I'm Sara Kunz and

I'm on a mission to help you turn adversity into an adventure- where YOU are the hero.

Why? Because after surviving Naked and Afraid, a broken spine, and debilitating anxiety, I learned that to survive you need grit—but to thrive you need grit AND grace.

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Being alive in 2026 is like standing in the open flood gates of demands, information, and pressure.

Burnout is rising. Fulfillment is dropping. We’re more disconnected, tired, and overwhelmed than ever.

The problem isn't technology or change- it's that our brains and bodies evolved for short bursts of danger and stimulus- not constant overstimulation. We're trying to solve a human problem with more complexity, when what we actually need is simplicity.

I don't just understand this challenge academically- I've lived it.

photo: Ben Staley

Most people know me for surviving things you only see on TV, literally. Stalked by crocodiles with no food, water, or clothes for 35 days on Naked and Afraid. Overcoming a spinal injury from Chinese Circus School (yes- it's a real thing)

Fun Facts: 🌺 Born and raised in Hawaii 🎪 Retired comedian and circus performer 🌻 Stops to smell flowers (literally) 🔥 Can start fire with just sticks

But here's the truth: my biggest challenge wasn't the wilderness—it was my own overwhelm.

Yes, I had an incredible career as a professional entertainer, and things looked great on the outside. But inside, my mind, body, and spirit were crumbling. It got to the point where I couldn't function—panic attacks, shutdown, endless emails I couldn't answer, constant decision fatigue, trying to show up for people while my own energy was zapped. How could I have so many resources and successes yet still be in survival mode?

I thought grit was the answer- just be stronger, tougher, invincible. That's how I got into wilderness survival in 2016. But it was in nature I discovered the missing piece: grace.

Stepping into an adventure mindset inspires creativity, action, and joy.

I didn't just learn to navigate the woods, make fire, and filter water. I learned that wilderness survival is about three things: controlling what's controllable (yourself), navigating your environment's resources and threats, and connecting to something bigger than the moment you're in.

And I realized: to survive, you need grit. But to thrive, you need grit AND grace.

Each of us has the capacity to be as joyful as we are resilient. And in a world full of division and crisis, we need both more than ever.

Obsessed with why this worked, I dove into psychology, neuroscience, trauma recovery, holistic wellbeing, and mindfulness. This led me to a master's in counseling psychology—where I learn not just what works, but why and when to use it.

Now I teach teams the Roadmap to Resilience through the 3 Zones of Survival- a simple, science-backed framework that blends the survival mindset our ancestors relied on with cutting-edge psychology. It's delivered through unforgettable stories, humor, and hands-on practice.

And it helps you turn adversity into an adventure.

Whether speaking at a keynote, facilitating a group, or working with clients 1:1, it's truly an honor to help people turn the adversity they face into an adventure they can be the hero of.

Discovery Channel called me "The Joyful Warrior"- but we all have that within us. Work with me to unlock it.

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