I know, I couldn't believe that that was what they chose to show. Everyone looked at me and went 'ohhhh' and said it was quite harsh, but I really felt, looking around, that we had a stronger team physically. I mean five of the seven of us were in their early 20's, I just felt it boded better for us as a team.
Did you go into the game with a strong strategy?
I really just knew that I wanted to have a strong alliance from the start, and right off the back I had a really good feeling about Shannon, so I aligned with her straight away.
The thing is, that as soon as you get there, its game on. As soon as you are put in your teams and arrive at camp, you just look at each other and straight away you are aware of where people are going, who they are with, what are they talking about. You are always thinking numbers, am I aligned with the majority?
As you saw last night, Shannon and I were off talking when we realise we have left five others alone to talk amongst themselves, suddenly we are like 'what are we doing, we have to get back with the other tribe members before they can strategise against us. Paranoia sets in immediately.
You are forced to vote someone out on day one, which is really hard considering you haven't had much time to work each other out. Did Dee make that easier for you all to make that decision?
Oh definitely. As soon as she put her hand up and identified herself as a villain, the whole tribe was thinking the same thing. She was the obvious choice, so I can't believe she didn't see it coming. She really was completely blindsided. When she said at Redemption Island that she was a super fan, it confirmed for us that we made the right choice. She could have become a huge threat further down the line.
What was the hardest part of island life?
The lack of food was the hardest. I really struggled. I was literally starving, so hungry. It was to the point that you truly stopped functioning properly. I had no energy and if I went from sitting to standing up I would get so dizzy. Everything was an effort and you would sit there thinking, 'how on earth am I going to face a physical challenge today. It was rough.
So they don't sneak in cheeseburgers once the cameras are off?
Not at all. We had about the size of my palm in rice and a couple of beans a day.
We would split that into two meals, one for breakfast and one for dinner. I remember one day we only had enough for one serving each and I was like, 'no! We cannot survive this!' That was pretty close to breaking point for me.
I would always try and get the last serving of rice so I could eat it out of the pot, that way I got all the scrapings at the bottom too.
When Izzy stole all the supplies off your tribes mat in that first challenge, what went through your head?
I just thought good on her, great move. All I could say was 'why didn't I think of that?'
Is there anything you would change about how you played the game?
No I wouldn't change a thing. I just wanted to be true to myself and I was. The thing with Survivor is that it is just a game. You have to remind yourself of that every day that you are out there.
It's surreal because even though it's not 'real life', it is your real life while you are out there. When you get there, the rest of the world disappears and you are so focused on that world that everything about life back home just becomes a different reality.
Would you do it all again if you could?
Absolutely! Survivor was a life changing experience. Being disconnected from the rest of the world made me really gain a new perspective. Ordinarily I would have taken photo's, filmed it, shared this experience with everyone. But this was an experience that only the people that were there share together. In some ways, not having my phone, internet and social media, It made me think about how much time I spend on my phone, it made me see that I need to spend more time in the outdoors, because I love it. I have been a fan of Survivor for such a long time, so when it came up I sent in my application straight away.
It's definitely a bucket list item ticked.
Nate Davis . 45. Senior Police Sergeant. Dannevirke.⠀
How did you celebrate the premier?
We had a Survivor gathering, family and friends came over to Palmy from Dannevirke. It was awesome.
Were you happy with how you have been portrayed so far?
The thing is, when you put your hand up to do things like this, you have to take the good with the bad. It's just one of those things. But yeah I am definitely pleased so far. With me, what you see is what you get.
You said going in to the competition, your strengths were that in your job with NZ Police, you have learned how to read people?
Yeah, I am definitely a person who thinks it's not about what people say, but what they do that tells the most. That non-verbal communication just seeps out of people and it says so much.
What has been the best part so far about watching the first two episodes?
Watching the other tribe, I am finding that so fascinating. During our time there, I was definitely observing the other tribe when I had the chance. I would look at who was sitting next to who, who was talking, who wasn't. Who is smiling or laughing, who's not. Now I am getting the chance to see how things were really going down at their camp and whether my instincts were right or wrong.
What was the biggest thing you came away with from the experience?
Mostly just how gluttonous our lives are, just how much stuff we have. I came home and made a New Year resolution to just consume less. I also realised how much technology has taken us away from people. As much as it is great to have that kind of information at our fingertips, it so often takes us away from what is important.
What was the best part of the experience?
It was everything and more. The whole experience is something that no one can take away from you. What a cool chapter in the book of life. It was really quite humbling to be a part of the Survivor brand. It is such an amazing concept, just brilliant.
What was the hardest part of the experience?
It was very lonely at times. I missed my family, I missed the little things. Things like that time of night when the wife and I snuggle the kids into bed and I put on the jug so we can have a cup of tea. That sound of the wedding ring against the mug. Those little things were what I missed the most.
But what an adventure! I'd be swimming and think, what are you doing Nate? I'm swimming off the coast of Nicaragua...I mean what!
What was really buzzy too, was that when I packed my bags and headed off from Palmerston North, I had absolutely no idea where I was heading. What an exciting feeling in that moment, so surreal. The whole adventure was crazy cool and I loved every moment!
