"Death by Wingsuit" is a story that emerged not from some writer’s room session or noisy pitch meeting, but from the depths of my heart. Daniel Rodriguez, a brilliant mind, a skilled athlete, & a dear friend, faced a devastating and potentially terminal cancer diagnosis. His response was not despair, but defiance. He chose to live what he believed could be his final days on his own terms, embracing the exhilarating, high-stakes world of base jumping & wingsuit proximity flying.

I had always admired Daniel's adventurous spirit, but witnessing his courageous defiance in the face of mortality deeply resonated with me. As someone perpetually caught in the undertow of past regrets and future anxieties, his unwavering embrace of the present moment was a revelation, a powerful reminder to break free from the ceaseless churn of my neurosis and simply be. When ESPN Films offered me the chance to pitch a series of documentaries, I knew without a doubt that his story was the one that needed to be told. It was a testament to the indomitable resilience of the human spirit, a celebration of life lived on the edge, a poignant exploration of what it means to stare death in the face and choose to truly live.

Seeking out and partnering with renowned aerial cinematographer Joe Jennings, we embarked on an odyssey, capturing Daniel's world in all its complexity and beauty. from the quiet moments of introspection, the internal battles waged in solitude, the subtle triumphs and the heart-stopping exhilaration of his wingsuit flights, we invited the audience to bear witness to the essence of a man grappling with his mortality.

"Death by Wingsuit" isn't just a documentary; it's a testament to the enduring power of friendship, the transformative nature of adversity, and the indomitable spirit that resides within us all. It's a celebration of life lived on the edge, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can find a way to soar. As the outpouring of support from viewers around the world has shown, Daniel's story is a beacon of hope, an inspiration to those battling their own demons, and a powerful reminder that within each of us lies the strength to overcome any challenge. It is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit to find solace, purpose, and even joy in the face of our inevitable mortality.