Joby Ogwyn inspires others to reach new heights

Most boys dream at one time or another of being Superman; Joby Ogwyn found a way to make it real. “When I was 10 or 11, I woke up in my father’s Oldsmobile on our way to Jekyll Island, Ga., for vacation. It was quiet and dark, and I can remember in that moment thinking, ‘I hope I live long enough that there will be technology in the world to create a suit to allow me to fly.’”

At 18, Joby summited Mount Kilimanjaro, and at 24, he became the youngest American to scale Everest. He is a world-renowned BASE jumper, mountain climber and Wingsuit flyer who has taken his sport around the world and into living rooms, showcasing his talent as an athlete, an entrepreneur and a man who knows how to conquer his fears.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, Joby will discuss his BASE jumper and Wingsuit flyer adventures, environmental adaptation and survival instincts, and his Mt. Everest experiences as part of a presentation and film in the Goodman IMAX Theatre: “Flight and Survival.”

“He called us!” says Dianne Clark, Sci-Port’s executive director, of Joby’s visit. “He was raised in Haughton and remembers coming to Sci-Port as a child. He told me he wants to give back to Sci-Port. He said Sci-Port supported him in his early career (he came and made previous presentations years ago), and he wants to repay the favor. He asked to be given ample opportunities to meet with school groups because he enjoys challenging today’s youth to go beyond the limits.”

Joby spent his formative years right here, graduating from Centenary College, and has fond memories of his hometown. “I enjoyed Centenary, great teachers, and I am happy for the time I was there.” Joby will return to Sci-port later in November for the opening day of Sci-port’s Sno-port 2025 Experience. He will also be the guest speaker for another presentation and film, “Everest and Endurance.”

Now back to that suit. “I was filming a movie, and my friend had a flying suit that he had gotten from a guy in Slovenia. Here it was, the ultimate culmination of a dream: I got one, custom-fitted with what I thought was the best design, reaching speeds up to 60-70 mph. Then I heard of another guy from London who lived in Florida; his suits went up to 150. I called him and flew out there the next day, was custom-measured and began a collaboration, his design with my experience. ‘You’re the one jumping in these suits,’ he said, ‘I will listen to your ideas.’” Presently, Joby has the most extensive private collection of Wingsuits in the world, and of course, they come with the coolest names like Jedi and X-Wing.

Being a role model and bar-setter to such a broad audience is not lost on Joby. “When I told my father, who was the one who most influenced me, what I wanted to do for a living, he said, ‘If you work hard enough, you can achieve what you want; just be ready.’” Over the years, Joby has climbed the seven tallest peaks, set the world record for the fastest ascent of Everest at 9 ½ hours, and even taken his beloved Wingsuit down the side of it. He has a lifetime of stories and adventures, along with an appreciation for all that this career choice has given him and the people who have supported him along the way.

“To achieve fame and fortune is one thing,” Joby says, “but to have people understand your purpose is something altogether different.” He recalls a time young base jumpers in Switzerland told him he was the reason they were there, or the mother whose son watches all his movies. “You begin to realize you’ve made an impact in a positive way around the world. When you step off a cliff, you realize you don’t know what is going to happen. I can jump here, land there, but that doesn’t mean it will work out. You can plan out, look around and speculate the logistics, but at the end of the day, it comes down to courage.”

Joby Ogwyn is a Wingsuit flyer who has taken his sport around the world.

As with many things, there comes a time when you know it is best to move on. That takes courage as well. “It is not an easy thing to do,” Joby says, “A friend said to me, ‘Captain, you will know when to hang up the cape.’ There was a jump called The Ultimate, and I had already jumped off it five or six times. I put my suit on, went to the edge, said, ‘No,’ then took my suit off and walked away. There are different ways to be Superman; you can also do it by serving people and being a good person.”

These days, Joby is speaking internationally on the lecture circuit and enjoying it, including his upcoming visit to Sci-port. “This is my gift to Shreveport,” Joby says of the trip. “I’d like to feel like I gave something back to my hometown.”

Limited tickets for Joby Ogwyn’s visit to Sci-Port on Nov. 13 can be purchased at Sciport.org, beginning Oct. 31. The event includes a reception from 5:30 to 6 p.m., with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The presentation is from 6-8 p.m. General admission — $35 includes reception, presentation and a signature cocktail; VIP admission — $45 (includes above benefits, first choice seating and a meet and greet with Joby). Adult attendance is recommended but not mandatory. Casual attire. Sci-Port Discovery Center is located at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway.