Content Warning: This episode contains discussions about suicide.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help:

This episode explores attempted suicide. While we believe these conversations are important, please prioritize your mental health and well-being. If you find this topic triggering, it's completely okay to skip this episode.

In this episode of the Crux True Survival Stories, host Kaycee McIntosh interviews Matt Reum, a 28-year-old industrial construction worker whose seemingly routine drive turned into a six-day fight for survival. In December 2023, Matt's truck crashed on I-90 in Indiana, leaving him trapped, injured, and invisible to those passing by. With broken bones, no food, contaminated water, and cold temperatures, Matt endured both physical and mental battles, facing thoughts of self-harm in his darkest moments. Despite the torment, Matt demonstrates incredible resilience until his eventual rescue. This episode delves into the depths of human endurance and the mental strength required to survive against all odds.

00:00 Introduction to Matt's Harrowing Survival Story

01:06 Matt's Background and the Fateful Night

02:11 The Crash and Immediate Aftermath

06:08 First Day of Survival: Yelling for Help

14:01 Second Day: Rainwater and Desperation

21:05 Third Day: Dark Thoughts and Desperation

28:48 Fourth Day: Time Dilation and Mental Struggles

33:47 Fifth Day: The Breaking Point

39:10 Sixth Day: Rescue and Reflection

42:09 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

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In this episode of 'The Crux True Survival Story Podcast,' medical professionals and wilderness survival enthusiasts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh recount the dramatic tale of the Coast Guard's rescue of the HMS Bounty crew during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. The episode delves into the fateful decisions made by Captain Robin Walbridge, the harrowing experiences of the 16 crew members, and the heroic efforts of Coast Guard rescue swimmers Randy Haba and Daniel Todd. Sadly, the disaster resulted in the loss of Captain Walbridge and crew member Claudene Christian. Through detailed storytelling, the episode highlights both the human capacity for error and acts of extraordinary bravery.

In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen bring you the extraordinary tale of David Finlayson and his 13-year-old son Charlie—a story that redefines courage in the face of disaster.

When their August 2015 climbing expedition in Idaho's remote Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness took a devastating turn after a massive boulder struck David, it was young Charlie who transformed from teenager to hero. With remarkable composure and ingenuity, Charlie embarked on a life-saving mission that would test the limits of their father-son bond and demonstrate the incredible capacity of the human spirit.

This edge-of-your-seat episode explores not only the harrowing ordeal but also the treacherous beauty of one of America's most isolated wilderness areas, the inherent risks of rock climbing, and the critical importance of wilderness preparedness that can mean the difference between life and death.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

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Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

In this episode of 'The Crux True Survival Stories,' hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh delve into the extraordinary life of Colton Harris Moore, also known as the Barefoot Bandit. The episode explores Colton's troubled childhood, his years-long crime spree of burglaries, plane thefts, and his controversial rise to folk-hero status. The hosts discuss his remarkable self-taught survival skills, his knack for evading capture, and his eventual arrest in the Bahamas. The story is a riveting mix of ingenuity, desperation, and the quest for freedom, culminating in a reflection on societal systems and wasted talent.

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Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

The Coldest Night: Rob Gering's 12-Hour Fight for Survival

Check out the book!

https://www.amazon.com/Coldest-Night-Rob-Gering/dp/B0DJRLY61W

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Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Stories, hosts Kaycee McIntosh, joined by Julie Henningsen, delves into the tragic survival story of the Kim family. What began as a joyful Thanksgiving 2006 road trip from San Francisco to Seattle, ended in a perilous and fatal detour through Oregon's Bear Camp Road. The episode details the Kim family's struggle for survival, the critical search and rescue operations that followed, and how this incident led to significant changes in winter travel safety and emergency response systems. The discussion also covers essential winter travel safety guidelines and the importance of preparation, ultimately highlighting the enduring lessons from this heartbreaking yet instructive saga.

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Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

Documentary & Video Sources:

Print & Digital Sources:

Special thanks to all the journalists, rescue workers, and individuals who helped document this story and preserve its important lessons.

For more information about winter travel safety and emergency preparedness, please visit your local search and rescue organization's website.

Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of survival situations and loss that some listeners may find disturbing.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Matt Potratz, a former professional snowmobiler whose life changed forever in a devastating avalanche in 2009. Before the accident, Matt was living what many would consider a dream life - a successful career as a general sales manager at a Toyota dealership and appearances in seven different snowmobile motion pictures. But in just 12 seconds, everything changed.

The avalanche left Matt with catastrophic injuries, including a broken neck, severe brain trauma, and permanent paralysis in his left arm. After spending 41 days in a coma and 88 days in the hospital, Matt had to rebuild his life from the ground up. Today, he shares his extraordinary journey of recovery, resilience, and transformation.

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Quotes from the episode: "Focus on things you can change. Don't waste time focusing on things you can't change." "The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears." "In life we almost face one of two pains, the pain of discipline or the pain of regret... discipline weighs ounces, regret weighs tons."

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Try online therapy today at betterhelp.com/CRUX and take the first step toward becoming your best self.

On this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh dive into the harrowing account that inspired 'Moby Dick'—the tragic voyage of the whale ship Essex. Listeners are taken on a detailed journey through early 19th-century whaling, the catastrophic events that led to the ship's sinking, and the unimaginable ordeal the crew faced. From battling a vengeful sperm whale to the moral dilemmas of survival cannibalism, this story explores human resilience and the brutal realities of maritime life in the 1820s. Learn how these events left a lasting impact on maritime history and contributed to the decline of the whaling industry.

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Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Stories, host Kaycee McIntosh interviews Mike Theis from Balltown, Iowa, who recounts his terrifying encounter with his own pet deer. After a decade of peaceful coexistence, Mike faced a sudden and violent attack during rutting season, leading to a life-threatening struggle. Mike's quick thinking and resourcefulness using his belt as a restraint helped him survive multiple near-fatal injuries. This episode highlights the unpredictable nature of domesticated wild animals and the critical role of split-second decision-making in survival situations.

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh delve into Theodore Roosevelt's perilous 1914 expedition through the Amazon's River of Doubt. The podcast recounts Roosevelt's remarkable survival story, highlighting his struggle against tropical diseases, near-starvation, and the elements, alongside his son Kermit and a diverse team. The journey, driven by Roosevelt's sense of adventure and post-political defeat frustrations, led to unexpected scientific discoveries and significant contributions to South American geography. It also profoundly impacted Roosevelt's health, contributing to his death just five years later. This tale exemplifies the best and worst of human nature, blending bravery and hubris in one unforgettable adventure.