The Survival Debrief Podcast with Steven Kelly

Amanda Wilson & Ernie Hinojos: Fans to Naked and Afraid Survivalists

In this episode of The Survival Debrief Podcast, Steven Kelly sits down with Amanda “Mandy” Wilson and Ernie Hinojos from Naked and Afraid. Amanda and Ernie have one of the most unique stories in the franchise. They went from fans of the show to taking on a 14-day fan challenge together, then returned as a duo for a brutal 21-day challenge — surviving 35 days together across Mexico and Botswana. This conversation goes behind the edit and into what viewers did not fully see on screen: the mental pressure, the cold nights, the lack of food, the bugs, the danger, the arguments that were handled properly, and the bond that formed through real hardship. Amanda opens up about mindset, anxiety, gratitude and pushing through her lowest moments. Ernie talks honestly about the cold in Botswana, the pressure of survival, and why having the right partner can make or break a challenge. We cover: How Amanda and Ernie got onto Naked and Afraid What it felt like meeting each other naked for the first time The difference between Mexico and Botswana The unseen survival work that never made the episode Their lowest moments on challenge Why neither of them tapped Whether they would take on another challenge together Hosted by Steven Kelly, former British Army Commando Forces soldier, SERE survival instructor, Naked and Afraid survivalist, and host of The Survival Debrief Podcast. For more episodes, visit: www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast Follow Steven Kelly / Survival Ste: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29 [https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survival_ste X: https://x.com/survival_ste [https://x.com/survival_ste]

Can You Really Learn Survival Skills Online? | William Johnson, Survival Mastery | The Survival Debrief Podcast

In this episode of The Survival Debrief Podcast, Steven Kelly speaks with William “Bill” Johnson, founder of Survival Mastery — an online survival education platform designed to teach practical outdoor, preparedness, and self-reliance skills from anywhere in the world. Bill shares how his background in software development, aerospace, and military contract work led him to build a platform that combines streaming-style lessons with real-world tasks, instructor feedback, progress tracking, badges, and practical skill development. Steven and Bill discuss how technology can be used to get people outside rather than keep them indoors, why basic survival skills are being lost, and how platforms like Survival Mastery could support families, Scouts, schools, outdoor learners, and anyone who wants to live more prepared. They also cover Scouting America, Bear Grylls, disaster preparedness, fire lighting, shelter, water, bow making, field medicine, and the future of online survival training. Steven Kelly is a former British soldier from 29 Commando Regiment, British TV survivalist, and host of The Survival Debrief Podcast. He has appeared on Naked and Afraid, Naked Alone and Racing to Get Home, and Bear Grylls: Wild Reckoning. Check out Survival Mastery: https://survivalmastery.co [https://survivalmastery.co] More from Steven Kelly: Podcast page: https://www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast [https://www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-survival-debrief-podcast-with-steven-kelly/id1844233698 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-survival-debrief-podcast-with-steven-kelly/id1844233698] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survival_ste Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29 [https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29] X: https://x.com/survival_ste [https://x.com/survival_ste]

Waz Addy: 175 Days Naked and Afraid, Last One Standing | The Survival Debrief Podcast - Steven Kelly

In this episode of The Survival Debrief Podcast, Steven Kelly sits down with Waz Addy, one of the biggest names in the Naked and Afraid franchise. Waz has completed five Naked and Afraid challenges, built up 170+ survival days, won Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing, and became known as Mr 10.0 after earning the first 10.0 PSR. This conversation goes deeper than the TV edit. Steven and Waz talk about the brutal reality behind survival television — the sleep deprivation, the insects, the cold, the weight loss, the mental pressure, the editing, and what viewers never really get to see. Waz breaks down his hardest challenge in the Peruvian Amazon, what made Montana so physically brutal, why he always planned to push beyond 40 days on XL, and what was going through his mind before winning Last One Standing. They also share behind-the-scenes stories from Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse in South Africa, including leadership, banter, survival teamwork, and the side of Waz that does not always come across on screen. Hosted by Steven Kelly — British TV survivalist, former British Army SERE instructor, and host of The Survival Debrief Podcast. Listen to more episodes and follow the show: www.stevenkelly.uk/podcast Follow Steven Kelly / Survival Ste: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survival_ste Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29 [https://www.facebook.com/stevenkelly29] X: https://x.com/survival_ste [https://x.com/survival_ste] Topics covered: Naked and Afraid, Waz Addy, Last One Standing, Naked and Afraid XL, survival mindset, Amazon survival, Montana survival, South Africa, survival TV, bushcraft, resilience, and behind-the-scenes survival stories.

Jesse Lee on Naked and Afraid, Colombia, South Africa and Survival Alone

n this episode of The Survival Debrief Podcast, I sit down with Jesse Lee to talk about her journey through Naked and Afraid, from her first challenge in Colombia to her redemption in South Africa. Jesse shares how she applied for the show while still serving in the military, what it was like going through the approval process with her chain of command, and how quickly the reality of the challenge hit once she stepped into the environment. We talk about being left effectively alone in Colombia, surviving without a real partner, the monkey encounter that stood out to viewers, the cold and body temperature drop that ended her first run on day 20, and what it felt like to come back and finally complete the challenge in South Africa. Jesse also opens up about partner dynamics, mindset, redemption, and why she would still say yes to another survival challenge. This episode is a strong listen for anyone interested in: * Naked and Afraid * survival mindset * military resilience * solo survival pressure * redemption challenges * outdoor grit and adaptability

Nikki Smith on Naked and Afraid, South Africa and the Reality of Survival

In this episode of The Survival Debrief Podcast, I sit down with Nikki Smith to talk about her Naked and Afraid Season 14 challenge, Lost in Translation, filmed in South Africa with a partner who did not speak the same language. Nikki also shares her military background, the hoops she had to jump through to get approval to go on the show, and what it was like balancing service life with one of the hardest survival experiences of her life. We talk about the things the edit does not fully show — the pressure, the pain, the foot injuries, the blood blisters, the exhaustion, and the mindset needed to keep moving when your body is struggling. Nikki also opens up about surviving with a positive attitude, why she would take on another challenge, and the lessons she has for anyone wanting to get into the outdoors. This is a strong conversation about: * military resilience * Naked and Afraid reality * partner dynamics * survival mindset * pain tolerance * outdoor advice for beginners