In my 33 years of existence, I've never once thought to myself "That looks like a nice building to jump off of" even though that is exactly what I did this past Friday (September 27).

Over the Edge

Last week, there was an event held in Waterloo, Iowa, where the Cedar Valley United Way, teamed up with Over the Edge, which is the only global industrial rappeling even company in the world, according to Over The Edge Global.

Over the Edge has helped raise over $150 million for their clients. They have staged over 1500 events, and have had over 115,000 participants. This past Friday, I was one of these participants as I joined plenty of other Iowans to rappel down the TechWorks building in Waterloo.

Not only was this event a great way for Cedar Valley United way to raise money, but this was also an incredible event for anyone who wanted to test their bravery by rappeling down a 93-foot-high building. I wouldn't say I'm someone who's afraid of heights but I don't care who you are...leaning backwards 93 feet in the air over a building will get anyone's heart racing.

You're fighting every single survival instinct you have and putting all of your faith into the Over the Edge professionals, a few ropes, a harness, and a couple of metal devices that help you slowly descend the building.

The Hardest Part

In all seriousness, making your way down is actually a lot of fun. As you slowly work your way to the ground, there's this moment where you begin to experience a plethora of feelings. You're proud, excited, and focused, and (hopefully) you start to enjoy the ride.

There is one area where I'd predict people decide to not go down and that's when you're sitting on the edge of the building. When I had my harness, ropes, and rappeling devices all quadruple-checked, I was asked to stand up and lean backward over the edge of the TechWorks building. This is the moment that takes the most guts. You're fighting every single survival instinct that you have and you take a pretty big leap of faith that you'll be okay.

Once you are off the edge of the building, your feet are on the wall, and you realize all of the equipment is functioning as it should, you begin to relax a bit, and work your way down. I can't speak for all of the other rappellers...but that's how it felt.

My dad always told me that the only thing that falls out of the sky is "bird poop and fools." Thankfully, I didn't fall out of the sky and was able to accomplish something that a LOT of people wouldn't/couldn't do.

I will add...after making it to the ground, I remembered why I prefer my two feet on the ground and not 93 feet in the air.