Charlene “Cheeny” Plante Biography: Survivalist, Military Trainer & Naked and Afraid Star, Birthplace, Age, Height, Ethnicity

“Survival is about resilience, adaptability, and the courage to face the unknown.” — Charlene “Cheeny” Plante

Charlene “Cheeny” Plante is an American survivalist and former U.S. Air Force SERE instructor, best known for her appearances on Discovery Channel’s Naked and Afraid franchise. With her military training and fearless spirit, she has become a standout figure in the world of extreme survival television, inspiring audiences with her grit, determination, and ability to thrive under the harshest conditions.

Plante’s journey from small-town Maine to international recognition reflects her lifelong commitment to testing limits, teaching survival skills, and proving that endurance is as much mental as it is physical.

Timeline Overview

Year	Milestone
1990	Born February 12 in Sanford, Maine
2008	Graduated from Sanford High School
2010s	Joined U.S. Air Force; trained as SERE instructor
2022	Appeared on Naked and Afraid (South Africa, 21 days)
2023	Competed in Naked and Afraid: Solo
2023	Returned for Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing
Present	Recognized as one of the franchise’s most resilient contestants

Quick Facts

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Charlene “Cheeny” Plante
Date of Birth	February 12, 1990
Age	34 (as of 2024)
Birthplace	Sanford, Maine, USA
Height	Approx. 5 ft 6 in
Education	Sanford High School, Class of 2008
Profession	Survivalist, Former U.S. Air Force SERE Instructor
Known For	Naked and Afraid (multiple seasons)
Parents	Karen McCarthy (mother), James Plante (father)
Marital Status	Not publicly disclosed
Children	None publicly disclosed
Net Worth	Estimated $200,000–$500,000

Early Life & Education

Charlene “Cheeny” Plante was born in Sanford, Maine, where she grew up surrounded by the rugged outdoors that would later shape her survivalist instincts. She graduated from Sanford High School in 2008, remembered by peers as adventurous and determined.

Her upbringing in Maine’s natural environment instilled in her a love for exploration and resilience, qualities that would later define her military career and television appearances.

Charlene “Cheeny” photo - wikiiTrends — **Charlene “Cheeny” photo – wikiiTrends**

Career Background

After high school, Plante enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where she trained as a SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) instructor. This demanding role required her to teach airmen how to survive in hostile environments, evade capture, and resist interrogation. Her military background gave her unmatched discipline, tactical knowledge, and mental toughness.

Her transition to television came in 2022, when she joined the cast of Naked and Afraid. Surviving 21 days in South Africa’s wilderness, she impressed audiences with her ability to adapt to extreme conditions.

In 2023, she returned for Naked and Afraid: Solo, where she endured isolation and proved her skills extended beyond teamwork. Later that year, she competed in Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing, a high-stakes survival competition alongside veteran survivalists like Jeff Zausch and Sarah Bartell.

Challenges & Achievements

Physical Challenges: Survived harsh climates, limited food, and predators in South Africa.
Mental Challenges: Isolation during Solo tested her psychological resilience.
Achievements: Successfully completed multiple seasons of Naked and Afraid.
Military Honors: Recognition as a skilled SERE instructor, training Air Force personnel in survival tactics.

Personal Life

Cheeny keeps her personal life private. She is close to her mother, Karen McCarthy, who resides in Sanford, Maine, and her father, James Plante, who lives in Springvale, Maine.

Her hobbies include outdoor exploration, fitness, and teaching survival techniques. Friends and colleagues describe her as resourceful, determined, and fiercely independent.

Salary & Net Worth

Net Worth: Estimated $200,000–$500,000, reflecting her military career and television appearances.
Career Impact: Beyond financial success, her influence lies in inspiring women and men alike to embrace resilience and adaptability.

Legacy

Charlene “Cheeny” Plante’s legacy is defined by her fearless approach to survival and her ability to inspire others. From her military service to her television career, she has proven that endurance is not just about physical strength but also about mental fortitude.

Her appearances on Naked and Afraid have cemented her status as a fan-favorite survivalist, and her journey continues to motivate audiences worldwide. By combining discipline, courage, and adaptability, Cheeny Plante stands as a role model for aspiring survivalists and adventurers.