But what does that actually mean? Depending on the week, Nicole is either a parachuting into remote canyons, a maritime crab fisherman in the Bering Sea, or a conflict zone journalist . (For the sake of this post, let’s assume she wears all three hats—because people like Nicole often do.) The Real Risks (It’s Not What You Think) We usually assume the risk in Nicole’s job is purely physical: falling debris, explosive fires, hypothermia, or gunfire. And yes, those dangers are very real. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the fatality rate for loggers, fishers, and pilots is nearly 20 times higher than the average office job.
Nicole has missed seven birthdays, three weddings, and a funeral. When you work in 21-day shifts with zero cell service, your partner either becomes a saint or an ex. The divorce rate for first responders and military contractors hovers near 75%. Nicole’s biggest fear isn’t the fire line—it’s coming home to an empty house.
Nicole has what society politely calls a “risky job.” nicole risky job
The truly risky job isn’t the one with falling rocks. It’s the one where you stop asking, “Is this worth my one wild and precious life?”
Nicole never takes an unnecessary risk. She checks her gear three times. She trains for 1,000 hours. She knows the statistics. But what does that actually mean
Nicole says there is no feeling in the world like the 30 seconds before a jump. The wind stops. Your brain stops spiraling about rent, politics, or your ex. All that exists is the problem right in front of you. Solve it. Move. Survive.
When you meet Nicole over coffee, she seems perfectly ordinary. She sips a matcha latte, laughs at a bad pun, and scrolls through cat videos on her phone. But tomorrow morning, while you’re sitting in a boardroom or driving to a 9-to-5, Nicole will strap on a harness, check her pulse, and step into a situation where one wrong move could end her shift in a hospital—or worse. And yes, those dangers are very real
So here’s to Nicole. And here’s to the rest of us learning a little bit from her: Look at the risk you’re taking by staying comfortable. Maybe the safest path is the most dangerous one of all.