<p id=”par-1_51″>Armchair survivalists need not apply. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/teen-mom-maci-bookout-posts-quote-feeling-empty-ryan-edwards-early-prison-release.html/”><em>Teen Mom </em>star Maci Bookout</a> thought she had what it took to last 14 days in the jungle of Nicaragua on Discovery Channel’s <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/naked-and-afraid/?swcfpc=1″><em>Naked and Afraid</em></a><em>. </em>But just a few hours in the wilderness taught her how difficult it really is to survive on the show. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-maci-bookout-appeared-on-naked-and-afraid-in-2018-nbsp”>Maci Bookout appeared on ‘Naked and Afraid’ in 2018 </h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Teen-Mom-Maci-Bookout-1.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Maci Bookout shows off her engagement ring” class=”wp-image-3695763″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Maci Bookout in 2016 | Denise Truscello/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-2_27″>Bookout made her much-hyped appearance on <em>Naked and Afraid </em>in 2018. Despite her lack of survival experience, she felt good about her chances of completing the challenge.</p>
<p id=”par-3_23″>“Being a mom prepares you for a situation like this because the motherly instinct kicks in and gives me an edge,” she said. </p>
<p id=”par-4_31″>The reality star had also watched plenty of <em>Naked and Afraid </em>episodes<em>, </em>and she had strong opinions about people who tapped out early. She vowed she wouldn’t be one of them.</p>
<p id=”par-5_48″>“When I watch this show the one thing that drives me crazy is people quit way too early. They don’t give themselves a chance,” Bookout said. “The first sign of distress they tap out, they’re done. It’s going to suck for sure, but I’m not going to quit.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-the-teen-mom-star-tapped-out-after-just-24-hours”>The ‘Teen Mom’ star tapped out after just 24 hours </h2>
<p id=”par-6_29″>While Bookout felt good entering her <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/naked-and-afraid-last-one-standing-season-2-shocking-double-elimination-clip.html/”><em>Naked and Afraid </em>challenge</a>, she soon faced the reality of trying to survive in a hostile environment with no clothes, food, or supplies. </p>
<p id=”par-7_37″>Though Bookout was able to start a fire, she struggled with walking barefoot on thorns. At one point, her partner had to carry her piggyback because she couldn’t walk. “My feet feel like they’re dying,” she said. </p>
<p id=”par-8_12″>After spending one night in the jungle, Bookout realized she couldn’t continue. </p>
<p id=”par-9_22″>“Last night was hell … Sitting on your couch watching the show is not the same. It’s really f*cking hard,” she said. </p>
<p id=”par-10_15″>Bookout opted to quit the challenge for both her mental health and her partner’s sake. </p>
<p id=”par-11_53″>“I’m tapping out of this challenge,” she said. “It’s the best decision for me. I feel like if I stay here any longer, I’m legitimately going to lose my mind. How I was doing mentally was not doing anything good for him, so it’s best for me to get out of his way.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-maci-bookout-said-her-naked-and-afraid-experience-was-amazing-nbsp”>Maci Bookout said her ‘Naked and Afraid’ experience was ‘amazing’ </h2>
<p id=”par-12_23″>Though Bookout had one of the shortest stays in <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/worst-injury-naked-and-afraid-ranking-damaged-contestants.html/”><em>Naked and Afraid </em>history</a>, she had no regrets about signing up for the show. </p>
<p id=”par-13_48″>[<em>Naked and Afraid</em>] was the most amazing (and painful) experience.. even though I didn’t complete the challenge,” she <a href=”https://x.com/MaciBookout/status/1011061264578220032″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>tweeted</a> after the episode aired. “I am proud of myself for trying something completely terrifying and out of my comfort zone. I’m excited to see my partner Justin kick ass.”</p>
<p id=”par-14_55″>“The entire process of N&A (training/attempting) did change my life,” she added in a follow-up <a href=”https://x.com/MaciBookout/status/1011063181496803328″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>tweet</a>. “My perspective & outlook is so much healthier than I could have imagined. Thanks to all who watched tonight, I hope you arent too disappointed, but if you are disappointed i hope ur grateful for ur couch & TV.”</p>
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