When people talk about the most legendary survivalists on Discovery, one name usually starts a heated debate: Kaila Cumings. If you've spent any time watching Naked and Afraid, you know the "standard" survivalist usually shows up with a flint and a lot of confidence, only to tap out when the sandflies start biting. Kaila was different. She didn't just survive; she essentially redesigned how people viewed female survivalists on the show.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to look back at her trajectory. Most fans first met her in the Colombian jungle during Season 7, Episode 11, titled "Arachnid Overload." It was a brutal introduction. She was paired with a guy who... well, let’s just say he was a bit of a "creepy yoga guy" according to most Reddit threads. But while he was doing whatever he was doing, Kaila was busy being a legitimate threat to the local wildlife.
The Knife Maker from New Hampshire
Kaila isn’t some weekend warrior who took a three-day bushcraft course. She’s a custom knife maker from Troy, New Hampshire. That’s her actual life. She didn't buy her tools from a store; she forged them. Before she ever stepped foot on a plane for Discovery, she was already known in the "EDC" (Every Day Carry) community for her blacksmithing skills.
She literally sold her own gun and knife collection to buy the equipment she needed to teach herself how to forge. That is some serious dedication. It's the kind of grit that translates perfectly to being dumped in a jungle with nothing but a custom blade and a dream.
Naked and Afraid Kaila: A Track Record of Dominance
Most people remember her for the big wins. Kaila is the first female survivalist in the history of the show to actually take down big game. That’s a massive milestone. In a series where people often spend 21 days eating "protein" in the form of snails and questionable berries, Kaila was out there actually providing.
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- Season 7, Episode 11 (Arachnid Overload): Her 21-day debut in Colombia.
- Naked and Afraid XL Season 4: The 40-day challenge in South Africa where she joined the All-Star cast.
- Naked and Afraid XL Season 10: Her recent stint in the Colombian Badlands (2024), where the "Kaiela" spelling often pops up in subtitles and credits.
- Last One Standing: She’s also a frequent name in the competitive spinoffs, though these are often more about politics than pure survival.
The thing about Kaila in Naked and Afraid XL is that she isn't just a "loner" survivalist. She actually understands team dynamics. On Reddit, fans often point out that while she’s tough as nails, she also knows how to manage the "emo bickering" that tends to happen when everyone is starving. You’ve probably noticed that in the more recent seasons, like the 2024 Colombian Badlands trek, the survivalists aren't just fighting the heat; they're fighting each other. Kaila usually stays above the fray.
The "McFlurry" Training Method
One of the most human things about Kaila Cumings is her "pre-game" strategy. While some survivalists go on a strict keto diet or practice meditation before a challenge, Kaila takes a different route. She basically just fattens up.
In a 2022 interview, she admitted that her favorite part of training is eating a lot of cheeseburgers, pizza, and McFlurries. It sounds funny, but it’s actually incredibly smart. When you’re going to be in a calorie deficit for 40 days, having a "biological gas tank" of extra body fat is a lifesaver. It’s the difference between tapping out on Day 15 because your body is consuming its own muscle and making it to Day 40 with enough energy to hike to extraction.
What People Get Wrong About Kaila
There’s a lot of noise online whenever a new episode airs. Some people think the show is staged, or that the "producers" are handing out sandwiches off-camera. If you look at Kaila’s social media—specifically her Instagram and YouTube where she shows her blacksmithing—you can see the calluses. You see the actual work.
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She isn't a TV character. She’s a blacksmith who happens to be on TV.
In the recent Naked and Afraid XL Season 10, there was some confusion about her name spelling (Kaiela vs. Kaila). Regardless of how Discovery spells it on the screen, her impact on the "girl power" trope in the series is undeniable. She doesn't play the "I'm a girl, I can do it too" card. She just goes out and does it, often better than the men she’s paired with.
Why She’s a Fan Favorite in 2026
Even years after her first appearance, Kaila remains a staple of the franchise. Why? Because she’s authentic. In an era of "influencer" survivalists who are just looking for more followers, Kaila feels like a throwback to the original spirit of the show. She’s there to test her tools and her limits.
Also, let’s be real: her custom knives are gorgeous. Seeing her use a blade she forged herself to skin a caiman or build a shelter adds a layer of "expert" credibility that most contestants simply don't have.
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Real Survival Takeaways from Kaila’s Runs
If you’re a fan of the show and actually want to learn something from watching Kaila, here are a few things she does differently:
- Tool Integrity Matters: She always carries a high-quality blade. In survival, a cheap knife is a liability.
- Fat is Fuel: Don't go into a high-stress situation lean. Your brain needs those calories to make decisions when things get south.
- Mental Fortitude Over Physical Strength: Kaila isn't the biggest person on the screen, but she rarely breaks mentally. She handles the "creepy" partners and the bugs with a level of stoicism that is honestly inspiring.
- Hunt Smarter: She doesn't waste energy chasing things she can't catch. She waits for the high-protein opportunities.
What’s Next for Kaila?
As of 2026, Kaila is still very much active in the blacksmithing world. She’s been collaborating with brands like Wilton Tools and Brunt Workwear, showing off her hand-forged Bowie knives. She’s also a mom, often sharing bits of her "outdoorsy" life with her daughter.
If you want to follow her journey beyond the screen, check out her blacksmithing videos. She’s been known to forge knives out of old skate blades from the Boston Bruins and even medical rods from veterans. It’s pretty cool stuff.
For those looking to catch her best moments, go back and watch the Naked and Afraid XL seasons in South Africa and Colombia. They represent the peak of her survival career and show exactly why she’s earned her spot in the survivalist Hall of Fame.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you're inspired by Kaila's journey, don't just watch the show. Look into basic blacksmithing or bushcraft classes in your local area. The most important lesson Kaila teaches isn't how to be naked in the woods—it's how to be self-reliant by making your own tools and trusting your own skills. You can start by following her "Kaila Cumings" YouTube channel for a behind-the-scenes look at how she forges her signature blades.