Compared to most animals, humans are extremely fragile. We don’t have sharp claws and teeth for hunting, and we lack the powerful sense of smell and ultraprecise eyesight other apex predators are equipped with. Most importantly, when you strip away the insulated fabrics and durable footwear we’ve spent thousands of years developing, we can’t rely on tough hide or warm fur. Our exposed bodies are virtually defenseless against environmental factors such as wind, rain, cuts and scratches, and insect pests.
Even the most experienced survivalists shudder at the thought of being stranded in the wilderness with no clothing and minimal tools. This concept led to the development of Discovery’s survival TV series Naked and Afraid, which has aired 15 seasons over the last 10 years. On the show, each contestant is paired up with a stranger and dropped off in a challenging environment for 21 days (or 40 for the spinoff Naked and Afraid XL). Locations have included every continent except Antarctica, ranging from swamps to grasslands and from deserts to rainforests. Although a camera crew is present during the day, they’re not allowed to intervene unless there’s a medical emergency; at night, the contestants must film themselves using a provided camera.
In order to learn more about the actual reality behind this “reality TV” survival series, we spoke with three former contestants: Zach Benton, Hakim Isler, and Melissa Miller. Read on as they discuss their experiences, struggles, and lessons learned from Naked and Afraid.
Zachary Benton
Age: 38
Hometown: Jarrell, Texas
What season(s) did you participate in? Where did you go?
I was on Season 14, Episode 2, “Haunted and Hungry.” It took place in Cartagena, Colombia.
Tell us a little about your survival skills background going into the show.
I grew up on a 3,300-acre cattle ranch playing mountain man and Boy Scout as a kid. I learned a lot about fieldcraft and autonomy in nature as a Scout Sniper in the Marine Corps. Wilderness survival became a favorite topic of study as an adult chasing adventure, and when the opportunity to do the NAA challenge came up, I read 18 books in three months to prepare.
We understand each contestant was allowed to bring one item. What did you bring, and why?
For this season, each contestant was required to bring four items. We handed them over when we arrived in Colombia, and the
