My Body on Alone Part 3: My Recovery

[@yvorfalcon3025]

Please TV producers, give this girl a show where she can travel to the Amazon, Australia, New Zealand, Papua and meet with people living in full contact with the nature.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

very sweet, thank you. That would be incredible indeed!

[@jayscott350]

I'd watch...

[@nickcrosby9875]

Seconded

[@risingsun4173]

ya me too. she's really watchable, informative and open.

[@tucopacifico]

It was obvious that you had the mental toughness to go the distance. Watching you was inspirational, and not just for other women....all the guys I know that saw the show were hoping you would win as well. Glad you are recovering so well, you look great. Appreciate the update!

[@JohnSimons0314]

Woniya, you were one of my favorites out there. I loved your attititude.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

thank you

[@alexabyronfujino8320]

I'm so facinated by how the women participating in Alone seemed to not have such a critical view of their bodies. Granted non of them were overweight, but they didn't look like crazy gym goers either (like the instagram model tight abs and butt ideal). They all have a more natural and relaxed beauty and I really appreciated seeing it. This video and the Alone show really put body shape and health into perspective. I really struggle with my body's imperfections but watching this show and this video helps me understand my body and how much I have to be greatful for. I will never be frustrated at my body being more efficient with how it burns calories as my fitness levels increase ever again. Social body ideals really morph the truth about what a woman's body should look like and how it should function. Being very lean isn't necesarily healthy and fat is necesary.

[@cristinacastellanos9269]

Alexa Byron Fujino makes you appreciate body fat when it’s part of survival .. pretty amazing

[@andyhaochizhang]

The super lean muscular aesthetics is really the product of modern societies where a lot of us don’t need to worry about starving. It’s reasonable to develop a leaner aesthetics in an environment where the benefit of body fat is limited, but being healthy and fit is much more important than achieving certain body composition. And the ideal body type for each person should depend on their lifestyle and activities.

[@MuddyPuttersDG]

Sounds like you need to spend less time on the internet.

[@SassyMa_]

I agree! Im glad i found this video and gave it a listen bc it made so many things come into prespevtive for me and answered so many questions that i didnt know how to go about to try to make healthier changes for myself, which was great.. thanks for sharing your thoughts with us...

[@HaleFire7]

Let me know when an obese person wins Alone

[@shaolinzendragon4737]

Indeed you are. 100% " A well built strong round woman. " Admirable 🌷

[@whatnextkai1294]

Incredible experience, I'm in tears... while munching on my toast... with butter... and jam.

[@opmus]

That's funny. I just finished watching season 6 on netflix last night while eating taco bell.

[@MisfitsFiendClub138]

And great big mugs of hot, sweet, milky tea 🍵 😋 👌 ha ha

[@wordlessASMR]

Hey Woniya! Just wanted to tell you that seeing you on Alone -- but even MORE SO here on your YT channel -- has had a huge impact on my sense of self and body image. I have learned a lot about my body and about nutrition over the years, but primarily this has been driven by vanity. It's so badass to hear you talk about food and body image in the context of strength, curves, vitality, and endurance. And you don't just talk. You LIVE your words. Thank you for your special, articulate approach to these topics. I have such huge, huge respect for you!

[@BuckskinRevolution]

thank you so mu co! That is great to hear and I am so happy to have a positive impact on you and your life!

[@barb108]

Fascinating info about the physical aftermath of such an extreme survival experience. You mentioned your anxiety about watching the show as it aired and while I understand that you might have made different editing choices related to your time in the North, I think that you were shown in a very positive manner. I found you to be knowledgeable, charismatic and positive, much like some of my other favorites like Callie, Nicole, Nikki and others. You must be proud of your accomplishments.

[@durskoenig]

Woniya, I am much impressed by your talks, you tell excellent stories with good insights.

[@estherofeliatorres9848]

I enjoyed seeing the show Alone and the ways that the women and men survived for such long periods of time. Woniya did a great job in surviving and made a very good choice to tap herself out of the Alone series because she learned so much about herself which is very important to a person. She chose her body and life instead of the money. She almost made it in winning but she made the best choice of her life.

[@FreeCanadian76]

the human body is a facinating machine. pretty incredible to have this insight into the aftermath of this. Les Stroud often said that his body suffered when doing repeated survivorman episodes one after another so I can only imagine how hard it was to recover from months without regular food. Massive kudos to you and everyone else who participated - few could even come close to that achievement. :)

[@mattmarzula]

Every time I see this on my feed I think back to just how tough and grounded Woniya was. When she talks about not realizing how bad off you are until you allow yourself to, it resonates with me.

