Where Are They Now? @ Its Prime Media

Feb. 18, 2022, 7:30 p.m.

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Where Are They Now?

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Summary Famous Naked and Afraid contestants like EJ "Skullcrusher" Snyder and Laura Zerra have become survival TV legends.

Contestants like Matt Wright and Waz Addy continue to use their survival skills in various ventures post-show.

Despite controversies and conflicts, contestants like Gary Golding and Honora Bowen have made a lasting impact on the show.

Naked and Afraid season 15 aired in early 2023, but it's fun to think back on favorite cast members of a great reality TV show from the past. The high-concept competition pairs two survivalists to see how long they can live in the wilderness with their wits and wiles. Despite accusations that Naked and Afraid is fake, it's still highly entertaining. Of course, since the show's inception in 2013, some contestants have developed a much larger fan base than others on one of the best survival shows.

While the fan favorites on Naked and Afraid are the ones who perform well and rack up the biggest Primitivity Survival Ratings (PSR), others have remained entrenched in the hearts of fans due to their eccentric personality, bizarre tactics, sense of humor, and overall likability. Even though Naked and Afraid can be cringey, these contestants were more entertaining than annoying. With the newest season months behind, it's a great time to catch up with the best and brightest Naked and Afraid contestants.

EJ "Skullcrusher" Snyder

Naked and Afraid 2013-2021

One of the biggest mainstays on the popular reality show since day one, EJ "Skullcrusher" Snyder, continues to be the most impressive survivalist on the show. While he officially ended his Naked and Afraid run in 2020 and its spinoff Naked and Afraid XL in 2021, Snyder has upped the difficulty level by joining a new spinoff, Naked and Afraid: Alone (per ejsnyder.com).

Skullcrusher has become a fan favorite on the show due to his extensive survival experience, tactical knowledge, and ability to thrive in extreme wilderness conditions. His expertise in primitive survival techniques, along with his charismatic personality, has made him a memorable figure in the world of survival television. Beyond his appearances on Naked and Afraid, Snyder is also a retired Army combat veteran, motivational speaker, and survival instructor. He has shared his expertise online.

Related Naked And Afraid: Do Cole And Shell Survive The African Wilderness? (Shell Passes Out) Episode one of Naked And Afraid season 17 pairs together a hunter and a gatherer. Find out if they survive the 21-day survival challenge.

Nowadays, Skullcrusher is in partnership with Stroup Knives, a brand he helps promote on his Instagram page, which just topped 100k followers. Whether posting Super Bowl BBQ videos or giving survival advice, Skullcrusher remains committed to the outdoors and continues to tour the country to meet fans at conventions.

Laura Zerra

Naked and Afraid 2013-2019

Thanks to her radiant personality, cool attitude, and superb 9.1 PSR score (equal to Skullcrusher), Laura Zerra instantly became a fan favorite. She's appeared on three iterations of the show, including the original, XL, and Savage. Since ending her competitive run in 2019, Laura has become a famous social media influencer specializing in survivalism. With 168k followers on Instagram, Laura continues to educate and encourage fans to embrace their outdoor experience.

Following her success on Naked and Afraid, Laura continued to pursue her passion for adventure and survival. She has appeared on several other television programs, including Naked and Afraid XL and Dual Survival. Laura has also authored books on survival and wilderness living, sharing her expertise and experiences with a broader audience.

Beyond her reality TV and writing endeavors, Laura is an advocate for environmental conservation and sustainable living practices. She continues to inspire others to embrace the outdoor and learn survival skills. According to an interview with Free Range Magazine, Laura currently resides in South Dakota, where she lives a simple life off the grid with no real idea of what's next. She recently wrote a guidebook entitled A Modern Guide to Knifemaking, and, perhaps most excitingly, Laura hosts Decivilized, a survival web series for Carbon Media TV.

Shane Lewis

Naked and Afraid 2013-2018

With roughly 30 Naked and Afraid episodes under his belt (or lack thereof), Shane Lewis earned fan favor for his gruff demeanor and no-nonsense attitude, much of which stemmed from his rough upbringing in foster care. However, Shane's skills earned him a sterling 8.4 PSR, which only endeared him to fans even more. Shane has a background in outdoor activities and survival training, which prepared him for the challenges presented on the show. He has extensive experience in wilderness survival techniques, bushcraft, and primitive living skills.

