Inside the World of Elite Skydiver Eliana Rodriguez

Photo by Ellen Thistle

A first-generation American born to Colombian parents, Eliana joined the Army at 17. Shortly before leaving the military, she got her first chance to take that life-changing leap out of an airplane on October 1, 1995.

Since then, Eliana has jumped more than 16,000 times and has become one of the most accomplished skydivers in the world.

Her list of achievements speaks for itself:

3x World Champion (including two golds in the open division)
21x U.S. National Champion
2022 International Skydiving Hall of Fame Inductee
9x World Record Holder, including the 400-person formation jump over Thailand

The most iconic? Definitely the 400-way jump over Thailand.

“It was incredible to be on the other side of the world with skydivers from many different nations… It was quite an amazing feeling.”

— Eliana Rodriguez

But it wasn’t always smooth skies. At her first World Championship in 2001, Eliana and her team faced a tough climb. Then, halfway through, Eliana twisted her ankle—badly.

“For a second I thought it was broken,” she says. But she kept jumping. Her team clawed their way back, and in the final round, they pulled off a dramatic win.

That gold medal? Still one of her proudest.

Eliana (second from left) with Synchronicity — First World Championship win, 2001 in Granada, Spain.
Photo by Stikkos

The Recovery Behind the Records

Training at an elite level takes a toll. Eliana has dealt with long-term wear and tear from years of jumping, coaching, and competing at the highest level.

“When you jump as much as we did to train for world championships it definitely takes its toll on the body.”

Access to recovery resources wasn’t always part of the sport—especially early in her career. She had to seek it out herself, learning what worked through experience, trial, and consistency. “I have spent a lot of time and money on healing my body through massage, chiropractor, physical therapy, acupuncture, stretching, personal trainers, yoga, pilates, sauna, cold plunge and regenerative injections etc… I’m still learning and still healing everyday!”

“I’m still learning and still healing every day.”

— Eliana Rodriguez

Today, HiDow is part of that process. Eliana uses the XPD 12 for powerful, targeted muscle stimulation after long days of jumping and coaching. For joint recovery, the AcuKnee Wrap or Heated Electrode Pad Set to help her reduce tension and ease post-jump fatigue—especially around her knees, lower back, and hips.

When she’s on the move, she keeps it flexible. Eliana connects her XPD 12 to Yoga Pads and uses the Elastic Hold-in-Place Wraps to secure them around larger muscle groups—giving her targeted, full-body relief and the ability to recover wherever she is, whether at a drop zone across the world or in recovery mode at home.

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Photos by David Cherry

Legacy in Motion

Eliana continues to lead and innovate in the sport. She’s a member of the Highlight Pro Skydiving Team, an all-female exhibition team whose mission is to inspire women and girls to live bold, brave lives of their own design. She’s jumped into major events like the New York State Fair and Angel City Football Club games, and was inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame in 2022.

In 2023, she was selected as one of three explorers for the Hera Rising Mission—a record-breaking project designed to inspire young women’s interest in STEM and STEAM through skydiving.

Photo by Craig O’Brien

Special thanks to Eliana Rodriguez for sharing her story and photos, and to photographers Ellen Thistle, Stikkos, David Cherry, and Craig O’Brien for capturing her journey.