What a Supersonic Skydive Can Teach You About Sales Performance

Extreme Sales Performance: Lessons from a Supersonic Skydive

What can a 23-mile skydive breaking the sound barrier and navigating a sonic boom — teach you about sales?

The answer: a lot.

I watched a Tim Ferriss interview with high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais, coach to supersonic skydiver Felix Baumgartner. Felix’s world-record jump wasn’t just a physical feat — it was a masterclass in mindset, fear, and performance.

Here’s what I took away — and how we can apply it to sales.

1. Don’t Wait to Be Ready

Just like there’s no such thing as a “natural-born salesperson,” Felix wasn’t born fearless. In fact, the mission was nearly cancelled due to his claustrophobia.

It took relentless training and mindset work to overcome it, just like sales.

Sales is a skill. It’s learned, practised, and refined. You don’t wait to feel ready, you train until you are.

2. Find a Mentor

Felix didn’t conquer fear alone. He worked with Dr. Michael Gervais to act in spite of it.

In sales, we face rejection, public speaking, cold calls, and high-stakes presentations. Fear is part of the game but so is support.

I wouldn’t be where I am without my mentor. Who’s coaching you?

Michael said:

“It mattered more for Felix to go forth and risk death than to play it safe and never achieve his potential.”

That hit me hard. My greatest fear? Not reaching my potential. I’m not skydiving from space, but I am ready to play a bigger game.

3. Rewire Fear

Felix rewired his fear response through systematic desensitisation, exposing himself to fear in both imagination and reality.

You can do the same.

Nervous about a big CEO pitch? Rehearse it to a friend. Then to a colleague. Then to your manager. Visualise it. Feel it. Repeat it.

Michael said:

“When you face the things that you fear and that haunt you the most, it changes you.”

4. Create a Pre-Performance Routine

Michael recommends a 1–3 step routine to activate your A-game. It could be as simple as:

• A power phrase when you put on your shoes

• Two minutes of silence before a big pitch

• A breathing exercise to slow your heart rate

And yes — I’ve done the Amy Cuddy power pose in the bathroom before a keynote. No shame!

What’s your pre-performance trigger?

5. Build a High-Performance Sales Team

Michael now coaches the Seattle Seahawks and shared three rules for elite teams:

• Protect your team: Have each other’s backs

• No whinging or excuses: Own it

• Be early: Respect others and show you’re prepared

Sales is a team sport. You need pre-sales, marketing, customer support, quoting, and leadership. And mindset is everything — energy vampires will sink the ship.

(Confession: punctuality is my weakness — but this gave me the kick I needed.)

Final Thought: Feel the Pain, Then Grow

Michael’s billboard-worthy advice?

• Make a decision

• Build capability

• Test yourself

Don’t run from discomfort. Embrace it. Because pain is often the only reason we change.