Lewis first appeared in season 1, where he was partnered with fellow survivalist Kim Shelton as they attempted to survive in a remote location without food, water, or clothing for 21 days. Despite facing various obstacles and hardships, Shane and Kim demonstrated resourcefulness and determination throughout their journey. In the middle of his Naked and Afraid run from 2013 to 2018, Shane transitioned to acting, appearing in the film Exigence and TV series Pivot Point. After his TV run, Shane starred in the 2020 film Look Into Darkness.

Related What Happened To Andrew Shayde After Naked And Afraid Season 12 Naked and Afraid season 12's Andrew Shayde has returned for a new season 15 stint. There's plenty to learn about the competitor's life today.

Matt Wright

Naked and Afraid 2016-2021

Few Naked and Afraid personalities stand out like Matt Wright. Known for his rugged demeanor and impressive survival skills, Wright has become a fan favorite among viewers of the show. From his initial appearance on the show to his subsequent challenges and triumphs, Matt provided constant entertainment during his impressive five-year run on the show.

From 2016 to 2021, fan-favorite Matt Wright made roughly 50 appearances in four different iterations of the long-running reality television series. He earned an excellent 8.7 PSR. He even participated in the Shark Week special tie-in and became the first contestant to take down a wild animal with his knife.

Related What Happened To Dani Beau After Naked And Afraid Season 4 Dani Beau from Naked and Afraid season 4 took on the ultimate challenge and beat the odds, securing herself as one of the most memorable cast members.

Since ending his time on the show, Matt has continued to work as a professional custom knifemaker. He owns and operates the website extremeinstinct.com, which offers merchandise, survival classes, Florida fishing trips, and more. When he isn't promoting his brand, he spends time with his wife, Brooke Wright, a fellow Naked and Afraid contestant.

Amber Hargrove

Naked and Afraid 2013-2017

Amber Hargrove earned her place as a memorable and respected figure in the Naked and Afraid world. With her impressive survival skills and engaging personality, Amber captivated audiences. Facing extreme challenges such as harsh environments, lack of food and water, and encounters with dangerous wildlife, she became one of the best cast members of the show.

As one of the most challenging and most impressive contestants of all time, Amber appeared on four seasons of Naked and Afraid, winning legions of adoring fans for her excellent fishing and knifemaking skills. She used years of experience as a military instructor to leave her competition in the dust. In addition to selling custom-made knives, Amber is poised to star in her reality survival series titled, Forging Across America. The rugged survivalist resides in Colorado with her husband, Peter Kohler, and their children, Leila and Easton.

Steven Lee Hall Jr.

Naked and Afraid 2013-2022

Steven Lee Hall Jr. was invited to appear on over 30 episodes of the guilty-pleasure reality show thanks to his incredible ability to conjure fire with friction and build a shelter. Throughout his time on Naked and Afraid, Steven demonstrated an impressive ability to navigate challenging environments, from dense jungles to barren deserts. His resourcefulness and ingenuity in sourcing food, water, and shelter are impressive.

The man of faith has been on a personal improvement journey. A true survivalist, he curried favor from fans thanks to his calm personality under pressure and awesome 8.6 PSR. After making his final appearance on the show in 2022, Steven continues to reflect on his experiences and host Q&As.

Alison Teal

Naked and Afraid 2013

Hawaiian native Alison Teal instantly won fans' hearts by appearing on Naked and Afraid, leaving the competition in the dust with her stellar 8.3 PSR, the highest total of the 2013-14 season. Funny, brave, talented, and wildly adventurous, few contestants were as easy to root for as Alison. It's unfortunate that she only starred in one season.

Funny, brave, talented, and wildly adventurous, few contestants were as easy to root for as Alison.

Nowadays, Alison has parlayed her survival experience and magnetic persona to become a successful author, filmmaker, TED speaker, and massive social media influencer. With 2.2 million TikTok followers to go with roughly 108K Instagram followers, Teal made an autobiographical documentary short film and wrote the book Alison's Adventures: Your Passport to the World, published in 2020.

Luke McLaughlin

Naked and Afraid 2014-2020

From 2014 to 2020, eccentric survival master Luke McLaughlin continued showing off his instinctual prowess, racking up an awesome 8.3 PSR during his time on Naked and Afraid and Naked and Afraid XL. What sets Luke apart is not his survival skills but his authenticity and relatable personality. He brought a down-to-earth approach to the show, which made him much more entertaining to watch. Luke's holistic approach to survival was appreciated, which he's continued to promote since ending his TV run.

