Liverpool Echo Profiles Steven Kelly: From Bootle to Survival Television

The Liverpool Echo has published a new profile on my journey from growing up in Bootle to becoming a British TV survivalist.

The feature looks at where I came from, the military career that shaped how I operate under pressure, and the survival television experiences that have taken me from Colombia to South Africa and onto the BBC.

For me, this one matters because it connects the full story rather than focusing on a single television appearance.

Read the full Liverpool Echo feature here.

From Bootle to survival television

I grew up in Bootle, Liverpool, long before survival became my profession.

The Liverpool Echo feature explores how those early years helped shape the resilience, independence and attitude I later carried into the British Army and difficult environments around the world.

I went on to serve for 23 years in the British Army, including with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, reaching the rank of WO2. That career gave me years of experience in fieldcraft, navigation, leadership, training and operating when conditions are uncomfortable and plans start changing.

Those lessons eventually crossed over into professional survival instruction and television.

Naked and Afraid: 56 days across two survival challenges

The Echo also covers my experience on Discovery's Naked and Afraid franchise.

My first challenge took me to Colombia for 21 days. I later returned for 35 days on Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse in South Africa, taking my total across the franchise to 56 days.

Long-duration survival television tests more than practical skills. Hunger, poor sleep, weather, wildlife, pressure and relationships all change the way you make decisions.

That is one of the reasons I now talk so much about judgement, resilience and maintaining systems when people are tired or stressed.

You can read more about those challenges on my Naked and Afraid page.

Bear Grylls: Wild Reckoning on the BBC

The Liverpool Echo feature also connects that survival background with my appearance alongside my wife Jenny on the BBC series Bear Grylls: Wild Reckoning.

Our episode, Housing Headaches, uses outdoor challenges and pressure to expose how we communicate and make decisions together.

It is a different type of television from Naked and Afraid, but the underlying lesson is similar: pressure reveals habits very quickly.

Read more about the programme in my Bear Grylls: Wild Reckoning journal.

Why independent media coverage matters

I can publish articles about my own work all day, but independent media coverage is different.

When an established publication tells the story, it gives readers another source they can use to understand who I am, what I have done and why I work in this field.

This Liverpool Echo profile brings together the main parts of my public work: Bootle, the Army, survival instruction, Naked and Afraid and Bear Grylls: Wild Reckoning.

That is the direction I want my work to keep moving in: not simply appearing on survival television, but building a long-term role as a credible British survival expert for television, media, speaking and professional training.

Teaching survival away from television

Television is only one part of what I do.

I founded South West Survival, where I teach practical survival and bushcraft skills to schools, organisations, private groups and members of the public.

I also host The Survival Debrief Podcast, speaking to survivalists, adventurers, military veterans and people who operate in extreme environments.

The aim across all of it is the same: practical skills, credible experience and a clear understanding of what happens to people when pressure starts affecting judgement.

Read the Liverpool Echo feature

Read the full Steven Kelly feature on the Liverpool Echo.

About Steven Kelly

Steven Kelly, also known as Survival Ste, is a British TV survivalist, former British Army Warrant Officer, professional survival instructor, podcast host and founder of South West Survival.

His television credits include Discovery's Naked and Afraid and Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse, Naked, Alone and Racing to Get Home and the BBC's Bear Grylls: Wild Reckoning.

For television, speaking and media enquiries, visit the speaking and media enquiries page.