Ethan Zohn - Survivor: Africa, Survivor: All-Stars, Survivor: Winners at War

Seasons: 3 | Days played: 95 | Wins: 1 | Jury: 1

  • Survivor 3: Africa (2001) - Winner, 5-2.
  • Received five jury votes to win (5-2) in Episode 13, "The Final Four - No Regrets" (Day 39).

  • Survivor 8: All-Stars (2004) - 11th place, 8th out.
  • Voted out in Episode 8, "Pick a Tribemate..." (Day 21).

  • Survivor 40: Winners at War (2020) - 17th place, 4th out - 3rd juror.li>
  • Voted out in Episode 3, "Out for Blood" (Day 9).
  • Cumulative time: In-game - 9 days; Edge of Extinction - 26 days.

Ethan Zohn on social media: twitter | Instagram

Ethan Zohn - Career statistics

Challenge stats Tribal council stats Jury stats Overall stats
Season ChW ChA ChW% VFB VAP TCA TC% wTCR JVF TotJ JV% SurvSc SurvAv
S3: Africa 2.87 13.29 0.22 10 0 10 1.00 7.00 5 7 0.71 1.93 14.15
S8: All-Stars 0.74 2.44 0.30 2 6 5 0.36 1.12 - - - 0.66 1.86
S40: Winners at War 0.11 2.45 0.05 2 4 3 0.62 2.33 - - - 0.66 2.44
Career 3.72 18.18 0.21 14 10 18 0.77 4.59 5 7 0.71 1.22 7.26

 

Ethan Zohn - Performance ranks

Challenges: MPF percentile

67%

Tribal: VFB% percentile

94%

Tribal: rVAP percentile

99%

Challenges: MPF percentile

N/A

Tribal: VFB% percentile

33%

Tribal: rVAP percentile

40%

Challenges: MPF percentile

N/A

Tribal: VFB% percentile

68%

Tribal: rVAP percentile

40%

Performance ranks are a quick visual measure of the contestant's season vs. historical data from all prior contestants, in three basic (scorable) categories:

1. Performance in individual challenges (MPF), as a measure of "physical game";

2. Ability to vote people out consistently (VFB%, or VFB/TCA), or "strategic game"; and

3. Ability to avoid being voted against (rVAP, or TCA-VAP) - which scales better than a percentage would - for "social/strategic game."

See also: Full glossary for all these abbreviations.

 

Ethan Zohn - Challenge record

Movin' On Up - Ep 4 IC

Tribal/team challenge record (5-for-12):

  • Africa Ep. 1 RC/IC: "Trail Blazer" - Helps push the car. Boran loses as Diane passes out at the end.
  • Africa Ep. 2 RC: "Stairway to the Stars" - Carries the poles, Boran loses again, this time as Kim falls down.
  • Africa Ep. 2 IC: "Safari Supper" - Drinks his first-round shot of blood, but Kelly loses the tiebreaker. Boran loses.
  • Africa Ep. 3 RC: "Rock 'n Roll" - Helps roll the boulder. Boran wins easily.
  • Africa Ep. 3 IC: "Distress Signal" - Boran wisely builds their SOS in an open area, Boran wins.
  • Africa Ep. 4 RC: "Caught in the Web" - Matched up against Frank. Kims falls again, as does Boran.
  • Africa Ep. 4 IC: "Movin' on Up" - One of four big guys carrying the heavy stuff, Boran wins.
  • Africa Ep. 5 RC: "Get Your Goat" - Now with New Boran, which wins.
  • Africa Ep. 5 IC: "Puzzle of Shields" - New Boran "loses" as Ethan & Mama Kim throw the IC to boot Silas.
  • Africa Ep. 6 RC: "Africa 102" - New Boran loses again, this time unintentionally.
  • Africa Ep. 6 IC: "Spear-It Hunt" - Ethan hits three of their five targets, and Boran wins at shooting flaming arrows.
  • Africa Ep. 9 RC: "Obstacle Course" - Paired with Mama Kim; beats Lex/Teresa in first heat, but loses in finals.

