But your gut was based on all that experience doing things that were scary!
I contend the gut is only partially based on experience. This could be explained as unconscious learning during events; it feels unlearned. But there could be more, a universal consciousness. Newborn babies suck and search for the breast as soon as they are born. This shows both need and intent. How does the baby know this? I like to believe in a universal consciousness.
So back to the topic of your post. Risk-taking involves imagination; you can only follow paths that you can envision. Tragedies have a way of opening options, the trick is being able to see that you have choices. Choosing often involves leaving the cocoon of your everyday life, letting go of this and that, so that you can take advantage of the new opportunities.
Risk taking is all about using your imagination.
This is the genetic learning, like all animals. Instinct imo, not intuition. In your case, perhaps your childhood better prepared you than others for what you did. We also have latent potential through genetics etc too.
I reckon I suffer from this at times - where there aren't enough "good" options in front of me. A lack of imagination.
In some cases, perhaps it is about imagining things will work out, even though the odds might not indicate it to begin with.