Flying High: The Thrill of Skydiving
When people think of adventure, the image of jumping out of an airplane doesn't often come to mind—but for others like Jan Ryan, it's about the thrill, overcoming fear, and learning to trust yourself.
Jan Ryan, owner and broker of ReMax/Direct, has been a realtor for over 20 years. She and her husband, Jeff Gan, who co-owns the business with her, own a home in the San Diego Country Estates that they rent out. They have three children. Ryan Vernazza, Kelly Coleman, and Tori Gan. Vernazza and Coleman both attended James Dukes Elementary School when they were children.
Ryan's love for Ramona started when she was vacationing in San Diego and saw an advertisement in the San Diego Union Tribune for SDCE. "I fell in love with the San Diego Country Estates." She moved to the area in 1987, and it has been her favorite area ever since. She started a monthly newsletter that keeps residents informed and engaged, and she has hosted an annual community yard sale since the 1980s.
She has sold the most homes in San Diego Country Estates every year since 2010, but it's not just real estate that ignites her passion; it's the exhilarating rush of skydiving that sets her spirit free. With over 670 jumps to her name over 12 years—and 120 of those in a specialized wingsuit—Ryan has developed a love for the sky that rivals her passion for real estate. "It's one of the best things I've done," she shares. "It's just so much fun."
"Sometimes, when people get older, they forget how to play and have fun," Ryan reflects. For her, jumping out of a plane is a powerful reminder of how liberating life can be. "It feels like you can do anything and tackle anything. The sky is bluer, and the sky is brighter," she adds. She tells her husband, "If you want to keep me happy, take me up in the plane and throw me out."
Ryan's skydiving adventures are not undertaken alone. She loves sharing her passion with her family. She used to take her 80-year-old mother out to jump every time she visited, and she loved it. Her mother has since passed away, but the memories of the jumps will last forever. Her daughter, Tori, started skydiving before Ryan picked up the hobby and has completed over 500 jumps. Ryan's other children have tandem jumped with experienced instructors. They have shared unforgettable family jumps, during which three generations jumped together.
Ryan believes that skydiving has transformed her life for the better. It inspires her to take on challenges she once would have avoided, removing the fear that might have held her back. "It's really changed my life," she declares, mentioning the amazing people she's met along the way. She does acknowledge that the experience isn't for everyone. Her husband jumped once with an instructor and decided it wasn't for him. "Either you love it, or you hate it," she adds.
Despite nervous anticipation, she finds joy in witnessing the expressions on others' faces as they prepare for their jump. "It's an indescribable look, and it's the most amazing feeling to skydive. You think this can't be real when you see the door of the airplane open and people jumping out," she describes.
Ryan says, "Statistically, it's safer to jump than to drive a car to the location." However, she emphasizes the importance of safety in every dive. Every jump comes with meticulous equipment checks, including the crucial backup parachute. The first time Ryan packed her own chute, she had to use her reserve because the main one didn't open. A reserve chute is also lifesaving if a jumper passes out and is unable to open their chute. If that happens, an automatic activation will pull the reserve out.
Her adventures extend beyond skydiving. "My husband and I are both pilots," says Ryan. She adds that she has also jumped out of a hot air balloon and a helicopter. She would love to bring anyone who wants to join her skydiving, and she will show them the ropes. She jumps at Skydive San Diego, Go Jump in Oceanside, and iFly Oceanside. "It's life-changing, and I love sharing it." Anyone interested in a skydiving adventure who wants help getting started can call her at 760-420-9780.
For Jan Ryan, the sky isn't just the limit; it's a playground that allows her to excel in both her professional and personal life. Whether she's closing deals or embracing the wind on a Friday jump day, Ryan embodies a spirit of adventure that is truly inspiring. In her world, having fun and pursuing a passion go hand in hand, reminding us all that life is meant to be lived fully and fearlessly.
Photos and video courtesy of Jan Ryan.
