2 Sonoma County residents will bare all and try to survive on ‘Naked & Afraid’

Two brave locals will strip down and take on Mother Nature’s toughest challenges in an upcoming episode of the long-running reality series “Naked & Afraid.”

Santa Rosa’s Sarah Barnett and Rohnert Park’s Sam Strong find themselves in the desolate and dangerous Black Hills of South Africa, teeming with predatory crocodiles, stalking lions and poisonous serpents, in the episode premiering 8 p.m. Sunday on the Discovery Channel.

First aired in 2013, the series follows two survivalists in each episode who meet for the first time naked and must find food, shelter and clothing to sustain themselves for 21 days.

Barnett, an outdoor and survival enthusiast, said the experience tested her skills.

She first became a fan of "Naked & Afraid“ a decade ago after dating someone in college who became a contestant on the show, she said. “Naked & Afraid” scouts found Barnett through survival courses she taught online and recruited her to join the show.

“I thought it was a joke,” Barnett told The Press Democrat. “Then it was real, and then I was like, well, now I have to do it.”

Barnett and Strong did not know each other before appearing on the show, though they ultimately worked well together to chop firewood, forage for food and more during the 21-day production, she said.

“We were a good team together,” Barnett said. “(Strong’s) skill set was complimentary to mine, he had the muscle to help with the shelter-building. I’m an avid forager and crafter.”

In addition to both being survivalists, the episode — part of the show’s 17th season — highlights that Barnett and Strong are also kindred spirits in battling addiction, who find strength in the outdoors and in their families.

“I don’t mind being vulnerable in that way to put out that message that I am a recovering alcoholic,” Barnett said.

Barnett said her sobriety is what allows her to do things like appear on the show.

“This experience was really prolific for me in my recovery because it allowed me to push myself and show myself; I know I’m strong, I got through alcoholism and I know I can do hard things,” she said.

“I hope that message gets out through the show, that it’s never too late, and we can always change. And if you can put yourself in uncomfortable situations you will learn so much about yourself. It’s wild.”

After making it through the intense experience of filming the episode, Barnett now says that the anticipation of having her family, friends and co-workers watch the episode this Sunday is just as nerve-wracking.

“My parents are on their way up here, my employers are throwing me a huge watch party at their house,” she said. “I work with autistic kids and all my kids are going to be there and their families are going to be there. I want them to see me struggle and fail, which I do plenty on the show.

“I want people to see that I tried to do something hard and I failed over and over and I didn’t give up. That’s the overall message and I’m stoked that all the people around me and the whole world gets to see that.”

“Naked & Afraid” will air on the Discovery Channel and be available to stream on Discovery+.