What motivates survival TV personalities and experts? We’re catching up with Nicole Apelian to hear from a well-respected figure in the industry for the inside scoop!
Who is Nicole Apelian?
Meet Dr. Nicole Apelian, a multi-skilled expert in herbal medicine, biology, anthropology, and traditional skills instruction. Nicole has impressed audiences with her abilities in the outdoors. She has appeared on the History Channel’s “Alone” TV series twice, relying heavily on a knife and her intelligence to survive while completely isolated.
Her performance on the show has earned her a reputation as one of the most capable survivalists. Additionally, she has shared her knowledge and experience with others on the UK documentary series “Surviving The Stone Age.” Overall, Nicole is a respected expert in survival techniques.
How did you become affiliated with the History Channel and Alone?
Quite simply, they called me for season one. I told them to ask again for season 2, which they did. The rest, you could say, is “History”!
What are your favorite wild edibles to forage?
I love wild greens like miner’s lettuce, stinging nettle, & wood sorrel, seaweeds of all types, and mushrooms.
Catching up with Nicole Apelian: Tools
My answer depends on the situation, but I always like having a large knife, a good saw, and a multi-tool. I did alter the Leatherman that I took on Alone so that I’d have an awl and a chisel–no need for screwdrivers in the bush/woods.
Who would you consider a mentor or significant influence in your life?
My stepfather, a chemistry professor, was my biggest mentor growing up. We’d go on adventures together, camping, canoeing, hiking, always bringing our field guides, curiosity, and a lot of fun and laughter. I was a rather feral child, and he fostered that even more in me; I also became a scientist like him.
My parents always encouraged me to follow my passions and instilled in me the importance of giving back to the world. Now, I’ve passed on all that he taught me to my children.
When was the first time you were lost?
Very deep in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, 1995. I made the (incorrect) assumption that the people I was with in the bush knew where we were going. It was a dicey situation. I’m much smarter now—haha!
Nicole Apelian: Most miserable time on Alone.
Honestly, the transition home was the most difficult for me (I really loved my time on Alone, even with its challenges). The transition back to society was completely overwhelming after spending so much time solo in nature. That was much harder than anything I had experienced in the field.
What do you love about teaching wilderness awareness skills?
I love it when someone “gets it,” and you not only see that they’ve mastered a skill, but you see a new light in their eyes. Igniting that spark brings me deep joy.
If you could go to a foreign environment to camp/learn/explore, where would it be?
I love to travel and learn from people from cultures different from ours. I’ve spent a lot of time with a community of Kalahari San Bushmen in Botswana, Africa, who are like family to me. Every time I’m with them, I absorb even more of their skills and ways of connecting with each other and with the land around them.
When I travel, I seek out local ways of living and do my best to learn how they connect with nature. My most recent travels were to Egypt with my sons. Not sure where my next adventure will take me, but I have many places on my list.
Catching up with Nicole Apelian: Gear Designs
I’m really proud of my bush bolo knife, designed by myself and knife maker Ron Macy and which I took on both seasons of Alone. I needed one knife to do the job of many, and this one didn’t disappoint. I also really like the firestarter necklace by Wazoo Survival Gear. It’s a simple, effective design, and the Apelian Utility Work Fleece by Dovetail Workwear—finally, durable workwear for women!
My last item is the foraging bandana I helped design. It’s a one-of-a-kind foraging field guide that you can wear, carry, and use daily. It’s also beautiful.
For more information, please check out Nicole Apelian, Ph.D.
www.nicoleapelian.com
https://nicoleapelian.com/books/
