The cast of Survivor 50 is gearing up for their return to the iconic reality competition show, and they are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. From traditional methods like hitting the gym and practicing fire-making techniques to some unconventional approaches, the contestants are pulling out all the stops to ensure they are ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
One such contestant, Quintavius “Q” Burdette, revealed that he took a unique approach to training for Survivor 50 by standing on nails to increase his pain tolerance. Despite the discomfort, Q believes that this technique helped him prepare both mentally and physically for the game.
Genevieve Mushaluk, on the other hand, opted for a more indulgent preparation method by bulking up on her favorite foods, with pierogies being her go-to treat. Each contestant has their own way of getting ready for the grueling competition, and their dedication is evident in their diverse approaches.
As Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans prepares to premiere with a three-hour episode on February 25, the cast members are sharing their individual preparation strategies. Rick Devens focused on swimming training and ensuring his family was taken care of before heading to Fiji for the show, while Charlie Davis took a more laid-back approach compared to his previous season.
Angelina Keeley credits motherhood for her transformative preparation, emphasizing the confidence and awareness she has gained through the experience. Aubry Bracco, a seasoned Survivor player, has been working on both her physical and mental readiness for the upcoming season, hitting the gym and doing her research on the competition.
Christian Hubicki prioritized physical preparation, particularly focusing on running to build endurance for any challenges that may come his way. Cirie Fields, known for her strategic gameplay, recognizes the importance of being physically fit but also acknowledges her strengths in other areas like fire-making.
Benjamin ‘Coach’ Wade, who came out of Survivor retirement for season 50, took a deep dive into the show’s previous seasons to familiarize himself with the New Era format. Dee Valladares also made unique adjustments to her preparation routine, ensuring she was ready for whatever challenges awaited her on the island.
With each contestant bringing their own set of skills and strategies to the table, Survivor 50 promises to be an exciting and unpredictable season. As the cast members gear up for the ultimate test of survival, fans can expect a thrilling competition filled with twists, turns, and strategic gameplay. Survivor 45 winner, Genevieve Mushaluk, took a different approach to preparing for Survivor 50. Instead of focusing on studying “the game,” she prioritized mental preparation and putting on some weight. “I gained 10 pounds, but because of life, not because of one month [that] I had to prep,” she tells Us, adding that she was also “working out a lot” because she was “about to be in the most uncomfortable position in [her] life.”
Before Colby Donaldson got confirmation he made it on Survivor 50, he knew he “needed to prep” by studying the seasons he “missed.” “I’m still just as big a fan as I was when I sent in my first [Survivor] application, but there were some years that I missed, and I need to go back and study tape on that,” he tells Us. “But in preparation, if you’re gonna scout a team and prepare yourself for battle, you need to know your opponent, but you also have to go back and watch tape on yourself and look at some of the mistakes you’ve made.”
Colby adds that he knows what went wrong during his last appearance in Heroes Vs. Villains, which aired in 2010. Just like Survivor, Colby is in a new era himself. “That’s what’s exciting about getting a chance to come back and play again. Not only has the game evolved, but I’ve also evolved,” he explains. “I’m not gonna play the same game that I did the last time.”
One thing that Genevieve Mushaluk focused on before returning to Survivor 50 was “bulk up.” “I did a lot of eating, all the things I love,” the Survivor 47 alum tells Us, adding that she wasn’t focusing on the vanity elements that she did in her previous season. “The first time I came out, I was so, like, worried about the cellulite on my thighs and my unibrow growing in. And this time, I’m like, ‘What the hell? I’m just here to play and I’ll look how [I look.]’ But you know, a million dollars [is] gonna look great on me, so I’m not gonna worry.”
Jenna Lewis-Dougherty tells Us that she typically stays “in shape” but added more Survivor elements to her workout routine. “I have some balance beams now built in my backyard,” she says. “I practiced my fire making.”
