Unique Career: Stuntperson

When it comes to my day-to-day life, I consider myself a risk-taker. I take calculated risks quite frequently and in most situations things work out for the better. However, when it comes to my physical safety, I’m extremely risk averse.

This is why I could never be a Stuntperson.

When I think of Stuntpeople, I automatically think of falling. Falling off buildings, falling down stairs, or driving a car off a cliff.

You see, I’m afraid of heights. Not just a little afraid, but very afraid. I hate ladders, ferris wheels (which Mrs. Gradversity can attest to), planes, and anything else that involves my body being any distance from the ground.

But for a certain group of talented individuals, stunt work is an incredibly exciting career.

So what does it take to be a stuntperson? Incredible physical fitness and years of training. Here’s an excerpt from TV Guide’s interview with Mark Munoz, a professional stuntman:

I was a wrestler in high school, and I used to kick everybody’s butt no matter how big they were, and then I became a jockey by accident and realized it was my calling. I jockey, but I’m also a certified ski instructor. I have a home in the mountains, so I do a lot of mountain biking and extreme sports.

So where do you start if you are interested in stunt work? Check out the Stunt Training Center (there’s one in Southern California and one in Vancouver, Canada). This will get you started on a career that will see you plummet off large buildings and be set on fire in a “controlled manner”. Sounds like fun to me!

And remember, if you become famous and we can watch you on television base-jumping off the Hoover Dam, be sure to let us know!