I guess it is time for an official announcement.

If you are reading this, then I guess the cat is out of the bag and the information has been made public.

http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/volkswagen-teams-up-with-discovery-channel-third-year-as-presenting-sponsor-shark-week-1935552.htm

Yes, that is me, Chris Swanda, a new member of the cast/crew/dude of Discovery Channel's Dude You're Screwed Season 2.  While season 2 does not broadcast until sometime in 4Q 2014, I guess by seeing the TV commercial during Shark Week 2014, one could surmise that I might have something to do with that show.  I mean, why else would they throw a redneck country boy into a Volkswagen commercial, on the Discovery Channel, during Shark Week, claiming to be a "Dude" and his name is Chris?

The all new 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI 

If you are not familiar with the show, here is the URL to Discovery's website...  http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/dude-youre-screwed/about-the-show/about-the-show.htm (It may not be updated for Season 2 at the time of this posting.)  

Season 1 is also available on iTunes, Amazon DYS season 1 and VUDU for streaming, since other places to watch online are most likely not officially sanctioned by Discovery and a bit sketchy.  I do not have an affiliate account or anything, just pointing you over in case you are an Amazon Prime member.  I am sure that Season 1 will re-run on Discovery or Animal Planet leading up to Season 2's debut later this year.

I have been dying to tell a lot of friends and family about this opportunity since last year.  As some of you are aware, the Swanda family has had a rough time over the past few years, through no fault of our own; sometimes bad things happen to good people.  When this opportunity came up; we took it as a sign that maybe we have paid our dues, it was divine intervention, karma or just plain old luck.  

I am truly thankful to everyone at High Noon Entertainment and Discovery for giving me the opportunity.  

Follow along on social media also:

The best way to engage with me personally, is through Google+.

Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChrisSwanda/

But I understand that some people use other social networks, so follow the show on Twitter and Facebook.  

Facebook - Please like the following pages and follow our adventures as season 2 gets closer.  Dude You're Screwed and Chris Swanda 

Twitter -  Also follow along @Discovery, @DudeURScrewed, #DudeYoureScrewed, and me @ChrisSwanda

Anyway, stay tuned for more details and I will update this blog or social media appropriately.  But you know how it goes, you start a blog and have all these big plans for it and after a few postings you realize that you are not a writer.  Hopefully I will try to keep some relevant content here or updates.

I will try to answer a few questions here, because I know that a few of you will have them.

Have you changed careers and/or are you still employed at Pinsight Media?
No, I am still employed at Pinsight Media.  Outside of my technology career, I still teach and consult on various outdoors topics.  I hope that I can continue doing some work on camera in the near future. That, or maybe I can combine the these two interests into one career...  Or you can just click the ads in this blog post since TV doesn't pay as much as you think.  LOL

How in the world did you get on TV?
In all honesty, I have no idea.  And what I mean by this, is that I was not pursuing any TV opportunities.  I had a few casting producers cold call me last year for various projects and eventually I was offered to participate in Dude You're Screwed.  I have helped, taught and consulted on various outdoors and preparedness related topics for most of my life and must have impressed someone, that knew someone, that knew someone, that knew someone...  Plus, be careful what you say on the internet... you may have to back it up one day.

Do you have an agent?
I sure do.  I use N.S. Bienstock based out of New York. (http://nsbtalent.com/)  They have been extremely helpful, since I am new to this industry and they have been a pure pleasure to work with.  Plus it sounds really cool when my phone rings and I get to proclaim out loud "excuse me, my agent is calling...".  

Now that you are a big time TV survival dude, do you still provide personal one-on-one instruction or consult?
I would not say that I am a big time TV dude, but yes, I would love to assist you with your pursuits in wilderness survival and emergency preparedness.  There is not a one size fits all class or instruction out there, because everyone has a different background of knowledge and domains of concerns.  I would love to be able to help you understand what and why you want to learn such skills, and then help you realize your goals.

You have been wearing shorts and go around barefooted for as long as I have known you, even in -15 degree weather.  What is up with the long pants and boots?
Ha.  My legs are too ugly for TV and somehow ended up wearing my boots.  But I guarantee you, that shorts and bare feet are my attire most of the time.

Do you really like bacon as much as you talk and joke about?
I have been known to eat bacon sashimi.  :)

  I'm joking... bacon is not located on the top of a pig near the neck.

What is a polymath?
A person with extraordinarily broad and comprehensive knowledge.

Stay tuned for updates,

Chris

Stay tuned for updates