The Adrenaline Zone Sandra Magnus and James "Sandy" Winnefeld

The thunderous growl of the engine as the car accelerates is quickly followed by the acrid scent of burning rubber with tires screeching against the pavement. The world spins into a blur as the car flips through the air, glass shattering and metal crunching in a symphony of destruction. With adrenaline pumping and every sense heightened to the extreme through each flip and turn, intricate precision and extensive training take over, as today’s guest once again turns what seems like chaos into a meticulously orchestrated performance.
This week, Sandy and Sandra are beyond excited to welcome Kathy Jarvis, a veteran stunt professional and “all around thrill seeker” with over 90 credits in films, TV shows, and commercials to the podcast to share details of her inspiring journey from a sports enthusiast in Breckenridge, CO, to a trailblazer in the stunt industry. Delving into the physical prowess and meticulous attention to detail required in this high-risk profession, Kathy goes on to highlight the evolving role of women in stunts, the increasing use of CGI, and the paramount importance of safety and mental preparedness. She also shares tales from her experiences outside the stunt world in ski racing, pro truck racing in the Baja 1000, and running a youth ski program. This woman is truly blazing trails wherever she goes - tune in today and find yourself equal parts amazed and inspired by her story!
Episode Highlights:

Kathy’s road to the world of stunts

Learning on the job

Stunt performer skills and traits

Some of the stunts Kathy has performed

‘Specifically tailored’ stunt people

The stunt coordinator role and what led her to it

Offering suggestions to improve scenes

The process of preparing for stunts

Kathy’s most complex stunts

Managing safety

Sequencing stunts

Accident and injury precautions

CGI’s impact on stunt work

Actors doing their own stunts

Kathy’s ski racing career

Her vehicle racing career

Kathy’s work with inner engineering


Key Takeaways:
"Attention to detail is one of the skills or traits that make someone well suited to be a stunt performer."
"To be a very good double, you really have to just watch your actor and become that person."
“In stunts, it’s all about making it happen on ‘action’, with the equipment and props given to you.”
"We want to ensure that we create some really beautiful action that just makes it seamless with the story."
"The CGI has always enhanced stunts so that we could use the same three blocks and make it look like different cities."
"Safety is utterly important in everything we do."
"Inner engineering yourself is crucial so that you are never the problem in your life."
"Learning to appreciate yourself and others can be more gratifying than any stunt."
Keep the adrenaline rush going at:
Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone
Kathy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-jarvis-66632bb/

The roar of the crowd fills your ears as the electric atmosphere of World Series Game 2 Yankee Stadium crackles all around you. Stepping up to the plate, the ever dangerous Pedro Martinez stares you down from the mound just before rocketing the ball towards you. The tension is palpable as you make the split-second decision to swing with all your might, the crack of the bat echoing through the stadium as the ball soars to right-center. Time seems to stand still as it clears the fence for a home run. Rounding the bases, heart pounding, you think to yourself, "Wow, I just hit a home run in the World Series!"
Mark Teixeira, celebrated Georgia Tech alumnus, MLB legend, and the man who actually lived that dream scenario, joins Sandy and Sandra on today's thrilling episode of The Adrenaline Zone. Teixeira unpacks his journey from a backyard wiffle ball player in Maryland to a professional powerhouse, covering his early baseball inspirations, pivotal career decisions, and rise from high school prospect to first-round draft pick. They explore his affiliation with Georgia Tech, his refusal to sign with the Red Sox, and key moments in his professional path. Listeners gain an unparalleled view into major league sports as they discuss Mark’s minor league experiences, cherished major league moments, Gold Glove Awards, and the challenges of playing different positions. Mark also shares insights on becoming a switch hitter, the impact of technology on the game, the pressures of playing for the Yankees, and offers advice for aspiring professional baseball players.

Episode Highlights:

Mark’s start in baseball

Playing at Georgia Tech and getting drafted

His time in the minors

Cherished moments from his time in the majors

Winning 5 Gold Glove Awards

Playing first base vs third base

Starting a new position in the majors

The toughest pitchers Mark faced

Becoming a switch hitter

The process of hitting in the majors

How data, technology, and analytics are impacting the game

The pressure of playing for the Yankees

Dealing with injuries

Visitors’ locker rooms

Georgia Tech and its impact on his life

Mark’s current work with Georgia Tech and his thoughts on NCAA’s NIL policy

His advice for aspiring professional baseball players


Quotes:
"I feel like everything that happens to you in life, you either make an excuse, you make it a crutch, or you make yourself better from it."
"When you face guys in the majors, you're not just facing pitchers, you're facing experience and intelligence.”
"Develop a love for the game, because if you don't, you're not going to practice enough or play enough to build your skills. If you have the talent and passion, everything else will follow."
"If you want to learn how to hit a baseball, go outside with a little skinny yellow bat when you're three or four years old and have your dad or your friends throw you wiffle balls in the wind."
"I learned the business of baseball at 18 years old, and I learned to not take it personally.”
"From a team perspective, bar none, winning the World Series with the 2009 Yankees is my most cherished memory.”

