Taryn and her daughter Kayla have formed a team called the Endo Drop Squad to take on the 120 Challenge in one of the boldest ways possible, a 12,000-foot skydive over Taupō.
Their jump isn’t just about the thrill though, it’s about raising awareness, funds, and enhanced support for the 120,000 New Zealanders living with endometriosis.
For Taryn, the idea quickly came together after seeing Endometriosis New Zealand advertise the 120 Challenge on social media.
“When my daughter messaged me to say we should do the 12,000-foot skydive, I immediately knew this was for us,” she says. “Living with endometriosis means facing pain, uncertainty and frustration on a regular basis. Compared to that, jumping out of a plane feels like the fun kind of terrifying.”
“Endometriosis is often invisible, misunderstood and dismissed. A skydive is the opposite – loud, bold and impossible to ignore. It celebrates life.”
For Kayla, the idea had been quietly building.
“Skydiving has always been something that has intrigued me, but it’s also something I never really thought I’d have the guts to do,” she says. Over the years I’ve seen so many inspirational people take on Endo Awareness Month challenges, and I knew it was something I wanted to be part of.”
With her mum’s partner working as a skydiving instructor, the possibility had always been there.
“We’ve talked about doing a jump for a while, but the timing has never been quite right, until now. What better way to tick off a bucket-list item and raise awareness for something so near and dear to my heart.”
A shared endometriosis journey
For this mother-and-daughter team, endometriosis is something that has shaped both of their lives.
Taryn lives with stage 4 endometriosis, including involvement on her diaphragm, and has undergone multiple surgeries to manage the condition. Now she stands alongside her daughter Kayla, who is early in her own endometriosis journey.
“No two days are the same, and sometimes my body changes by the hour,” she says. “It’s affected my life deeply – physically, emotionally and socially.”
“I refuse to give up on the good stuff in life, so it’s a constant negotiation, what do I need to let go of today so I can keep going?”
Now she stands alongside her daughter Kayla, who was diagnosed at just 18. Their shared experience highlights how endometriosis can affect families across generations.
“I had my diagnostic surgery in the middle of my first year of university,” Kayla says. “Waking up and being told I had stage 2 endo was surreal, I just burst into tears. It was such a validating moment.”
While navigating early adulthood with a chronic illness has been challenging, Kayla says the diagnosis also gave her clarity and direction.
“My diagnosis has helped me develop empathy and compassion, especially as I move forward in my career as an Emergency Medical Technician with Hato Hone St John. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Growing up, Kayla had already witnessed the toll the condition took on her mother.
“From a young age I saw how endo affected Mum, but she handled it with such strength and grace. She’s always been my number one supporter and cheerleader.”
Stepping out of their comfort zone
When Kayla and Taryn step out of the plane in late March they will not only be stepping outside their comfort zone but making a powerful statement.
“We’ve got each other’s backs,” says Taryn. “We’ve supported each other through flare-ups, surgeries and the long road to being believed. Taking on a skydive together is our way of celebrating that strength.”
Preparing to jump from 12,000 feet is no small feat.
“My palms are sweating just thinking about the jump ahead,” Taryn admits, “but I can’t wait for the post-jump dopamine rush.”
Raising awareness
The Endo Drop Squad hopes their challenge will spark conversations, increase understanding, and support the work of Endometriosis New Zealand.
Funds raised through the 120 Challenge help provide education, support services, advocacy, and research to improve diagnosis and care for people living with endometriosis across Aotearoa.
Taryn has a powerful message for families and newly diagnosed people navigating the condition.
“The person you care about may look ‘fine’ on the outside, but they may be dealing with intense pain, fatigue and fear for their future.”
“There will be days when symptoms feel intense and days when you feel strong and capable. Both are part of living with endo. Your pain is real, and you deserve to be heard, believed and supported.”
120 Challenge – promoting your stories and turning them into action
Endometriosis affects an estimated 120,000 people in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet awareness, diagnosis, and access to effective treatment pathways remain ongoing challenges.
Through the 120 Challenge, individuals and groups across the country are committing to doing something ‘120-themed’ from physical challenges, such as running 120km, to adrenalin-filled exploits like Taryn and Kayla’s skydive. The goal is to raise the funds necessary to help support those living with endometriosis in Aotearoa.
How You Can Get Involved
You can donate to the ‘Endo Drop Squad’ here or any of our other amazing ‘Challengers’ here.
If you want to take on a challenge yourself then the 120 Challenge is open to everyone and every effort helps support people living with endometriosis across New Zealand.
