#853: Jordan Jonas, Champion of Alone — The Art of Survival, Lessons from Nomadic Tribes, Hardship as the Path to Peace, How to Handle Rogue Wolverines, and Why Not to Photograph Attacking Bears

Tim Ferriss introduces Jordan Jonas, highlighting his unique background: growing up on an Idaho farm, riding freight trains, living in remote Russian villages, fur-trapping in Siberia with nomads, and winning Alone Season 6. Jordan now leads outdoor adventures and wilderness expeditions. Tim emphasizes Jordan's focus on living life to the fullest, prioritizing the critical few over the trivial many, and serving as a model for a good life.

Jordan introduces a Siberian axe he designed based on his experiences with native people, particularly the Evenki. He emphasizes that an axe is the most essential survival tool, more so than a knife, because it allows you to do everything. He explains that many axes in the US are not adequate for survival situations. The design incorporates a single bevel grind for carving and slicing, and a wide eye for field repairs.

Jordan details the unique features of his axe, including the single bevel grind, which allows for precise carving and slicing. He contrasts the wide eye of the Siberian axe with the narrow eye of American axes, explaining that the wider eye allows for easier field repairs. The handle design ensures that the axe head tightens with each swing, eliminating the need for wedges.

Tim and Jordan discuss the versatility of the axe, particularly its use in creating feather sticks for fire starting. Jordan explains that a sharp axe is essential for creating fine curls from dry wood, even in a downpour. He emphasizes the importance of finding dead standing trees for dry wood, as trees on the ground often absorb moisture.

Jordan describes how to use an axe to create feather sticks for fire starting, even in torrential rain. He highlights the importance of a ferro rod as a backup to lighters and matches. He explains the process of creating a tripod and tarp shelter to protect the fire-building process from the rain. The conversation emphasizes the life-giving power of fire in survival situations.

Tim and Jordan discuss the learning curve associated with using an axe, particularly a well-made one. Jordan recounts an experience in Siberia where he repeatedly chopped his boots while trying to build a log fence. Frustrated, he swung the axe one-handed, resulting in a severe knee injury.

Jordan describes the rudimentary first aid he received after injuring his knee in Siberia, which involved packing the wound with spruce sap. Despite the lack of modern medical care, the wound never became infected. A native man carved him a cane, and after a few days of recovery, he was able to help with the fence building again.

Jordan recounts his first experience in Russia, arriving at the Moscow airport and being transported in a farm tractor with a wooden trailer. He shares an anecdote about taking a picture and being reprimanded by an officer, who called him "Durak" (idiot) and made him delete the photo.

Jordan describes his upbringing in a Christian household and the questions he had as a teenager that led him to seek answers elsewhere. He discusses his struggle to connect with Christianity and his desire to separate the core values from cultural baggage. He mentions reading the Gulag Archipelago and its impact on him.

Jordan explains how he reconciled his questions about Christianity by focusing on the core message of loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. He describes seeing the "fruit" of Christianity in his mother's actions and his own life. He prayed for the faith to match his willingness to sacrifice.

Jordan shares how he heard about an opportunity to go to Russia and build an orphanage. He prayed for a sign, and then met a Russian woman in New York who offered him Russian lessons. This encounter triggered a strong emotional response, leading him to buy a ticket and head to Russia.

Jordan describes his experience helping build an orphanage in Russia and his desire to live with Russians. He moved to a neighboring village to watch a family's children while the wife was in the hospital. He was fully immersed in Siberian village life, taking care of the children, grocery shopping, and learning the language.

Jordan recounts how he met a native fur trapper named Yuri through a connection in the village. Yuri invited him to live with him in the far north. Jordan returned to America to renew his visa and earn money before heading north to live with Yuri.

Jordan describes the increasing levels of drinking as he traveled further north in Russia. He shares an anecdote about seeing a drunk man lying in the road and being told that he was likely dead. He notes that he had to recalibrate to a new norm of chaos and drinking in each new village.

Jordan discusses the high percentage of deaths attributable to homicide, suicide, and alcohol-related accidents in northern native villages. He explains that the Soviet Union's collectivization and suppression of spiritual leaders in the 1930s gutted the intellectual and spiritual soul of the native people. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to the exploitation of reindeer herds, further disrupting their traditional way of life.

Tim and Jordan unpack the significance of reindeer in the lives of the Evenki people. Reindeer provide transportation, meat, furs, and cultural context. Jordan emphasizes that reindeer make it possible to live in the remote northern forests year-round.

Tim and Jordan discuss the impact of Alexander Solzhenitsyn's "Gulag Archipelago" on Jordan's life. Jordan explains that the book emphasizes that happiness cannot be our ultimate goal in life, and that we must have purpose.

Jordan describes the brutal conditions in the Soviet prison camps, where political prisoners were at the bottom of the rung. He shares an anecdote from the book about how most prisoners adopted a "survival at any cost" mentality, except for a few old women who refused to compromise their souls.

Tim and Jordan discuss the benefits and drawbacks of homeschooling. Jordan explains that homeschooling allows for more divergent options, both positive and negative, compared to public school. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on community and friends when homeschooling.

Jordan describes how he and his wife actively foster community for their homeschooled children by involving them in various activities and organizing hiking trips with other families. He emphasizes the importance of shared activities in building social bonds.

Tim and Jordan discuss the unique dynamic of men connecting around a fire, noting that it allows for conversation without direct eye contact. Jordan acknowledges that this observation has made him more aware of the dynamic.

Tim and Jordan discuss the importance of designing a deliberate environment that encourages outdoor living and limits phone use. Jordan explains that he has made it a high priority to let the outdoors be a big part of his family's life.