Keep the adrenaline rush going at:
Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone
Mark on X: https://x.com/teixeiramark25?lang=en

Strapped into the cockpit of a roaring hydroplane, racing along at 200 mph mere inches above the churning water, you feel every bump and current as you navigate tight turns and avoid competitors, all while managing an intricate ballet of high-velocity precision and raw power. This is hydroplane racing at its most elite level, a sensory overload where strategy, skill, and bravery meet the unrelenting challenge of the water's surface - and a place where today’s guest feels right at home.
Welcome to the 6th season of The Adrenaline Zone where Sandra and Sandy kick things off with Brent Hall, a remarkable hydroplane racer and cancer survivor set to make history as the first African American in the H1 Unlimited ranks. Brent shares his journey from childhood fascination to navigating high-speed hazards, offering insights into the intricate mechanics of hydroplane racing, safety advancements, and the strategic teamwork required. He also recounts some harrowing racing experiences he has survived which highlight the importance of thorough preparation and adherence to safety measures. Addressing some equally scary moments away from the water, Brent opens up about his battle with cancer and how this challenge continues to fuel his drive to break barriers and pursue his dreams. Join Sandra and Sandy as they return here today to get your adrenaline pumping once more with Brent’s inspiring conversation about overcoming challenges, building community, and finding "the zone" on and off the water.
Episode Highlights:

Brent’s early years

Getting started in racing

Being a “new old rookie”

Training for racing

Brent’s favorite aspects of racing

H1 boats

The evolution of H1 boat technology and design

H1 boat maintenance and race prep

H1 Unlimited’s guidelines

Brent’s crew

The physical demands of racing

The racing ‘zone’

The hazards of racing

Brent’s battle with cancer

His brother’s cancer battle and Obliteride

Harold Mills and being a role model

Brent’s son

Women H1 drivers

What’s next for Brent

Quotes:
"I haven't been upside down, but I have done a barrel roll.”
"I looked down, the whole left side of the boat was gone... and that's at about 100 miles an hour."
"If the boat's bouncing back and forth…you're scrubbing off speed."
“If we were upside down for even upwards of an hour, we would be able to breathe underwater.”
“You don't just go out and say, “I'm going to go, you know, win a boat race now.” Matter of fact, if you think that way, you're kind of disrespecting how much time it takes to get to that kind of success.”
“Your heart's beating so fast, and those races don't last very long, so any tip or advantage that you can get in communicating with your team is critical.”
“When I found out that I had cancer, that was numbing…we had done all the scans and found out that I had stage four kidney cancer.”
“Harold Mills…he took it 90% of the way. I'm going to take it the extra ten, and we're going to celebrate it together. I think the world of him.”
Keep the adrenaline rush going at:
Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone
Brent Hall Racing: https://www.brenthallracing.com/
Obliteride: https://www.obliteride.org/

“Coffee time” is over, so you polish off the rest of your beer, grab your bags of bolts, begin your climb up the column and step out to “walk the iron” 20 stories above the ground - all without a hard hat, a harness, or any means of being “tied off”. The world of high-rise ironwork has evolved considerably over the years, and today’s guest is here to provide his eyewitness account of it all.

In today’s exhilarating episode of The Adrenaline Zone, listeners are immersed in the captivating world of high-rise ironwork through the eyes of seasoned veteran, John Steinmetz. Boasting an impressive 40-year career in this daring profession, John shares details of his journey into ironworking, which is rooted in a strong family connection, and which unfolds as a thrilling tale of courage and resilience. The episode delves into a number of fascinating themes, from the challenges and risks of working at dizzying heights to the evolution of safety measures and training, the intricacies of assembling skyscrapers, and the camaraderie shared among ironworkers that resembles a second family. He also shares humorous anecdotes from his long and storied career, highlighting the importance of adaptability and problem-solving in this physically demanding field. As Season 5 of The Adrenaline Zone draws to a close here today, join Sandy, Sandra, and John to discover the awe-inspiring world of ironworking and the relentless dedication it entails. Don't miss this heart-pounding discussion that will definitely take you to new heights!

Episode Highlights:


John’s road to the construction industry

How tall structures are built

Getting used to working high up

The risks involved and how they are mitigated

The training involved

Some of John’s close calls over the years

Working in a confined space

The metal that John has in him

Dealing with a variety of weather conditions

The family-like nature of working with others in construction

The evolution of safety procedures over the years

Ensuring quality and timely work

Dealing with designers and engineers

Some of John’s funnier stories from his career

The impact of technology on his work

John’s advice for those considering a career like his

The highest John has ever walked on a beam

His favorite building that he worked on


Quotes:
"In our business, gravity is your worst enemy."
"I'll probably remember my first and my last."
"You have to be geared for it. It's not a lazy man's job."
"When it looks good on paper, it doesn't always work in real life."
"People say that artificial intelligence is going to take away a lot of jobs, but they're white-collar jobs, not your job."
"Just close your eyes and wait till the ride stops."
"Each general contractor has an outside inspection agency, a third party who comes in behind us and checks to make sure…everything is done in accordance to the specs."
"You never want the crane to stop."
“I would still do it all over again if I was given the opportunity. I made a good living at it, I've always stayed busy, and the union treated me very well.”

