I settled in and asked the tree if it wanted to become beautiful hunting bows. I asked it if it wanted to help humans remember their connection this world. I asked the tree and the forest if that was what it wanted. Almost immediately I felt it’s response in my body, “yes, as long as you don’t play small when you teach.” The message resonated through my body and tears welled up in my eyes. “Ok tree. I promise not to play small. Thank you for your life”. 

So what plants should we know for survival situations? Well obviously, like all skills that are connected to the land, it depends on where you live. So instead of giving specific plants that may or may not be found in your local bio-region, I offer a list of plant characteristics that you should learn and know to keep you safe and healthy, whether you are surviving or thriving.

With my latest Naked and Afraid: Alone episode airing on January 5th, on Discovery, I wanted to share the things that I have learned from my previous experiences that often don’t make the show. With the whole TV thing aside, there are so many valuable lessons that I learned while pushing my edges that don’t always get talked about on the show.

“Curing a hide, the tanner rubs in acid and all manners of filth. This makes a beautiful soft leather. What does the half finished hide know? Every hard thing that happens works on you like that” . - Rumi

The aim of Holistic Survival School (HoSS) is to find the middle ground between the very different worlds of “Survival” and “Holistic Health”.