You learn many things about yourself when you’re alone.

And for Alan Kay and Nicole Apelian, two former contestants on History’s hit show “Alone,” their experiences of being alone have changed their lives.

The show features 10 contestants in a who-can-stay-the-longest survival situation after being dropped in the remote ruggedness of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Contestants on the show film themselves and bring limited survival gear.

Kay, who filmed his experience in fall 2014, won the show’s first season, outlasting the other contestants by staying in the wilderness 56 days. Apelian filmed hers in fall 2015 and competed on Season No. 2, finishing fourth when she chose to leave after 57 days.

Apelian, 47, was born in Massachusetts and now splits her time between her home in Portland and her property in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range when not traveling, teaching and guiding. She is a mother, biologist, expedition leader, wellness coach, herbalist and wilderness skills instructor, as well as CEO and founder of Eco Tours International. She was a game warden in Africa with the U.S. Peace Corps and later lived among the Bushmen while completing her doctorate.

Instead of focused on to-do lists, she advocates for a life of nature and connectivity, fully realizing its healing abilities after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999.

“That restorative power of nature is superbly strong. We all need nature connection,” Apelian said. “I think that’s one of the biggest problems we have in our society: We’ve lost that connection with nature and with community.”

Kay, 42, owns and operates Wildland Studies Group, which offers instruction and consulting in wilderness survival, self-defense and preparedness. Kay worked as a corrections officer in Georgia, where he grew up and currently resides.

“I remember, as a kid, I would look at our lives and I would think, ‘This is out of balance,’” he said. “Even as a kid, it was obvious to me … I just sought out people that could teach me that, and I learned little by little how to reconnect with older ways of doing things.”

The two connected after Apelian’s season on the show aired, a time when she was struggling to recover from her experience and transition back to normal life.

“It was really good,” she said, “because here was someone all of a sudden who understood exactly what I had been through and knew what it was like to transition home.”

When they first met last fall in the lobby of the UN hotel in downtown New York City, the noisy, urban location was just about the last place either of them would choose to be.

Then they went and compared knife collections, Apelian said, laughing.

They both acknowledge challenges reintegrating into everyday life following their stints on the show.

“I’m still adjusting to being back in society,” Kay said. “I don’t think I’ll ever fully recover. It’s an experience that changes you.”

The exposure from the show now allows them new opportunities and audiences, and to do what they love full time. The pair recently hosted an “Experience Alone” Wilderness Skills workshop at Soapstone Retreat, the coastal property Apelian bought in 2013 which sits about 12 miles from Nehalem.

Apelian previously hosted a workshop with Jose Amoedo, who also appeared on Season No. 2 of Alone and plans to continue hosting workshops with Alone participants.

A little more than 22 acres, the property features a cabin built by prominent architect Will Martin using the Fibonacci number series — spatial proportions found in nature. (Martin designed Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland.)

The land’s pristine condition along Soapstone Creek has also led to special protections, as the North Coast Land Conservancy holds a conservation easement on the property for its protected fish spawning habitat, lack of invasive species and diversity of wildlife.

The Soapstone Women’s writing group purchased the site in 1999 from Martin’s estate, and many writers have spent weeks over the years working at the property. Soapstone provided more than 375 residencies from 1998 to 2010.

Notable among them was Portland writer Cheryl Strayed, who spent two weeks there preparing the first half of her memoir “Wild.” The book was published in 2010 and later adapted for a film starring Reese Witherspoon.

During the recent workshop, participants spun hand drills, built primitive shelters without tools, built traps and practiced other skills. Discussion topics included everyday carry items, bug out bags, emergency medicine, water collection, plant foraging, shelter and clothing choices. Survivor psychology and mindset permeated every topic.

During a primitive fire-building demonstration, Kay emphasized the importance of knowing the skills, but that in a survival situation one shouldn’t come to rely upon them with today’s available tools.

“If you ever find yourself doing this, you’ve already screwed up about 10 times,” Kay said. “The best thing we can do is to carry items to be prepared.”

While their TV experience offered them the opportunity to test their self-sufficiency and ability to survive alone, they both believe strongly in the importance of community.

“When we put on a workshop, I want people to leave feeling empowered to learn more, to take the knowledge that they’ve learned here and explore that more,” Apelian said.

Aaron Breniman is a writer, outdoor enthusiast, search-and-rescue member and communications consultant living in Portland, when he’s not backpacking, fishing or chasing sunrises. Follow him on Twitter at @aaronbreniman or on Instagram at @akbnpdx.

Coming next week: Aaron Breniman will cover the ‘Experience Alone’ workshop skills covered, practical applications and takeaways to be better prepared for survival in the wilderness and everyday life.