ABOUT SURVIVAL STOIC

“The person who has anticipated the coming of troubles takes away their power when they arrive.”

– Seneca, Consolation to Marcia

Survival Stoic exists for one simple reason: to help normal people prepare for real-world problems, using practical skills, proven gear, and a calm, capable mindset.

We are not a fantasy survival site. We are not a tacticool gear catalog. And we are not interested in panic, politics, or doomsday theatrics.

We focus on practical preparedness: the kind that actually helps when the power is out, the roads are blocked, the weather turns ugly, or life simply doesn’t go according to plan.

Why Survival Stoic Exists

In 2020, our hometown was hit by an EF4 tornado.

25 people were killed. Hundreds were injured. Entire neighborhoods were wiped off the map. Power, water, and basic services were gone for days.

What stood out most wasn’t just the destruction. It was how unprepared most people were for even a short-term disruption to normal life.

That experience made one thing very clear:

If a single regional disaster can bring a modern town to its knees, preparation isn’t optional. It’s a responsibility.

After the cleanup, we started taking preparedness much more seriously. But when we went looking for information online, we ran into a problem:

• Plenty of checklists
• Plenty of opinions
• Very little real-world, experience-based guidance

Even less attention was paid to the mental side of preparedness, which anyone who has lived through a real emergency knows is at least half the battle.

So we built the site we wished had existed.

What We Do Here

On Survival Stoic, you’ll find:

• Field-tested gear reviews (not spec-sheet rewrites)
• Practical how-to guides for real-world scenarios
• Skill-based content for survival, bushcraft, and self-reliance
• Mindset and decision-making under stress

Our core philosophy is simple:

Prepare for the worst. Stay calm. Solve the problem in front of you.

How We Test and Evaluate Gear

We don’t do “top 10” lists based on Amazon descriptions.

Most of the gear you see recommended on this site is:

• Used in training
• Used on real rifles, pistols, and kits
• Used on hikes, trips, range days, and field exercises
• Often used for years, not just a weekend

We care about:

• Durability
• Reliability
• Ergonomics
• Real-world performance
• And whether something is actually worth your money

When something is bad, we say so. When something is overhyped, we say so. And when something works, we explain why it works and who it’s really for.

We’ve tested over 50 weapon lights, 30+ optics, dozens of packs, med kits, and survival tools, most of them in real range and field conditions. We even have a whole explainer on how we test emergency food.

Who We Are

Jason Hitchcock — Founder

Jason founded Survival Stoic after decades spent hiking, hunting, shooting, and practicing bushcraft and outdoor skills.

• Engineering background
• 40+ years of experience in outdoor and survival skills
• 30+ years of firearms experience
• Competitive shooting experience (including IDPA)

Jason’s approach is deeply practical and systems-oriented: understand the problem and build solutions that work under stress.

He was also interviewed by Authority Magazine about resilience and preparedness in difficult times.

Kristin Hitchcock — Editor & Lead Writer

Kristin is the editorial backbone of Survival Stoic and the person who makes sure the site stays honest, useful, and readable.

• Full-time professional writer and editor
• 10+ years focused on preparedness and self-sufficiency
• Homeschools her children
• Deeply involved in hands-on gear testing, research, and content strategy

When she’s not writing, she’s usually at the range, hiking, working on homestead projects, or testing gear with Jason and the rest of the team.

Kristin’s role is making sure every article answers a real question and earns its place on the site.

Blake Lankford — Contributor & Advisor

Blake brings:

• 10 years of military experience
• Extensive bushcraft and field experience
• Firearms and survival training background

He also advises local nonprofits on disaster preparedness and resilience planning.

Blake is deeply focused on practical, no-nonsense readiness and spends much of his time either in the woods or on the range.

Kyt Lyn Walken — Contributor & Advisor

Kyt Lyn Walken is a European mantracking expert, instructor, and conservation ranger.

She teaches and consults in:

• Mantracking and sign interpretation
• Search and rescue
• Law enforcement and military applications
• Forensic tracking and fieldcraft

You can learn more about her work at thewayoftracking.com.