Coventry Native on Discovery Channel

Ashley Burns, 25, is a car saleswoman and bartender from Coventry that was recently featured on the Discovery Channel’s “Naked and Afraid” program.

Each episode revolves around two contestants who are challenged to survive in the wilderness, while naked, for 21 days. The participants arrive in a designated area and must locate their own sources of nourishment and shelter.

The survivalists do not receive a prize for completing the challenge and are allowed to opt out at any time. Burns, who was stationed in Botswana with show partner Michael Jefferson, left after 3 days due to intense dizziness.

“I was sick from the very first day [of the show],” Burns said. “I’ve had a lot of tests since, but people attribute the dizziness to the water that I drank. We’ll never know what caused it, but everything over there is completely different [from the U.S.].”

Michael evacuated after 12 days, after suffering severe kidney pain.

Burns was mentally-prepared for “Naked and Afraid” and enjoyed the experience. She is not disappointed that the challenge wasn’t completed, she said.

Ashley Burns learned how to fish, hunt and identify plants while growing up in Coventry.

“When I go out, I always get recognized,” she said. “I have a lot of support from my town. I had a premiere party and my neighbors were there. I love Coventry.”

Read her Discovery Channel bio here.

Photo courtesy of Ashley Burns.