Surprise Change for Episode 2!!

Our planned interview with Brian Krause for episode 2 had to be delayed due to scheduling conflicts but we got a surprise visit from Jose Pruneda, early member of The U.S. Army Parachute Team’s first Canopy Relative Work competition team from the early 1990’s. Jose left in 1994 and, after traveling the globe, is back for the first time in 25 years!

I had the honor of interviewing three of the early members of the Golden Knight’s first CRW team: Mike Eller, Jose Pruneda, and Mario Rivera in a round table discussion. Each shared compelling, emotional, and riveting stories of their Champion’s Journey. You really won’t want to miss this podcast.

Jose Pruneda, bottom jumper, performing a two-way Canopy Relative Work stack.
Jose Pruneda
From left to right: Mario Rivera, Mike Eller, Jose Pruneda, and Matt Davidson

Stay tuned for, A Champion’s Journey episode 2 with Brian Krause

ACJ host, Matt Davidson and Team Leader, Brian Krause running to the plane with GK8 to make a training jump in preparations for the 2010 World Parachuting Championships.

Brian Krause, also known as BK, is a former member and Team Leader of the U.S. Army Parachute Team’s Formation Skydiving Competition Team. He is largely credited for rebuilding and leading the Golden Knight’s 8-way Team out of a 15 year slump to win the 2012 World Parachuting Championships.

If training for the World Championships wasn’t enough, BK went to work on gaining command approval and recruiting team members to form an all female Golden Knights 4-way Formation Skydiving Team. Six years after their inception and four years after BK’s retirement, GKF4 would go on to win the 2016 World Championships.

Years after his military retirement, BK remains dedicated to the sport he loves and continues to stay active as a Formation Skydiving competitor and coach, most recently winning the 2019 World Indoor Skydiving Championships with his team, Paraclete XP8.

A Chat with a Champion

It’s always a great day when you get the opportunity to have a conversation with one of your heroes!

Episode 1 was recorded and will be airing soon! Six time World Skydiving Champion Scott Rhodes came by to tell us about his remarkable Champion’s Journey. He shares with us the rituals, habits, approaches and strategies he’s used to achieve next-level success in all of his endeavors, from skydiving competition to Special Forces selection, rock climbing and physical fitness to Master’s level education.

Scott Rhodes, Six Time World Champion


When I think of a champion, the first person who comes to mind is Scott Rhodes. Scott is one of, if not THE most successful Formation Skydiving competitor in the history of the sport and is the most disciplined and driven human being I’ve ever met. His interminable focus and relentless, unremitting pursuit of team and personal excellence resulted in Scott winning four World Records; becoming twenty time U.S. National Champion, four time World Cup Champion, and is an unsurpassed SIX time World Champion!


Under Scott’s leadership as team captain, The United States Army Parachute Team and Team USA became Juggernauts which dominated the realm of Formation Skydiving, NEVER to be defeated in world competition.


In addition to his impressive achievements as a competitor, Scott was granted the esteemed title of 1997’s Skydiver of the Year and was awarded the Leonardo da Vinci Parachuting Diploma in 2006, the third American to win the award since it’s creation in 1970.


During his 26 years in the U.S. Army, Scott was a member of the Army’s official parachute team, “The Golden Knights”. After his initial tenure with the team, Scott volunteered to attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course where he earned the coveted Green Beret. He served four and a half years with 7th Special Forces Group and was involved in counter narcotics operations in South America.


Not one to rest on his laurels, as Scott’s military service was coming to a close he decided to shift his energies on conquering the world of academia, where he earned not one but two Masters Degrees.

“A Champion’s Journey” Podcast will be airing soon!

Welcome to, “A Champion’s Journey.” I’m your host, Matt Davidson.

From an early age, I’ve had the privilege of learning from World Champions and world class performers and I’ve always been fascinated by what drives them to the pinnacle of achievement.

In this podcast, I’ll talk with high performers to learn more about the habits and rituals which have empowered them to consistently achieve victory in their champion’s journey.