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FWC on Sport Nation guideWildboy Yelavich: The Kiwi survivalist testing his limits around the world
The Rural Roundup • June 26th, 2026 2:42 pm
Brando 'Wildboy' Yelavich | Photo: Supplied
Brando Yelavich is a well known survivalist, adventurer and best-selling author who has spent the last decade living off the land and exploring some of the world's most remote, wild and harsh places.
In 2014 at just 19 years old, he became the first person ever to circumnavigate New Zealand's coastline by foot over 600 days.
In 2014 at just 19 years old, he became the first person ever to circumnavigate New Zealand's coastline by foot over 600 days.
He started his journey at Cape Reinga in 2013, traversing more than 8,000km of rugged coastline armed with an air rifle and a knife, living off the land and sea.
Since then he has skied 600km across the Greenland Ice Cap, kayaked nearly 5,000km around Vancouver Island and also journeyed the Himalayas.
Since then he has skied 600km across the Greenland Ice Cap, kayaked nearly 5,000km around Vancouver Island and also journeyed the Himalayas.
Photo: Supplied
In 2019, he became the first person to cycle west to east across the Australian desert, traveling 5,555km in 130 days.
Most recently, he has just spent two weeks surviving in remote South Africa with nothing but a slingshot for TV series 'Naked and Afraid'.
Erin Speedy from Sport Nation's The Rural Roundup caught up with "Wildboy" to chat all about his advendtures, hunting for survival, lessons he has learned in the bush, his close calls, and his greatest adventure yet - fatherhood.
Listen to the full interview below:
