Jason Salyer is a survivalist, outdoor fitness coach, and content creator who thrives where comfort ends and character begins. He gained national attention on Alone: The Beast, surviving 30 days with no tools—just grit, muscle, and one dead animal.
Off-screen, Jason trains others to master bushcraft, mental toughness, and primal fitness through Georgia Bushcraft and On Three Survival. His YouTube channel blends gear reviews, prepper know-how, and field-tested hacks with a dose of dry wit and serious know-how.
A former strength and conditioning coach, he builds bodies that can haul logs, lift spirits, and outrun bad decisions. Whether he’s scaling mountains or teaching, Jason brings a philosopher’s edge to the wild. He’s always chasing self-reliance with a side of sweat!
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What led you to the survival industry?
I have had a restless desire for adventure since before I can remember. I crave the unknown challenges that come alongside traveling into wild settings. Being the guy that others can count on when an adventure inevitably becomes difficult has always been extremely important to me.
So I practice my skills, stay fit, and learn as much as I can to become the man who lets everyone relax in potentially dangerous situations.
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How’d you get involved with Alone: The Beast?
As usual, I was on the hunt for the next adventure. The History Channel approached me through email and presented me with a challenge I couldn’t refuse. A month in a remote setting with no gear at all? It was the misery that I was searching for!
Tell about a time you were lost and how you corrected it.
At 16 or 17, I was pretty sure I was indestructible. I often headed off into the woods with little to nothing and rarely let anybody know my plan. I ventured further and further into an unfamiliar part of Southwest Virginia until darkness approached. It was way too late to decide to return to my truck. I soon realized I had no idea where I was, and panic set in.
I did the textbook wrong move and ran through the woods like a cat on too much nip to escape before darkness set in. Miraculously, I stumbled upon a trail (the wrong trail) and followed it till I hit a road ( the wrong road). I waved down a driver and asked for directions. A long, long walk on a dark road led me back to my truck.
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Favorite Wilderness Survival movies, according to Jason?
Predator, Castaway, Crocodile Dundee, and Rambo 2.
Jason on One Tool Option or Tool Set?
Machete for sure!
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Tell us about your tool designs with Bear Forest Knives.
The On3 EDC: Big enough to do all the knife things, but small enough to carry every dad-gum day!
The On3 Ulu: A classic design to go in a survival tin. Maximum cutting edge in the smallest package.
Jason Salyer loves the Tramontina 18” Machete.
Love ’em! They are easy to modify and make your own. The steel is easy to sharpen with just a rock out of the creek. It won’t break even with heavy use. They are cheap and love the abuse. The best part is that if you should lose it or break it, you won’t be heartbroken. After they have been modified and used for a year or so, they develop an unmistakable patina.
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If you could pick one mentor, who would it be?
My Papaw! Loved that man! We were best friends. He had endless patience and always made time to take me fishing, hunting, camping, etc. We crafted knives from old files, restored old bamboo fly rods, tied our own flies, hiked, canoed, you name it. He was good at everything and is missed just about every day.
Describe your most miserable adventure situation.
My time on Alone: The Beast was pretty rough. The southern LA swamps are not what most would consider welcoming. If the trench foot hasn’t already set, and mosquitoes aren’t ingesting pints of you at a time, just wait a day or two.
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I lost 22 pounds! I suffered from sleep deprivation, which led to crazy, vivid dreams and an emotional rollercoaster. We endured a tropical storm under a palm-thatched lean-to and slept in puddles of water for days. The cockroaches that took over our shelter made an already uncomfortable situation even more “fun.”
Food was always just out of reach. The water was gross. Then the cold set in. Record-breaking cold temps in the swamp! So much fun! Rough experience, but wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Jason on teaching wilderness awareness skills?
I love giving other people the confidence to take on new, exciting challenges. The look in someone’s eyes as the fear leaves and courage takes its place is priceless.
If you could go to a foreign environment, where would it be?
I have never been to the Arctic and lack experience with extreme cold and deep snow. I am planning a big adventure and want to point my truck north and drive north from my house till the road runs out. What’s the worst that could happen?
We’ve camped together in Colorado, and you like to change up your shelter setup. What do you prefer: a tent, tarp, bivy, or plopping down?
Without question, I love the Plop! The freedom of camping like a coyote, without really caring about gear, is impressive. Give me the proper clothing, a poncho, and maybe a foam pad, and I can camp just about anywhere with a smile on my face.
What knife designs are you proud of?
My On3 EDC by Bear Forest Knives is a constant companion that I would highly recommend to anyone willing to use and abuse a tool for real-life tough jobs.
Jason has over 1,000 videos on topics ranging from prepping and survival to motorcycle adventure riding, Overlanding, DIY gear, Faith, Fitness, and so much more!
Find Jason Salyer:
YouTube: On Three
https://youtube.com/@onthree?si=o0U3M4NT9x8mdtUF
Substack:
https://on3ready.substack.com/subscribe
YouTube: Fit On Three
https://youtube.com/@fitonthree?si=ffrZAlL3-TsdIVU6
Fitness for whatever life may throw at you!
Patreon:
https://patreon.com/OnThree?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
Jason Salyer
[email protected]
https://youtube.com/c/ONThree
Instagram
@jasonleesurvival
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