Hello, I’m M.D. Creekmore—an author, YouTuber, and lifelong advocate for self-reliance, personal freedom, and living well with less.
I grew up in Appalachia under difficult circumstances. My family was what most people would call dirt poor, and at different times we lived in cars, tents, makeshift shelters, and one-room shacks. Those experiences taught me early that security does not always come from money. It comes from useful skills, adaptability, determination, and the ability to make the most of what you have.
When I was around 14 or 15, a friend gave me a book about wilderness survival. That book changed the direction of my life. I began spending countless hours in the woods learning practical skills such as hunting, trapping, shelter building, and living off the land. Around the same time, I started training in Shotokan Karate, which helped develop the discipline and confidence that I had lacked growing up.
In my early twenties, I studied the work of survivalist writers including Kurt Saxon, Ragnar Benson, Mel Tappan, and Howard Ruff. I later trained as a certified gunsmith, studied firearms and defensive tactics, and briefly worked in law enforcement.
But over time, I came to understand that self-reliance is about more than preparing for disasters.
It is about reducing dependence, avoiding unnecessary debt, learning practical skills, protecting your freedom, and building a life that remains stable when the world around you becomes uncertain.
That understanding led me to begin sharing what I had learned through books, articles, websites, and videos. I have written five books on preparedness and self-reliance, published hundreds of articles, and contributed to publications including The Backwoodsman, American Survival Guide, and Survivalist Magazine. My work has also been featured by the Daily Mail.
Today, my main focus is The View From Appalachia, where I share common-sense commentary on modern life, money, freedom, public behavior, self-reliance, and the everyday changes affecting working people.
Practical Resources
Get the Appalachian Freedom Files — hundreds of practical preparedness and self-reliance resources stored on a USB drive for offline access.
Browse My Books on Amazon — five books covering preparedness, survival, food storage, simple living, and financial independence.
Watch on YouTube
For videos about modern life, personal freedom, self-reliance, and the view from here in Appalachia, visit The View From Appalachia on YouTube.
My life has included its share of hardship, mistakes, setbacks, and unexpected turns. I do not claim to know everything. I simply share what I have learned from starting with almost nothing, becoming more independent, and trying to build a freer and more resilient life.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you’re here.