[@nicegurl408]

Omg, the show should show them recover. Just hearing her talk about looking in the mirror... 😭

[@readsamread]

I just finished your season yesterday. I feel so empowered by your spirit and the ancestral work you do. This video really made me appreciate my body so much more. Thank you for everything that you stand for Winoya. You are someone I look up to immensely for your strength and love for the earth.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

aw, thanks so much sam!

[@ISawYouMushroomHead]

I wanted you to win so bad I was rooting for you from the beginning and I’m not shocked you made it so far.

[@risingsun4173]

you're describing this so wonderfully. I'm getting SO much out of your detailed descriptions. Thank you for bringing us this detail and insight. You did wonderfully on the show (just finished the season) but more important is that you're happy and healthy now. And you look great btw!

[@Jerlemi2]

You have a strong future ahead. I see really good things unfolding if they haven’t already. You are a wise, strong, articulate woman.

[@1049berkeley]

I was so hoping for you to win; or any of the women for that matter. I was in awe of all the contestants. You were amazing on the show !!!! You endeared me and reminded me of my grandma. My grandma was a good fisherman and hunter. She used to wade out onto sand bars in the Gulf of Mexico (even in her 70s) to fish. I have pix of her with 30-4ilb drum and redfish that she reeled in. All of you could do TED Talks and everyone would be all ears. You all have alot to offer the world via your experiences and insights.

[@alwayslearningthankyou2708]

You are a wonderful speaker and teacher. I love hearing about your experiences and what you learned from them, very good information. Thank you for sharing!

[@naz2528]

Wow, the epitome of resilience and strength in not only how you went through the show but your recovery after. Incredibly inspiring.

[@DFDuck55]

After Brooke Whipple's 2nd time on Alone, and tapping both times due to starvation, I emailed her and told her "don't do that again!". Your body can recover only so many times from it before there is permanent damage and/or damage that will take years to recover from. I won't go into how or why I know, suffice it to say... I know.

[@MightSeemCrazyOG]

Thank you for such an articulate and educational recap of your physical experience! You are a true beauty inside and out.

[@christopherslaughter2263]

You seem like a person who is very sweet and kind. That really comes across on the show.

[@williammoore4646]

Love your videos, you have a knack for telling the story in a way that keeps me entertained and educating me at the same time, thank you for sharing.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Thanks so much, that's certainly the goal!

[@IronDogger]

You popped up in my feed and what a great surprise! My Leukemia experiences of losing so much weight and the way the body responds to eating again was so familiar!! The paper thin skin, the sugar cravings, I am intrigued by how similar of an experience it is. I think as women who enjoy the outdoors and the challenge of pushing our boundaries we are very in tune with our bodies and when that becomes deprived, it’s like living in someone else’s skin as the body does what it needs to survive. Thanks for sharing, l look forward to hearing about your lifestyle! I’m new to this you tube thing myself, so hopefully I can learn a few things from you!

[@AMERICANPRIDE1100]

You look amazing now can’t believe women strive for that emaciated look so strong now 👍🏻

[@stormtreeproductions6477]

Healthy and strong- heck yeah! You and all the contestants were amazing. Glad you’re back to health.

[@Midgard_outdoors]

You're a strong person! So much knowledge and wisdom.

[@kscharky8951]

I just finished watching the Alone season you were on. Just want to say bravo! You were amazing! Unbelievable 😊

[@decaf4me2]

Thank you for sharing what happened to your body and mind during your recovery. Fascinating stuff. Wishing you well!

[@ErinChanel]

You were my favorite 🥰🥰🥰 You’re amazing!! ❤️

[@donhbloomer]

I was very impressed with the people in this season, (Season 6). I always looked forward to seeing the coverage of your work to survive. Of course for the first several episodes they had to feature the other people as one person was leaving every show. So they had to be highlighted before they tapped out. I was particularly noticing how closely you were paying attention to the animals and environment around you. Your closeness and understanding of how Nature works was a pleasure to watch. I can see why they chose that time of year to drop you out in the wilderness. I am sure if you were to start in early spring you might still be out there thriving. Thank you for these videos. I hope there will be many more.

[@LBC13]

You’re amazing!! Such an inspiration! The hair loss is due to extreme diet changes and of course lack of nutrients. The issue with getting more cold sores is due to low immune system & dehydration. Eating processed foods again after detoxing will also cause more flare ups because your body becomes more sensitive to sugar & toxins.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

thank you. In general I agree that those triggers can cause cold sores. I have a really clean diet high in Lysine and no processed foods or refined sugars, and in this case nothing had changed for me except the areas of being on television. In my case stress and lack of sleep are what usually trigger them and, as you say, these also lower the immune system.

