Woniya Dawn Thibeault's life is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a deep connection with the natural world. From a self-described unconfident young girl to a record-breaking survivalist and author, her journey is one of transformation and empowerment.
From Self-Doubt to Arctic Triumph
Growing up in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, Woniya Thibeault didn't see herself as the athletic, confident type who would thrive in the wilderness. She was often picked last for team games in gym class, a feeling that contributed to her lack of self-assurance. Yet, these early experiences laid the foundation for the remarkable accomplishments she would achieve later in life.
Conquering "Alone": A Test of Skill and Spirit
Thibeault's journey took an extraordinary turn when she participated in The History Channel's "Alone," a solo survival challenge that pushes contestants to their limits. In 2018, she appeared on Season 6 of “Alone” in the Arctic, where she was a runner up and survived 73 days by herself -- building shelter out of tree branches, hunting for food with a bow and arrow and bearing harsh winter storms. She survived for 10 weeks off of 10 snowshoe hares, 10 squirrels, one grouse, and quarts of berries. In the process, she lost a third of her body weight as she fought the bone-chilling cold. In 2021, she not only won the challenge, spending 50 days alone off the coast of Labrador, Canada, but also set a record for the most time - 123 days across two seasons - spent in the wilderness alone.
The premise of "Alone" is simple: contestants are dropped off in the wilderness with only 10 survival items of their choice and must survive as long as possible. The last one standing wins a substantial cash prize.
Thibeault, who teaches classes on tanning hides, making clothing from them, and harvesting and processing wild foods, described her experience on "Alone" as "incredibly transformative."
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Embracing Femininity as a Strength
A key aspect of Thibeault's approach to survival is her embrace of femininity. Early in her adult life, she felt pressured to deny her femininity to compete with men on their terms. She strived to be tough and strong, which she found exhausting. Standing at 5'4" with a small frame, she realized that femininity wasn't a handicap but a strength.
Going into “Alone,” she was very intentional with the idea of approaching wilderness exactly who I was. She made a real point of showing up as a woman, not as someone denying my femininity. She believed that the land would respond better to someone who approached it with respect and an understanding of interconnectedness, rather than someone trying to dominate it.
Survival Tips and Connecting with Nature
Thibeault emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature, regardless of one's environment. She reminds us that we are all interconnected with the natural world, breathing in oxygen exhaled by plants and exhaling carbon dioxide that nourishes them. She encourages focusing on plants and birds, which can be found even in the busiest cities, as a way to increase awareness and connection with nature.
Thibeault believes a child-like sense of wonder and curiosity is essential for survival. By approaching the wilderness with questions and a desire to learn, she was able to calm her nervous system and tap into a more ancestral mindset.
"Never Alone": Sharing Vulnerabilities and Inspiring Others
Thibeault's book, "Never Alone: A Solo Arctic Survival Journey," shares stories and insights that weren't shown on television. She hopes to inspire people to connect with the wild and recognize their responsibility to protect and cherish nature. The damaging things we do to our world by taking from nature aren’t in our own best interests, and are in fact against the interests of every other living thing on the planet.
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In her book, Thibeault shares her vulnerabilities and challenges, including an abusive relationship, miscarriage and abortion. She wanted people to identify with her, rather than putting her on a pedestal. With all the challenges and the lack of self-worth she once struggled with, she hoped that others could see themselves in her position and know that because I was capable, they are probably more capable of what they assume they can do right now.
Lessons from the Wilderness: Beyond Basic Survival
Thibeault's experiences on "Alone" offer valuable lessons that extend beyond basic survival skills. She demonstrated the importance of:
- Appreciating the beauty of the natural world: Even in the face of adversity, Thibeault took time to notice the colors in the sunset and find joy in her surroundings.
- Finding companionship in nature: She treated the plants, birds, and animals around her as allies and honored the resources she used.
- Embracing ritual and ancestral connection: Thibeault continued to offer ancestor plates, sharing her precious calories as a way to invoke their presence and support.
- Maintaining a sense of humor and joy: She even threw herself weekly dance parties in the Arctic wilderness.
- Trusting intuition and inner wisdom: Thibeault listened to her body and made decisions based on her own values, even when they differed from the norm.
- Understanding the interconnectedness of all things: She recognized that her actions had consequences for the environment and future generations.
Reintegrating into Modern Life: A Shift in Perspective
Thibeault's time in the wilderness gave her a new perspective on modern life, particularly regarding food. Having sourced every scrap of sustenance from the wild for 73 days, she was horrified by the abundance and wastefulness of the modern world.
She realized that the calorie-rich, nutrient-poor, highly processed foods that are prevalent in our society are detrimental to our health. She concluded that any day with food in it is a good day and that food is not something we are entitled to.
The Importance of Ancestral Skills and Self-Sufficiency
Thibeault believes that mastering the skills to provide for our own needs from the resources around us is essential. She highlights the trade-offs we make when participating in the capitalist system and the importance of self-sufficiency.
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The Science of Survival and Trusting Intuition
To survive in the wilderness, one must have a deep understanding of science. However, Thibeault also emphasizes the importance of intuition and connection with the natural world. She believes that trusting her intuition has led to magical events and unexpected blessings.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Change
Thibeault's journey has been marked by numerous challenges, including extreme weather conditions, hunger, and physical exhaustion. Yet, she has consistently demonstrated resilience and a willingness to adapt.
During season six, she tapped out because she listened to her body. She realized she didn’t believe in this, and if she continue, I’m modeling this for millions of people. Pregnancy and birth change your body. But on Alone I went through losing 50 pounds and then gaining it back. I’d already seen my body endure insane changes, and I think that helped me know that I could go through childbirth and recover and find normalcy again.
Motherhood and the Wilderness: A New Perspective
Thibeault's experience with pregnancy and childbirth at 47 has further deepened her understanding of the connection between the body, nature, and survival. She describes childbirth as a near-death experience that she was better equipped to handle because of her experiences on "Alone."
She also notes the parallels between the hunger and depletion of pregnancy and the challenges of survival in the wilderness.
Sharing Knowledge and Inspiring Others
Back home, Thibeault plans to use her prize money to build a school to help other nature lovers live off the grid or at least be more self-sustainable. She is committed to sharing her knowledge and inspiring others to connect with nature, embrace self-sufficiency, and live more meaningful lives.
Thibeault's Encounter with a Life-Threatening Storm
Thibeault recounted a harrowing experience during "Alone: Frozen" involving a severe storm in Labrador, Canada. The cyclonic weather system brought extreme winds, horizontal snow, and even snow shooting upwards from the ocean cliffs. Smoke inhalation and chlorine gas exposure from burning seaweed caused temporary blindness, further compounding the danger. Adding to the peril, her emergency GPS device malfunctioned, leaving her unable to call for rescue.
Surrender and Trust: A Mindset for Survival
In the face of such adversity, Thibeault emphasized the importance of surrender and trust. She believed that fear and panic would only diminish her chances of survival by triggering the fight-or-flight response, leading to poor decisions and accelerated calorie consumption. Instead, she chose to trust that the landscape and weather did not intend to harm her.
The Power of Nature and the Importance of Connection
Thibeault's deep connection with nature stems from her background in natural sciences. Identifying with nature as more than just a "green blur," she recognizes and values individual elements within it. This innate trust and immersion in nature allows her to be present in the moment, a form of meditation.