JOEL VAN DER LOON’S JOURNEY

My journey took me to some of the most remote corners of the Earth: deserts, jungles, alpine peaks, and temperate forests, where I learned directly from the land itself. Living off the grid in remote, tropical locations, I spent my time fishing, spearfishing, surfing, small game hunting and exploring the African bush. As a teenager, I learned from a Maasai elder about tracking wildlife and the importance of nature connection. For over a decade, I traveled the world by sea, exploring more than 40 countries and crossing multiple oceans as a professional crew member.

In 2015, I committed to sharing this knowledge by teaching survival skills in San Diego, California. In 2018, I relocated the school to Central Oregon. From the beginning, my intention has been to teach only from direct experience, never theory alone. To honor that commitment, I repeatedly challenged myself to survive solo in some of the world’s most extreme environments, carrying little more than a knife, a water bottle, and the clothes on my back. There is no substitute for real-world experience.

Since 2016, I have been taking groups into the Tanzanian bush yearly, to immerse and learn directly from the Hadzabe hunter gatherers. They have had a profound impact on my life by providing ancestral wisdom that is so hard to obtain in the modern world.

I was honored to be a participant on Discovery Channel’s Bushcraft Build-Off (Episode 3), History Channel’s Alone Season 7, and Alone: The Skills Challenge. Each of these experiences tested my knowledge, resilience, and skills at the highest level.

Alongside this path, my life has been shaped by a deep spiritual journey rooted in ancestral wisdom and personal transformation. Over the years, I have completed multiple vision quests, seeking guidance and clarity through solitude, nature, and a direct connection to God. These experiences profoundly shaped my worldview, strengthening my connection to the natural world and to people, and reinforcing the importance of balance between mind, body, and spirit.

My students come from all walks of life—military special forces and Marines, firefighters, Boy Scouts, young children, individuals with physical disabilities, and fellow survival show contestants. My teaching emphasizes practical, hands-on skills grounded in real experience, while also honoring the spiritual wisdom that comes from deep time in the wild. Above all, I encourage students to approach nature with humility, curiosity, and an open heart.

If you would like to get a feel for who I am, I invite you to listen to the In the Bush podcast, which I co-host with my good friend Cole Wilks. Together, we explore the skills, stories, and philosophies behind living in harmony with nature. I also share ongoing teachings through videos on my YouTube channel, Joel V Bushcraft.