David Colturi - The Cult of Rec Podcast, Episode 25

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In episode 25 of the Cult of Recreationalism podcast, hosted by Nathan Morris, the conversation takes a thrilling dive into the life of professional cliff diver, speaker, and coach David Colturi. As they explore Colturi’s extraordinary career, the episode touches on topics like fear, perseverance, and what it means to truly live life at the edge—both figuratively and literally.

The Journey from Midwest to Cliff Diving Stardom

David Colturi’s journey into cliff diving wasn’t an immediate one. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and raised in Sylvania, Ohio, Colturi didn’t find his way into professional diving until much later. Growing up in a sports-obsessed family, Colturi played every sport he could get his hands on—tennis, football, basketball, swimming, and of course, diving.

Colturi credits his well-rounded athletic upbringing for the diverse skill set that later made him successful in diving. “I’m glad I didn’t specialize too early,” he shares. “I think it’s really important to develop overall skills and athleticism throughout your adolescent years.”

Colturi attended Purdue University, where he competed in collegiate diving and studied pre-med. Like many divers, he thought his career would end after college. However, a unique opportunity at an amusement park led him to rediscover his passion for the sport—and eventually to cliff diving, where he’s been competing with the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series since 2012.

Red Bull Cliff Diving: A Pioneering Force

Nathan Morris and Colturi explore the world of Red Bull Cliff Diving, a sport known for its high stakes, breathtaking locations, and incredible athleticism. Diving from heights of up to 90 feet and hitting the water at speeds nearing 60 mph, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Colturi reminisces about the early days of Red Bull Cliff Diving, where he was one of the early pioneers. “I joined the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2012 and have been doing it for the last 12 years, which is pretty crazy,” he says. “It’s amazing to see how far the sport has come.”

He speaks fondly of Red Bull’s unique production value, which transforms diving competitions into full-on spectacles. “If there’s one thing Red Bull knows how to do, it’s to put on a badass live event,” Colturi says. “It’s a showcase, a festival-like experience. And it’s what makes the sport so fun for both athletes and spectators.”

Learning to Make Fear a Friend

A significant part of Colturi’s message to athletes, organizations, and individuals is learning how to manage fear. In fact, his speaker series, Fear is Your Friend, focuses on overcoming fear and performing under pressure. It’s a lesson he’s had to learn firsthand, particularly after experiencing multiple career-threatening injuries.

In 2018, Colturi suffered a near-death accident while filming a promotional stunt in Switzerland. While paragliding, he miscalculated the jump and hit the water with such force that his spleen ruptured. “I had over half my blood pooling in my abdominal cavity,” he recalls. “The surgeon told me that if I hadn’t made it to the hospital when I did, I wouldn’t have survived the flight to a larger hospital.”

Colturi’s takeaway from the experience? A shift in perspective. “There’s a famous quote that says, ‘Every man has two lives, and the second one begins when he realizes he only has one,’” he says. “That experience woke me up. Nothing’s guaranteed, so why not live life fully now?”

High-Performance Habits and Living with Purpose

Colturi’s passion for helping others maximize their potential goes beyond diving. Through his coaching, speaking, and high-performance training, he works with athletes, students, and businesses to apply the mental skills needed for diving—like managing pressure and harnessing fear—to their everyday lives.

One of his guiding philosophies comes from Aristotle: “Excellence is not an act but a habit. We are what we repeatedly do.” Colturi explains how he uses this mindset in his daily life, focusing on the small, everyday actions that lead to big results.

For Colturi, the concept of excellence isn’t limited to sports. It extends to how you treat others. He quotes another piece of advice that resonates deeply with him: “How you treat other people is the most important currency there is.”

Diving into the Future: What’s Next for Colturi?

As his diving career begins to wind down, Colturi’s focus has shifted toward giving back and helping others. His work with youth diving programs in Fort Lauderdale and his Fear is Your Friend series are just the beginning of his next chapter. “We’re trying to grow the sport from a grassroots level,” he says. “It’s about building something bigger than myself.”

Tune into the Cult of Recreationalism podcast on all major platforms, and don’t miss this inspiring conversation with David Colturi.