Upstate NY native competes on ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing' on Discovery Channel

Prior to 2019, Dan Link had never been naked and afraid. Now he’s a seasoned pro.

The Webster native starred in three regular seasons of the Discovery Channel survival reality show “ Naked and Afraid ,” in which two-person teams were dropped in the middle of inhospitable settings without clothing, food or really anything and challenged to survive by their wits. Currently, he can be seen in the second season of “Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing,” which airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on Discovery.

Where was 'Naked and Afraid' filmed?

Shot in Africa’s punishing Munzwa Valley, it includes the usual indignities, hardships and terrors but has the added twist of “challenges” that pit him against 13 other series veterans, or all-stars, who initially work in groups. So, what is the appeal of stripping down to nothing and subjecting yourself to the harshest environments on Earth?

“I ask myself that all the time,” said the 33-year-old, who is based in Honolulu, Hawaii, and works as a field biologist in the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, where he camps for weeks on end to study endangered species. “The adventure of it, to be honest. It can be absolutely terrible in the moment and you’re questioning, ‘Why am I out here again?’ But you have some amazing experiences out there and stories you can tell for the rest of your life. And the amount of personal growth you go through is absolutely incredible.”

As in past challenges in Mexico and the Philippine Island of Palawan (during typhoon season, no less), weather in the African bush tested Link during the 45-day shoot.

“In the very beginning of this season, the temperature dropped down into the 40s overnight,” said Link, who graduated from Webster Thomas High School in 2008, attended Monroe Community College and in 2012 earned a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. “And there were heatwaves where it got up to 120 degrees. It was brutal.”

Does he worry about being attacked on 'Naked and Afraid'?

The most daunting task, though, was dodging wildlife, he said.

In addition to herds of elephants, “There were crocodiles everywhere,” he said. Not to mention aggressive rhinos.

“That was a big concern,” he said. “We had to make sure we had an escape hatch, aka a tree to climb up. The wildlife was an issue on all the challenges. But on this one, it was just so absolutely in your face 24/7.”

Beyond being able to think ahead, Link said, “Having a scientific mind helped me a lot. Every bit of it gets put to the test in ‘Last One Standing.’”

He can’t say how he fared (the premiere just aired on July 14) or whether he emerged as the last one standing and winner of $100,000, a relatively new enticement. (Most previous seasons did not offer a cash prize.)

But it’s hard to put a price on the clear-eyed perspective and mental toughness the experience promoted.

“Going without food and creature comforts and your loved ones makes you appreciate what you have,” he said. “Those of us who really excel at challenges have developed this unique skill where we’re really able to think of all those things we appreciate so much in our lives and gain joy from it. The more miserable you are, the more you appreciate those things, and the more joy it can bring you. Your happiness is increasing with the misery in that moment. It’s a powerful tool to get through really dark times.”

How to watch 'Naked and Afraid'

You can stream "Naked and Afraid" on DiscoveryPlus .

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com . Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood .

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Upstate NY native competes on ‘Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing' on Discovery Channel