29-21
Life Advice Beyond the Sky
Hearing Mel’s voice as she read her articles brought me right back to my family’s dining room and the time she sang, with the choreographed dance (duh!), “These Boots are made for Walking”.
But, for real, Melanie’s circumstances, adventures, mishaps and life metaphors spoke beyond the sky to me and obstacles that have come along the way of my life. Replace the word skydiving with any life obstacle, be it cancer, abuse, addiction, etc, and it is relatable to everyone!
Thank you for being brave and sharing your life experiences, both good and bad, providing advice to help others and let everyone know they are not alone!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- okalb
- 07-01-21
A loving heart wrote this book and gave it voice
A brilliant series of anecdotes, practical advice for an unforgiving sport, and thoughts about navigating life in a kind and fulfilling way. You don't have to jump out of planes for fun to derive so much positive information from Ms. Curtis' columns.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rob
- 06-27-21
Every article hits right where I've been
This is a great collection of her articles. Although Mel's skydiving career began pretty much where mine left off, we crossed paths while I did accouting work for Skydive Elsinore. Her articles touch everything I have gone thru in my skydiving and post skydiving life. Thank you for your insights into life and adding humor back into it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Richard B. Wingfield
- 08-27-21
You don't need to be a skydiver to LOVE this book!
I had read the book a few years ago when it first came out, but hearing it now in Melanie's own voice made it even more enjoyable and meaningful.
Melanie manages to be funny & hilarious while at the same time sharing some deeply thoughtful and inspiring life lesson with us all.
My alternate title for this book is "How to Life" as I do not think you need to be a skydiver to love this book.
I listened to it in the car with my daughter on a long road trip and the stories in the book had us pausing the audio for several wonderful daddy daughter conversations about life and humor and fear and courage.
I highly recommend you listen to this book and the insightful stories as told by this wonderful, funny, thoughtful human being!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 12-17-21
Mel is the real deal!
I love this book! This is a wonderfully entertaining and moving collection of articles that are both poignant and practical. It's all about skydiving - but it's not about the skydiving! Mel provides a practical approach on how to live a life that _you_ think is worth living, and delivers with energy, hilarity, and yes - some f-bombs! I'd spend more than 1 audible credit on it if I could.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Pressly Bonner
- 07-13-21
Fantastic Listen
Open your ears AND your heart to let this work soak in! thank you Melanie 🙏
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Carolyn C.
- 08-09-21
HILARIOUS life lessons that are applicable to all.
Get this audiobook! I have read the book, but somehow listening to Melanie Curtis deliver the content of "How to Fly" in her own voice lends to hilarity and wisdom at the same time. That's a guarantee for goodness all around! I'm a former skydiver and I was able to relate to every column. I highly recommend this for any skydiver, no matter where you are in the sport. And, I highly recommend this audiobook for every non-skydiver! Even though I've retired from the sport, Melanie's effectiveness as a professional life coach comes through in every single chapter. The chapters are short enough to fit a few a few in during a commute. Or, spend an afternoon reflecting on the multitude of awesome stories that will make you feel like you're not alone in whatever challenges and triumphs you face. This is a great listen. Personal faves: Feature 1: How to Be a Film Festival Winner, C23: No Sh*t There I Was, C30: Clear the Lint, C39: 50 Awesome Things, C63: Psychological Warfare, C81: Every Ounce of My Respect. Happy laughing, loving, and reflecting!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dorie Clark
- 11-01-21
Fantastic insights to life!
Melanie’s audiobook of How to Fly is an absolute delight.
I always enjoy hearing the author narrate their audiobook - it really helps you understand the meaning behind their words. They encourage the listener to speak up, engage, and find an inner peace navigating life’s challenges. Her unique perspective as skydiver and life coach make her short stories a joyride of a listen, and lets the mind take flight!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!