Above All Else

A World Champion Skydiver's Story of Survival and What It Taught Him About Fear, Adversity, and Success

By: Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld

Narrated by: Nicholas Tecosky

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

World-famous competitive skydiver and coach Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld presents proven tools and techniques for success and explains how they can be used in everyday life. Dan survived a plane crash from which 16 of the 22 people on board were killed. He was left critically injured and woke up from a six-week-long coma with a broken neck, broken skull, severe head trauma, a collapsed lung, and other serious internal injuries. Against all odds, Dan recovered and went on to become one of the greatest competitive skydiver in the world. With the love and support of friends and family, Dan was able not only to resurrect his life but return to skydiving to achieve greater heights than he could have ever imagined. His techniques and methods for excelling are applicable to all people, no matter their goals.

Dan uses his experiences to teach the lessons he's learned - as a competitor, coach, business owner, father, and husband - to help others achieve their dreams, overcome obstacles, and reach their peak performance.

©2011 Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Great story

Dan your the man! I found this book after doing my first tandem jump and was immediately hooked. I’m planning on doing AFF soon. You really went through some ordeals but your perseverance paid off in the end.

Thrilling

This is an amazing comeback story, applicable to any goal or struggle in your life. Listening was a good as reading, when anticipation builds and nerves are soothed. What an incredible experience to be led through.

Wish I read it when I was learning to skydive

I was amazed about Dan’s perseverance to achieve his goals. The short term goals that he set to achieve his ultimate goal to be a world champion, even through all the tribulations he had to go through. Just absolutely amazing!! I wishI read this book when I was learning to skydive. I almost quit in the middle of AFF. It would have helped me through faster. I love skydiving but I was told by my doctor not to skydive anymore after my surgery. But this book made me want to go and get current again and pursue my goal to wingsuit. The best thing about it is that as Dan said one can apply this to anything you want to set your mind to. Even in business. Just absolutely love this book.

Inspirational, Educational, & Perspective Building

I really enjoyed every word! What a strong story of commitment and unwavering belief in the human spirit. Aspiring for that extra kick in the rear to take action? Look no further!:)

I was on the 3rd in paramedic unit on this incident.

Thank you for sharing your story. It was interesting to hear it from a different point. It was also very personal to me…
I was a newly minted EMT, less than a year on the job. Working on an ALS (advanced life support) unit, I hadn’t gone to paramedic school yet but my partner was a medic.
Working Med 4 out of Riverside City, we we’re a private ambulance company providing ALS to the area. Most fire departments had yet to adopt a paramedic program, so they contracted with private companies.
The day of the crash we were dispatched as “3rd in” stationed about 20 min up the freeway from Perris airport, we know the call was going to be intense as we were one of several ambulances in the long line up of ambulances that would keep the dispatch call rolling for nearly a minute. Upon arrival we checked in with the IC & medical unit leader for an assignment. Triaging had begun prior to our arrival & I was tasked with helping treat the severely wounded. I approached a lean handsome guy & asked his name, he replied; In intense pain “Troy Widgery” (spelling?). I told him Im going to start bandaging him & take his vitals. With help from other EMS workers, we secured him to a backboard & prepared him for transport to the Trauma center. I didn’t leave his side & I never forgot his name as that was my boyfriend’s (letter husbands) name. Troy was turned over to the ER staff & never saw him again.
Hope he’s still living his best life 🙏🏼.
Thank you for allowing me to share….

Excellent book

What an amazing example of what determination and perseverance can accomplish! I enjoyed listening to this book!

Best Skydiving book out there!

This book was life changing for me. When I first found skydiving, the first recommendation that I received was to read this book. Once I started listening, I could not stop. The first part of the book about the accident was captivating. The second part though is what changed everything. I had no idea there was such a thing as competitive skydiving. His tools and tips for success are what have guided me in my pursuit of high level formation skydiving.
Thanks Dan for your passion for sharing this with the next generation of skydivers (especially for those of us who found this later in life).

Brilliantly written

It’s easily a 5 star, for its simplicity and coherent way of relating skydiving experience to success. I relate to most descriptions as I have committed to skydiving. As I was listening I did apply some recommendations to my team, oh boy, they work. I’m having a second go.
I highly recommend this book to all who are stuck Just short of achieving success/goals; in any field.

Great story of hard work, tragedy & accomplishment

A story that skydivers and non skydivers alike can learn from. Whether you use the tools given in the sport of skydiving, family life or business there's something for everyone. Preparation, hard work, accomplishment, tragedy and then picking the pieces up to start over. Dan is one of the most regarded voices in the skydiving industry, a much sought after FS competition coach and runs one of the biggest skydiving operations in the world Skydive Perris.

Inspirational and motivational

This is both an amazing story and some of the most effective motivational coaching you will encounter from a true world class coach and champion.