Naked and Afraid Features Its First Trans Woman

Terra, 37, from Florida, made Naked and Afraid history this week as the long-running series' first-ever trans woman to brave the wilds nude.

"People like me don't get chosen for things like this," she shared. "I am trans and I don't care who knows it. What defines me is not how I look or how I act, it's what I do in my life. The things I do in my life are f******* epic."

For those unfamiliar with the series, now in its 14th season, every episode focuses on two strangers who are dropped off in the wilderness without food, water, gear -- or clothes. They are tasked with surviving for 21 days together.

Terra, a lifelong bow hunter and U.S. Air Force veteran, made it the full 21 days in Pia Manzi in Zambia, armed with just a knife, thanks to her being "absolutely prepared" to take on the challenge. It's not even the most challenging thing the Florida native has had to do in her life.

"Transitioning is the hardest thing I've ever done, but so worth it," Terra shared.

She began her transition four years ago but, because of the premise of the show, she did have to be open about the fact that she has yet to have bottom surgery. It's something that came to the fore when she met her Naked and Afraid companion Shaun, a "conservative" South African farmer. Thankfully, it wasn't an issue.

"Yeah, you're unique," said Shaun when the two met. "It is a bit of a shock to me, but we're all unique and special," he added while assuring her he was open-minded. "We're going to do this together. Don't worry, I've got your back."

Shaun reiterated his feelings to the camera in a one-on-one. "Terra is awesome. Someone as unique as that, to have the courage to come out, she's a hero in my eyes already," he told the cameras. Ultimately, Shaun had to leave the challenge after only three days due to a concussion. Terra, however, made it the duration of the 21 days (despite a lacerated nipple).

"I'm not a gender, I'm not a label, I'm just a human," she said. "It's empowering. I'm going through my own transitional journey. And I know now that if I just stick with it there's nothing I cannot do in this world."

While Terra is the first trans woman to compete on the survival show, she isn't the first trans person to do so. Quince Mountain, a trans man from Illinois, participated in the show in 2019 where he and partner Teresa Owens were dropped off in the Honduran jungle.