Jordan explains why he chose llamas over horses for packing, citing the reindeer laws in Idaho and the lower maintenance and risk associated with llamas. He notes that llamas have soft pads with claws that provide better traction on rocks and mud.

Tim and Jordan transition to a discussion of purpose and family history. Jordan acknowledges the analogy between "Gulag Archipelago" and "Man's Search for Meaning."

Jordan shares the history of his Assyrian family, describing the genocide during World War I and the loss of their culture. He explains that the Assyrians were Christian minorities living under the Ottoman Empire and faced constant persecution.

Jordan recounts how his grandparents were sole survivors of the Assyrian genocide, losing their entire families and culture. They met in Baghdad, immigrated to France before World War II, and faced further hardship during the Nazi invasion.

Jordan emphasizes that despite the unimaginable horrors his grandparents faced, they raised a joyful and loving family. He notes that hate was never the common language in their family, and they built something beautiful in the world.

Jordan discusses his father's purpose in life, which was to have a family and provide stability. He describes his father's joy in coming home from work and being greeted by his children. However, his father's health issues, including childhood diabetes and polio, eventually led to the loss of his job.

Jordan recounts how his father had to refind his purpose after losing his health and ability to provide. Despite the pain and hardship, his father refocused on pouring into his family and facing death with joy.

Jordan shares how his father's example gave him a template for facing suffering and putting light into the world. He emphasizes the importance of having priorities that allow for adjustments as life changes.

Tim and Jordan discuss how Jordan's father's purpose changed over time, shifting from how he acted in the world to how he supported and taught his family. Jordan notes that his father leaned into his gifts of encouragement and joy.

Tim and Jordan discuss the balance between overstructure and understructure in modern life. Jordan shares how riding trains gave him a glimpse of a more natural human rhythm, where activities are directly tied to survival.

Jordan explains that the appeal of a simpler way of life is that it aligns with the way humans have evolved to live. He emphasizes the tangibility of cause and effect and the gratification of individual actions.

Tim asks Jordan to share a story about a bear incident. Jordan recounts a time when he and his friends were living in the woods and a bear killed a moose near their cabin.

Jordan describes a series of encounters with a bear that was trying to reclaim its moose kill. He recounts how the bear charged through the alders, causing one of his friends to run away with the gun.

Jordan shares the Evenki ritual for honoring a bear after it is killed. The ritual involves taking the eyeballs out and putting them under a rock, and throwing the intestines in the river.

Jordan shares a story about two senior citizen women who tried to kill a moose with an axe while floating down a river. They lassoed the moose, which then dragged their boat into the woods.

Tim and Jordan transition to a discussion about the reality TV show "Alone." Jordan describes the format of the show, where ten people go out into the wilderness by themselves and self-film, and the person who lasts the longest wins.

Jordan shares the ten basic tools he chose to bring on "Alone," including an axe, saw, Leatherman, frying pan, ferro rod, sleeping bag, bow and arrow, fishing kit, trapping wire, and paracord. He describes the versatility of paracord and its ability to be broken down into useful bits.

Jordan explains that snaring is an incredibly important survival skill. He describes how to size a snare for different animals.

Jordan shares a story about setting up a squirrel pole to catch squirrels for food. During a medical check, a squirrel ran up the pole and got caught in a snare, providing a humorous moment.

Jordan reveals that he lasted 77 days on "Alone." He explains that he had a lot of food and wasn't struggling, but he bore a lot of stress because he didn't know how long the show would last.

Jordan reflects on the lesson he learned on "Alone," which was to be more present in the moment. He explains that he was so focused on the future that he didn't fully enjoy the present.

Jordan discusses some common mistakes people make when choosing tools for "Alone." He emphasizes the importance of bringing an axe and a fire starter. He also notes that it's important to practice with a bow to be effective with it.

Jordan explains that bringing a bow provides something to do and creates opportunities for hunting while performing other tasks. He notes that it keeps you engaged with the environment.

Jordan describes the types of arrow tips he brought, including blunt tips for small game and sharp blades for large game.

Jordan explains how he used fencing to funnel a moose into a shooting position. He describes how animals tend to take the path of least resistance.

Jordan recounts how he successfully shot a moose after building a funnel. He emphasizes the importance of waiting after shooting an animal with a bow to allow it to bleed out calmly.

Jordan describes the process of tracking the wounded moose, losing the blood trail, and eventually finding it. He shares the emotional roller coaster of watching the moose struggle to survive.

Jordan describes the joy he felt after finally killing the moose, emphasizing that it was an irreplaceable feeling. He notes that it slayed the "demon of starvation" that had been haunting him.

Jordan emphasizes the importance of fat in survival situations. He notes that protein is more attainable, but fat is the bottleneck.

Jordan describes his experience with a wolverine that was stealing his meat. He emphasizes the wolverine's ferocity and boldness.

Jordan explains that he was only allowed to kill one wolverine. He describes the shift from being proactive to being on the defensive after killing the wolverine.

Jordan emphasizes that all animals are optimized to steal food, and that the wolverine was a constant threat.

Jordan shares where people can purchase his Siberian axe.

Tim and Jordan discuss how people can experience the wilderness with Jordan. Jordan shares that people can sign up for courses and hunts on his website.

Jordan announces that he is writing a book about building a reservoir of resilience. He explains that the book will share lessons from his life that can help people confront challenges.

Tim and Jordan discuss the Serenity Prayer. Jordan reads the full prayer, emphasizing the importance of accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.

Jordan shares his thoughts on the political division in the world. He emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and the need to avoid judging people based on their political opinions.

Tim promotes his free newsletter, Five Bullet Friday, which shares the coolest things he's found or discovered each week.

Tim promotes AG1, a supplement he has been using for close to 15 years. He describes it as nutritional insurance that supports gut health and fills common nutrient gaps.