EJ Snyder is an extreme survivalist, adventurer, and 25-year Army combat vet. But he is most well-known as a Survivalist and the TV Host on the Hit TV Series “Naked And Afraid.” He survived 206 Days and NO TAPS! He also hosts Dual Survival and Mountain Masters.
EJ was in the US Army and is a highly decorated Army Combat Veteran with 25 years of military service under his belt, serving Ranger positions in Infantry and Airborne units.
He moved up the ranks quickly, seeing combat in the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom 2 from 2004 to 2005. EJ earned two Bronze Star Medals, the Legion of Merit, the Order of St. Maurice (Centurion), and over 40 other Medals and decorations while serving the Nation.
Listen in for some great takeaways about EJ’s journey from being a highly decorated army combat vet to one of the most well-known survivalists today to becoming a full-blown entrepreneur.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in…
- Can you share with our audience a bit about who EJ Snyder is? [3:19]
- How EJ put his survival skills to the test on “Naked and Afraid” [6:48]
- What EJ wishes the audience knew about Naked and Afraid [7:41]
- The experience of filming with a second person [11:14]
- EJ’s interest in strength training and self-defense [13:21]
- Get a copy of our productivity journal for absolutely free [16:54]
- What EJ learned from his 25 years in the army [18:26]
- How EJ turned a passion for knives into a venture [20:08]
- EJ’s advice for entrepreneurs for website security [24:21]
- What motivates EJ to push forward? [27:51]
- What EJ did today that put him in the mindset for success? [30:09]
Learn more about EJ’s love for survivalism
EJ’s parents divorced when he was young, and he spent most weekends with his dad camping and canoeing. He fell in love with the outdoors. When he joined the Army Rangers, he was sent to survival school. The goal was to learn how to survive behind enemy lines, which included wilderness survival. It became one of EJ’s passions.
As a child, he always wanted to be on TV. He started dabbling in television before he left the military. He was a huge fan of Survivor and applied over 15 times. While he was working as a survivalist instructor for the Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, he was doing small TV shows.
Discovery Channel recruited him to compete for a show called “Dual Survival.” While he didn’t make the cut, they contacted him a few months later to film the first season of “Naked and Afraid.”
What EJ wishes the audience knew about Naked and Afraid
Naked and Afraid isn’t scripted. EJ emphasizes that it’s the most realistic challenge out there. In a 21-day challenge, they’re filmed for 509 hours. TV viewers are only getting a snapshot of what really happens. EJ wishes there was a way the audience could see all of the footage. It’s real and it’s raw and you put yourself in harm’s way every single day.
EJ is aware of the cameras but he’s going there to do what he’s gotta do. He’s surviving—and he lets the TV happen. The camera guys, audio guys, and producers have been around for years. They know what they’re doing and they don’t get in the way.
EJ’s advice for entrepreneurs for website security
EJ has become an entrepreneur, offering survival classes, gear, and digital training on his website, as well as motivational speaking and consulting services. He’s also a published author.
After being featured in a news piece on Fox News, he was flagged as someone to go after. His website has now been hacked twice. He advises every entrepreneur to invest in a good server and good security software. Be suspicious about every email you receive—including invitations to be on podcasts.
People will reach out and tell you that they’ll pay for you to be a guest on a podcast. While you’re sharing your screen recording the “podcast” they’re stealing your information and selling it.
When he was hacked, his social media was shut down, eCommerce on his website was shut down, and it almost destroyed his business in 2023. But he remained resilient.
What motivates EJ every day?
EJ is living proof that if you have a dream, you can obtain that dream in whatever way that looks for you. EJ made it on TV. Now, he can share messages about staying positive and overcoming challenges. He had a successful 25-year military career. He’s coming up on 20 years doing television. He’s run a business teaching survival skills.
Now, he wants to launch businesses he’s passionate about to help other veterans see their dreams come true. He wants to leave a legacy for his kids. He embraces life and lives it to the fullest—and thinks you should, too.
Resources & People Mentioned
- Get a copy of our productivity journal for absolutely free
- SXB knives
Connect with EJ Snyder
Bio
EJ is most Known as a Survivalist/TV Host on Discovery Channel for his 6 Legendary Successful Challenges on the Hit TV Series “Naked And Afraid” 206 Days and NO TAPS! As well as Hosting Dual Survival and Mountain Masters. He offers Survival Classes, Gear, and Digital Training over at his website, as well as Motivational Speaking and Consulting Services. He is a Published Writer as well.
Before all this was in the US Army and is a highly decorated Army Combat Veteran with 25 years of military service under his belt, serving Ranger positions in Infantry and Airborne units. He joined the armed forces at 19. He moved up the ranks quickly, seeing combat in the Gulf War in 1991 and a 15-month tour during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2 from 2004 to 2005. EJ earned two Bronze Star Medals, the Legion of Merit, the Order of St. Maurice (Centurion), and over 40 other Medals and decorations while serving the Nation.
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