 

Stomp-ede - Ep8 RC

Individual challenge record (2-for-11): (Mean % finish: 62.3%)

  • Africa Ep. 7 IC: "When It Rains, It Pours" - Lasts 3 hrs, 38 minutes, good enough for third place (3rd/10).
  • Africa Ep. 8 RC: "Stomp-ede" - Lands all nine items, two ahead of Lex, and Ethan wins! (1st/9).
  • Africa Ep. 8 IC: "Box Your Mind" - Makes final round, gets 8/9 items. Ethan wins again! (1st/9).
  • Africa Ep. 9 IC: "Light It Up" - Just gets his fire started as Lex wins (tie-3rd/8).
  • Africa Ep. 10 IC: "African Folklore" - One of five people tied for third with four straps (tie-3rd/7).
  • Africa Ep. 11 RC: "Know Your Loved One"- Gets just one matched answer. Thanks, Mom (tie-4th/6).
  • Africa Ep. 11 IC: "Pot Shots" - Hits two pots, but loses three (4th/6).
  • Africa Ep. 12 RC: "Swahili Scramble" - Manages just seven words found, far behind Lex (2nd/5).
  • Africa Ep. 12 IC: "Second Chance" - With Tom, working on the puzzle as Lex wins (tie-2nd/5).
  • Africa Ep. 13 F4 IC: "Fallen Comrades" - In last place, Lindsey or no Lindsey (4th/4).
  • Africa Ep. 13 F3 IC: "Hard Idol" - First person to drop out, at 2 hrs, 26 min (3rd/3).

 

Redemption/Exile Island duel record: (0-for-0)

  • Africa: None.

Float Your Boat - Ep2 IC

Tribal/team challenge record (3-for-12; 1 2nd):

  • All-Stars Ep. 1 RC/IC: "Quest for Fire" - Saboga is dead last, thanks to Jenna's raft clinging (3rd/3).
  • All-Stars Ep. 2 RC: "Stairway to the Stars" - Somehow, Saboga wins, gives reward to both other tribes (1st/3).
  • All-Stars Ep. 2 IC: "Float Your Boat" - Saboga's boat sinks, repeatedly. Fail (3rd/3).
  • All-Stars Ep. 3 RC: "Better Homes and Island Living" - It turns out subterranean beachfront housing isn't good (3rd/3).
  • All-Stars Ep. 4 RC: "Match Maker" - Saboga doesn't lose! (2nd*/3).
  • All-Stars Ep. 4 IC: "Blind Leading the Blind" - Saboga wins (1st/3).
  • All-Stars Ep. 5 RC: "Shipwreck Raft Rescue" - Saboga last again, gets dissolved (3rd/3).
  • All-Stars Ep. 5 IC: "Pilfering Pirates" - Now down to two tribes, Mogo Mogo just loses.
  • All-Stars Ep. 6 RC: "Tribal Stomp-ede" - Mogo Mogo wins a barbecue feast!
  • All-Stars Ep. 7 RC/IC: "Floating Puzzle" - Mogo Mogo loses.
  • All-Stars Ep. 8 RC: "Log Jam" - Mogo Mogo loses again.
  • All-Stars Ep. 8 IC: "Choose Your Weapon" - Mogo Mogo loses again.

 

Individual challenge record (0-for-0):

  • All-Stars: None.

 

Hero challenge/ duel record (0-for-0):

  • All-Stars: None.

Water Slaughter - Ep1 F20 IC

Tribal/team challenge record (1-for-4):

  • Winners at War, Ep. 1 F20 IC: "Water Slaughter" - With Jeremy, loses a point; Sele loses, 3-1.
  • Winners at War, Ep. 1 F19 IC: "Blue Lagoon Bustle" - Paddles, crosses obstacles, and Sele wins!
  • Winners at War, Ep. 2 RC/IC: "Draggin' the Dragon" - Assembles, hauls and dismantles the cart, but Sele loses.
  • Winners at War, Ep. 3 RC/IC: "Along the Watch Tower" - Crosses obstacles, digs and carries ladder, but Sele loses.

 

Back in the Saddle - Ep8 RC

Individual challenge record (0-for-2): (Mean % finish: 32.7%)

  • Winners at War, Ep. 8 RC: "Back in the Saddle" - Reaches the snake maze, but does not win (tie-2nd/8).
  • Winners at War, Ep. 14 EoE RC: "Don't Call It a Comeback" - Not shown reaching the table maze (tie-11th/13).

