For the past seven years, the History Channel’s minimalist reality program Only has carved out its own respectable niche in the crowded “man versus the elements” subgenre. Ditching the film crew and battling personalities in favor of a quieter, more grounded, slow-paced experience that’s best taken a few episodes at a time.
Every competitor, by requirement, is proficient in the area of survival against the elements. With such a strong lineup overall, it takes a combination of luck, mental toughness, and adaptability to really make a mark on the show as a contestant. Here are the ten strongest competitors to date Only.
Updated July 7, 2022 by Tanner Fox: First released in 2015, Alone was designed to compete with a number of similar reality shows, but it has persevered in part due to its raw, authentic approach. Alone features very little pageantry and feels far removed from the grandiose grandeur of shows like Survivor or The Challenge.
Airing its ninth season in 2022, Alone has held its own and continues to satisfy the survival urges of viewers everywhere. Still, even dedicated outdoor enthusiasts probably wouldn’t choose to step into the shoes of some of Alone’s top competitors.
Nathan Donnelly (Season 6)
One of the inevitable challenges of competing on the show is the sometimes not-so-tasty hand that nature hands out to contestants. Nathan is perhaps one of the show’s most disappointing taps, as his mix of positivity and expertise has made him a real contender to win the notoriously difficult sixth season, which is set in the Arctic.
Unfortunately, a gust of wind had other plans and Nathan’s entire shelter caught fire after 72 days of loneliness. Also, the late hour of the incident forced Nathan to wait outside until morning came and he could be rescued. Hard cookie.
Nicole Apelian (Seasons 2 & 5)
Battling both the wilderness and MS, Nicole’s two runs on the show demonstrate both the power of mental willpower and the willingness to carefully consider each option before moving on.
His first appearance was the more successful of the two, as his second chance was cut short by an SP attack. Apelian’s warm and intelligent demeanor made her easy to root for and her survival skills were clearly a honed passion for the mother of two. Truly one of the most likable and unassuming contestants the series has ever had.
Larry Roberts (seasons 2 and 5)
Larry was the ultimate underdog. Initially appearing as a mildly disgruntled average Joe who was ready for meanness and self-sabotage, Roberts morphed into one of the most dramatic figures of the season he debuted in as he struggled against loneliness and the mental agony of starvation.
His honest and sometimes ugly reaction to bad luck has made him one of the most relatable figures in a season filled with survival geniuses. When he returned three seasons later in the Redemption season, he has once again demonstrated his know-how and his singularly endearing daily life.
Dave Nessia (seasons 3 and 5)
One of the most committed and skilled contestants in his two seasons, Dave Nessia was medically evacuated in Season 3 after 73 days alone in the arid Patagonian desert after losing too much weight. Evacuation served as the driving force behind Nessia’s impressive performance in the fifth season.
Nessia’s second go-around was particularly memorable as he built and hunted with different tools, proving his knowledge and skill in executing daring strategies. Nessia gracefully tapped out after 36 days in Season 5 after feeling like he had “done what he came to do.”
Carleigh Fairchild (seasons 3 and 5)
In season 3, Carliegh Fairchild passed 86 days. Undoubtedly one of the most impressive races in the series, Fairchild demonstrated a keen sense of intuition and a deep understanding of how to use the landscape to his advantage. Her forced evacuation was apparently the only thing that could have kept Fairchild from withering away until she won.
Her dedication and on-screen savvy made her one of the show’s fiercest competitors. Unfortunately, his second chance was cut short by a hook in his hand.
Sam Larson (seasons 1 and 5)
The winner of Alone: Redemption was also the only cast member in the inaugural season of Only to return. Sam’s infectious optimism and the self-recording adventures that followed made his Season 5 one of the most rewarding to follow.
Having tasted failure before, Larson’s surprise when he wins is palpable and truly deserved. Larson looked like he could exploit a handful of tough stretches over the course of the season, especially once his food supplies got dangerously low, but his persistence carried him to victory.
Woniya Thibeault (Season 6)
What a fun and truly uplifting presence Woniya demonstrated in his very impressive 76-day run in the show’s sixth season. Instead of using brute strength and a high BMI to stave off starvation, Thibeault used a more spiritual approach that actually took her all the way to second place.
Ultimately, the lack of food served as the catalyst for his tap out, but there’s no denying that his performance throughout the season was one of the best and least stressful to watch.
Jordan Jonas (Season 6)
Season 6 had the series’ coldest premise yet. With temperatures well below freezing, the competitors who made it this season were particularly formidable survivalists.
Season winner Jordan Jonas looked well prepared to continue beyond his 77 days of winning. Jonas’ victorious appearance on the show was marked by a blend of sweet southern charm and undeniable talent in the ways of the wilderness. One of the funniest and most laid-back winners on the show, it’s never been hard to see why Jonas has done so well.
Roland Welker (Season 7)
The producers of Only always seem ready to introduce a new twist, a reworking of the series’ fairly simple formula. Season 4, the weakest of the show’s seasons, featured teams of two, 5 was an all-star season, 6 with the lure of the arctic, and now season 7 with the requirement that the winner must survive 100 days.
Naturally, anyone able to complete this, the longest run of the multi-day series, would be one of the strongest contestants the series has ever seen. Indeed, Roland Welker’s journey has been long and inspiring and has seen him survive and battle the elements for over three months.
Jose Martinez Amoedo (Season 2)
The strongest competitor to date was surpassed after 59 days due to one of the best innovations the show has seen, the man built a kayak. Jose represents the perfect candidate for the show – a likeable, organically gifted risk-taker who never says or does anything interesting in the footage presented to viewers.
His abilities to craft and build weapons and an entire kayak from scratch made him the obvious choice to win until his kayak was knocked over by a current. The best contestant and worst upset the show has seen.
10 Strongest Contestants On The Reality Show So Far – CNET – ApparelGeek