The CRUX: True Survival Stories

• The Last Goodbye: Survival in the Gulf of Mexico | E 173

  In March 2012, two lifelong friends and former Marines, Ken Henderson and Ed Cohen, embarked on what should have been a perfect fishing trip to the oil rigs 50 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Within minutes, their 30-foot boat suffered catastrophic failure and sank beneath them, leaving them stranded in frigid 65-degree waters with no rescue in sight. Learn about this harrowing 30+ hour survival ordeal that tested every limit of human endurance, friendship, and sacrifice. Ken, a retired sheriff's deputy and water rescue expert, and Ed, a devoted father and grandfather, faced hypothermia, hallucinations, and the vast emptiness of the Gulf's treacherous currents. This deeply moving story explores the unbreakable bond between Marines, the impossible choices that love sometimes forces us to make, and the devastating reality that sometimes survival comes at the ultimate cost. Through expert analysis of cold water survival, Gulf of Mexico maritime hazards, and the psychology of extreme situations, discover how preparation, training, and the power of human connection can mean the difference between life and death. Warning: This episode contains mature themes and emotional content related to life-and-death survival situations. A tribute to friendship, sacrifice, and the courage to make impossible decisions when everything depends on it. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 00:34 A Perfect Day Turns into a Nightmare 01:30 The Gulf of Mexico: A Dangerous Beauty 03:09 Meet Ken and Ed: Brothers in Arms 04:35 The Fishing Trip Begins 07:28 Disaster Strikes: The Boat Sinks 09:56 Struggling to Survive in the Gulf 17:11 A Heart-Wrenching Decision 18:57 Ken's Fight for Survival 21:09 The Aftermath: Coping with Loss 23:17 Conclusion and Listener Call to Action Listen without advertisements and support the podcast. http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us with suggestions! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Primary Source Materials News Articles and Reports: International Business Times - "Ken Henderson and Ed Coen: Tragedy Strikes Gulf After Boating Accident Claims 1" by Dave Smith, March 28, 2012 NBC News - "Boating tragedy recounted: 'Kiss them babies for me'" by Ramit Plushnick-Masti (Associated Press), March 28, 2012 New York Daily News - "Texas man leaves best friend to die, survives 35 hours in the Gulf of Mexico" (Associated Press), Updated January 10, 2019 Daily Mail - "'Kiss them babies for me': The last words beloved father said to his best friend after their fishing boat sank" (Associated Press), March 27-28, 2012 Conroe Courier - "Hard choice means life and death for two friends" by Nancy Flake and Carrie Thornton, March 26, 2012 Television Documentation: "Fight to Survive" - Ken Henderson Story (Season 1, Episode 1 or Season 3, Episode 1 - sources show conflicting season numbers) Aired on multiple platforms including Apple TV, Prime Video, and Pluto TV Documentary featuring Ken Henderson's detailed firsthand account of the incident Show description: "Best friends, Ed Cohen and Ken Henderson, set out for two days of Texas gulf fishing. Tragedy strikes and the two men are stranded adrift in hostile waters." Background Information Sources Gulf of Mexico Information: Wikipedia entry for Gulf of Mexico, including geographical, meteorological, and safety data Gulf of Mexico water temperature data for March conditions Information about Gulf currents, weather patterns, and offshore fishing conditions

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• Lost in the World's Largest Sandbox: The Steiner Family Tragedy | E172

