From flying over castles to tackling the Grand Canyon, Red Bull athlete Max Manow is constantly exploring what’s possible in the sky. We caught up with him to talk about training, creativity, and the balance of life as a professional skydiver.
You’ve done jumps in some of the most breathtaking (and challenging) places in the world. What drives you to keep pushing into the unknown?
The love for skydiving. I find it amazing to take this sport into new places. When I see a new place I immediately start thinking about what opportunities this new spot offers and how to turn an obstacle into something to play with.
Do you see yourself more as a professional athlete, an adventurer, a creator… or all of the above?
I am not sure. I guess a bit of all of the above. I feel like being a professional athlete these days means you have to be a creator as well. And who doesn’t love adventures…
What does a “normal” week of training look like for you, both in the sky/tunnel and on the ground?
Normal? Team training with the Red Bull Skydive Team (Marco Waltenspiel and Marco Fürst) is usually 1–2 times a month for 5–7 days straight. We do 10–12 jumps a day, alternating Freefly and Wingsuit jumps. We usually set a goal for the day and work towards it by breaking it down into smaller pieces. We like switching roles so everyone leads and follows.
There are rehearsals for show jumps, trainings for specific projects, and more content-based jumps. Basically a very good mix of highly focused skydiving.
In the tunnel I like being a student. I let the coach decide what we´re working on. By mixing up the coaches I get to learn many different styles and ways to fly, which I enjoy a lot.
I try to meditate and warm up every day either in the gym or on the yoga mat before jumping.
Skydiving, stunts and BASE demand a mix of technical skill, physical conditioning, and mental sharpness. How do you balance those in your training?
Mostly by doing it. Jumping a lot and being current is the most important thing for me to stay on top of my game in all those areas. Outside of jumping I train to stay fit. I meditate daily and this helps me to check in with myself and see where I am at.
Are there training habits or recovery practices you’ve borrowed from other sports?
I think almost all of my training habits are borrowed from other sports. There is so much great knowledge about training and recovery out there. I like to listen to podcasts, read books, and learn as much as possible from other athletes. I am also very fortunate to have great help from Red Bull’s athlete performance center which assisted me a lot over the years with giving me the best tools. They provide me with nutritionists, physios and mental coaches to help me grow in those areas.
Which projects or jumps stand out as the ones you’ve loved the most and why?
It’s a bit hard to say since many stand out and for very different reasons.
My first solo project over the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany—where I used a paraglider to get above the castle, cut away the wing, and then do a fly-by in a wingsuit—was big for me. I used to go there as a teenager with my friends and looked at the paragliders in awe. It was cool to do my first solo project there and it felt incredible turning an idea into reality.
Of course last year’s Endless Skydive Project in the Grand Canyon was incredible too.
Photo by Red Bull Content Pool
The Endless Skydive was a huge milestone. Tell me about that. Did you learn anything? What did that feel like as a whole?
Yes, huge. I learned so much in many different areas. Honestly it was extremely challenging and made me have some restless nights. Since there wasn’t anyone to ask about some of the details, I had to figure a lot of things out myself. That felt pretty scary at times. Together with Luke Aikins we experimented a lot. It was cool to see this idea turn into reality over the course of the year.
We were very lucky to be able to do this in the Grand Canyon, which was such an incredible location. Although the margin for error was very small there.
What most people don’t know is that the climb out of the canyon attached to the plane took over 7 minutes. Seven extremely long minutes with not enough altitude to release and open the canopy. I learned a lot about trust, teamwork and determination. It was such a cool project with an amazing crew. A real team effort with an amazing vibe.
What’s firing you up these days in flying? What are you mega stoked on?
Honestly pretty much all of it. I love progressing and learning. Training and performing shows and projects, flocking, coaching, load organizing, BASE jumping, and even working at the DZ doing AFF, camera, or tandems. I am very thankful for the variability of my job and I feel like there is so much more I want to learn.
Photo by Felicia Sturgeon
A lot of people see the highlight reel, but what’s the real day-to-day like for an athlete?
I think a lot of people don’t see the work that’s behind it all. A lot of traveling and organizing and huge amounts of practice and training. Some of the jumps we’ve done many, many times in order to get to the result people see. The real day-to-day is work. It’s amazing and super fun work but still work. And then there is a bunch of work that doesn’t have much to do with jumping.
What’s the hardest part about making a career out of what you do?
The hardest part for me is having a life outside of the sport. To make time for relationships, friends, and family is difficult when you´re constantly on the move. Also the lack of routine is quite difficult sometimes.
What hobbies do you have outside of the sport…how do you rest/unplug?
Paragliding. It´s the perfect way for me to go flying without the “noise”. The fact that I can do it autonomously is very cool, and being in the mountains is always a good way to unplug.
I also love climbing and kite surfing and wish I would do those more often. Resting is difficult for me but I am getting better at it, and sometimes all I need is a day where I sleep in, stretch, chill and go for a walk/run.
Photo by Scotty Paterson
What’s next for you in 2025?
There are a few projects planned for this year with Red Bull and then Operation VK 2.0 which I am super stoked for already.
In your mind, what’s the next big thing for skydiving/BASE jumping as a sport?
Oh I have a pretty good idea. You´ll see in the next year or so. I think it´s a total game changer!!!
Who are your sponsors/partners?
Red Bull, Spect Eyewear, Sun Path, Jyro, Cypres, Tonfly, LB, Deem, Manufactory.
