Not many people can say they’ve trekked across multiple continents completely naked. Lynsey McCarver has done it twice.

McCarver, 36, is one of 12 survivalists on the newest season of the Discovery Channel’s hit reality series Naked and Afraid XL, which premiered Sunday evening. The regular episodes of Naked and Afraid involve 21-day challenges where two people are paired up, stripped down, and forced to navigate the wilderness with only a map, satchel, and machete. The XL edition is the show’s version of an all-star game, but the challenge is extended to 40 days.

A Silver Valley native and current resident of Pinehurst, McCarver was asked to apply for the show in 2020 after being discovered by one of the show’s talent scouts. “I never thought in a million years they would actually ask me,” McCarver said.

She was featured in the second episode of season 13, set in Lapalala, South Africa, where she and another survivalist completed a 21-day challenge. This time around, she’s in Colombia, South America, surviving the harsh conditions of the Colombian Badlands.

“My first challenge helped me discover things about myself and realize I had more grit than I ever thought,” McCarver said. “I also wanted to show my kids that their mom was a badass and that they can do anything they put their minds to.”

Her first challenge was grueling, yet she speaks fondly of it. With the new season premiering, she’s careful not to spoil upcoming episodes. “The second time around was for me,” McCarver said emphatically. “After handling everything life could throw at me, I wanted to see if I could handle what Mother Nature could throw at me and really see what I was made of.”

Since her first foray into Naked and Afraid, McCarver has navigated a divorce and the challenges of being a single, working mom. Surprisingly, this show, which forces participants to be literally naked and afraid, has been a source of healing for her. “My favorite part of doing these challenges is who I become once I complete them,” McCarver said. “After going through that much suffering, you really don't take things for granted anymore. It gives you a clearer head about how the world is supposed to work.”

McCarver’s mother, Deanne Fitzgerald, wasn’t surprised by her daughter’s initial decision to be on the show but is incredibly proud of her for doing it a second time, especially knowing the challenges would be even more difficult. “I couldn’t be more proud of Lynsey’s courage and fortitude during this challenge,” Fitzgerald said. “I know this has been quite the experience for her, and she has made lifelong friends.”

A Silver Valley girl at heart, McCarver wasn’t most bothered by the conditions, the animals, or even the nudity. “The BUGS,” she said. “Gah, those suckers were awful; everything wants your blood. After about two minutes of being naked, the awkwardness wears off, and the real worries start to pop into your head. Not having clothes just makes it all ten times worse—it strips you down into your rawest form.”

Despite the physical and emotional toll, McCarver has found a unique form of therapy in the extreme conditions of Naked and Afraid. “You have so much alone time with your thoughts; you are forced to solve your own issues and problems,” she explained. “It’s kinda like my own twisted way of therapy.”

McCarver's favorite moment from this newest season has yet to be revealed, but “you'll know it when you see it.”

As she continues to push her limits on Naked and Afraid XL, McCarver hopes her journey inspires others to face their fears and embrace the unexpected challenges life throws at them. Her story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the unyielding human spirit.

Naked and Afraid XL airs on Sunday nights at 5 p.m. (PST) on the Discovery Channel.