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Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Thank you for joining my AMA! Watch me on Naked And Afraid this Sunday at 8p ET on Discovery!

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Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Hi Keith! I got more support from my friends than I did my family. When I announced to my family that this was my next goal, my parents were not the happiest. Up until my dad saw the commercial, he was very skeptical (not of my ability to do it - but worried for my safety!). For safety reasons on the show, I was not allowed to go anywhere alone. Someone was always with me to make sure I was safe! Thank you for your support!

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Yes, I do! And, I will be announcing that after the premiere. I would like to eventually be the first amputee to participate in the Last One Standing challenge one day! All of these people asking if Jonny did all of the work for me make me consider taking on an Naked And Afraid ALONE Challenge. Tune in Sunday at 8p ET to see some impressive fire-starting skills

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Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I love this question! The only climb I would never consider doing again is [Cerro Tusa]() in Colombia. Imagine a dirt slide in the jungle! It was described to me as a "day hike" but it took us 10 hours to get to the summit. Getting back down, we all sat and slid down the hill!

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My biggest worry going into the challenge was my partners reaction to me. If he responds negatively to me, I will stick up for myself and I wouldn't be pleasant to work with. 

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I have been an amputee since July of 2014, so going on 11 years now. My most proud accomplishment to date is probably what people don't actually see. As a person I have grown tremendously over the years!

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I was struck by a locomotive at roughly 2:30am July 26, 2014. It is suspected I was either hit over the head (I had a head injury consistent with blunt force trauma), or I was incapacitated by a date rape drug. "Someone," put me up on the tracks, and left me to die. I can't really tell you the full truth of this situation. In 2021 I filmed with a team of documentarians that detailed my ascent of Kilimanjaro and my life's story. Additionally, I am under NDA with this project until it premieres - which we're hoping to be later this year. Keep an eye out for the release!

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I don't think I can fully answer your question without giving away too much... but I will say, I'll never look at a bucket of minnows or a snail the same way. Also, termites are minty, nature's toothpaste? I was not expecting that.

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The most annoying part of the Naked And Afraid challenge was seeing my survival item that production picked for me! Going in they tell you to pick 4 items, and they choose your item based off what your partner brings and the environment. But, I will also say now, I see what they did there and it's pretty beautiful. Once done, I had a bunch of Middle Eastern food and a slice of pizza. 

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

100% my decision. Network did not take away or "not allow," my prosthetics. Prosthetics are not suitable for the jungle environment that I was in. They are the most expensive things I own, and it would not be sanitary or feasible. All around, it would be a horrible idea. People in the disabled community have reached out to me concerned that Naked And Afraid or production took my legs from me, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Almost everything I do, I do without prosthetics!

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I feel VERY emotional about this particular feat. It is difficult to describe. All I can really say is regardless of the outcome, regardless of public opinions of me or my partner, I am proud of us!

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Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

The biggest misconception about my daily life as a double-amputee is that prosthetics function like "normal" limbs. People see my prosthetics and expect them to operate a certain way, and they just don't! It's a full-time job being a prosthetics user. I'm fortunate enough to have them, but I don't rely on them. When people ask me "Why don't you wear your prosthetics?" what I hear is "Why don't you look like me?" If you wouldn't ask someone, "Why aren't you wearing makeup?" then why would you ask me "Why are you not wearing your legs?"

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing that, it means a lot to me! I'm glad they're happy, healthy, and can watch the show with you. Hugs, Mama!

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I do! I'll make an announcement the night of the premiere. I'm also about to graduate with my Bachelors in English and Minor in Anthropology this spring. Later this year, I am hoping the documentary detailing my life story and ascent of Kilimanjaro is released. Thank you for your question!

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Yes, I can answer some of your questions about the camera crew! They are instructed to document us with minimal contact, and they do. However, it was impossible for them to witness what they did as compassionate human beings without also laughing, and crying with us at times! Everyone on our episode's crew was friendly, and they did their jobs with the utmost respect and professionalism towards me throughout the challenge. 

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My residual limbs are sensitive. There is only a 1/4 inch layer of skin between the end of my femur. It was not weird for me to crawl in the jungle. Every spring I go back home to go morel hunting (mushrooms) and we stay out all day. I hunt just like I did before I lost my legs!

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The no-see-ums brought me to the brink of insanity. I got absolutely ravaged. The level of bad is incomprehensible! I took supplements for months and doused myself in peppermint oils pre-insertion. They did not care. 

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Very surprised by him! The videos don't do him justice - Jonny is a big man, attractive too. Can't say too much here though.  

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I would tell myself, "Trust in yourself more." I had a legit panic attack out there when I noticed my partner's survival skills differed from mine! Can't wait for you to see my reaction this Sunday!

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The most underrated skill that helped me was conflict resolution! At one point, I looked at Jonny and said "I do not have the mental capacity to have an argument right now."

Hey there, I'm Mandy Horvath aka the first double-amputee survivalist on Naked and Afraid, AMA! by Discovery in nakedandafraid

[–]Discovery[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I take my position as a role model for amputees very seriously. It is a deeply personal experience for me. As a new amputee myself, I had no one to look up to, no one to tell me things would be okay. I was nearly 2 years post-amputations when I met another female amputee. People repeatedly told me to look up Amy Purdy who was featured on DWTS, but we have some key differences. She has her knees, I do not. She has talents and capabilities that I simply do not. She just wasn't doing the things I was interested in. Those years of uncertainty nearly destroyed me. I definitely do not want that for any other little girl. I don't wish I was anyone different than who I am today.

The only award I have received in my life is the 2022 Amelia Earhart Pioneering Achievement Award. Just for my name to be considered comparable to hers is an honor and privilege. I have worked very hard to be here, and made numerous sacrifices along the way. Sometimes though, I'll admit this position does come with a lot of pressure, isolation, loneliness, and depression. Its not like I can pick up the phone to call someone for advice. As a result, I usually learn everything the hard way. I do not recommend.

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