  In this episode of the Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh recount the harrowing tale of a French family's dream vacation that turned into a nightmare at White Sands National Park in New Mexico. The episode delves into the extreme conditions and decisions that led to the deaths of David and Ornella Steiner, who sacrificed their lives to save their 9-year-old son amidst the park's unforgiving heat. Through expert insight and a step-by-step narrative, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the physiological and psychological challenges faced in such harsh environments, emphasizing the critical importance of preparation and caution when venturing into nature's most perilous landscapes. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:39 Setting the Scene: White Sands National Park 02:16 Meet the Steiner Family 04:46 The Fateful Hike Begins 08:38 The Harsh Realities of White Sands 13:50 Understanding Heat-Related Illnesses 16:40 A Mother's Sacrifice 18:01 Ruff Greens 19:12 A Heartbreaking Turn of Events 20:04 The Sunk Cost Mentality 21:05 Heat Exhaustion and Underestimation 23:20 The Family's Final Moments 25:09 The Rescue Operation 26:57 Aftermath and Reflections 28:09 Lessons from the Tragedy 30:33 The Essence of Parental Love 36:00 Final Thoughts and Takeaways 37:23 Podcast Outro and Listener Engagement   Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ References StrangeOutdoors.com - "The disturbing deaths of David and Ornella Steiner at White Sands Monument" (July 21, 2024) CNN - "French couple who died in desert gave son extra water, sheriff said" (August 11, 2015) The Washington Post - "French parents who died on New Mexico trail saved son's life by giving him their water, sheriff says" (August 8, 2015) Outside Online - "Couple Dies Hiking in White Sands" (August 2015) TIME - "Boy's Life Spared When Parents Sacrifice Water to Save Him in Desert" (August 11, 2015) France24 - "French couple die in US desert, nine-year-old son rescued" (August 8, 2015) CNN - "French couple dies in New Mexico desert; son survives" (August 10, 2015) Christian Science Monitor - "French couple dies in New Mexico desert, but saves son by giving him water" (August 11, 2015) Albuquerque Journal - "French couple die during midday White Sands hike" (August 7, 2015) ABC7 Chicago - "Sheriff: French pair who died in US desert likely saved son" (August 9, 2015) Yahoo Finance - "French hikers die in US desert, son survives" (August 8, 2015) Medical Sources: 12. Cleveland Clinic - "Heat Stroke: Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery" (2021) 13. NHS - "Heat exhaustion and heatstroke" 14. Healthline - "Heat Stroke vs. Heat Exhaustion: What's the Difference?" (May 26, 2023) 15. PMC/NCBI - "Exertional heat stroke: pathophysiology and risk factors" 16. StatPearls/NCBI - "Heat Stroke" 17. New England Journal of Medicine - "Heatstroke"

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• Somali Pirates vs Navy SEALs: The Shocking True Story Behind Captain Phillips | E171