 

Hero challenge/ duel record (0-for-0):

  • Winners at War: None.
Career totals - challenges
Team/tribal challenges
Wins: 9
2nd place: 1
Played: 28
Win%: 0.34
Sat out: --
Individual challenges
Wins: 2
Played: 13
Win%: 0.15
Mean% Finish: 57.7%
Hero challenges
Wins: 0
Played: 0
Win%: --
Mean% Finish: --

 

Ethan Zohn - Tribal Council record

Ep8 Tribal Council

Idols held/played: (0/0)

  • Africa: None.

 

VFB - Votes for the person booted (10/10):

 

VAP - Votes against (0):

  • Africa: None.

 

Jury votes received (5/7):

  • Africa, Ep. 13: Received five jury votes, from Kelly Goldsmith, Frank Garrison, Teresa Cooper, Tom Buchanan, and Lex van den Berghe, and won, 5-2.

Ep2 Tribal Council

Idols held/played: (0/0)

  • All-Stars: None.

 

VFB - Votes for the person booted (2/5):

 

VAP - Votes against (6):

  • All-Stars, Ep. 2: Two votes, from Rudy and Rupert.
  • All-Stars, Ep. 8: Four votes, from Shii Ann, Kathy, Lex, and Jerri (voted out, 4-1).

 

Jury votes made (0/0):

  • All-Stars: None.

Ep1 RF20 Tribal

Idols/advantages held/played (0/0):

  • Winners at War: None.

 

VFB - Votes for the person booted (2/3):

 

VAP - Votes against (4):

  • Winners at War, Ep. 3: Four votes, from Ben, Denise, Jeremy, and Michele (voted out, 4-3-1).

 

Jury votes made (0/1):

  • Winners at War, Ep. 14: Voted for Natalie Anderson, who finished second, 12-4-0.
Career totals - Tribal Council
Hidden idols
Found: 0
Played: --
Votes voided: --
Voting record
VFB: 14
Tribals: 18
VAP: 10
Jury votes
Made: 1
For winners: 0
Received: 5
Total jurors: 7

 

