If you’re wondering why I do these survivor conversations — I nearly died in the Grand Canyon, and surviving that changed how I think about risk, preparation, and judgment. That experience is why I talk to people who’ve survived the worst moments of their lives — different environments, same human instincts. My full Grand Canyon survival story (we filmed the entire experience):
https://youtu.be/FRSGGUUtN9Y

BIG thank you to the interviewer for not interrupting her and not vocally expressing sound every other minute like ‘oh’ ‘really’ ‘uh hu’

Hello everyone. It’s been a few months since I did the interview and have just scrolled through some of the comments.
Thank you to those who understand or could empathize. To those who couldn’t get past my facial expressions, smiles or a laugh, I can only say that I am not an actress, there were nerves  and being called after all these years to do a podcast was surprising and not something on my bucket list. I have never made a penny off the story nor pushed to get it out there. It’s the people that hear the story that say it should be a movie so if it’s meant to be It will be.
As for how I tell the story, I can only say that from the day after I stepped back on the beach I had to repeat it over and over. To police, news reporters, coworkers, friends, family, Attorneys. It was probably a coping mechanism but for the most part it actually became just a story to me. In the beginning of course I had nightmares and there were tears and survivors guilt but over time I let it be. Bringing it up after so much time I do look back and say wow to the fact that any of us survived. So while answering Dans questions or going thru it I was also shaking my head in disbelief that I had that strength and ability to survive. Sorry if you thought it sounded like I was patting myself on the back it was just a moment of reflection.
As far as the alcohol it was minimal we were broke kids, none was on the boat. Some of you called us stupid. (3) on the boat went to Embree Riddle a hard school to get into and I won’t say more about myself because I see a few people called me a narcissist! Lol far from it. None of us were stupid,  just kids having fun when fate interrupted us.
And keep in mind I am just telling MY story not theirs. We all have different perspectives but the story is still the same.
Anyway, my hope is that this is looked at as a story of survival to remind everyone they have more strength and resilience than they could possibly imagine. Don’t be afraid, be aware! And go live life before it’s too late!

I’ve been in boating since I was 7 years old, I’m 73 now.   I have never heard of going out without  life preservers, flares,  water etc.

Rare to see an interview where the interviewer doesn't interrupt at all.  Great story.

Being stuck out in the ocean like that would be my worst fear. This woman is incredible.

I was young and stupid I went out to swim in the morning off the beach in Galveston Texas . Just a quick dip i thought no life vest. Next thing i knew i was waaaay out parallel to the beach no one around and no one knew i was there. I remembered i heard sonewhere to swim parallel to the beach and not directly toward the beach when caught in the ocean undertow. It took a long time more than an hour until my feet felt the sand of the shore and i was exhausted. After i made it out of the water and sat on the beach exhaused it was then i becamr terribly aware of how lucky i didnt drown and then realized I was about a mile down the shoreline where i originally went in the water and  the morning brackish water off shore is a prime hunting time for Bull sharks. I truly believe God saved me that day.

A Hobi Cat - No Life Preservers - ON the bloody Ocean!  & a Guy who wants to keep going further OUT.  Worst Nightmare.  I've been on Boats my entire Life down the Shore but would NEVER leave the Bay & go out in the Channel to the Ocean.  My Respect/Fear of the Ocean is profound.  We are just INSIGNIFICANT SPECKS ...

Thats crazy she never heard from the guys again. Crazy sad actually.

The fact that she kept CALMLY swimming is what likely saved her life.  Sharks will nudge a potential "dinner" to see the reaction, and if dinner panics, then the shark perceives a victim and attacks.  But she didnt splash, she kept on swimming and moving deliberately, so the shark went to look for easier prey.  Stunning and ghastly experience that traumatically scars you for life.

Unbelievable. No lifejackets, no one knew they were sailing, no water, no emergency lights, … sailing further out. This is a lesson in idiocy and negligence. Don’t ever agree to sail with ANYBODY who thinks this is okay.

To go in the ocean that unprepared is nuts

The interviewer did a PHENOMENAL job!  Well done! You aren’t about you and it shows man! Great channel and glad I found you today!

One single flare could have prevented this whole ordeal.

Such trauma for everyone who survived, but I feel terrible for the girl who died like that what an awful way to go

What an unsettling telling of a horrendous ordeal. May Christie be resting in peace.

The woman being interviewed thought the reason the other woman was quiet that night was because she like had some kind of premonition or something. I think she was quiet because she was scared to death.

She said she was stung by Man o wars! 😳 These are the most painful jelly fish and she kept swimming. The human's survival instincts are amazing.

A big shark parallel to shore in distance   was seen in waves that crashed shore. My 2 friends were on sandbar 6 inches water. I was in around 28 inches of water 15 ft from shore. Shark disappeared  then very strong water motion on left side area. I knew it was the shark. I froze solid,  motionless looked down on left just my eyes saw a big dark gray round snout 2 inches from my left foot and 2 big blk eyes looking at mine. I said to myself there's a blanking shark at my foot wtf am i gonna do. Still motionless.  Then same powerful strong movement on left. Then saw from fin to tail fin shark going back away from me on left side and sand again sand swirling in circles. So I about faced toward shore slowly hoping it would not attack from behind. Sat on shore in disbelief a shark checked me out. I got lucky. Shark could have dragged me easy.  Bigger than me I am 5ft 8 . Now 72. It was 1975 era. Wrightsville beach  n.c.

Sometimes it seems that life gives you warnings & it's up to you to pay attention to those warnings.  Sadly, when the boat was taking on water AND when you see a storm coming, those were two signs to quit for the day.