  In this explosive episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen dive into five days of pure terror on the high seas. When four armed Somali pirates stormed the Maersk Alabama in 2009, Captain Richard Phillips made a split-second decision that would either save his crew—or cost him his life. What followed was a heart-pounding standoff in a sweltering lifeboat with AK-47-wielding captors, while Navy SEALs prepared for one of the most precise rescue shots in military history. But here's the twist: was Phillips the hero Hollywood portrayed, or did his reckless decisions put everyone in danger? Kaycee and Julie unpack the shocking controversies, the three-bullet rescue that captivated the world, and why Phillips' own crew sued him. Plus, they reveal the terrifying reality of modern piracy—it's bigger, deadlier, and closer to your daily life than you think. 00:00 Introduction to Case Knives 00:30 Exciting News: Disaster Strikes Expands to Patreon 01:21 Meet Your Hosts: Casey and Julie 01:42 Listener Shoutout and Story Request 02:10 The Story of Captain Richard Phillips Begins 06:30 Background on Somali Piracy 12:38 Ruff Greens 13:45 The Pirate Attack on Maersk Alabama 20:55 The Ideal Prisoner Exchange 21:30 Phillips' Lifeboat Ordeal 23:43 Navy to the Rescue 27:08 The Aftermath and Controversy 29:05 Modern Piracy: A Continuing Threat 35:07 The Maersk Alabama's Legacy 37:42 Lessons from Captain Phillips 41:59 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement Patreon patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Sources Wikipedia - "Maersk Alabama hijacking" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maersk_Alabama_hijacking Comprehensive encyclopedia entry covering the 2009 hijacking incident, rescue operation, and aftermath with extensive sourcing Wikipedia - "MV Tygra" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Tygra Article about the ship formerly known as Maersk Alabama, including details about the hijacking and the vessel's current status Wikipedia - "Richard Phillips (merchant mariner)" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Phillips_(merchant_mariner) Biographical information about Captain Phillips, including details about the hijacking and subsequent controversies ScreenRant - "The True Story Behind Captain Phillips & The Maersk Alabama Hijacking" https://screenrant.com/captain-phillips-maersk-alabama-hijacking-true-story/ Comprehensive overview of the true events behind the 2013 film, including details about the hijacking timeline and accuracy of the movie portrayal All That's Interesting - "The Story Of The Real Captain Richard Phillips Who Was Kidnapped By Somali Pirates" https://allthatsinteresting.com/captain-richard-phillips In-depth biographical information about Captain Phillips and detailed account of the hijacking events TIME Entertainment - "The True Tale of Captain Phillips" https://entertainment.time.com/2013/10/12/movie-fact-check-captain-phillips/ Fact-checking analysis comparing the Hollywood film to actual events, sourced from Phillips' memoir The Toronto Star - "Captain Phillips: The True Story Behind the Dramatic Rescue" https://www.thestar.com/news/world/captain-phillips-the-true-story-behind-the-dramatic-rescue/article_a347bd32-76db-5474-9f2c-51253d2f64b7.html Detailed reporting on the rescue operation and controversies surrounding the official narrative The Cinemaholic - "The Scary True Story Behind Captain Phillips, Explained" https://thecinemaholic.com/is-captain-phillips-based-on-a-true-story/ Analysis of the true story elements and creative liberties taken in the film adaptation Is True Story - "The True Story Behind Captain Phillips: Separating Fact from Fiction" https://istruestory.com/captain-phillips-story-true/ Comprehensive fact-checking resource examining the accuracy of various story elements Modern Piracy Research Sources Maritime Page - "Modern Day Pirates: A Closer Look at Maritime Crime in the 21st Century" https://maritimepage.com/modern-day-pirates-a-closer-look-at-maritime-crime/ Expert analysis of contemporary maritime piracy, including tactics, statistics, and countermeasures World Atlas - "Modern Day Pirate Attacks By Country" https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/modern-day-pirates-countries-with-the-most-maritime-piracy-today.html Statistical breakdown of piracy incidents by geographic region and country History18 - "Modern Piracy: Do Pirates Still Exist?" https://history18.com/modern-pirates/ Historical context and contemporary analysis of piracy evolution and current hotspots 9News Australia - "Pirates of the 21st Century: Modern Threat Costing the Global Economy $37 Billion Per Year" https://www.9news.com.au/world/modern-day-pirates-what-are-they-everything-to-know-explainer/c56da778-e0a1-4f40-8e93-22b673742c3a Current statistics on modern piracy's economic impact and global maritime security challenges Museum and Archival Sources National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum - "Maersk Alabama Lifeboat" https://www.navysealmuseum.org/maersk-alabama Official museum documentation of the actual lifeboat used in the hijacking, now on permanent display Captain Phillips Fandom Wiki - "Maersk Alabama hijacking" https://captain-phillips.fandom.com/wiki/Maersk_Alabama_hijacking Fan-maintained resource with detailed timeline and behind-the-scenes information Legal and Industry Sources VB Attorneys - "Captain Phillips and the Truth About What Happened" https://www.vbattorneys.com/blog/maersk-alabama-and-somali-pirates-suit Legal perspective from attorneys who represented crew members in lawsuits against Maersk Line gCaptain - "Maersk Alabama Hijacking: Ten Years Later, Could It Happen Again?" https://gcaptain.com/maersk-alabama-hijacking-anniversary/ Maritime industry analysis of lessons learned and current piracy threats Britannica - "Maersk Alabama hijacking" https://www.britannica.com/event/Maersk-Alabama-hijacking Scholarly encyclopedia entry with expert analysis and historical context Additional References Phillips, Richard, and Stephan Talty. A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea. Hyperion Books, 2010. Primary source memoir co-authored by Captain Phillips himself International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre Global database of piracy incidents and maritime crime statistics U.S. Navy Official Reports on the Maersk Alabama Incident Military documentation of the rescue operation and SEAL Team Six involvement Note: All sources accessed and verified as of June 2025. Some URLs may have been shortened or modified for formatting purposes.