[@jeanetteswalberg6166]

It's wonderful to see you looking so happy and healthy! Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights. Best Wishes!

[@ncdoc100]

Thank you for sharing your insight on your experience. I’ve wondered about the recovery process for the participants of the show

[@rchristie5401]

amazing transition from healthy to extremely thin...then back again. You are definitely a force who is in her element.

[@danielmalone2975]

You are so awesome. I was hoping you would win the whole time. Best wishes for the future.

[@LoriDeibert]

My son and I began watching Alone while I was visiting him in Grass Valley when we realized that you live there! You were a fierce contestant and we celebrated when you won! He actually texted me the other night that you came into the restaurant he was dining at... so cool!

[@appalachianfamilyrecipes4647]

I just finished season 6 and wow, you are an absolute inspiration!

[@janamerten6592]

Absolutely fascinating. So much admiration and appreciation for your strength, presence and wisdom. Thank you so much for sharing, blessings to you! 💖🙏💖

[@BuckskinRevolution]

aw, thank you!

[@sandra02148]

Thank you for sharing all this stuff

[@g33kn4sty]

Wow this was really enlightening. For some reason I thought the producers were being overly aggressive pulling contestants, but the starvation was a grueling ordeal to contend with!

[@dianevillemaire8286]

You are an excellent speaker, love your videos

[@animalcommunicator_me]

Thank you Woniya for posting this video, sorry I have only just come across it - I want to say that the process your body went through is the classic way a body would come through a period of starvation. I, at this moment am ten months into recovering from an eating disorder, I did not eat enough calories for 25 years. The first thing that happens is that once you start eating enough calories again you feel sooo hungry and overeat A LOT. It is actually a very good thing, your body is telling you it needs to eat and you can get uncontrollable hunger for sweet and fatty stuff, usually junk food as this is what your body can digest really easily. It happened to me too. I put on a lot of weight around my middle. I am still waiting for everything to even out and balance in the right places. You were totally right to trust your body and let yourself eat whatever it wanted to, this is the advice I have had in recovery. Many people get scared as they see themselves ballooning up and so they start restricting but can never get completely healed. There is a fascinating study called the Minnesota Starvation Experiment which you maybe interested in, where men went through the same process under supervision in the 1940's and most of them overshot their original weight (some by a large amount) but eventually went back to normal weight just by listening to their bodies and giving them the food they needed. Thank you again for everything you do.

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

Your value has increased sizeably with everysiver streak in your hair.

[@RickMarshallMaps]

Thanks for sharing more of the personal side of what was going on with your body while on Alone. Most of us never think about how difficult it must have been to re-acclimate to food.

[@hatchpatch29]

I just watched your season on Alone. You are an impressive competitor! I thought you had it in the bag (even with Jordan getting a moose). Love your attitude and outlook on things. Congrats on a great showing and a fun youtube channel. Looking forward to seeing anything you do in the future.

[@amymcduffee6521]

You are an incredible human! thank you for sharing.

[@281covfefe5]

Thnxs for uploading and sharing this awesome story of your journey !! Looking forward to more ! 👍🏻🇺🇸💯

[@kristinae.7084]

You are SO in tune with your body - it is really fascinating to listen and learn from you!!

[@danman2070]

You are very skilled, and you shined the whole way through. Well done!

[@aaronwilcox6417]

I think you did great on that season. I seriously thought you might have pulled it off if the other fella wasn't such a good hunter. Still your tenacity and skills staying warm impressed me. Its so good your body recovered. You were really thin and in this video you look very filled out and beautiful. Happy this went well for you.

[@DJ-dt4kz]

Thanks for sharing, totally amazing hearing the transition. Seeing show justbdont notice the extent of body breakdown. Great job and enjoying these videos also

[@lindseyloo6619]

You were me and my daughter's favorite we were rooting so hard fir you🥰

[@BuckskinRevolution]

aw, thanks lindsay!

[@nickcrosby9875]

Fascinating and again an important aspect we as viewers of the Show never really see or understand. Thank you for this account, detail and frankness Woniya! It makes your achievement and experience even more notable

[@michaelrhodes6730]

I think you're really pretty and look to be in great shape. Your videos are informative as well.

[@Blair1Collins]

Great insights. Great videos. I appreciate that you put the effort into sharing the things that are just not obvious or even possible to show in "Alone". The journey after combined with the show provides a powerful retrospective. Thank you.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

That's the hope! You're very welcome!

