Not many people can say they have braved the elements in an unknown wilderness.

However, Butler resident Jon Hart knows the naked truth of survival. Literally.

“I'm confident in my body and knew in my mind there was going to be far more things to worry about than being naked in front of someone you've never met,” said Hart, 34. “There's no reason to let any awkwardness get in the way. ... You look where you're supposed to look and get after it.”

Hart, a photographer and optician, will be featured on Sunday's episode of Discovery's “Naked and Afraid” wilderness survival series.

One moment from Hart's time on the show is captured in a picture from Discovery, showing him holding a black, fuzzy spider on a stick.

“I'm not afraid of spiders. I'm not really afraid of anything, especially if it's potential food,” Hart said. “You have to take what's thrown at you and use what Mother Nature decided to give you effectively to get through it.”

In its 10th season, the show tasks contestants to survive extreme challenges in locations including Alaska's frozen tundra, Florida's alligator-infested swamps and an African Kill Zone where they are stalked by lion. They need to create shelter, forage for food and find water to last 21 days.

Each person may bring one item, such as a machete or cooking pot. Hart's chosen item will remain a surprise until the show airs.

Cast members receive a Primitive Survival Rating, which is based on predictions and observations of survival fitness in skill, experience, and mental strengths. Hart will not know his rating until the show airs.

Hart grew up in New Jersey and attended Slippery Rock University, which brought him to Western Pennsylvania. His journey then took him to Texas and to Butler when he moved in January 2017.

Hart has always been a fan of “Naked and Afraid,” and any other outdoor and survivalist shows, he said. Hiking, camping, backpacking and surviving are his interests. It never crossed his mind until recently to try out, he said.

“I was thrilled,” he said. “I love the outdoors and embrace challenges more than most people.”

Those who know Hart are excited to see him on the big screen.

A viewing party will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Hardwood Cafe, 646 Pittsburgh Road. The show will air at 9 p.m.

Over a year ago, Hart thought about trying out for the show, said Jay Fennell, of Butler, who is Hart's boss, neighbor and friend. Hart sent a submission video that was returned with multiple FaceTime calls.

Next, Hart was invited to Los Angeles for three days, where he underwent tests and psychological evaluations and was assigned a rating, Fennell said.

That's when Hart told Fennell he would be on one of the first episodes of the new season, he said.

Elizabeth Poland, Hart's girlfriend of two years, shared in the excitement.

“It is so cool and we are super proud of him and how hard he worked there and what all went into it,” said Poland, who is originally from Ohio. “I'm excited to see him so happy.”

The couple had been together for six months when Hart got the offer and Poland was not hesitant to let him accept, she said, adding she would do the same for her 8-year-old son, who is a fan of the show.

“I didn't want to hold him back,” she said.

Hart spent two days in Mexico before the challenge, then he was whisked away to the undisclosed location, Poland said.

“I knew he was strong enough to handle anything,” she said.

Poland's only concern was the environment Hart would endure, she said.

“I'd picture him sunburnt and covered in bug bites,” she said. “I lost a lot of sleep worried about him, but I knew he could handle the challenge.”

Hart knew he was headed to southern Mexico, but did not know the exact location the challenge would take place — an element that adds surprise to the challenge, he said.

Hart's most powerful tool — his mind-set. “I'm a very positive person and see on the bright side of things,” he said. “When you watch this challenge and this show, people break down mentally because they can't handle the mental aspect of what's being thrown at them.”

During the challenge, he knew he would come out on top if he kept thoughts of his girlfriend, her son and the reason he was there in his mind, Hart said.

While training, Hart honed his fire starting and shelter building skills, he said. Although he was not a Boy Scout, Hart was always outside, even family reunions were held outdoors, he said. The earliest memories of the outdoors are fishing with his grandfather.

Hart has competed in obstacle course racing for eight years, which is where he met Poland. The couple has traveled the country to take on challenges ranging from 3 miles to more than 20 miles.

Hart is very level headed, she said, adding he knows what he is capable of doing without putting himself in a dangerous situation.

“I never had a doubt,” she said. “He could handle more than that.”

Fennell said Hart's personality can be seen in the fact he has seen Hart every day because he was helping him take care of Fennell's father, who recently died.

“He's the kind of person who could live out of a vehicle, he's just like that,” Fennell said. “He's a free spirit and great individual with a great sense of life. He's always happy.” Hart, “who is like a son of mine,” Fennell said, believes he can survive the challenge.

“When I found out he was doing it, I was not questioning his survival, but thought he'd do well,” he said. “He's got a good chance of making 21 days knowing his attitude and zest for life.”

Hart's fascination with the fitness world stems from how he wants to push his mind and body to its limits, Hart said.

That mind-set and his athletic ability carried him through the challenge because he knew he could do heavy lifting and enough stamina and endurance — abilities he was confident in even if naked.

Partnership was one key if Hart wanted to be successful, he said. People who take on the challenge alone are usually left to battle the elements and their own thoughts.

“Four hands instead of two and two minds instead of one,” he said. Viewers will have to watch to see how he and his partner worked things out.

To the naysayers who believe the show is fake or over produced, Hart suggests they take on the challenge or step in the shoes of those who have endured it.

Well, not shoes. They compete in bare feet.

“I think it's the hardest survival challenge out there because its extremely real.”

After a year since filming, Hart is ready to share the experience with his friends and family at the viewing party.

Common bucket list items — skydiving, bungee jumping and traveling — do not compare to his experience on the show, Hart said.

“I still have dreams of the sunsets and the sunrises and the beautiful place that we were,” he said. “We were the only two people in the entire world who went through that experience.”