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• Frozen Fifteen Feet from Safety: How Jean Hilliard Survived 6 Hours at -22°F | E170

  On December 20th, 1980, 19-year-old Jean Hilliard experienced what doctors call medically impossible. After her car slid off an icy road in rural Minnesota during a blizzard with temperatures at -22°F, Jean made the difficult decision to walk two miles through whiteout conditions to reach her friend Wally Nelson's farmhouse. Dressed only in cowboy boots and a winter coat, she battled brutal winds and life-threatening cold for over an hour. In a cruel twist of fate, Jean collapsed just 15 feet from Wally's front door, where she lay face-down in the snow for six hours. When Wally found her the next morning, she was frozen solid - literally crystallized, with her body rigid as a board and her skin hard as stone. Hospital staff initially thought he was bringing them a corpse, as her body temperature was too low to register on their thermometers and they couldn't find a pulse or blood pressure. Yet incredibly, Jean not only survived but made a complete recovery with no amputations or permanent damage. After 49 days of observation, she walked out of the hospital completely healthy, leaving medical professionals baffled. This episode explores the science behind her miraculous survival, featuring insights from hypothermia expert Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht (aka "Professor Popsicle"), and examines how Jean returned to a normal life after becoming briefly famous as "The Miracle Girl from Lengby, Minnesota." 0:00 Introduction to Case Knives 00:32 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast 00:53 Introducing Jean Hilliard's Incredible Survival Story 01:39 The Fateful Night Begins 03:47 Jean's Struggle Through the Blizzard 10:05 The Collapse and Discovery 15:12 The Medical Miracle 18:25 Wally Nelson's Dilemma 21:39 Arrival at the Hospital 23:38 The Fight for Survival 24:54 Ruff Greens 26:47 Primitive Rewarming Methods in the 1980s 28:22 Jean's Miraculous Recovery Begins 31:10 Jean's Unbelievable Survival 33:26 The Science Behind Hypothermia Survival 41:35 Jean's Life After the Incident 45:55 Professor Popsicle and Hypothermia Research 50:36 Final Thoughts on Human Resilience Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ References for Jean Hilliard's Story Montreal Gazette - "Frozen Solid Teen Girl on Way to Full Recovery" (December 30, 1980) The New York Times - "Dakota Teen-Ager Recovers After Being 'Frozen Stiff'" (January 2, 1981) Thirteen Towns newspaper, Fosston - Local coverage with headline "Woman, 19, baffles doctors: Terrible frozen ordeal has happy ending" MPR News (Minnesota Public Radio) - "Frozen. Thawed. Not dead: Jean Hilliard's amazing Minnesota story" (January 25, 2018) All That's Interesting - "Jean Hilliard: The Woman Who Froze Solid And Thawed Back To Life" (May 25, 2021) ScienceAlert - "Amazing True Story: The Woman Who Survived Being 'Frozen Solid'" (October 23, 2023) Snopes.com - "Jean Hilliard: Miracle on Ice" (February 18, 2015) - Fact-checking article confirming the story's authenticity Almanac.com - "Frozen Stiff: A True Story of Winter Survival" Bushcraft Buddy - "Jean Hilliard - Surviving being frozen" (September 22, 2024) Your Weather UK - "The story of a woman who survived being frozen for 6 hours" (September 29, 2022) Outside Magazine - "Meet Dr. Popsicle, Hypothermia Expert" and "Meet Prof. Popsicle" (Multiple dates) McGill University Office for Science and Society - "Professor Popsicle's Physiological Proof" (February 17, 2023) Pacific Yachting - "Cold Water Shock and Hypothermia" (June 20, 2024) - Details on 1-10-1 Principle Sage Journals - "Prehospital treatment of hypothermia" by Gordon G. Giesbrecht (2001) Wally Nelson - Multiple interviews over the decades, including 2018 MPR interview, providing firsthand account of discovering Jean Jean Hilliard herself - Various interviews from 1980s through present day, including Today Show appearance Today Show appearance - Jean Hilliard interviewed by Tom Brokaw (1981) Unsolved Mysteries - Television episode featuring Jean's case