Ethan Zohn - Pictures
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Africa intro shot
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Africa intro shot
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    On the truck with Probst, Day 1
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    On the truck, head shot
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Hometown intro shot
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Freshly dumped off the truck. Have a nice day!
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Boran gathers stuff
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Not pleased with Diane's directions
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Yay, camp
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Investigating Boran's water source
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Trying to make fire
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 RC/IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Listening to Probst
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Starting line
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Ready to go
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Leading
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Still leading
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    ...and done
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Boran yells at Clarence
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Boran, Ep1 Tribal Council
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Listening to Probst
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Watching the vote reveal
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Starting line
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Placing a pole
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Carrying another pole
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Here comes the cow
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    That's... graphic
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Boran, back at Tribal Council again, Ep2
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Listening to Probst
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Reading the Ep3 RC treemail
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Hoping they can finally win one
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep3 RC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Listening to Probst
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Rolling stones
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    On a roll to victory
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Working on Boran's distress signal, Ep3 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Boran wins! Ep3 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Cheers
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 RC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Watching Kim fall
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Boran camp
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Talking about the danger of fetching water
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Oh hey, wild animals
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Listening to Probst
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Starting line
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Boran hauls a house
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Put 'er there
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Boran wins immunity!
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Victory hike to some big rock
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    About to lose, Ep6 RC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Congrats?
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep6 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Taking aim for the winning shot
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Boran wins immunity!
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Freshly merged, pre-challenge lineup, Ep7 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Ep7 IC, now underway
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Time to find an item, Ep8 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Final round, Ep8 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Ethan wins immunity!
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Definitely not eating the ham, Ep10 auction
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Trying to match answers with loved ones, Ep11 RC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Trying to catch up to Lex, Ep12 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Not winning, Final 4 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S3
    Hands on a hard idol, Final 3 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    All-Stars intro shot
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    All-Stars intro shot
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Bonus All-Stars intro shot
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Getting boated in with Saboga, Ep1
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Soggy arrival
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Bonus hometown intro shot
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Saboga checks out their empty camp
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    We have nothing!
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 RC/IC
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Listening to Probst
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Starting line
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Jenna helpfully sits on the raft
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    The Saboga former winners, doomed
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Talking to Jenna
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Heading to Tribal
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Saboga, Ep1 Tribal Council
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Talking to Probst
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Worth a shot
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Talking about Saboga's mysterious treasure chest, Ep2
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Starting line
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Bringing back a step with Rupert
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Saboga wins!
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    The winning Sabogas...
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Fetching water with Jenna
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Working on the fire
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Saboga has fire!
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Pushing Saboga's submerged boat
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    About to lose again
  • Ethan Zohn S8
    Saboga, Ep2 Tribal Council
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Winners at War intro shot
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Winners at War intro shot
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    On the boat, Day 1
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Didn't think I would be back here...
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Watching the women to arrive
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    A toast to 20 years, 20 winners
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    The new Sele tribe
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Starting line, Ep1 F20 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Yay, Sele tribe!
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Talking about how much he and the game have changed
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Talking to fellow old schooler Danni
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Danni wants to target Boston Rob
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Danni admits to Rob she put his name out
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    These new school players!
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Sele, Ep1 Tribal Council
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Listening to Denise
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 F19 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Pushing the boat out
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Helping people across the barrel
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Watching Jeremy toss rings
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Sele wins immunity!
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC/IC
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Watching Ben retrieve a ring
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Hauling a chest
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Watching the puzzle stage
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    The losing Seles
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Plotting with the old schoolers
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Danni wants to target Parvati
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Um, no?
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Telling Parvati what's up
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Sele, Ep2 Tribal Council
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Listening to Michele
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Now Adam wants to target Parvati, Ep3
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Why would he tell me that?
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep3 IC
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Starting line
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Digging up the ladder
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Watching the puzzle stage
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    The losing Seles, once again
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Sele, Ep3 Tribal Council
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Talking to Probst
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Fourth person voted out...
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Snuffed, Day 9 (Episode 3)
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Good news! Ep4
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Accurate
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Talking about the hike
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Halfway to one log. Whew!
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Just catching his breath for a second
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Maybe a little...
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Coming back with the final log, Edge tribe in tow
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Listening to a new token opportunity, Ep6
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Parvati and Sandra arrive, Ep7
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Heading to the re-entry challenge, Ep8
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Pre-challenge lineup
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Starting line
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Untying bags of sticks
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    The non-winners, heading back to the Edge
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Why is that boat coming? Ep10
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    The loved ones are here!
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Saying goodbye
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    New task that will require tremendous effort, Ep12
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Not excited about "tremendous effort"
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Jogging for coconuts
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Time for the re-entry challenge, Day 35
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Heading to the challenge
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Pre-challenge lineup, Ep14 RC
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Fresh off the starting line
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Post-challenge reflections
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Full jury, Final Tribal Council
  • Ethan Zohn S40
    Full cast finale composite

 

Ethan Zohn - Interviews

Pre-game interviews

  • Josh Wolk at EW.com (10/25/01): "EW writer denied Survivor scoop from a pal"

 

Post-game interviews

  • Jessica Shaw at EW.com (1/15/02): "Millionaire Ethan dishes about his castmates"
  • CBSNews.com (1/17/02): "Ethan Gets the Last Laugh"
  • Darren Rovell at ESPN.com (1/22/02): "10 Burning Questions for: Ethan Zohn"

Pre-game interviews

    None?

 

Post-game interviews

  • Rome Neal at CBSNews.com (3/17/04): "Ethan Knew Time Was Short"
  • Angel Cohn at TVGuide.com (3/19/04): "Survivor's Ethan Ejected"
  • SurvivorOz podcast interview (10/23/14): "Ethan Zohn Interview"

 

Thanks to Muneeb Khan (@MUK734) for his help in compiling this list.

Pre-game interviews

  • Sangita Patel for ET Canada (1/15/20): "Ethan Zohn Says Being on Survivor Season 40 'Is An Absolute Miracle'"
  • Mike Bloom at Parade.com (1/15/20): "All About Ethan Zohn"
  • Dalton Ross at EW.com (1/16/20): "Ethan Zohn on how 'I didn't feel I'd be alive long enough' to play Survivor again"
  • Gordon Holmes at XfinityTV.com (2/12/20): "Ethan Zohn - 'The Internet Barely Existed When I Played'"

 

Post-game interviews

  • None yet.

