How I Survived

Setting off to hike to the Lost Palms Oasis, hidden deep within the Joshua Tree National Park, 35-year-old Kiwi Claire Nelson couldn't wait to immerse herself in the Californian desert's otherworldly beauty. She had everything she needed for the four-hour hike, including plenty of water. She'd even left an extra bottle in the car for when she got back. But, in the blazing hot desert, she'd need every single drop... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was a steaming hot March afternoon in Weipa, a mining town on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia. At a safety course, 28-year-old mine worker Todd Bairstow couldn’t wait to knock off, treat himself to an ice-cold beer and go fishing. But, finishing up and trudging down to the creek with his little puppy running alongside him, they weren't completely alone. See, crocodiles lurked in the murky waters...*Thinking of you all, and hope you're staying safe and well in spite of everything Covid-19 is throwing at us. Lots of love from the HIS team. xInterview/script/host: Beth YoungProducer: Jake Taylor See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

*Quick note: We're working from home due to Covid-19, so this podcast is coming to you from Beth's wardrobe. Enjoy, and we hope you're all staying safe and sound. Lots of love, the HIS team xxxHeaving his massive backpack on, 22-year-old Kiwi William Pike was itching to get up the mountain. He and his mate James Christie – who he’d met at uni while studying to be a primary school teacher – were about to conquer Mt Ruapehu, on New Zealand’s north island. It was James’ first taste of mountaineering and William couldn’t wait to introduce his friend to the sport that he was so mad about. Over a week, the lads planned to climb the mountain’s three major peaks – the highest soaring nearly 3000m above sea level. They had all the right gear, the weather forecast was good, but there was another factor that was completely beyond their control - Mount Ruapehu is an active volcano. But, checking in with the local authorities before setting off, they said there was no sign that it was about to erupt...Interview/script/host: Beth YoungProducer: Jake Taylor See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the TV murmuring softly in the background, Desiree Page, 39, relaxed back into the reclining sofa, cuddling her 13-month-old son Cory. It was late at night, and her husband Gary, a long-haul charter bus driver, was away for work. Usually, Desiree would religiously lock every door and window before she went to bed. But, with her sleeping son in her arms, she dozed off. A sound sleeper, she didn’t hear a peep as a stranger stealthily broke into her home. Suddenly, someone was tugging on Desiree’s leg, shaking her awake…Interview/scriptwriter/host: Beth Young/Producer: Jake Taylor See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When Pepita Nicholls asked her husband of 18 years, Robert Ridgeway, for a divorce, he hatched a dark plan to get revenge. Now, there's been an update in Pepita's incredible story...Host: Beth Young/Interview: Riah Matthews/Producer: Denis Duggan *Police interview published with permission from Queensland Police. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was a sunny, crisp winter’s day in Interlaken, Switzerland, and Florida couple Chris and Gail Gursky, married for 26 years and parents to a grown-up son, had the perfect plan to get their hearts pumping – hang-gliding over the gorgeous terrain. They loved zip-lining. Now, it was time to up the ante. And they were keen to get started – it was their first day on holidays.The instructor strapped Chris in, then they ran off the edge of the cliff together. But as soon as Chris' feet left the ground, his body sank straight down and he knew something was terribly wrong. Horrifyingly, his harness hadn't been strapped on properly. He wasn't attached. And he was hurtling well above the trees. This is how Chris survived... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A devoted single mum-of-three, Simone O’Brien, then 37, was looking for love. She’d been divorced amicably from her ex, the kids’ dad Trevor, for more than four years. But, working two jobs to make ends meet, and ferrying her kids between school, basketball and playdates didn’t leave much time for romance. So, she decided to try online dating.Meeting a successful 42-year-old real estate agent named Glenn Cable, they hit it off and went out on a date. Their relationship quickly grew. A perfect gentleman, Glenn showered Simone with compliments and flowers, and he was great with her kids, especially Simone's youngest, Zac. But was he too good to be true?Soon, red flags began to appear, and Simone decided to call off the relationship. She thought she'd never see Glenn again. But she was wrong. He was about to reveal his true colours...Interviewer/scriptwriter/host: Beth YoungProducer: Jake Taylor See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Knocking off after a hard day of work as a labourer, 32-year-old Joe Green, from Indiana, in the United States, was looking forward to an icy cold beer. Meeting his mum and brother for dinner and drinks, he planned to head home around 10pm. Instead, he dropped off at another bar and kept drinking. One led to another, and by 2am Joe had lost track of how much alcohol he’d consumed. Recklessly deciding to drive home, he fell asleep behind the wheel. Waking up in hospital a fortnight later, his legs had been amputated. And his penis. This is how Joe survived… Interviewer/scriptwriter/host: Beth YoungProducer: Jake Taylor See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Season 4 of How I Survived is back on the 25th of February. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You're listening to the Best Of series of How I Survived...We'll be back soon with season 4.When Leisa Bennett couldn't be there for her three-year-old granddaughter Aurora, Max the dog stepped in. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You're listening to the Best Of series of How I Survived...We'll be back soon with season 4.Victorian grandpa Bill Singleton, 70, was working in the bush when horror struck. He'd accidentally sliced his face while cutting wood. He joins Beth to share his story... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You're listening to the Best Of series of How I Survived...We'll be back soon with season 4.Victorian neurosurgeon Dr Michael Wong was stabbed at the hospital where he worked 14 times by a former patient, Kareem Al-Salami. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At the age of 21, Tiffany Johnson was having the time of her life. Travelling Europe on a Contiki tour, she was waking up in a new place almost every day and making incredible friends along the way. It was July 1999 and her tour had stopped in the beautiful tourist town of Interlaken in Switzerland. Surrounded by the Alps, Interlaken was a world away from the family farm in Australia where Tiffany had grown up. To experience the mountains as closely as she could, Tiffany decided to take part in canyoning as an extra-curricular activity. She had no idea her once-in-a-lifetime trip would end in tragedy. This is how Tiffany survived the worst day of her life... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Growing up, Angelo Gargasoulas knew his brother James "Jimmy" Gargasoulas was strange. They had a difficult relationship and Jimmy could be unpredictable and violent, but Angelo never thought he'd hurt him. Then, one night, Jimmy not only attacked Angelo to within an inch of his life but he also went on to carry out one of Australia's worst attacks, known as the Bourke Street Massacre. Angelo shares his terrifying story. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was Mother’s Day - and at Susan O’Brien’s home in Wellington, New Zealand, it was hectic. Instead of waking up to breakfast in bed, she was getting ready to compete in a 20-kilometre fun run at the Remutaka Forest Park. Her husband, Daniel, and their two kids, Meisha, nine months, and Jayden, two were coming to cheer her on.It was a mad rush to get out of the house – Jayden needed his breakfast, Meisha was still breastfeeding and in a last-minute dash, Daniel searched the house high and low for strapping to protect his wife’s feet from blisters. Despite the mayhem, Susan made it in time for the safety briefing. It was a challenging trail and the organiser had an important safety tip. If you get lost or hurt yourself, stay put.As the starting gun sounded at 9am, Susan was off like a bullet. Still, she searched the crowd for her family. Susan had hugged her loved ones goodbye before setting off. But she’d see them soon. The plan was to smash out the 20-kilometre run in just two hours.At first, Susan stayed with the 100-strong pack of runners, then they began to fade into the distance.The trail soon became steep, the ground muddy. Slowing to a jog, Susan navigated her way around branches and jagged rocks, all the while keeping an eye out for the blue flags that were there to guide the runners. Suddenly, Susan realised she was all alone. Surely she couldn’t be that far ahead…She didn’t have her phone on her, but Susan’s GPS watch told her it’d already been more than two hours. Daniel, Meisha and Jayden would be waiting anxiously at the finish line. Panic quickly turned to fear and Susan began to realise she’d taken a very wrong turn. She was hopelessly lost. This is how Susan survived… See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Friends, we have a new podcast that you might love.It's called Investigates and if you love mystery shows, you will love this.Investigates lifts the veil on some of the world’s most horrific crimes and baffling mysteries. From Australia’s most haunted house to the 37-year-old missing person’s case that started a national movement, it's the new podcast that explores some of the most fascinating stories the world has ever seen. You can subscribe by searching for Investigates in your podcast app or following this link: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/investigates/id1344649849 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Each stroke of 27-year-old safari guide Paul Templer’s paddle took his canoe closer to the stunning mist-shrouded Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Along with two local guides, Ben and Evans, and a safety kayaker, Mac, they were paddling six clients – a German couple, Joe and Gundy, and four Air France crew - down the Zambezi River into the sunset with a tray of snacks and an eskie full of drinks.The Zambezi River teemed with wildlife, and a hippo – a fully-grown territorial male bull - was causing havoc along this particular stretch of water. Approaching a group of hippos sunning themselves in the shallows, Paul wanted to steer clear of the Range Rover-sized male. Especially since among the pod of hippos ahead was a female and her calf. So, he decided to cut around the mammoth creatures, through a narrow set of channels. That's when disaster struck. And this is how Paul survived... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Training for her first marathon 38-year-old Kelly Herron, would often find herself pounding the pavement after work. She lived in the Pacific Northwest in the US, which often meant that Kelly would be running in the dark, by herself. Sometimes she’d feel a flicker of fear. So when Kelly’s work offered a free self-defence class for all employees on Valentine’s Day 2017, she jumped at the chance. Peppering the instructor with questions, Kelly asked, as a runner, what she should do if she felt like she was being followed. The answer was simple: ‘Run!’ Terrifyingly, she was right. Three weeks later, on a freezing, wet afternoon, Kelly bundled up, popped on her headphones and set off for a 16km run along the beach. About halfway through her run, Kelly spotted a public bathroom and decided to quickly duck into the ladies. It was in that moment that her life changed forever. This is how Kelly Herron survived… See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With his young son in his arms, Maike faced a fight for their lives.Interviewed and hosted by Beth Young/sound design by Denis Duggan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andrew and Kathy McLaren were at the mall when a terror attack unfoldedInterviewed by Riah Matthews/hosted by Beth Young/sound design by Denis Duggan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Allena Hansen was working on her property with her faithful dogs when disaster struck. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Harriet Davis, 12, was enjoying a nice day out on the river when her life changed forever. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dr Michael Wong was at work when his shift turned to terror. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When Pepita Nicholls asked her husband of 18 years, Robert Ridgeway, for a divorce, he hatched a dark plan to get revenge. Interviewed by Riah Matthews/ host Beth Young/ producer Denis Duggan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Victorian grandpa Bill Singleton was working in the bush when horror struck. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When Leisa Bennett couldn't be there for her three-year-old granddaughter Aurora, Max the dog stepped in. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Each fortnight, How I Survived brings you the shocking and unbelievable true story of a person who has survived against the odds, told in their own words. Hosted by Beth Young, these stories are terrifying, inspiring and ultimately prove the power of the human will to live. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

'I wasn't just gonna take a bullet to the back of the head.’When Nigel Brennan and his colleague Amanda Lindhout were kidnapped by Somalian rebels, it was the beginning of a living nightmare. Interviewed by Riah Matthews/ host Beth Young/ producer Denis Duggan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For Shannon Bennett and her 13-year-old daughter Trinity a day out ended in disaster. Interviewer and host: Beth Young/Producer: Denis Duggan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On an everyday Monday morning, Louisa Hope found herself at the centre of a deadly terrorist attack. Interviewed by Riah Matthews/ host Beth Young/ producer Denis Duggan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Michelle Dowsett, 42, worked as a school teacher but lived on a farm with her husband, Bob, and two young kids, Josh, 2, and Liv, 18 months, so it wasn’t unusual for her to lend a helping hand when it came to yard work.Bob and her uncle, Craig, were having some trouble with one of the farm machines, so Michelle lent a hand. Eventually they fixed the problem and were just about done, which is when disaster struck.‘I felt a tug on my hair,’ Michelle told that’s life!‘My ponytail had snagged on a spinning bolt connected to the motor, and the top of my head had been clean pulled off.’Michelle shares her incredible story of survival on this episode...CreditsInterviewer and host: Beth Young Producer: Denis Duggan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rachele Godsall was kidnapped and had her throat slashed by the man she'd loved for nine years. 'He just looked at me and he didn't say anything, and he just cut my throat.' Now, she tells her shocking story in her own words on our podcast 'How I Survived'.If you need help, please call 1800 RESPECT or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au/ CreditsInterviewer and host: Beth YoungProducer: Denis Duggan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For 37 years, Rhonda Stapley hid a terrifying secret...At age 21, Rhonda was offered a ride by Bundy in his signature tan Volkswagon, where he later assaulted her. Bundy attempted to choke Rhonda to death and raped her. Amazingly, she escaped his clutches by plunging into a fast-moving river, which carried her to safety. She joins Beth to share her incredible story...CreditsHost: Beth YoungInterviewer: Stacey HicksProducer: Denis Duggan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a quiet night in at home in Newcastle, James Myers went to bed - he had no idea, but his worst nightmare was about to begin. Two hours later, a masked intruder burst into his bedroom wielding a gun and started shooting. James was shot in the face five times, but somehow he survived. James still has one bullet under his tongue and another in his skull, just above his brain and he joins Beth Young to share his incredible story...Credits Interviewer and host: Beth Young/Producer: Denis Duggan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Each week, How I Survived brings you the shocking and unbelievable true-story of a person who’s survived against the odds, told in their own words. Hosted by Beth Young, these stories are terrifying, inspiring and ultimately prove the power of the human will to live. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.