Bungy jumping is empowering because it pushes you to face fear head-on and choose courage in a moment that feels bigger than you. When you step off the edge despite the nerves, you prove to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think. This confidence often carries on beyond the jump.
Meet Maartje
Maartje Matijsso is 52 and from Holland. For the past year, she’s been learning to navigate life with a disability.
But this didn’t stop her from standing on a bungy platform, before launching herself into the air and shouting to the sky, “Your mama did it! She’s a badass!”
Bungy jumping had always been on Maartje’s bucket list, but during her marriage, it was something she felt she had to hold back from.
“I was always pulled back,” she reminisces. “‘No, you may not. No, you may not.’”
Now, things are different. “I’m free of the marriage, so I can do everything I want. It’s me, myself.”
When she stepped onto the bungy platform, there was no one telling her no.
There’s something powerful about standing on the edge. Not just physically, but mentally as well. That’s why for many people, the jump becomes a symbol of empowerment.
“I’ve wanted to bungy jump all my life. I’ve been disabled since last year. I don’t know what my disability is going to be in the next few years, so I thought now is the time that I’m doing bungy jumping, or all those nice things that I’ve wanted to do all my life.
Stepping into Empowerment
For Maartje, the decision to jump wasn’t the hard part, as it had been on her bucket list for years.
“New Zealand is where bungy jumping began. And where better to do it than with AJ Hackett? This is the place to be.”
For her, there was never really another option. If she was going to leap, she was going to do it where it all started.
There’s something about stepping onto a bungy platform, ready to let go of the old and step into something new. The noise of everyday life fades. Time slows. It’s just you and the moment.
Maartje remembers feeling surprisingly calm at first. “I’m so normal. I’m so peaceful now. I don’t know… I’m not nervous, I’m nothing.”
But when she stood on the edge, fear made its entrance. “Oh no,” she laughed. “My knees and legs are shaking.”
And just like that, the real moment began. But so did courage.
“I was scared they were going to have to push me,” Maartje admits. “So I just jumped, otherwise they would have had to push me out.”
That’s the magic of a jump. It pulls you into the present moment. No overthinking. No outside noise. Just one clear choice in front of you… to leap.
Maartje described it as: “I feel powerful. King of the world!”
Letting go of the Old and Embracing the New
People jump for all kinds of reasons.
To celebrate a milestone.
To mark the end or beginning of something.
To kick off a new job.
To prove to themselves that they can.
For Maartje, the jump wasn’t just about adrenaline. It was about letting go of the past, of her marriage, and proving to herself that she can do anything she sets her mind to.
“All I want is the extreme things now,” she says. “Not the good things… other people do that. I don’t want the good things.”
She laughs and explains she has a tattoo on her back. Ego sum qui sum. “It means ‘I am who I am.’ That’s me.”
There’s something beautifully symbolic about stepping off a platform and letting gravity take over. It feels like physically releasing whatever you’ve been carrying (doubt, limits, old versions of yourself) and choosing, instead, to rise back up stronger.
Empowerment Lives on the Other Side of Fear
The jump itself only lasts seconds. But the shift inside you lasts much longer.
For Maartje, it was “more than worth it.”
She admits she was blown away by how supportive the team was, especially when it came to working with her disability.
“I was very aware that they are so good at helping people with disabilities,” she says. “So I encourage people who are disabled to do it. Don’t just sit in a chair… come forward and do the things you want.”
After her jump, Maartje encouraged others. “If there’s something you’ve been dreaming about, reach out. Contact the organisation. Ask the question. See what’s possible.
And when asked if it was worth it? She said, “Yes,” without hesitation.
The Ripple Effect of Courage
Empowerment isn’t always about learning new skills or perfectly written resolutions. Sometimes it comes with a deep breath, a countdown, and a step into your fears.
Three. Two. One. Suddenly, you’re flying.
When your feet touch solid ground again, you’re still you, but you’re also someone who took the leap. And that changes things.
“Make an adventure of your life, and there is no age on it,” says Maartje.
As Maartje stepped off the platform, an English woman watching from nearby turned to her and said they were about the same age. “If she can do it, I can do it.”
That’s the ripple effect of courage.
When asked about the fear, Maartje is honest. “Yes, I felt some fear when I was standing above it. But I think whether you’re 15 or 80, the fear is the same. You’re looking down, and it feels endless. And then the water comes up and… phew… You realise you’re safe.”
If you’re looking for a fresh start, a confidence boost, or simply a powerful reminder of what you’re capable of, maybe the answer isn’t writing another resolution. Maybe it’s stepping off the edge.
Because sometimes, the boldest way to begin again… is to jump.
In the famous words of George Addair: “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.”
Take the leap into the future with AJ Hackett
FAQs:
Why is bungy jumping considered empowering?
Bungy jumping is empowering because it challenges you to face fear and take action despite it. By stepping off the edge, you prove to yourself that you can overcome mental barriers, which builds confidence that often carries into other areas of life.
Can people with disabilities go bungy jumping?
Yes, many bungy operators, including AJ Hackett, offer support for people with disabilities. With trained staff and safety adaptations, individuals can safely experience the jump. It’s always best to contact the team in advance to discuss specific needs and ensure the best possible experience.