Preaching what he practices, Luke continues to operate the Holistic Survival School that he founded near Grand Rapids, Michigan and has since relocated to Earthaven Ecovillage in North Carolina. He teaches about holistic survival strategies, which claim to foster a deep connection with nature by teaching Earth-based skills and ancestral knowledge. Through the teachings, Luke aims to reconnect individuals with themselves, their communities, and the natural world.

Jeff Zausch

Naked and Afraid 2014-2023

Jeff Zausch, an Idaho native, is a renowned survivalist with seven appearances on Naked and Afraid, showcasing his aggressive and unyielding approach to survival. Besides, he has been featured on Peacock's Snake in the Grass and hosted Dual Survival on Discovery. Jeff isn't shy about embracing the role of the antagonist, notably in Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing.

Despite not winning the top prize, he remains undeterred, determined to return for another chance at victory. While it's unclear when he will return to Naked and Afraid next, he's likely not retired. In the interim, the popular antagonist shares his global adventures on Instagram. Jeff has recently traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, Iceland, Greenland, and even Mount Everest.

Waz Addy

Naked and Afraid 2013-2023

Waz Addy has appeared on multiple iterations of Naked and Afraid, including the original series, Naked and Afraid XL, and Last One Standing, where he last appeared in 2023. Born in Sydney, Australia, Waz is recognized for his military and professional rugby careers. On the show, Waz has demonstrated his survival skills and endurance in challenging wilderness environments, leading to his popularity. He's likely to appear in upcoming iterations of the popular show and its spin-offs.

Waz was previously married to Jordana Addy, with whom he shares two daughters, Baylee Grace Addy and Tayla Mae Addy. Currently, he is in a relationship with Laura Klug, his fiancé. While he's enjoying domestic life between seasons, Waz is a formidable competitor. One of his most iconic moments on the show is when he caught a twelve-foot, 80-pound anaconda. It was an impressive feat.

Sarah Bartell

Naked and Afraid 2020-2023

Sarah Bartell is a renowned taxidermist and animal advocate who has starred in multiple iterations of Naked and Afraid. While she was born in Portland, Oregon, she was brought up in Jakarta, Indonesia. In addition to competing on Naked and Afraid, she also produced the series Wildheart Homestead. She is a huge animal lover and raises various animals, including hens, wolf dogs, sheep, and cats.

An iconic moment for Sara during season 10 was when she embarked on a survival challenge in the Ecuadorian rainforest alongside fellow survivor David Shirley. Her resilience and understanding of nature were evident as she navigated the demanding environment with determination. She also appeared in Naked and Afraid XL: Frozen, further exemplifying her survival skills.

Gary Golding

Naked and Afraid 2018-2023

Gary Golding calls himself the "Tarzan of Los Angeles," and pushes the limits even by Naked and Afraid standards, advocating for minimal consumption. On the show, he scavenges and consumes unconventional items like rotting meat. He appeared on Last One Standing in 2023 and leads kayaking and snorkeling trips in LA when not on TV. He might return for another season of Last One Standing.

In addition to his reputation as a survivalist, Gary has a background that includes experience as a firefighter and EMT. This background in emergency response and survival likely contributes to his expertise in navigating challenging situations both on and off-screen. Despite facing controversy for his actions, such as grilling a dead baby dolphin, Gary remains a prominent figure in the survivalist community.

Honora Bowen

Naked and Afraid 2015

Honora Bowen may not be a fan favorite, but she is a favorite to hate and certainly left a lasting impression. Making her debut in 2015, Honora's appearances were tumultuous, marked by clashes with her partner and eventually abandoning the challenge before requiring medical evacuation, labeling her foray into Naked and Afraid a failure.

Seeking redemption, Honora returned for Naked and Afraid XL, aiming for a 40-day challenge. However, her time on the show was marred by continued conflicts with fellow survivalists. Resorting to sabotage, she threw their tools into the fire and woods before exiting the show. In a controversial move, Honora later labeled Naked and Afraid as an "experiment" on her website. While she hasn't appeared in years, she is a favorite to hate from the hit franchise.

Naked and Afraid is available to stream on Discovery+.

Sources: ejsnyder.com, Skullcrusher/Instagram, Laura Zerra/Instagram, Free Range Magazine, Alison Teal/TikTok, Alison Teal/Instagram, extremeinstinct.com, Jeff Zausch/Instagram