Local Man Survives Discovery Channel Show
Iron Range Native Excels at "The Wheel"
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An Iron Range native recently completed an ultimate survival challenge; he lasted the complete 60 days on the discovery channel show ‘The Wheel.”
Luke Soderling was one of six people dropped off in South America to survive in six different landscapes, from freezing tundra’s to the rain forest carrying a light survival pack and amateur survival knowledge.
The finale aired last Friday night, but he’s been back here in the Northland for a few months now.
He’s facing yet another challenge, raising four young and energetic boys. There’s a taste for Mother Nature that he just can’t get out of his system.
“Once I got back, I hadn’t spent the night outside for a while, I kind of missed it so when it was 5 degrees, I spent the night out here,” said Luke Soderling gesturing to a makeshift shelter behind their home.
Soderling says after 60 days out in the elements, he learned that far more important than a roof over his head is who he’s with.
“I missed my family huge,” said Soderling. “Being able to come home was amazing, I’m the happiest person on earth.”
He credits the skills that kept him alive, on his home turf.
“On the Iron Range, we’re a tough group of people we don’t give up and quit,” said Soderling. “We keep going. It plays a big part into my success on the wheel.”
The motivation to keep going came from within. He’s also another kind of survivor, he beat thyroid cancer.
“There’s life after cancer you don’t have to give up keep fighting, and moving,” said Soderling. “Never give up.”
He says the greatest lesson he learned from the experience Is something anyone should do to live life to the fullest.
“It’s evident I missed my family, and I didn’t miss social media or my phone,” said Soderling. “I didn’t miss any of that. I’m going to put my phone away and pay attention to my family, boys, and get outside and teach them more.”
Soderling said his faith in God was also instrumental to helping him survive.
In the future he’s got plans to visit schools and give presentations, and also get involved in some nationwide fundraisers.
