HONOLULU (KHON2) — Dan Link, a local Honolulu resident, has become known for his incredible survival skills on the Discovery Channel’s “Naked and Afraid” and its spin-off “Last One Standing”.
Over the past few years, Link has spent more than 140 days in some of the world’s most challenging environments, showcasing his adaptability, resilience and collaborative skills.
The Naked and Afraid journey
“Naked and Afraid” is a popular survival show on the Discovery Channel where contestants are dropped into remote, harsh environments with no clothes, food or water.
Their goal is to survive for 21 days, relying on their survival skills and wits.
The show has since expanded with spin-offs like “Last One Standing,” which adds a competitive edge as participants vie to outlast each other for a grand prize.
Dan Link’s adventures
Link’s survival journey began in 2018.
“I had seen a few episodes of Naked and Afraid and thought it was an interesting show,” explained Link. It looked like a crazy concept and a hell of an adventure,” Link recalled.
On a whim, he responded to a casting call he saw on Facebook. To his surprise, he received a response within an hour, and after a series of interviews, he found himself preparing for his first challenge in Chiapas, Mexico.
His first challenge took him to a cold pine forest in Chiapas, Mexico.
This initial experience was followed by a 21-day survival stint in the Chihuahuan Desert on the Texas-Mexico border.
Next, he faced a grueling 60 days in the Peruvian Amazon, which he describes as his most physically demanding challenge.
More recently, Link participated in the first season of “Last One Standing” in Ruby Gorge, South Africa, and its second season in the northern region of Limpopo, South Africa.
Getting started and overcoming doubts
When Link first told his husband, David, about his plans, David was understandably concerned.
“He was, like, ‘this is irresponsible’; you haven’t thought this through,” revealed Link. “You could hurt yourself; you’re broadcasting everything to the whole world”.
Despite these valid concerns, Link decided to push forward. He trained intensely, focusing on primitive skills and survival techniques.
“I had to approach that analytically, looking for shortcuts,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in survival situations.
Preparing for survival
Preparing for these challenges is no small feat. It involves physical training, mental preparation, and acquiring survival skills. Link, who is a scientist, had to dig deep into learning primitive skills.
“You don’t have to memorize every single edible plant,” explained Link “There are edibility tests you can do to determine if something is safe to eat.”
He emphasizes that survival is 85% mental, requiring the right mindset to endure the hardships of the wild.
“I really dug deep into training myself on primitive skills,” Link said as he reminisced over the last few years. “I had to approach that analytically, looking for shortcuts, which actually was a really great way to learn survival and learn to be adaptable.”
The most challenging experiences
The Peruvian Amazon posed the toughest physical challenge for Link. The relentless bugs were a constant torment.
“Your whole body was swollen; your ankles were swollen,” Link said as he remembered the torture. “You couldn’t bump into anything without intense burning sensations from the mosquito bites all over your body.”
Despite the difficulties, Link managed to persevere, building a rainproof shelter to escape the worst of the bug onslaught.
The emotional toll
Surviving in such extreme conditions is not just a physical challenge but an emotional one as well.
Link highlighted the importance of mental resilience, especially during long challenges.
“By the middle around day 30 or 35, you’ve been suffering for so long, you’re starving, withering away, and you still have a month left,” he said.
The psychological strain is immense, but Link has developed strategies to cope, focusing on the joy and appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.
Competing on Last One Standing
“Last One Standing” adds a competitive layer to the survival experience. Contestants not only battle the elements but also each other for a $100,000 prize.
“It’s everyone for themselves; you can’t necessarily trust everybody,” Link explained. This dynamic makes the challenges even more intense, as participants must balance cooperation with competition.
Life lessons and mental clarity
Through his experiences, Link has gained profound life lessons. He talks about the mental clarity that comes from living in the wild.
“Your brain becomes very clear. All of this fog that you don’t even realize is there goes away,” Link said. “I think it’s a product of living in modern society. When you’re out there, the way you look back on the choices you’ve made in your entire life and what’s important to you becomes so painfully clear.”
This clarity has given him a new perspective on life, helping him to appreciate the simple things and find joy in the moment.
The sense of accomplishment
Finishing a survival challenge brings an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
“The sense of accomplishment when you’re done is absolutely overwhelming. It just brings me to tears every single time,” Link shared. “You’re fantasizing about that moment when you’re out there the whole time.”
The feeling of completing a challenge, especially one as grueling as the Amazon, is indescribable.
“I remember the extraction on the Amazon,” said Link. We had to pull ourselves over to this Peruvian Navy vessel. When we got to it, they pulled us up onto the ship; and I went over, raised my hands up, they grabbed my wrists and pulled my naked body. I’m just sobbing because I’m so happy… It was an amazing feeling of accomplishment.”
Balancing life and survival
Balancing his survival adventures with his regular life as a biologist for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Link finds a way to make it work.
“I work as a biologist for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument,” explained Link. “I organize remote expeditions. I do permitting logistics, biology, and often lead the expeditions out to these remote areas to do a lot of biological surveys or different management needs depending on what species I’m working with.”
He uses his leave to participate in survival challenges and then returns to his work organizing remote expeditions and conducting biological surveys.
Looking forward
As the current season of “Last One Standing” airs, Link remains motivated and eager to see how far he can push himself.
“I came in second place by seconds, literal seconds,” Link remembered with angst. “But I was out there for 45 days and even though I wasn’t first place, I was second place by seconds. And that accomplishment alone, seeing how far I’ve come over these five challenges of the past six years, is absolutely, absolutely incredible.”
His journey on the show is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. For those interested in watching, the season finale.
“After getting so close on season one, I am extremely motivated on season two to get to the end,” added Link. “But this season finale should be airing on Sept. 15 on the Discovery Channel.”
Link’s story is one of courage, determination, and a relentless pursuit of adventure. His experiences on “Naked and Afraid” and “Last One Standing” have not only tested his survival skills but also his mental and emotional strength.
Through it all, he has emerged stronger and more appreciative of the simple joys in life. For anyone looking to learn about resilience and the power of the human spirit, Link’s journey offers valuable lessons and inspiration.
You can watch Link’s full interview in the video above. You can catch Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing through Sept. 15 every Sunday on the Discovery Channel. Check for local times.