270: Jessie Krebs on 'Alone,' Survival Skills, and Healing Through the Outdoors

In this episode Will talks with Jessie Krebs is a wilderness survival expert, former U.S. Air Force SERE specialist, and the founder of O.W.L.S. Skills (Outdoorsy Women Learning Survival Skills), a program dedicated to helping women and marginalized communities build confidence and safety in the outdoors. In this powerful episode, Jessie shares her remarkable journey—from childhood trauma and military service to discovering deep healing through wilderness therapy and survival training. With over a decade of experience in wilderness therapy and appearances on reality shows like Alone, Jessie brings a rare blend of practical skill, emotional insight, and fierce compassion to her work. Will and Jessie dive into the role of nature in trauma recovery, the impact of wilderness on mental health, and the creation of inclusive spaces in outdoor education. She shares a profound story from her time in wilderness therapy that changed her life, discusses the evolution of her teaching philosophy, and explains how survival skills are a pathway to emotional resilience. Whether you're a seasoned outdoorsperson or someone seeking a deeper connection to nature, Jessie's insights offer inspiration and guidance for finding strength in the wild. To connect with Jessie- https://bookings.owlsskills.com/en/