Interview with Sam Ebeyer - Part 1

A while back we stumbled upon a photo of a Waterproof Bible being used on the TV show - Out of the Wilds–Venezuela. Needless to say we were curious about how the Bible held up to the rough elements and about the person(s) who used it.

Here is our interview with Sam Ebeyer - he'll tell you much better about how the whole experience got started and how it went!

Bardin & Marsee Pub (BMP): Why did you want to do the show, Out of the Wilds–Venezuela?

Sam: I did the show because, shortly after they (the production company for the show) called me back, it became apparent that this experience would be a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. I am a bit hard wired for the camping/hunting/surviving sort of life anyway (I grew up in the swamps in South Louisiana), so this was the golden opportunity to realize a real adventure in a foreign country akin to Teddy Roosevelt-esque expeditions.

BMP: Tell us how you were cast to do the show?

Sam: I was cast for the show after seeing a miniature blurb outlining the preliminary method for application while watching “Dual Survival” on the Discovery Channel. It popped up in the bottom left hand side of the screen and said something like “If you think you have what it takes to rough it in the wild, then apply.” So, I did. I told my wife about it in passing, and they called me back the next day and told me to put together a video resume for them along with a brief biography. I did so. Then there was a lot of paperwork and background checks. Once I passed all of that, they flew me to LA twice for screening processes and finally to Venezuela where they selected the final 9 for the show.

BMP: What is the show about?

Sam: The show’s premise is that they take 9 strangers, put them together in the middle of the Venezuelan wilderness and they have to make it out of the wild by living off of the land. The hike was over 90 miles through the mountains and jungles with primitive/indigenous supplies. It was a “survival” show.

BMP: What is your favorite memory from the show?

Sam: My favorite memory from the show was after a 15 hour hike (8 of which were done in the pitch black of the jungle). We reached a clearing to make camp and saw the stars. I have never seen a spread of stars like that before in my life. That starry sky paired with the knowledge that we were going to be able to rest was great. I grabbed my mosquito net and wrapped up and crashed on the open ground.

BMP: How did your relationship with God change throughout the show?

Sam: My relationship with God changed in that there was more faith building proof behind the promises of God. We were under the most adverse trying circumstances and my encouragement/comfort all came from the Lord faithfully staying with me throughout. Things I knew about God before I really knew about him after the show. Suffering tends to make our vision of Christ sharper.

 

Photographer - Luke Terbieten

 

This ends Part 1 - stayed tuned...