Why I Want To Be On Survivor

Survivor is one of my favorite TV shows and hands down one of my favorite reality shows.  Actually, its one of the ONLY reality shows I watch.  The first time I ever saw Survivor, I was about 8 years old and in the 3rd grade.  My mom has always been an active viewer of the show, having seen every episode.  When Survivor first aired, I remember watching the first season with her and falling in love with it.  

In September 2011 I randomly decided to Audition for the show, to see if I could get a callback.  I made a video in my room, where I acted overly cocky and boasted my YouTube success way too much. I sent in the tape though, and sure enough I got a callback.  I got three actually.  Even though I didn't end up getting on the show, I have made it my new goal to audition every year until I do.  

A lot of people ask me, "Why would you want to be on Survivor, that’s like torture!”  I mean, I guess it kind of is.  For starters, you can't shower at all.  So if you last a good amount of time out there, that’s about 40 days of not bathing... You can't brush your teeth or your hair, and the only thing you really eat is a small portion of rice and fish once a day.  So why would I want to be on a show that would destroy my body and my mind?  Well, my answer to that question is, why not?

I'm the type of person who has a lot of dreams.  They're so many things I want to do with my life and even though I'm only 21, I sometimes feel like I'm running out of time.  I would consider myself a people person.  I love people, I really do.  I love to talk with them, share ideas, and just know their stories.  To be on an island with 13 complete strangers of all different ages and walks of life, is such a thrill for me.  Also knowing that by the end of this crazy journey, that you will soon consider these people family is such a cool thought.  To me, that’s something a million dollars can't buy.  

I also love nature.  I love the feeling of knowing that I have to live off the land and try to survive with only the materials and resources I have around me.  It would be such a cool learning experience and for me, a story I could tell my kids for years and years to come.  To know that I built that shelter that protects me from the rain and I caught the fish, that made me strong enough to compete in challenges, is something that I would love to experience.  Not to mention that I love the beach.  I love the feeling of salt water in my hair and sand between my toes.  To be able to live on a beach for 40 days would be a dream come true.  I would love to climb the coconut trees to provide fluids for my team.  

Now don't get my wrong, I know the whole experience won't be all fun and games.  Hell, I bet they'll be more times than one where I'll break down and just start crying my eyes out.  But that’s what its all about, right?  It’s about testing your limits and pushing yourself further than you've ever had.  Its the feeling of joy after you just won food from a reward challenge for your tribe after you’ve been starving for the past two weeks, it's that feeling that all your friends and family will soon be rooting for you back home, its the feeling that nothing is impossible as long as you set your mind too it.  It's about being grateful for the little things in life, and appreciating the everyday things everyone else tends to overlook.  I wouldn't do it for the money, I wouldn't do it for the fame, I would do it because I truly am a fan of the show and the experience that comes along with it.  You can't put a price on that sort of thing.  

One of my favorite players to ever be on Survivor was this 21 year old kid named Erik R. from Fans VS Favorites.  He was from this small town in Michigan and was an ice cream scooper, he also was a huge fan of the game.  When the host Jeff Probsts came out for the first time, Erik was jumping up and down with excitement.  After watching the show for years, he was now the one on it.  Talk about an amazing feeling.  Erik was the only Survivor player I have seen with so much enthusiasm/excitement, and that’s why everyone liked him, he was an actual fan.  (Note that 80% of the players on Survivor are recruits who never actually applied but were asked to be on it because they would be on TV.  Hell, half of them have never even seen an episode!)

If I’m ever one of the lucky 14 people to be picked to be on the show, you would bet your asses that I would put my all into it and never give up.  No matter how hungry I am, no matter how much I smell, no matter how tired I am, quitting would never be an option.  I would make sure to let each moment sink in, because I know that once the game is over, I would give anything to go back and play again.  I know for a fact that if I were to get on the show, those moments would be some of the best moments of my life.  So Survivor Casting, CBS Producers, or Hell, even Jeff Probsts, if by the small chance you are reading this blog post right now, just know that one day, I will get on your show, no matter how long it takes, no matter how many times you pass on me.  One day I will be on that island and say to Jeff, "Hey remember me?"  Remember guys; don’t let your dreams be dreams.