Jim James Jr. is a published author, survivalist researcher, and web entrepreneur with a knack for solving problems and teaching others how to do the same. A lifelong learner with degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi, Jim combines curiosity, hands-on experimentation, and deep research to break down everyday challenges—whether it’s storing rice long-term, cleaning a firearm, or navigating the world of poker.
As the founder of SurvivalFreedom.com, Jim has personally researched, written, and published over 1,500 in-depth articles on survivalism, preparedness, food storage, and off-grid living. His work has helped millions of readers solve practical problems with clarity and confidence. With years of field testing, real-world observation, and tireless study, Jim has developed a well-earned reputation as a trusted authority in the preparedness space.
He’s also the creator of AutomaticPoker.com, a top-ranked poker training site built on his best-selling book Automatic Poker. He has another site and YouTube channel as well, dedicated to cleaning and pressing comic books.
🧰 Quick Highlights:
- Founder of SurvivalFreedom.com and AutomaticPoker.com
- Best-selling author of Automatic Poker
- Experienced firearms enthusiast, outdoorsman, and gear tester
- Background in insurance adjusting, research, and digital publishing
- Avid researcher with a passion for figuring things out, fast
🧭 From History Major to How-To Guy
Jim’s work life has taken him from YMCA counselor and Domino’s delivery driver to professional insurance adjuster and web entrepreneur. In 2019, driven by his love of the outdoors and teaching, he launched Survival Freedom as a platform to share what he was learning, as he learned it.
He doesn’t claim to be the world’s top expert in every field he writes about—but he is extremely good at finding, testing, and clearly explaining the answers to common questions that real people face. That mindset is what built his audience—and his brand.
📚 What You’ll Find in His Work:
- Step-by-step breakdowns of outdoor survival and prep scenarios
- Tested advice on home hacks, gear, cooking, and off-grid know-how
- Candid commentary on tools, tactics, and strategies that actually work
- A heavy dose of research-driven clarity—without the fluff
⚽ Life Outside the Keyboard
When he’s not writing or researching, Jim enjoys coaching his daughters’ soccer teams, reading post-apocalyptic fiction, or catching up on survival shows. He lives in the Charlotte, NC area with his wife and daughters.
🔗 Find Jim Online:
📩 Contact Jim: jim@survivalfreedom.com
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
JIM’S WORK STORY
After doing college jobs ranging from a YMCA counselor, to a Domino’s Pizza driver, to an insurance adjuster, I graduated in 2000 with a degree in History, Anthropology, and Music.
I did what typical 20-somethings do and bummed around for a while, doing a lot of gaming, and a lot of recreational things (like Golf and playing chess). Eventually, I got a bit more serious and decided to go back into the insurance game and started back working as an insurance adjuster in 2002. I moved to the Charlotte, NC area and have been here ever since.
Along the way, I took up Poker and got pretty serious about it over the last 10 years. I even wrote a best-selling book on the subject called Automatic Poker. I now run a training site and teach dozens of students how to improve their poker game with the least amount of study and effort.
In early 2019, due to me and my wife’s love of the outdoors, I decided it would be fun to teach others about the subject. Since I also enjoy building websites, I decided to start SurvivalFreedom.com so that I can share with the world what I learn while I learn it.
Due to my background and history degree, I know how to research to fill in any gaps that exist in order to build a body of knowledge about a wide variety of topics. I love pouring through books, articles, and Google in order to find answers to interesting questions that I, and hopefully the readers of this website, will as well.
When he isn’t watching survival shows, or reading post-apocalyptic books, Jim enjoys coaching his daughters’ soccer teams and spending time with his family.
