Tell us about your experience on Alone.
My experience in Mongolia was a powerful life experience. I love the opportunity to test my abilities in the outdoors and connect to the land as much as possible. This experience gave me the ability to touch a whole new ecosystem that I would not have been able to do without Alone.
How are you doing now having settled back into your normal life?
I found it much easier to reintegrate into society after my time in Mongolia as opposed to my time in Patagonia. I slowed my reintegration by visiting family and not pushing the burdens of society on me right away. I took a couple of months and worked on a wild flower farm in Hawaii. That helped me to slowly settle back into society. When your alone for longer periods of time your senses seem more heightened and it is easier to become overwhelmed with the simplest things.
Can you tell us about what decisions led to you tapping out?
As far as my physical state, it was much easier after Mongolia. Returning from Patagonia I was, “concentration camp skinny.” It took my digestion a couple months to feel normal again. In Mongolia, I felt normal after a week.
I was determined to take care of my body this time around. When I came back from Patagonia it took some time to get back to 100% both physically and mentally. I wanted to make sure that I didn’t put those drastic strains on my body this time around. In Mongolia, at the end of my stay I realized that even if I did get a deer I may need to leave fairly soon after. I was finding it difficult in getting the electrolytes to keep me healthy. My legs were cramping up more toward the end and I did not wish to simply starve out there. I have always loved my time out in the woods and I wanted to be sure that I always would.
What was your best meal in Mongolia?
My best meal in Mongolia would have to be the meal that encompassed fire roasted Grouse, three fish and greens to season. I can still picture the grease on my cheeks.
What advice would you give to people who want to try something like Alone?
If you ever contemplated an experience such as Alone, then don’t hesitate. Life is to be lived and experiences outside help you to truly connect and feel alive. I am not saying that it is easy, but you will feel life. If you are doing this on your own just be sure to give yourself an out, some sort of safety net. On Alone, we had people on call who were able to take care of us in the event that anything went wrong. Be smart, take care of yourself.
How did Mongolia compare to your previous season?
Both of my experiences on Alone were very powerful but very different as well. The experience in Patagonia was strongly spiritual. I started fasting the first four days of that season, to lower my metabolism, and to ensure that my time out there was reminiscent of a vision quest. From start to finish I was thankful of every moment in Patagonia. In Mongolia, I also had a strong thankfulness and love for the land, but there was something more. The more was a responsibility to the land and my body. A responsibility to hunt ethically and to ensure that I could take care of my physical well-being.
What experience in the wilderness have you always wanted to tackle?
I have always wanted to take a deer with the bow and process it completely on my own in the wild. I do wish that I could have made that happen.
Can you describe the feeling of being alone for extended periods of time?
Being alone, for extended periods of time, was not difficult for me. I am not saying that every single moment was blissful. Of course, I had moments of loneliness and moments of sadness. For me those moments can easily be separated as individual moments of life. I would feel those feelings and accept them for what they are and let them pass when they passed. The rest of the time I was doing my best to connect to the land and love my surroundings. That connection doesn’t have to be human to help sustain you.
What do you hope viewers take away from your experience on this season on Alone?
I hope that viewers are filled with a desire to build their own connection with the land. It can truly cleanse your soul.
