Fans of Naked and Afraid & XL

FEATURE Interview with  Melanie Rauscher  - Curse of the Swamp By CONNIE CUELLAR Fans of Naked and Afraid and XL Photos via Discovery Channel The thrilling episodes of  Naked and Afraid   Curse of the Swamp   1 and 2  on   Discovery   featured Melanie  Rauscher  and her partner Jeremy McCaa rocking the 21/25-day challenge in the  Louisiana swampland . The duo braved the elements, hunger, and mysterious creatures, all while in the buff, but Melanie was definitely up for the challenge.  Melanie, 30, of Avondale, Arizona, works as a recreation specialist. She decided to apply for   the show in April, 2016. An avid hiker and camper, she aimed to test her skill-set in the event she ever found herself in a true survival situational. “I wanted to know nature on a raw, real level and the show seemed like the only true way to experience that,” she said. As an athlete and Navy veteran, her experience paid off...

FEATURE Jeremy McCaa - Curse of the Swamp By CONNIE CUELLAR Fans of Naked and Afraid and XL Photos via Discovery Channel Survivalists Jeremy McCaa and Melanie Rauscher face off against mysterious swamp sounds and unidentified creatures lurking in the dark during the two-part Naked and Afraid episode “Curse of the Swamp.” Fans will have to wait until next Sunday at 9 p.m. EST on Discovery to find out what’s next for the duo. Jeremy is keeping it a secret until then.  The North Louisiana native grew up about five hours from where this episode was filmed, in the Atchafalaya Basin. Though, he doesn’t think filming in his home state gave him an edge. “In most areas, survival is all the same,” Jeremy said. “Secure shelter, water and food. Some fans of the show will give me hell for filming in my state but the swamp is where they send the military to train. The environment is harsh and isn't welcoming to people there. It's going to test you mentally and physically out t...