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E.J. “Skullcrusher” Snyder stormed his way into the Reality World the summer of 2013 on the Discovery Channel’s Hit Summer TV Series “Naked & Afraid” starring in “The Terror In Tanzania”. E.J. also appeared on TNT’s brand new TV Series “72 Hours: The Fijian Jungle” E.J. is one of the very first to appear in the same season on two different networks and two separate shows in their very first seasons! E.J. was then called in, along with Laura Zerra, when three others tapped out, for "Season 2 of Naked & Afraid: Man vs Amazon!" E.J. was the first Man they thought of when all the locals said that no one could survive the Amazon in these conditions. Due to his "Tough-As-Nails" Persona and Mental Toughness, E.J. was brought back in once again for "Naked and Afraid XL" in the Colombian Badlands. E.J. is the 1st Man to do the Challenge, the 1st to do it Twice, and the ONLY Man to do it a 3rd Time!!!

     E.J. was born and raised in North Jersey just outside NYC. His parents divorced when E.J. was very young and was the first of several life changing events in his life that set his course of to a very adventurous life. E.J. took on the “Man of the House role” early on with his first job delivering newspapers so his mother didn’t have to buy his school clothes. E.J was a shy kid and chosen last for most sports and PE activities, as well as the target of many bullies. E.J. was driven by these very much and self-taught himself, trained very hard, and eventually became excellent at every main sport. He also took a love for self-defense and regularly studied boxing, wrestling, and eventually martial arts too. He grew up very much loving the outdoors, football, sports, boxing, and the water. He graduated HS in 1984 and joined the U.S. Army shortly after launching a very long adventure.

E.J. Snyder is a 25 year veteran of the US Army. He is a former Army Sergeant Major (E-9) with a background of leading Soldiers in Airborne and Infantry Units, ALWAYS serving in Army Ranger coded positions throughout the Army. He is renowned for ALWAYS leading from the front and by example, as is his loud and "In Your Face" style of leadership. E.J. lived by his nickname "The Skullcrusher" and always did whatever was required to complete the mission.

     He is a Highly Decorated Combat Veteran of both the 1991 Gulf War and OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) in Iraq. He has planned and conducted a broad range of missions covering the entire operational continuum. He is most proud of his Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge with Star, Master Parachutist Wings, Pathfinder Badge, Drill Sergeant ID Badge, and his Order of St. Maurice (Centurion) Medal.

He is a graduate of over 30 formal military schools, which include 5 levels of Leadership Academies graduating each at the top of his class with honors from the Basic through the Executive Levels. He possesses skill sets and experiences that are highly diverse. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School (Class 11-88) where he dedicated and molded his career around the "Ranger" Way of Life. He attended Survival School in 1996. Attending this school started E.J. on a self-quest to learn as much about Survival as he could. He has tried to master as many areas in the art of Survival as possible but always seeking more. He is a school trained Tracker as well. He has over 7 years experience as a Formal Military Survival Instructor and over 20 years in Experience in all aspects of Survival, specializing in Military Survival & Self-Reliance. He has an immense love and respect for the great outdoors and is very skilled in, on, and under the water. He has a vast love and knowledge for ALL Hand to Hand Combat Arts and Weapons of all kinds.
 
      After retiring from the U.S. Army, E.J then started a new path and adventure in life trying to figure out what to do with the 25 years of knowledge, experience, and skills. He found himself quickly in the Entertainment World trying to work as a Military Technical Adviser, Actor, Stuntman, Producer, and Writer in Hawaii during his spare time. He appeared in several local commercials on TV and the web, as well as several feature, independent, and student films. He landed his biggest part as Freighter Boat Mercenary, "Redfern", on the hit TV Series "LOST", as well as a Military Expert on The History Channel's, "Patton 360".

 Retiring with his family to North Carolina, E.J. continues to pursue these same interests, but found himself actually a more interesting character to the Reality and Docu-Series World. E.J. was a Finalist for both Survivor (Season 21) and Big Brother (Season 14), but was replaced at the last minute for the final cast for both shows. E.J. filmed a pilot for a Spike TV series called "The Sheriff" alongside good friend Tony Shciena. He was then part of the Chiller Networks, "Can You Survive a Horror Movie" as a Military & Survival Expert. He was then asked to try out for "Dual Survival", where he caught the interest of the Discovery Channel. Thus leading E.J. to his  next two adventures, TNT's "72 Hours" in episode 7, “The Fiji Jungle” and the Discovery Channel's "Naked and Afraid" episodes “Terror In Tanzania & Bares All”. But anyone who clearly knows E.J., he is not afraid of anything. EJ is the First Man to complete the challenge! EJ is the ONLY MAN to be asked to do it again in "Man vs Amazon!" EJ is the oldest person to complete the challenge!
 
       E.J. continues to work as an Independent Government Contractor training Soldiers in the Art of Surviving behind enemy lines. He is also doing Motivational Speaking & Appearances, writing several books, circulars, and articles on Survival, Leadership, Success, and Life, and offering Independent Survival Training to small groups. He is an Executive Producer on an Anti-Bullying Campaign Feature Length Documentary called, “Broken Bones, Shattered Dreams”. E.J also is a supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project and USO and regularly volunteers in these programs, as well as belonging to several other Veterans and Military Organizations and Associations. EJ works hard supporting two Charities year round, "Michelle's Place" for Breast Cancer and "Give Kids The World Village" for kids fighting life threatening illnesses. E.J. lives and succeeds in Life and ALL his Adventures and endeavors by his motto….”Tua Sponte Superstes” which means “Survive By Your Own Will!"