Plummet from a Treestand on 'Fight to Survive'

Tennessee resident Nathan Holcomb, an accomplished hunter and athlete, shares his traumatic tale of a near deadly tree stand fall on Outdoor Channel’s action-packed adventure TV series, Fight to Survive, which is hosted by survivor, professional rock climber and motivational force Craig DeMartino.

Fight to Survive, which premiered on October 4, follows the true inspirational stories of those who have faced almost certain death and fought to stay alive. Each episode takes a survivor back to the flashpoint of their ordeal right into some of the most majestic and dangerous places in North America – and shows how they persevered to share their story with audiences.

In September of 2010, Holcomb embarked on a hunting trip in rural North Carolina with his friend Eddie Vaughn. After accidentally leaving his harness behind before splitting off from his hunting partner during a late-afternoon expedition, Holcomb fell more than 25 feet when his tree stand collapsed. Alone in the middle of the woods with severe injuries, including a broken back and paralysis in half of his body, Holcomb knew that he had to get to Vaughn. Even with the threat of coyotes lurking in the distance, Holcomb somehow powered through the one mile trek for help.

Only one year later, Holcomb was back at the softball plate and hit a homerun at his first at-bat at The Smoky Mountain Classic in 2011 at Maryville College against Primetime. Four years after that fateful day, Holcomb spends his time doing the three things he loves most: hunting, teaching high school students and coaching baseball, with his wife and two children by his side.

Through perseverance, resourcefulness and sheer force of will, Fight to Survive chronicles the tales of the struggle to overcome almost insurmountable odds. From the gripping action to the moving comebacks, Holcomb’s story, and the others recounted throughout the series, reminds audiences that faith, determination and human spirit are what can help them overcome when faced with the ultimate fight to survive.

Episode Eight will air Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. ET on Outdoor Channel.