Jason Dennen’s second act after a near-fatal skydiving accident

Jason Dennen began the day of his life-altering skydiving accident much like any other Saturday. A trail run in the crisp Colorado air set the tone for another adventurous weekend.

A seasoned skydiver with more than three years of experience, Jason had completed two successful jumps before taking to the skies for his third. But what followed would forever change his perspective on life.

“I was about 150 feet from the ground,” Jason recalled. “Everything seemed normal until this massive gust of wind hit me from behind. Suddenly, I was being propelled forward at an alarming speed.”

What should have been a routine landing turned into a nightmare. Jason slammed into a wire cattle fence at 30 miles per hour, which broke upon impact but didn’t slow him down. He hit a nearby airplane hangar with such force that he instantly blacked out.

The fight to survive

Within seconds of the crash, staff from the skydiving facility were at Jason’s side. Though unconscious, his first words stunned those trying to assist him.

“Apparently, I told them, ‘Don’t call anyone; I’ll be okay. Just give me a minute,’” Jason said. “It was pure adrenaline and survival mode taking over.”

Emergency responders rushed Jason via helicopter to the nearest Level 1 trauma center. His injuries were catastrophic: 10 broken ribs on his left side, one on his right, a ruptured heart that had shifted to the opposite side of his chest, and damage to multiple organs. In total, 20 bones were broken.

“The doctors told me later that people with my type of injuries usually don’t even make it off the field,” Jason said. “The fact that I survived was considered a miracle. Even the surgery they performed to fix my heart had never been done before by anyone at that hospital.”

Jason spent eight days in a medically-induced coma. The physical toll was immense, but the emotional and spiritual challenges would soon rival the physical battle.

Reassessing life’s purpose

Before the accident, Jason’s life was a whirlwind of 12- to 14-hour workdays in the financial industry. While he had hobbies, like skydiving and mountain climbing, he admitted that stress and a lack of purpose had begun to weigh heavily on him.

“I was just trying to get through each day,” he said. “I’d lie awake at 3 a.m., staring at the ceiling, dreading the next day. I had a long list of things I wanted to do, like volunteering, but I never got to them. I was too busy being miserable.”

The accident forced Jason to reevaluate everything. Lying immobilized in a hospital bed, he began to confront the decisions that had led him to that moment.

“When you wake up from something like that, the first thing you think about is the people you love,” he said. “It’s not about work, achievements or money. It’s about whether you spent enough time with the people who matter most. I realized I had not done so.”

Jason’s scars, which run from his clavicle to his abdomen, serve as a daily reminder of the second chance he’s been given.

“I’m glad they’ll never go away,” he said. “They remind me that I was saved for a reason. I need to fulfill that purpose every single day.”

A gift, not a burden

Initially, recounting the accident felt like a burden for Jason.

“People would ask me what happened, and I’d tell the story over and over,” he said. “At first, it felt like reliving a nightmare. But one night, everything changed. I realized that sharing my story wasn’t a burden — it was a gift.”

Jason noticed that when he opened up about his ordeal, others would share their own struggles.

“It created this space for connection and vulnerability,” he said. “People wouldn’t have shared their stories with me, if I hadn’t been willing to be vulnerable first. That’s when I realized my story could be used to help others.”

Finding strength in faith

Faith played a crucial role in Jason’s recovery. While in his coma, he experienced vivid, nightmarish scenarios where he had to choose whether to fight for his life.

“The nightmares were about people abandoning me and leaving me for dead,” he said. “I had to decide whether I wanted to live, even though I didn’t know what kind of life I’d wake up to.”

Guided by his Christian faith, Jason found strength to persevere.

“The Bible says you won’t be tempted beyond what you can bear,” he explained. “That’s exactly what happened. My faith gave me the courage to face the unknown and trust that God had a plan for me.”

Embracing the second chance

Determined to make the most of his second chance, Jason began sharing his story at churches and community events. He also wrote a book, “8 Days Till Sunrise,” detailing his journey.

“The book isn’t just about skydiving or the accident,” he explained. “It’s about overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Whether it’s a health crisis, the loss of a loved one, or something else, the principles of resilience and faith are universal.”

Jason’s newfound purpose also led him to focus on helping others recognize their own strength.

“People often underestimate what they’re capable of,” he said. “They see someone else’s success and think, ‘I could never do that.’ But they’re wrong. Strength comes from taking small steps every day, even when the journey seems overwhelming.”

Lessons from the fall

Jason’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and a willingness to confront life’s most challenging moments. While he has chosen not to skydive again — a promise he made to his mother while still in the hospital — Jason continues to embrace new adventures.

Recently, he returned to climbing mountains after doctors told him he would never climb again. It was a pursuit that requires the same focus and presence he once found in the skies.

“Life is about finding your next challenge,” he said. “It’s not about avoiding risk entirely but about living fully and intentionally. The accident taught me to appreciate the present and not take any moment for granted.”

For Jason Dennen, the scars he carries are not just reminders of pain, but symbols of survival, growth and purpose. As he puts it, “I was saved for a reason, and every day I’m working to honor that gift.”

For more information

People can connect with Jason at:

Jason’s book “8 Days Till Sunrise,” is available on JasonDennen.com where people can order a signed copy with a personalized message. The book is also available on Amazon.comBarnesandNoble.com and in many other stores.

If you order Jason’s book from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.