[@noconspiracytheoriesplease.745]

Woniya, this extra information and recollection of your recovery and health is so interesting and deepens our understanding of the personal sacrifice competitors go through! Thanks so much for investing the time in your channel and in providing these very thoughtful and reflective accounts of your experience. I have much respect and admiration for your wisdom, humility, enthusiasm and teaching ability! Wishing you continued success and fulfillment :)

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Thanks so much! I talk about all of these things and more in my book about my time on Season 6, Never Alone, if you want to check it out. It is on Amazon and elsewhere

[@SassyMa_]

So glad you made this video wow! Even if your not into survival, this was a great video to watch. Thanks again for sharing your experience with us. The vital information that i myself had never heard before was amazing to hear, so thank you so very much and im glad your back and healthy. Take care... I definitely got a lot of new questions for myself now and some homework to do, thx lol..

[@BuckskinRevolution]

wonderful!

[@giovanapc1]

I just finished watching Alone Frozen after watching you on season 6 and then reading your book (clearly you've got a fan here ahaha). Loved your approach and respect for nature and just how much you enjoyed the experience. You're a huge inspiration for women, please continue to do what you do and congrats on winning Alone Frozen!

[@johnnya9001]

You are an amazing woman. The whole series was terrific and I was rooting for you. Love that Grass Valley area and all the Northern Sierra. Live in Auburn. All the best to you.

[@KandBacres]

As someone recovered from 18 years of eating disorders....this information and your experience of recovery lines up so much with what happens when learning to eat and listen to your body, as well as the physical processes that you so eloquently explained. This could be very helpful for people in recovery to understand what is happening to the body and to help embrace and accept the changes, and listen and give the body what it needs. You are an inspiration and a role model! So glad to hear you recovered well. Thanks for sharing your experience in such detail and so honestly. Wanted to see you win but honestly, what you did and chose, is winning on an even higher level. All the best to you in everything you do in your amazing life! What an experience!

[@BuckskinRevolution]

That's great to hear, I too hope my experience can be a help to people in recovery from eating disorders- and i actually got a second chance to do Alone! You should check out Alone Frozen if you're interested

[@emholland6393]

Woniya, thank you for sharing this lovely reflection. You are an insightful teacher and so inspiring!

[@BuckskinRevolution]

thank you Em

[@kayelle8005]

This is fascinating and you are so interesting and inspiring.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Thanks so much!

[@swimbait1]

I just watched the final episode today. You were really tough and did a fantastic job and you should feel very proud of your accomplishment. The guy that won got a moose and that made all the difference.

[@imadethiscomment5663]

I just got done watching it. You did such a great job, I'm so proud of you!

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Thanks so much

[@floweru8007]

Wow, your comment about the over eating of the food and feeling safe resonated with me so much. I obviously have never been in the type of situation that you have been but I’ve had periods of such bad anxiety where I have no appetite and I’m so nauseous but I don’t eat for days on end. My body will lose weight extremely quickly. This last episode was a few months ago and now I’m gaining weight so quickly and I realize the thing that I need to tell myself is that I am OK now and I am safe. Thank you.

[@davecurtis1468]

We were so rooting for you to win the show, so proud of you.

[@diannaharrison5931]

Fascinating process. Thank s for sharing. You have truly been blessed!

[@albeniz53]

I just finish watching the show and I am so in awww of you. You did so well. You were very inspiring. I wonder how are you doing now and what are you doing?

[@Downeastwaves]

Thanks so much for sharing these episodes. You are amazing!!

[@denverbevins4052]

Appreciate your sharing this part of the experience. It's a great perspective on the desirability of pure freedom. Some pine for the days-of-old as a more honest & pure time. Few appreciate the indifferent brutality of primitive living, particularly alone. Community is the only way to live.

[@rexscott8724]

Ms Buckskin, I was most impressed with your performance and you would have tied or won and you were winning this extreme test which was far more difficult than any other survival test so far. More importantly your lesson to us; your statement regarding your choice to say that you were willing to stop short in order to not risk your health in the end was the most important performance point and your example to others was a lesson which was pure discipline in terms of how to survive so by pure style you won the challenge in my mind. You were by far the most skilled at wilderness survival and demonstrated that in pure style and technique. You look great welcome home.

[@jhl3653]

Honestly, I was ready to dismiss you as a typical new-age hippie sort.... but now I realize that you are truly sincere about your convictions and that you speak from a place of humility and caring. Much respect.

[@shereneliscom6736]

You look great now !! Im so glad you got yourself taken care of.

