Rising Stars: Meet Danielo Mendes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielo Mendes.

Hi Danielo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in Brazil, moved to France when I was 14, and finally moved to LA when I was 24. Ever since I was a kid, I had a passion for dance and was self-taught. In France, I taught dance and performed in shows all over the country. When I came to America, I eventually signed on for a world tour with a US dance company where I was able to travel to over 54 countries dancing and teaching workshops for almost 6 years.

A few years ago, I was on YouTube and came across a few videos about a guy flying to McDonald’s on his paramotor! I thought it was so cool and wanted to learn more. I watched countless paramotor videos and joined a forum but initially, I couldn’t afford the gear, so I waited few years and finally decided to go for it. I bought used gear on Craigslist and watched every video I could get my hands on. It took me forever to learn because nobody wanted to help and be liable if I was to get hurt so I had to self-train. Eventually, I kept pushing and became more and more passionate about the sport and with practice and luck took my first solo flight. From that first flight, I became addicted to flying. I had already been certified for skydiving, but this was a totally different experience. Soon when I wasn’t teaching dance, I was using my spare time to fly. Eventually, after more flying and training I was able to connect with paramotor brands that reached out to have me join their team. On the side, I also had friends that became interested in flying so I would informally teach them and help them get started in the sport. As I kept sharing my newfound passion with people on YouTube, I decided to make the jump and get my certification in order to officially open my paramotor school!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My background is in dance and when I moved to LA, it was tough starting as a dancer from scratch. For months I was in a cycle where I performed in street shows on 3rd Street Promenade in order to pay for my hostel stay, then I became homeless, and then would find gigs again. Eventually, I signed on for a world tour with a US dance company where I was able to travel to over 54 countries dancing and teaching workshops for almost 6 years but for those initial years it was a real struggle to find steady work.

Just prior to the pandemic, I broke my ankle and was looking to be out of work for at least six weeks. Initially, I was so depressed about not being able to work and dance, but I decided to change my mindset and use this time to figure out what I wanted to do long-term with my career. Once the pandemic hit and touring and workshops were no longer an option, I decided to focus all my energy into turning my hobby of paramotoring into a career. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced with my paramotor business is client education. It’s a relatively new and small sport so not that many people even know what it is and what it entails; so much of my initial work is making videos on YouTube, attending sports conventions, and trying to educate people on the process.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Back when I was dancing BAD was an acronym for Born A Dancer, but once I started flying, I realized that the best part in life was to be Beyond Any Definitions, meaning you don’t have to stay stuck in whatever box you might have spent your entire life (for me it was a dancer) living; you can always become whatever makes you truly happy! STAYBAD, meaning to Stay Beyond Any Definitions, is to live life without limits and to push oneself to greater heights. One of my main pursuits is flying and teaching others to fly. It is extremely gratifying.

As the instructor, my approach to teaching students differs from others in that I go at the student’s pace and work individually with each student. I am also a dealer for all the gear a student could need so I help walk them through that process and find what’s best for their flying journey. All my students become close friends and we have our own flying community where we meet up regularly to fly. It is a great forum to meet like-minded people and share the love of flight and I am always helping them along their journey.

What matters most to you?
I teach everyday people how to fly into the sky! Paramotoring combines a paraglider with a motor that is used for flying. It is extremely gratifying to share the freedom and beauty of being outdoors in this unique way whether it’s flying over sand dunes, the ocean, poppy fields, it’s truly like nothing else. I have been a pilot now for six years and am a USPPA certified instructor as well as being certified in tandem flights. My flying school, Staybad Paramotor, is unique in that it’s the only training school in the US to offer one on one classes until my student’s first solo flight. I also offer unlimited training, meaning there’s no minimum or cap on the classes and we are the ONLY paramotor school in L.A County with flying sites all over southern California. Typically, people can learn to fly paramotor within a week or if you’re looking for a fun activity to do with friends/family, I offer scenic tandem flights along the coast where you can see what it’s all about and start training. When I am not flying, dancing, or teaching, you can find me creating videos that combine my love of flying with original content sharing of my adventures.

For years I was a dancer where I traveled and taught all around the world, but everything shifted once I started flying. Being able to have my own business that combines my love of teaching and flying with the freedom of being self-employed, where every day is a different adventure, matters most to me. I found a new passion that reignited my love of teaching others and I get so much joy from sharing this sport with others and with seeing them succeed and accomplish their flying goals. For me it’s very simple, unleashing others full potential is the best, seeing them grow into the happiest version of themselves and helping them STAYBAD!

Pricing:

• Full unlimited Training $3000
• Tandem Flight $250 (40min)
• Mention Voyage LA article and received 15% off

Contact Info:

• Website: www.staybadparamotor.com
• Instagram: @staybadparamotor and @Danielostaybad
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/581128196326453/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkiwkASKA3RI-7-BI3j35TQ

Image Credits
Frank Profera