Challenge: to adapt to the unfamiliar

Being on Survivor Marquesas required me to travel 4,000 miles from my home. I was ready for the adventure, but not necessarily prepared for the emotional and psychological ramifications of it.

Fortunately, I adapted well physically to life on the island. I acclimated to the conditions rather than resisting them, and quickly opened myself emotionally to the experience as well. It’s like being a mother — you learn to adjust and let yourself be shaped by the life changes.

I also stopped caring about my appearance, which was freeing. I basically had to go away to shed one way of seeing myself and the world and to let another self and way emerge.

Key message: Change your surroundings to help get out of a rut

The Next Challenge: Deprivation

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