Commando-turned-survivalist Steven Kelly has swapped the British Army for bushcraft, emerging from 23 years in uniform to brave reality TV in the buff and launch a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure business. In a light-hearted, adventurous twist on the usual resettlement story, this 29 Commando Regiment veteran is proving that the end of military service can be the start of a wild new chapter. From Afghan tours to Amazonian bug bites, Kelly’s journey spotlights resilience, reinvention, and the power of military-honed skills in civilian life.
From Commando to Castaway
Steven Kelly’s credentials read like an adventure novel. A Liverpool native now based in Plymouth, he spent over two decades in the British Army’s elite 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery. He trained in jungles, deserts and Arctic tundra as part of his service, deploying to Afghanistan and other global hotspots.
But a sudden health scare nearly cut that career short. In 2012, a serious eye condition threatened to end his Army days overnight. Faced with possible medical discharge, Kelly decided to use the skills he’d honed in uniform and set up his own survival company, South West Survival. What began as a side-hustle teaching bushcraft soon grew wings. Even though the Army retained him, the spark had been lit: Kelly had a mission beyond the military, ready for the day he’d hang up his beret.
Fast-forward to today and that day has come. After 23½ years in uniform, Kelly has taken the leap into civilian life. Retirement, he says, is like stepping into uncharted terrain – but that’s never stopped him before. He’s treating this career pivot like any survival challenge: assess the situation, adapt, and overcome.
The Naked Truth of Survival Stardom
Kelly’s most eyebrow-raising exploits have played out not on the battlefield, but on our TV screens. In 2023, while still serving, he dared to bare all on Discovery Channel’s infamous Naked and Afraid. The show drops two strangers into a remote wilderness with no food, no tools, and not a stitch of clothing. Kelly found himself deep in the Colombian jungle, armed with nothing but a machete and his wits.
He endured sweltering heat, monsoon rains, and a relentless assault of insects. Sleep-deprived and starving, he relied on mental toughness honed through years of military survival training. In one memorable moment, he and his partner managed to start a fire with damp jungle kindling – an achievement he ranks up there with earning his green beret.
Soon after, Channel 4 came calling. Kelly featured on Naked Alone and Racing to Get Home, a British twist on the concept that turned survival into a cross-country competition. Paired with another hardy soul, he had to traverse rough UK terrain and reach a finish line before a rival duo – all while procuring shelter and sustenance from the land.
Kelly’s military precision and improvisation shone through. He navigated by sun and stars, fashioned insulation from foliage, and kept his cool in chaos. And yes – in case you were wondering – he did eventually earn some clothes, or at least a few well-placed leaves. His upbeat attitude and grit won over viewers, and by the end of these exploits, he’d become a bona fide survival TV star.
A New Mission - South West Survival
After conquering extreme challenges on screen, Kelly has channelled that same energy into his new business. South West Survival, the company he once started on the side, is now his full-time passion project. Based in the wilds of the West Country, it’s an outdoor training and adventure outfit with a twist: a survival and bushcraft company with a military spin.
His courses cover classic bushcraft – fire lighting, shelter building, foraging – but also feature scenarios inspired by his Commando background. One weekend you might be learning to navigate by the stars, the next you’re fending off a “zombie apocalypse” in a mock survival exercise. The emphasis is on fun, confidence-building, and teamwork as much as it is on survival.
Kelly has worked with everyone from children and teens to corporate executives and fellow veterans. Bushcraft, he says, brings out hidden resilience and leadership – the kind of real-world growth you can’t fake. And it hasn’t taken long for people to take notice. South West Survival recently picked up a regional award for the “Best Survival Experience” in the South West.
It’s a long way from the eye scare that nearly derailed his military career. What began as a way to “pay the bills” has become a life-affirming calling. He’s found a path after service that plays to his strengths, brings out the best in others, and keeps his sense of purpose burning bright.
Exclusive Q&A with Steven Kelly
We sat down with Steven Kelly for a quick-fire round of questions. Here’s what we asked him…
You’ve just retired after 23 years in the Army. How does it feel to finally swap military life for full-time civilian and entrepreneurial life?
It feels surreal, to be honest. After 23 years in the Commando Forces, the Army was more than just a job — it was a way of life. Transitioning out is a mix of excitement and challenge. On one hand, I’ve finally got the freedom to put all my energy into my businesses and adventures, but on the other, I’ve left behind a brotherhood and structure that’s hard to replicate in civilian life. The biggest feeling is gratitude — for the experiences I’ve had and the chance now to build something of my own.
You became something of a celebrity on Naked and Afraid and its British counterpart. What’s a memorable or hilarious moment from those survival adventures that you can share with us?
There are plenty, but one that stands out is when I was trying to make fire with damp wood in Colombia. I’d been grafting away for hours, totally focused, only for the camera crew to start laughing because I’d managed to cover myself head to toe in charcoal — I looked like I’d camouflaged myself for a commando raid without even realising it. Moments like that remind you that survival isn’t just about grit, it’s about humour and keeping morale up when the situation is dire.
Tell us more about South West Survival. What inspired you to start the business, and what makes it unique?
South West Survival was born out of two things, my love for the outdoors and my desire to pass on real survival skills. I’d spent years operating in the harshest environments on the planet — jungle, desert, arctic, and mountains — and I wanted to give civilians the chance to experience some of that knowledge in a safe, practical, and fun way. What makes us unique is the authenticity; our training isn’t just textbook, it’s lived experience. We also cater for everyone, from families and schools to extreme adventurers, so survival becomes accessible and enjoyable for all.
How have your Army skills and mindset helped (or challenged) you in running your own business?
The Commando mindset is everything in business. Resilience, problem-solving under pressure, attention to detail, and leadership — all those skills transfer directly. Where it’s been a challenge is learning to slow down at times. In the Army, it’s always go-go-go, but in business you need patience, especially when building relationships, branding, and long-term strategies. I’m still learning to adapt that balance, but discipline and drive have been the foundations of making it work.
Many veterans will read this and feel inspired by your journey. What advice would you give to fellow ex-forces personnel who are considering starting their own business or following an unconventional path?
My advice is simple - back yourself. The military gives you a toolbox of skills that civilians can only dream of — resilience, leadership, adaptability. Don’t underestimate how valuable that is. At the same time, don’t be afraid to learn new things, whether that’s business, marketing, or social media. Surround yourself with a strong network, just like you would in the forces. And remember, the hardest step is the first one. Once you commit, you’ll be surprised at just how much you’re capable of achieving outside the uniform.