 

Ethan Zohn - Bios

From his official CBS Survivor: Africa cast bio page:

"Originally from Lexington, Massachusetts, Ethan Zohn currently lives in New York City. He is a professional soccer player, having been employed as a goalie for the Highlanders Football Club (Zimbabwe), Cape Cod Crusaders (Cape Cod, Massachusetts) and the Hawaii Tsunami (Oahu, Hawaii). Zohn also played for the 1997 and 2001 U.S. National Maccabiah Team (Israel). Off the field, he has been the assistant coach for the Fairleigh Dickinson University Men's and Women's Soccer Team in Teaneck, New Jersey since 1998. Additionally, since 1999 Zohn has worked freelance as a brand name strategist/developer, responsible for creating names for newly invented products.

Zohn attended Vassar College, where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. Following graduation, he traveled for six months in Australia and New Zealand, where he bungee jumped from one of the highest jumps in the world (400 feet).

In addition to playing soccer, Ethan Zohn is an aspiring inventor who enjoys scuba diving, photography, running and cooking (he's a vegetarian). He has two brothers, Lenard and Lee. His birth date is November 12, 1973."

From his official CBS Survivor: All-Stars cast bio page:

"Since being declared the winner of Survivor: Africa, Ethan Zohn has founded "Grassroot Soccer," a non-profit organization which trains Africa's professional soccer players to teach children about HIV/AIDS prevention (www.grassrootsoccer.org). Additionally, he is a national spokesperson for America Scores, an organization that helps inner city kids participate in educational soccer programs. He has done extensive charity work for the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric Aids organization and YouthAids, along with the Colon Cancer Alliance. He has participated in numerous speaking engagements, appeared in a Hewlett Packard commercial, hosted numerous MTV specials and appeared in various other television and print media. He most recently served as the coach of the U.S. National Maccabiah Team at the Pan American Maccabi Games in Chile.

In 2002, Ethan hosted "Ethan Zohn's Zone," an online journal summarizing the events of the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan. His accounts provided fans with a behind-the-scenes look inside the U.S. Soccer Team and the event itself. He also competed in Eco-Challenge Fiji with fellow Survivor alumna, Jenna Lewis. "

Excerpts from his official CBS Survivor: Winners at War cast bio page (1/15/20):

"Hobbies: Inventing useless gadgets, chopping and stacking wood, and chasing cats with my laser.

Pet peeves: Weird bagel flavorsIt's not a bagel unless it's sesame, poppy, plain, or everything.

Three words to describe you: Compassionate, neurotic, and funny. I'm really, really funny.

When did you first watch Survivor? I've been watching since Richard Hatch first took advantage of CBS' ability to pixelate a moving image.

Do you still watch Survivor? I wouldn't miss it for the world!

What is your inspiration in life? Helping people in big and small ways. From working with big organizations that help kids stay healthy, like Grassroot Soccer, to speaking with patients about surviving and thriving in life after a cancer diagnosis.

What is one way playing Survivor changed your life? Oh, let me count the ways! In the "pinball machine" of life, one thing can change everything about a person's life. Survivor was that one thing. It gave me opportunities that I only dreamed of, I got to see the world, help make small differences in people's lives, got to meet incredible people across the globe, and brought joy and laughter to my family from all the crazy stories I got to tell after each adventure.

As Survivor approaches Season 40 and celebrates 20 years on television, what does it mean to be a part of the legacy? 19 years ago I got let go from a job, had a day off in NYC, and sent a VHS audition tape into CBS on a lark the day before it was due. What happened next literally changed the trajectory of my life. This show has brought happiness and memories to so many people around the world, and it's cool to be a small part of that.

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons? The last time I played this game was in 2004 on Survivor: All Stars... there were no Idols, hidden clues, advantages, or ways to get back into the game. And get this — we actually had to survive! The game has changed and so have I. I plan to adapt, have fun and push my mind, body, and spirit to the max."