NT BUZZ speaks with one of the ‘Naked and Afraid: Aadimanav’ participants, Goa-based Sudipta Mondol, about the lessons learned from nature and the extraordinary experience of jungle life
AAKANSHA CHARI | NT BUZZ
A holistic health coach, nutritionist and India’s only active certified female Parkour coach, Sudipta Mondol was the only woman participant in the recent ‘Naked and Afraid: Aadimanav’. The reality adventure series by Discovery+, had six Indians battled the harsh wilderness of Palawan, Philippines, for 10 days without any modern comforts or clothes.
Excerpts from the interview:
How did this project with Discovery+ happen?
As a holistic health coach, my work revolves around helping people build resilient bodies and calmer minds through movement, nutrition, recovery, and conscious living. When the opportunity from Discovery+ came, my first reaction was curiosity. I have always believed that growth happens when we step into unfamiliar environments. Survival is something I teach in a different way through adaptability, movement, and awareness, but this was an opportunity to experience it in its rawest form. I knew it would challenge everything I thought I knew.
Your starting Primitive Survival Rating (PSR) was 6.10. Did you view that number as a confidence booster, or did it feel like a weight of expectation you had to live up to?
I didn’t attach too much importance to the starting PSR. In fact, I believe my PSR definitely increased as the journey progressed because survival isn’t only about technical bushcraft skills. I contributed in many ways that weren’t always reflected by a number. I foraged fruits not just for myself but for my teammates, including climbing a very tall and challenging tree. I stitched and made clothes from natural materials, supported my teammates when they were physically exhausted and unwell by giving massages and Reiki healing, and even guided them through meditation practices that helped calm their minds and bodies.
You chose a mosquito net as your survival tool. Looking back, would you choose something else?
No, not at all. People think a mosquito net is only useful for sleeping,.But apart from reducing bug bites and thus giving me a small chance at sleep, its versatility helped me towards the end when I had to build a raft. I was running short of ropes and strong vines so I tore apart sections of the net and used the strands as rope to help secure parts of the raft.
When the cameras backed away and you realised you were completely alone, what was the first thing you did?
Slow myself down. When panic takes over, decision making becomes poor. I observed my surroundings, listened to the environment, and started prioritising what would keep me alive rather than what would make me comfortable.
How did it feel to be exposed, both literally and emotionally?
It was incredibly humbling. In our everyday lives we hide behind clothes, titles, social media, and routines. In the jungle, none of that exists. You are simply another human trying to survive.
What proved harder, physical challenges or mental pressure?
The mental challenge was definitely bigger. Physical discomfort eventually becomes familiar. Hunger, rain, and exhaustion become part of your daily routine. What truly tests you is uncertainty. Not knowing what tomorrow looks like; if you’ll find food, sleep or safety. That’s where resilience is built.
What was harder, the insects, bare feet or unpredictable weather?
The insects. People underestimate how relentless they are. They affect your sleep, your concentration, and even your emotional state.
How do relationships change when everyone is fighting for survival? Did you find it easy to trust people?
Survival magnifies people’s true nature. Small misunderstandings become big. Kindness becomes unforgettable. Trust becomes precious because resources are limited. I don’t think trust should be given blindly, whether inside or outside the jungle. I observed people first, and then decided how much trust to place in them.
Can you share a moment where you felt you had reached your limit?
One of the toughest moments was menstruating in the middle of the jungle. As the only woman in the group, it brought a completely different layer of challenge that people rarely think about when they talk about survival in a tropical jungle where insects were constantly around. I somehow managed to make a natural menstrual pad from materials available in the jungle, but it barely lasted a night. Your body naturally asks for warmth, rest, and protection during menstruation, but the jungle offers you the exact opposite. Men around were respectful and decent, but unless you’ve experienced menstruation yourself, it’s difficult to truly understand what a woman’s body and mind go through during those days.
What was the first thing you did after leaving the jungle?
The first thing I truly appreciated was clean drinking water, a nourishing meal, and the simple luxury of taking a proper shower. It’s amazing how quickly we take these everyday comforts for granted until they’re taken away.
You recently moved to Goa. How does life here feel after surviving in the Philippines?
Moving to Goa after returning from the Philippines felt like the right decision for me. I don’t think I can live in metro cities anymore. The constant dust, pollution, noise, and fast paced lifestyle no longer resonate with who I am today.
The jungle taught me that resilience isn’t always about pushing harder. Sometimes it’s about slowing down, becoming more aware and learning to live in harmony with your surroundings. In many ways, Goa aligns beautifully with that philosophy.
What did the jungle teach you about yourself?
It reminded me that no matter how experienced you are, nature will always humble you. It reinforced that being a lifelong student is far more important than trying to appear like an expert all the time.
As a coach, this experience has deepened my understanding of what the human body and mind are truly capable of.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from watching me, it’s that strength isn’t reserved for elite athletes. It’s something every woman can build, one small step at a time.
(With inputs from Kalyani Jha)