[@faridsandoval2514]

So inspirational, so connected! You are an incredible speaker and educator. Hope you continue doing what you are doing and sharing your journey w the world.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

thank you, that's certainly the idea! I have an online course coming up on buckskin seeing if you are interested in learning more! academy.buckskinrevolution.com/buckskin-sewing-101

[@thomasjanos2030]

You look wonderful now (hot even) and i am sorry for the struggles you had to go through. The producers should do follow ups with this type interview to show the after effects, i learned a lot from your video that i did not expect.

[@MountainFolkFaith]

I was rooting for you till the very end on Alone! Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m in recovery from anorexia and went through a very similar experience. You seem to be in great health!

[@randybeeson3424]

You look great! I was rooting for you the whole time.

[@wildone1392]

Really interesting. Thanks for sharing all that. The human body is quite a miraculous thing! Its a pity more people don't trust in its ability to heal itself!

[@GG-sj2wg]

Much respect. You did awesome. I spent last summer in the Alaskan Arctic in a camper van with my dog and I can tell you firsthand I don’t want to be there in the Fall let alone winter. Bravo girl! BTW - the Grayling fishing was unbelievable. So where the damn misquotes!

[@chrisfronk4894]

Wow. Super real, and very relatable. Thanks for the candor, ma’am.

[@jessicarenae5107]

*I just finished watching your season! Literally like not even 5 minutes ago lol!! Ahhhh... I wish you knew how close you were!! How amazing are you though.... seriously!!! Love ya!!*

[@dianedegree3615]

Dealing with trauma and grief over here...definitely lost my hair and about 18 pounds, have the same sensitive teeth like you described, and lost my butt. You give me hope to gain my mental health (and my booty) back!! This is SUCH a positive body image talk and video. THANK YOU, Woniya!!! Role model 💥🥇💥

[@BuckskinRevolution]

wonderful to hear it's helpful for you. you're very welcome

[@evakuenzig470]

I am so glad that you were able to discuss your weight as a woman. This is a very difficult topic to most women and they see themselves as "weighty" when the men see themselves as fine. I relate to you in this aspect. Menopause changes the whole thing.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

I bet! It has been really fascinating how the whole Alone experience has shifted my perspective on my body and it's functions and changed how i relate to food weight, strength, etc. I have struggled with body image but plenty in my life, but feel fitter and stronger now in my mid forties than ever before with new understanding i have having pushed my body to its real limits

[@SouthmenBushcraft]

You did amazing through your time there your videos are informative and you have a great way of explaining your experiences

[@roddas26]

Thank you for sharing this, very insightful. And inspiring.

[@Runsfrombears]

Awesome job on alone! You have some serious skills!

[@actontreadway1168]

I fasted for a month in the ‘90s and it was unreal. And yes, it took another two months to come off of it. That’s easily the hardest part.

[@elkhound25]

thanks again for sharing all this valuable information.

[@kodibassInsideoutboards]

I cried when she did not win,, I am a Strong 40++++ year Alaskan Man,, But she had / did put it All on the line x 10,, dammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm- IT , Kodi

[@andrewdg90]

Here from the Fieldcraft podcast. Incredible story! Just amazing what the human body is capable of!

[@BuckskinRevolution]

thanks! It certainly is, isnt it!

[@sacredstoneproductions5771]

I just finished up season 6 on NETFLIX today. You’re really beautiful and no doubt you’re a badass! happy you got your body back. I’ve been in some what of starvation mode before. I guess that’s why this video was so interesting to me.

[@spiritofwildflowers]

I just finished it today! Isn’t she so interesting?! 🤎🤎🤎

[@coinfisher9263]

You were great we loved your talents.

[@Rhoso7]

I've never wanted to go starve myself in the woods as badly as I do now after having watched this video

[@teekay1785]

LOL

[@Marty_Wildman]

shit I want to do it too.

[@AMERICANPRIDE1100]

I fast everyday for 18 hours it’s amazing how your body will repair itself if you let it

[@astolennova]

Thank you for sharing this part of your experience. Incredibly clear and well presented. I predicted you'd win from your first segment on the show. You seemed extremely calm. Very inspiring.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

thank you!

[@pugnacioussaint2457]

This is wild! Thanks for sharing

[@celestialcircledance]

Yes famines were more of a part of reality in the olden days but bear in mind that back then people had all summer to store food and secure shelter and it was a team effort . What you went through was very extreme and unnatural in any circumstance and it's a big testament to your skill that you survived and recovered your health !

[@Fireflieds]

I learned a lot of these kinds of things after having a traumatic brain injury. I am now overweight and kind of wondering how I can learn more about why my body is where it’s at right now. The body and brains response to trauma is so fascinating!