You grew up in the Jura. How has this environment influenced your journey as an athlete?
Born in Chenôve, I grew up in Chaumont, near Saint-Claude, in a family passionate about sport. My parents, who are athletes, naturally guided me towards the high level. It was the javelin that caught my attention, and I won five French championship titles, while joining the national team. The Grosdar Canyon, near my home, also shaped my taste for adventure: from the age of 7, I was jumping from cliffs, which inspired my transition to cliff jumping after my career in athletics.
What pushed you to change careers and turn to a discipline as extreme as cliff jumping?
Reaching a point where my injuries were limiting my performance, I understood that my Olympic dreams were in jeopardy. So I accepted an offer as product manager in a sports eyewear brand. At the same time, I began to film my jumps with a camera, integrating a unique style that allows the viewer to experience the jump as if they were there. In June 2024, I made the choice to devote myself fully to cliff jumping, which led me to explore incredible spots, from France to the United States, via Morocco and Reunion.
What motivates you to push the limits with every jump? Which ones had the most impact on you?
Every jump is a new experience. The locations vary, from canyons to cliffs, and it is often as a group that we take on these challenges, with great solidarity between cliff jumpers. Safety is paramount: we take every precaution to ensure a safe environment and work on our figures on the ground before attempting them by jumping. Adrenaline is a powerful driver for me. The jump that struck me the most remains the 38 meter jump in Italy, a great technical challenge, with an impact speed of 98 km/h. More recently, I made a 27 meter jump in an underground quarry in Wales, a first underground.
When did you feel like you could make a living from your passion?
I began to see the potential of this passion as a career when my videos gained momentum on social media, attracting interest from sponsors. With nearly 500,000 subscribers today, I do everything to produce immersive, quality videos, while making security a point of honor. Social networks allow me to share my passion while raising awareness about the responsible practice of cliff jumping.
You have a goal for 2025: to break the 53 meter jump record. How do you prepare for such a challenge?
I progress step by step, taking into account each parameter. At 53 meters, the entry speed into the water reaches 118 km/h, so the body must be ready. Currently I haven't set a location or date yet, but the next step is to jump from 45 meters. It's a personal challenge that appeals to me because I feel that I have not yet reached my limits.
What are your other plans for 2025?
I would like to take a step forward by producing cinematic and professional videos, to present cliff jumping from an artistic angle. I also want to link my projects to an ecological cause, in particular the protection of water, by collaborating with associations dedicated to this issue.
What advice do you give to those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Never go alone, assess the risks and make it a personal challenge, not a way to impress others. Cliff jumping requires careful preparation, safety, and good physical condition. Stay focused, take things one step at a time, and have confidence in your vision.
B.B