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• Disaster Strikes! The Haunting Descent: Marco Siffredi's Obsession with Everest's Greatest Line | E 169

  In 2002, 23-year-old French snowboarder Marco Siffredi vanished without a trace while attempting to snowboard down Mount Everest's treacherous Hornbein Couloir. This gripping episode of Disaster Strikes explores the tragic story of an elite extreme athlete whose deadly obsession with conquering Everest's most dangerous descent route led to one of mountaineering's most haunting mysteries. Discover Marco's meteoric rise in the world of extreme snowboarding, his groundbreaking first successful descent of Everest, and the fatal final expedition that turned him into a legend. Host Kaycee McIntosh examines the thin line between calculated risk and deadly obsession in this cautionary tale of ambition, skill, and nature's ultimate indifference. 00:00 Introduction to Case Knives 00:20 Welcome to Disaster Strikes 01:00 The Story of Marco Sidi Begins 01:50 Marco's Early Life and Influences 03:21 Marco's Rise in Extreme Snowboarding 06:56 The First Everest Descent 08:45 The Obsession with Hornbein Couloir 11:20 Ruff Greens 12:28 The Final Expedition 17:20 The Mysterious Disappearance 22:16 Legacy and Lessons 26:33 Conclusion and Reflection   Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Primary Sources and Comprehensive Accounts Books: Evans, Jeremy. See You Tomorrow: The Disappearance of Snowboarder Marco Siffredi on Everest. Falcon, 2021. ISBN 978-1-4930-5303-2. [The most comprehensive English-language account of Marco's life and disappearance] Chandellier, Antoine. La Trace de l'Ange: La vie de Marco Siffredi. Editions Guérin, 2005. ISBN 2-911755-83-9. [French biography] Original Magazine Feature: Cook, Trey. "The Disappearance of Marco Siffredi." TransWorld SNOWboarding Magazine, Volume 19, February 2006. [Original definitive account of the disappearance] Online Articles and News Sources Comprehensive Articles: Serena, Katie. "How Marco Siffredi Vanished Without A Trace While Snowboarding Down Mount Everest." All That's Interesting, December 15, 2024. https://allthatsinteresting.com/marco-siffredi "The Disappearance of Marco Siffredi." TransWorld SNOWboarding, September 8, 2013. https://www.snowboarder.com/gear/the-disappearance-of-marco-siffredi Rue, Hayden. "Marco Siffredi: Disappearance of the Snowboarder on Everest." Hayden Rue Blog, September 1, 2023. https://haydenrue.com/mountaineering/marco-siffredi/ Funnell, Rachael. "What Happened To Marco Siffredi? The First Person To Snowboard Down Mount Everest." IFLScience, December 5, 2024. https://www.iflscience.com/what-happened-to-marco-siffredi-the-first-person-to-snowboard-down-mount-everest-79487 Renda, Matthew. "The Unsolved Case of Marco Siffredi." Tahoe Quarterly, April 23, 2021. https://tahoequarterly.com/best-of-tahoe-2021/the-unsolved-case-of-marco-siffredi "Snowboarder's disappearance shrouds Mount Everest." Men's Journal, December 5, 2019. https://www.mensjournal.com/travel/snowboarding-mystery-shrouds-mount-everest Bocco, Diana. "Inside Marco Siffredi's Bizarre Daredevil Mt. Everest Death." Grunge, March 10, 2023. https://www.grunge.com/1128610/inside-marco-siffredis-bizarre-daredevil-mt-everest-death/ Recent Everest Ski Attempts: "American Skiers to Attempt Everest Descent." Gripped Magazine, September 17, 2024. https://gripped.com/news/american-skiers-to-attempt-everest-descent/ "The American Everest Ski Project Aborts Hornbein Couloir Attempt." Sports Illustrated, October 6, 2024. "Americans Abort Attempt to Ski Everest's Hornbein Couloir." ExplorersWeb, October 6, 2024.

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