Joe Hunter’s biggest priority for season 50 was working on his “weaknesses.” “I think a lot of people come into this game focusing on what they can do well and certain strategies. I try to break down my weaknesses, emotionally and mentally,” he tells Us. “Focus on that and don’t hide behind it, but try to improve those weaknesses. So I really just spent a lot of time in my growth of what I need to improve on as a person.”
Jonathan Young tells Us that he didn’t need to do much “physically” to prepare for his return, because he works out “almost every day.” He did, however, study his fellow competitors. “I’ve studied the players. I know what they’ve done, why they’ve done it, at least as much as I can,” he says, adding that listening to host Jeff Probst’s “On Fire” podcast was part of his study material. “I’ve been listening to ‘On Fire with Jeff Probst’ and three of [the previous cohosts] are here. There’s Rick Devens, Charlie [Davis] and Dee [Valladares,] all three of them are here, and all three of them are big targets.”
Kamilla Karthigesu hasn’t stopped preparing for her comeback since she wrapped season 48. “I did not stop going to the gym since coming back from 48,” she tells Us. “That was mostly because I found out that I enjoyed lifting things and putting them down.” Kamilla adds that while she decided to forgo running prior to the show, she used that time to focus on fire making. “I even made fire [at], like, 11 p.m. the night before I flew out,” she quips.
Mike White shares that working on his fitness was his top priority before starting Survivor 50. “I think I’m in better shape than I was last time. I feel like I had to get in good shape because [Survivor is] just so physically draining,” the White Lotus creator tells Us. “I was like, ‘I gotta figure this out. I gotta prepare like an athlete prepares for an athletic event.”
While Ozzy Lusth has spent most of the time “opening a restaurant in Mexico,” he knew he needed to cut back on his vices — like “drinking and smoking” — and take his training seriously before his Survivor return. “Once I heard from Jeff [Probst,] I got back on the program and started running up mountains, doing push ups and mentally preparing for the games ahead,” he tells Us.
Quintavius “Q” Burdette took extreme measures to get ready for Survivor 50 after not putting in any preparation prior to his debut on the show. “The first time I played, I didn’t work out, believe it or not … I didn’t do anything, puzzles, anything Survivor related. I just kind of lived my life until the day we left, and I left, and I came out here and I was in for a treat. So this time around, I started to work out,” he tells Us. “I worked out every day. I ran, I jogged, I [lifted] weights, I did puzzles. I stood on nails.” Not only did Q stand on nails, he also “sat in 35-degree water for eight minutes every single day” and had daily sauna time.
In conclusion, the cast of Survivor 50 took various approaches to preparing for the grueling competition. While some focused on physical fitness and studying the game, others prioritized mental preparation, weight gain, and skill development. Each contestant had their own unique strategy to ensure they were ready to face the challenges that awaited them on the island.
Rizo “Rizgod” Velovic, a contestant on Survivor 50, faced a unique challenge compared to his fellow competitors. With less than two weeks to prepare for the grueling reality show, Velovic relied on his super fan status to mentally and emotionally prepare for the game.
Despite the physical toll of his previous stint on Survivor 49, Velovic was determined not to let it hold him back. “I lost a lot of weight during my first season, and I was already on the skinny side. I didn’t have time to regain that weight in nine days, but I feel physically fine. I may be lighter than before, but I’m ready to give it my all,” he shared.
Reflecting on his experience, Velovic drew parallels between the challenges of the game and the endurance required to withstand physical pain. “How do I control that? How do I just sit through it? How do I fight? How long can I go feeling pain? How long before pain stops? Because a lot of folks don’t understand when something hurts, when you’re standing on nails, yeah, eventually it gets to a point where it just doesn’t hurt anymore,” he mused.
For Velovic, the mental fortitude required to push through pain and adversity on Survivor mirrors the resilience needed to navigate life’s obstacles. With his passion for the game and unwavering determination, Velovic is ready to face whatever challenges come his way on Survivor 50.
