What began as a casual invitation at a chamber of commerce networking event turned into a life-altering ordeal for Orlando banker/financial consultant Alex Hernandez, now chronicled in Discovery Channel’s series, Expedition from Hell: The Lost Tapes.
Alex Hernandez – From Banker to Adventurer
In several YouTube videos, Alex Hernandez, a wealth department employee at Truist Bank, shares his unexpected plunge into an adventure far removed from his everyday life as a husband, father of five, and office worker.
Hernandez recalls the moment that began his ordeal. It was at a local chamber of commerce event in 2012: “A young lady comes up, and we’re all holding wine with our suits on. And she says, ‘Hey. Do you want to raise money and awareness for kids with cancer and cross the swamp?’ Of course, me being me (maybe the wine), I say ‘Yes. Sign me up. I’m in.’”
Unforeseen Challenges of the Amazon Trek with Ex-Special Forces
The seemingly innocent request masked the formidable challenge ahead. Hernandez and his companions had committed to a 5,000-mile trek across the Amazon, guided by former Israeli Special Forces operative Mickey Grosman. The journey was fraught with danger, intrigue, and survival struggles.
Hernandez quickly formed a strong impression of Grosman, describing him as “one tough individual” and “bigger than life.” He added, “My impression of him is that even as a baby, he was doing survivalist stuff and holding guns and ammunition and running through deserts or forests.”
Among the challenges Hernandez faced were severe blisters on his feet, treated by Grosman with hot wax. Reflecting on the painful experience, Hernandez noted, “[It was] something new, completely, to me. I don’t allow any wax in my house anymore.”
Survival Against the Odds – The Perils of the Amazon
The team encountered numerous hardships, including:
- Running out of potable water
- Dismissal of teammates by Grosman
- Crossing a perilous mountain bridge, after which a teammate went missing
- Capture by an Indigenous tribe
- Near-deadly cases of dengue fever, a mosquito-borne virus
The expedition was marked by internal power struggles, varying accounts of danger, and countless hours lost in the jungle, all contributing to the chaotic narrative.
Unverified Claims and the Mystery of Alex Hernandez’s Amazon Extraction
Despite the turmoil, Grosman claims to be the only participant to have completed the 5,000-mile journey, though this assertion remains unverified. The details of Hernandez’s extraction from the Amazon also remain undisclosed.
For more on Expedition from Hell: The Lost Tapes, visit the Discovery Channel website.
