Nicole Smith Ludvik: Skydiver Who Defies Limits

Do our fears define us? Perhaps not. But conquering them unlocks limitless opportunities, as experienced by renowned skydiver and stuntwoman Nicole Smith Ludvik.

Her name captured our imagination when she stood, calm and composed, atop the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. This was part of a 30-second Emirates ad campaign following the UAE’s shift to the UK’s amber list. The clever message resonated, making it one of 2021’s most viewed videos.

In January, Nicole revisited the daring feat, standing once more on the Burj with signs that read, ‘I’m still here’, ‘Wow! I can see Dubai Expo’, and ‘Finally, here come my friends’, as an A380 flew by.

Ludvik’s composure atop the Burj Khalifa mirrors her personal journey of overcoming widowhood at 25, surviving a near-fatal accident, and emerging stronger through adversity.

In an interview with wknd., 37-year-old Ludvik discusses how facing emotional and physical challenges has mentally prepared her for such feats.

Edited excerpts from the interview:

Tell us about your early years. How did you develop a passion for skydiving?

I grew up in Cleveland, Georgia, USA, a charming town in the Appalachian Mountains’ foothills, surrounded by four generations of my family. My adventurous spirit was always supported by my parents, who encouraged activities like hiking, climbing, and even bungee jumping. So, it wasn’t unusual for me to be climbing trees or exploring trails.

Living near an airport, I often saw small planes flying overhead. Watching them, I dreamed of jumping out of one. My late husband gifted me a tandem skydive for my birthday, and on August 14, 2007, I made my first jump. The rest is history.

You also pursued a corporate career. How did that unfold?

My corporate journey began in university while studying business. I landed a summer job at a major retail company, excelled, and quickly rose to manage 17 locations and a large team, generating millions in revenue. It was challenging and taught me valuable skills in planning, teamwork, and stress management, but it wasn’t my true passion.

After losing your husband at 25 and surviving a critical accident, how do you reflect on these life-changing events?

On January 29, 2010, my husband passed away suddenly. Being widowed at 25 left me feeling lost and purposeless. I spent a year trying to make sense of it all.

On January 7, 2011, I decided to pursue skydiving wholeheartedly, enrolling in an Accelerated Freefall class. By June 2011, I was a licensed skydiver, in love with the freedom it brought, and with my instructor, Jeremy.

On June 13, 2011, after a perfect day at the park with Jeremy, we were involved in a tragic car accident. Jeremy didn’t survive, and I was critically injured, leading to a long and painful recovery process.

The accident forced me to reassess my life, realizing I was postponing living for retirement. I vowed to cherish every moment and not waste time on unfulfilling pursuits.

After a year of recovery, I left my corporate job to become a professional skydiver. By August 2012, I had skydived in all 50 states, spreading a message of perseverance and hope worldwide.

In 2015, I reconnected with my first tandem instructor, David “Junior” Ludvik, and we fell in love. He proposed where we first met, and we married in 2018. It’s a beautiful full-circle story.

The video of you on the Burj Khalifa captivated many. How did you prepare?

Seeing the video amazed even me. My fitness, healthy lifestyle, and mindfulness helped, but my experience as a skydiver prepared me most. Working with a great team, we planned thoroughly, ensuring safety and familiarity with the setup.

How has the campaign’s success impacted you personally?

The stunt provided a platform to share my story and inspire others. I’m grateful to Emirates and my team for the opportunity.

Did fear ever overshadow your excitement?

Being the first woman to summit the Burj was a dream come true. The experience was unmatched.

How does this experience differ from other stunts?

Each step climbing the Burj symbolized my journey. I’ve faced many challenges over the years, but I never stopped rising. Reaching the top felt like a culmination of resilience.