Challenge: Deprivation

My first response to being on the island was visceral fear. I felt like a castaway from civilization. First of all, I was dirty. Washing once a day without soap wasn’t enough. I immediately got filthy again.

At night, I woke every few hours. It was dark, and I couldn’t turn on a switch or a flashlight. Rekindling the fire was too huge and frightening a task in the middle of the night.

I was also getting weaker and weaker from lack of food. It’s difficult to describe what that feels like. I felt deprived, unable to take care of myself, and out of control.

Yes, Survivor is a show. It was a game. But I couldn’t even think about the million dollars. If you can’t meet your basic needs, you can’t have larger goals.

Key message: Meet your basic needs first

The Next Challenge: Fear

Changing your surroundings is part of The Real Foundation's five-step process.