Keep the adrenaline rush going at:
Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone

Your car comes to a halt at a border checkpoint, guard dogs barking, the guards themselves talking over each other, and now one of them is about to open the car’s trunk, searching for stowaways or anything even remotely suspicious. Will he discover your husband and sleeping daughter carefully hidden behind the seats? Will your painstaking plan to defect from Cold War-era Soviet Union end in unspeakable disaster?
Olga Sheymov hails from St. Petersburg, Russia, where, after pursuing an engineering degree, she joined the Central Institute for Information. Post-graduation, she found herself amidst a tense KGB situation during her involvement with a Canadian delegation at the Student Olympic Games in Russia. However, fate intervened as she crossed paths with her future husband, Victor Sheymov, a charismatic young man who played a pivotal role in their eventual escape from the Soviet Union. Since settling in the US, Olga has graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology-College of Architecture with a Bachelor of Science, Industrial and Product Design, and is currently a versatile artist, engineer, and television producer.

Today, she joins Sandy and Sandra to recount the thrilling Cold War saga of her daring escape from the Soviet Union with her husband and daughter. She delves into life behind the Iron Curtain, the relentless pursuit of the KGB, and the meticulously planned escape involving the CIA. From Olga's childhood memories in the Soviet Union to their heart-pounding escape and the challenges of adapting to American life, this story of courage and audacity provides a shining example of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Episode Highlights:

Growing up in the Soviet Union under the communist regime

The KGB’s interest in Olga working with them

Olga’s husband Victor

What prompted them to leave the Soviet Union

The challenge in contacting American officials

Keeping their desire to defect secret

Creating their escape plan and ensuring its confidentiality

The CIA’s involvement in their plan

The level of stress involved in planning and executing the plan

Olga’s retelling of the actual escape

Getting to the United States

Victor’s trip to China

Going into hiding in the US

Olga’s biggest surprise about life in the US

How she ended up at Georgia Tech


Quotes:
"The fact that we were able to get through was a miracle."
"We had to look at everything with the mindset of an investigator, and that's what he did."
"We rarely make mistakes in analysis. We usually make them in assumptions.”
"If you start allowing yourself doubts, you cannot succeed."
"We were in a crazy place because we didn't know if someone was watching us. We were constantly trying to see if...maybe this was all a set-up."
"It felt surreal after 18 hours of nonstop adrenaline. I was still in a special mode and couldn't fully process what had happened."
"Victor did an amazing job navigating us through all the obstacles in Russia. But I also believe it was help from above."

Keep the adrenaline rush going at:
Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone
Olga’s LinkedIn Page:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-sheymov-5407203/

As the inevitable adrenaline begins to course through your body, you draw upon all your training and skill to channel it, allowing you to steady your hands and make split-second decisions. Throughout it all, you remain acutely aware that distraught parents have placed all of their hope and faith in you and your team to save the life of their precious child who lays on the operating table before you. Welcome to the rollercoaster world of heart-pounding risks and heartwarming victories that define the life of a pediatric surgeon.

Dr. Mary Brandt is not only a renowned pediatric surgeon but also a dedicated educator and recipient of numerous awards and honors for service, education, and humanism in medicine. She completed medical school and general surgery residency at Baylor, followed by a fellowship in pediatric surgery at the University of Montreal Sainte-Justine Hospital. Dr. Brandt returned to join the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine where she has a distinguished record of accomplishment, including service as Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Senior Associate Dean of Medical Education, and Program Director for General Surgery. Dr. Brandt has also served as Professor of Surgery with Tulane University School of Medicine, and has an outstanding record of service to the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Surgeons, American Board of Surgery, American Pediatric Surgery Association, and the American Association of Medical Colleges.

Today, Dr. Brandt discusses pediatric surgery, risk management, and medical training with Sandra and Sandy. Together, they explore emotional involvement in patient care, surgical preparation, and adrenaline challenges, and go on to draw parallels between astronauts and fighter pilots that reveal insights into adrenaline management and competency-driven training. Healthcare shifts, women in surgery, and Dr. Brandt's advice for aspiring medical professionals are included as well in today’s thought provoking and thoroughly entertaining conversation.

Episode Highlights:

Dr. Brandt’s decision to specialize in pediatrics

Pediatric surgery training over the years

Managing pediatric surgical risks in real-time

Balancing objectivity and emotional involvement with patients

Preparing for unfamiliar surgeries

The hardest part of performing surgery

Explaining the surgical risks to the child’s parents

Comparing risk management as a surgeon vs. an astronaut

Managing adrenaline in the operating room

Technology’s impact on operating room risk management

The risks created through traditional surgical training

Alternative training approaches

The evolution of women’s involvement in surgery over the course of Mary’s career

Her advice for those thinking of going into medicine


Quotes:
"When you're learning how to make a skin incision, that adrenaline is there."
"We're kind of the last general surgeons."
"You have to lower your shoulders and take three deep breaths and watch what happens."
"It's still an incredible profession."
"There is not another human being or any policy that can take away my ability to sit in a room with another human being and talk about what I need to do to help heal them."

Keep the adrenaline rush going at:
Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone