In 2012, when I first published my blog posts, I wrote an article about Felix Baumgartner. You can read it at https://serhansuzer.com/tr/adrenalin-tutkusu/ In my article, which you can read at https://serhansuzer.com/tr/adrenalin-tutkusu/ , I stated that Felix and I have something in common: adrenaline, and briefly touched on the following topics:
Activities that can create feelings of excitement and happiness in different people, for example, diving, football, dancing, skiing, and extreme sports—are all influenced by the adrenaline hormone. Adrenaline prepares the body for emergencies by releasing thyroxine, increasing the heart rate, directing blood to the muscles, reducing the feeling of pain, and dilating the pupils to clear vision. Adrenaline secretion increases in moments of fear or excitement. Some people enjoy this exhilaration while painting, others while dancing, others while skiing or participating in extreme sports; this depends on the individual’s nature.
My Adrenaline Activities
Then, I listed some of the activities I do for adrenaline:
- Scuba Diving: On my first dives at age 15, I went to a depth of 31 meters; When I ran out of air in my tank, I ascended to the surface, using the instructor’s additional regulator.
- Canopy: During my trips to Costa Rica and Argentina, I thoroughly enjoyed canopy (also known as zipline—the activity of sliding from tree to tree over a high point like a forest or cliff using a steel cable).
- Heli-skiing: Soaring over a white blanket from the top of a mountain gives a sense of freedom. I especially love heli-skiing (gliding). The helicopter drops you off at the top of a mountain that has never been skied before, and then you glide down.
- Hang gliding: I went hang gliding in France. You feel as free as a bird during this activity.
In addition to all these activities, I’d also mentioned that I wanted to try bungee jumping and parachuting from an airplane.
I added paragliding to these adrenaline-pumping activities in Zermatt in March this year. You can read about my paragliding experience from one of the highest peaks in Zermatt, Switzerland’s famous ski resort, in my blog post at https://serhansuzer.com/tr/alpler-kanatlarimin-altinda/ .
Viewing the Earth from the Edge of Space
Felix Baumgartner is one of the important figures who has advanced humanity’s limits and set an example with his wisdom. You can read this incredible man’s life story at https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Baumgartner.
Now, let’s summarize Baumgartner’s story. Some people postpone their dreams, but by following the process to the end, they eventually achieve them. In January 2010, Felix Baumgartner announced his goal of breaking the highest jump record with the support of Red Bull, in collaboration with some scientists. The project involved Baumgartner becoming the first person to break the sound barrier by jumping from a height of 36 km. The jump was scheduled for 9 October 2012 but was postponed until 14 October due to weather conditions. On Sunday afternoon, 14 October, the Red Bull Stratos project in Roswell, New Mexico, was successfully completed when Felix Baumgartner jumped from 39,044 meters (123,000 feet)—a height comparable to the edge of space—and broke three world records.
The jump lasted 4 minutes and 19 seconds
Felix lifted off at 9:31 a.m. New Mexico local time, before millions of viewers around the world watching the mission live. The Red Bull athlete, who soared to the edge of space at 24.2 miles per hour (39.2 km/h), then jumped.
The mission was a success when Felix deployed his parachute and landed safely, and the team celebrated this unprecedented achievement, which not only broke three world records but also provided a wealth of research and data for future aerospace projects. He completed the jump in 4 minutes and 19 seconds at an average speed of 756 mph (1,166 km/h). I want to emphasize once again that Baumgartner’s words, “Sometimes you have to go really high to realize how small you are,” were etched in my mind after this jump. People with high egos and narcissistic traits need to be reminded of this quote from time to time.
An unexpected and tragic end
Baumgartner died on 17 July 2025, at the age of 56, during a paragliding flight in Porto Sant’Elpidio (Fermo), Italy. After suffering a heart attack mid-air, he lost control of his parachute and crashed into the swimming pool at Le Mimose Family Camping Village. He struck and injured a young woman at the scene of the crash, ultimately passing away while doing what he loved most. You can read the related news at https://www.sozcu.com.tr/tum-dunya-tanüyor-yamac-parasutunde-hayatini-kaybetti-p196105. Can you imagine? As the star of the Red Bull team, he performed some of the world’s most dangerous jumps, even reaching a speed of 1,342 km/h from space, setting a new world record; then, during a relatively low-risk activity like paragliding, he suffered a heart attack, crashed into a pool, and lost his life. This is what you call a simple death. Yet, the fact that he lost his life while doing what he loved is a solace in this tragic end. I pray to God for his mercy, and for his love and patience for his loved ones and fans. I also personally thank him for his contributions to humanity and for inspiring others like me.
So, are there any other legends who achieved incredible things but lost their lives or entered a vegetative state in such tragic ways? Of course there are. All their stories are incredible. I’d like to share the stories of a few whose deaths came to mind, and I was personally shocked to hear:
1) Steve Irwin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Irwin ): Stephen Robert Irwin (22 February 1962 – 4 September 2006), known as the ‘Crocodile Hunter,’ was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, television personality, wildlife educator, and environmentalist.
Irwin grew up surrounded by crocodiles and other reptiles and was trained in their care by his father, Bob. He rose to international fame in the late 1990s with his television series The Crocodile Hunter, an internationally broadcast wildlife documentary series he co-hosted with his wife, Terri. The couple also hosted Croc Files, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, and New Breed Vets. They also co-owned and operated Australia Zoo, founded by Steve’s parents in Beerwah, Queensland. They had two children, Bindi and Robert.
Irwin died on September 4, 2006, from a stingray injury while filming an underwater documentary on the Great Barrier Reef. His death made international news and was met with shock and grief by fans, the media, governments, and non-profit organizations. Numerous parks, zoos, and streets, the MY Steve Irwin ship, the Crikey steveirwini snail species, and the asteroid 57567 Crikey were named in his honor. The Irwin family continues to operate Australia Zoo.
Transition from land to sea failed
When I came across footage of Steve Irwin with crocodiles, I couldn’t believe my eyes. He was practically mocking them. He would open their mouths and stick his head in them, wrestle with them in the river, dive into them, and engage them in a frenzy. He had incredible dominance over crocodiles, considered some of nature’s most ferocious animals. He also had excellent rapport with other land animals. Whether it was his aura or not, the animals he encountered respected him and allowed Irwin to dominate them. Of course, all of these were land animals.
When he attempted to interact with marine life in a similar way to what he did on land, he likely faced a backlash from a world he knew less about, and this ultimately cost him his life. The man who commanded crocodiles misunderstood a stingray he was joking with and defensively struck Irwin with its hard, barbed tail, causing Irwin serious injuries. Unfortunately, this legend succumbed to his injuries in the hospital to which he was taken.
2) Ayrton Senna (https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayrton_Senna ): Ayrton Senna da Silva (21 March 1960, Sao Paulo – 1 May 1994, Bologna) was a Brazilian racing driver. He won the Formula One World Championship three times: 1988, 1990, and 1991. He died in a crash at the Tamburello corner on the 7th lap of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix while leading. He is considered by many authorities to be one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time.
I recently watched a documentary series about Senna, and whenever I hear his name, it brings back memories of my first time watching Formula 1. A legend for Formula 1 fans, Senna likely would have won five or six championships had he lived. A true national hero in Brazil, Senna possessed a distinct aura. His perfectionism, dedication to his profession, uncompromising character, his ability to speak his mind, and his unwavering commitment to what he believed was right made him legendary, and his popularity continued to grow. Even 31 years after his death, people remember him with deep sorrow and deep sorrow. This legend, who boasted three world championships, 41 race wins, and 65 pole positions, made a significant contribution to Formula 1’s popularity. Despite all these achievements, he crashed into a wall on the San Marino racetrack, a race he considered just another race, and lost his life due to the lack of proper safety precautions.
3) Paul Walker (source: ChatGPT): Paul William Walker IV was born on 12 September 1973, in California, USA. Best known for his role as Brian O’Conner in the “Fast & Furious” film series, Walker began modeling as a child. He appeared in small roles in several TV series and films in the 1980s and early 1990s. He gained attention in 1999 with appearances in teen films like Varsity Blues and She’s All That. He made his big break in 2001 with the first Fast & Furious film. The film was a huge success, and Walker became a key actor in the series. He has since starred in several films, including:
- The Fast and the Furious (2001)
• 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
• Fast & Furious (2009)
• Fast Five (2011)
• Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
• Furious 7 (2015)– This film was completed after his death, and some of his scenes were shot with the help of CGI technology and his siblings.
Paul Walker had a daughter, Meadow Rain Walker. He had a keen interest in marine biology and even worked on documentaries with National Geographic. He was a philanthropist. He founded the aid organization Reach Out Worldwide after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
On 30 November 2013, he died in Santa Clarita, California, after a charity event in a car driven by his friend Roger Rodas. The car, driven by excessive speed, lost control, hit a tree, and caught fire. His death deeply affected his fans and Hollywood.
Paul Walker was not only an action star but also a man who cared for nature and humanity. His daughter, Meadow, established the Paul Walker Foundation in his name and continues his charitable work.
It is incredulous that Walker, a man of such pure heart and a kind demeanor who achieved worldwide fame with a series of unofficial car racing-themed films, could have a car accident on his way back from a charity event. The theme of the film he shot hung over him like a nightmare. With this tragic ending, he had a career that haunted everyone. He is still remembered fondly by his fans today.
Hulusi Çil’s death, following the victory he longed for
Speaking of legends, we also lost Hulusi Çil yesterday, my father’s dearest friend, who had become a friend and legend in our family. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Uncle Hulusi was a truly kind-hearted, well-intentioned, straightforward man, possessing exceptional qualities like a conscientiousness not found in typical Turkish businesspeople, and a good family man who was extremely meticulous and successful in his work.
My only consolation for myself is that he passed away so soon after achieving his greatest dream. He was a horse enthusiast. After selling his chemical factories to foreign investors, he pursued and nurtured his greatest hobby in retirement. I remember his passion for horses and the sparkle in his eyes when he spoke of them as if it were yesterday. He told me personally, while chatting on our boat in Fethiye, how difficult it was to win the Gazi Race and how, despite all the trophies he’d won, there was only one thing missing from the Gazi Race. He realized his biggest dream last June by winning the 99th Gazi Race with his horse Cutha and jockey Ahmet Çelik: https://gsb.gov.tr/tr/haber-detay/291018-bakan-bak-gazi-kosusunu-kazanan-ahmet-celiki-tebrik-etti
I’d like to share the video of the last Gazi Race, where Hulusi Çil’s horse Cutha won the championship with jockey Ahmet Çelik, so you can imagine it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbBP4JPgsvU&ab_channel=TJKTV
Well done to Uncle Hulusi and his team. They won Türkiye’s biggest horse race thanks to their hard work. Immediately following this great success, the following correspondence was exchanged between us in the final days of June:
ꟷ Many congratulations. Your horse won the Gazi Race. Great success.
ꟷ Thank you very much, Serhan. Best regards.
ꟷ You’re welcome. I wish you continued success. Best regards.
A few weeks after this correspondence, my father, with whom they had been great friends since their days in Gaziantep, visited me at his farm in Kocaeli and was admitted to intensive care after a brain clot. He remained in intensive care for over a month, and unfortunately, we lost him yesterday. Hulusi Çil, one of the leading horse breeders in Türkiye, was announced by the TJK (Turkish Jockey Club), of which he was a full member: https://www.tjk.org/TR/YarisSever/News/Page/50733
I pray that God has mercy on Uncle Hulusi and patience for his family. May He Rest In Peace.
The Return of the Legendary Schumacher
Finally, I’d like to mention Michael Schumacher, whom I didn’t include in the list above because he didn’t pass away. News recently came that Schumacher, who spent nearly 12 years in a coma and vegetative state, had awakened from his coma. Schumacher, with six world championships, is among Formula 1’s greatest drivers of all time. Among the world’s fastest drivers and a frequent crash victim, he nearly lost his life in a skiing accident.
Schumacher’s greatest asset was his wife and children, who were always by his side. They used every means at their disposal for his recovery. They maintained his dignity and honor by ensuring his confidentiality throughout his treatment. Perhaps the best decision Schumacher made in his life was to settle down with his wife, Corinna Schumacher. Corinna, like Uncle Hulusi, was a keen horse enthusiast and a professional equestrian, winning the European Championship in Western-style riding in 2010. I applaud this wonderful woman who has always been by her husband’s side during his most difficult times, never leaving him even after he entered a vegetative state, and who will continue to be by his side from now on. I also wish him the same in terms of “finding the right husband.”
I hope Schumacher recovers soon after all those years spent in a vegetative state and can somehow return to his normal life. I wish him a speedy recovery.
Life is short. Everyone eventually reaps what they sow. Those who work hard, strive hard, and have big dreams eventually achieve their dreams and leave this life. I’ve given you examples above. Uncle Hulusi, Baumgartner, Irwin, Senna, and Walker are important figures who fulfilled their dreams and contributed to life and humanity. May they all rest in peace.
I can offer this advice to those still alive: Like Schumacher, we must make the right choices and live life to its fullest. As we pursue our dreams, we must appreciate our loved ones, enjoy life, and most importantly, live life to the fullest, preserving our honor and dignity. Despite everything, life is beautiful and continues. PURA VIDA!
