At the age of 12, I stumbled upon the reality show Survivor while flipping through channels with my mom. We stopped to watch a heated discussion among contestants about shelter and fire-building, featuring the corporate trainer Richard Hatch who aimed to bring order to the chaos, much to the dismay of the outspoken Sue Hawk, who quipped, “Corporate world ain’t gonna work out here in the bush.”
The show, which my mom explained involved participants living on an island and competing for a $1 million prize, quickly captured my interest. Fast forward to now, at age 36, my fascination with Survivor has only intensified. I have spent countless hours engaging in online discussions, tuning into podcasts that analyze episodes, trying to predict season winners using “edgic” (a method based on episode editing), and participating in fantasy leagues about the show. I have considered applying to be a contestant, but the reality of enduring 26 days with minimal sleep and food doesn’t appeal to me.
On January 31, 2023, I caught a break. While at a coffee shop, my husband spotted a casting flyer for Surviving Bloomington, a live game inspired by Survivor. Applications were due that day, so I quickly recorded an audition video.
A few months later, I found myself in a Bloomington, Ind. backyard surrounded by my tribe as a production crew filmed us. Though I was aware of live reality games (LRGs), I never imagined I would participate in one nearby, much less three within a year.
I discovered LRGs exist all over the United States and span various themes beyond Survivor, including adaptations of The Mole, Big Brother, and The Challenge. Some games last one day while others go on for ten days, with some being live-streamed and others edited for online viewing. Occasionally, these games feature former Survivor players.
These grassroots games stay true to their television inspirations, complete with challenges, immunities, and unexpected twists. The Survivor Weekender LRG I joined had a theme called “Olive Garden of Eden,” with tribes humorously named Soup, Salad, and Sticks—I was part of the Sticks tribe. In Surviving Bloomington, the focus was on the competition between Order and Chaos, and I represented Order.
Unfortunately, my experience in Surviving Bloomington was brief; my teammate and I lost the initial immunity challenge, a wooden plank puzzle, leading to my elimination. Nobody wants to be the first person voted out, but the game saw immediate shifts in alliance, and my dramatic exit wasn’t fully captured by the broadcast.
I also faced disappointment in the Redemption Island challenge, where I needed to hold a bottle of water above my head for as long as possible. I made it to the final three, but after nearly 25 minutes, I was unable to continue.
Despite my short-lived gameplay—and the typical mantra of “I’m not here to make friends”—I did form bonds. While camping, we exchanged personal stories, and one memorable night, I stayed up late listening as one tribe member shared ghost stories.
After Surviving Bloomington and Survivor Weekender, I joined The Mole Ohio. Similar to the show’s premise, contestants collaborate to boost a prize pot that only one will claim, all while working against a designated saboteur.
While Survivor relies on teamwork, The Mole encourages individual play. This allowed me to experiment with a different persona; outside the game, I am generally helpful, but in this setting, I embraced a more guarded role and even created some chaos.
LRGs, of course, have low stakes, usually resulting in mere bragging rights, which fosters a sense of camaraderie rarely seen on television. What happens in the game stays in the game, and I have remained in touch with most participants.
While I remain uncertain if I could endure 26 days on an island, my experiences in these games have significantly bolstered my confidence. I consider myself somewhat shy socially, but within a community of fellow fans, I’ve discovered an ability to connect.
Now, with Survivor 47 premiering tonight, I’m eager to see how the season unfolds, and I have my eye on Teeny as a strong contender for the win.