Do you have what it takes to be a contestant on Survivor?
Here are six of the biggest skills you need.
1. LIVING ON A MINIMUM OF FOOD
It’s not as easy to stay fit when you only get a few sacks of rice and beans to keep you going. Finding new sources of protein is a must, but that can take a while. It’s easier to win the game if you’re already used to what it feels like mentally and physically when you’re running low on fuel. Force yourself to practice during wilderness trips.
2. STAYING IN PEAK CONDITION
One of the biggest differences between life on Survivor and real-world survival techniques is the need to compete in physical challenges every day. In the woods, survival is often about conserving calories and managing resources wisely.
On the show, competing in races, strength challenges and high-intensity activities isn’t optional. Anyone who isn’t in shape to compete gets the boot.
3. BUILDING ENDURANCE AND CORE STRENGTH
On Survivor, endurance is needed more often than brawn. Core strength helps you maintain your body in specific positions for a long time. It also helps you avoid hurting your muscles.
Strong core muscles enhance the performance of arm and leg muscles. When other participants have to tap out, you’ll still be clinging to that palm tree like a pro. To train, get to where you can run long distances easily or swim countless laps underwater.
4. SOLVING PROBLEMS
Challenges on Survivor are just as much about the mind as they are about your physical strength. There are a lot of puzzles on the show. How can you train your brain to think outside the box?
First, watch as many past episodes as possible. With over 40 seasons, this is a tall order, but it can pay off. Look for patterns in puzzles that get reused to prepare for your season.
Second, check out online puzzle sites. Train yourself until you can master brain games with your eyes closed. For example, you should be an expert with image puzzles where you have to move tiles around as quickly as possible.
5. FACING YOUR EMOTIONAL LIMITS
On Survivor, producers make it a goal to “break” contestants both mentally and emotionally. Seeing people break down, lose their cool and argue with other participants is a major part of reality TV. Viewers at home like seeing these conflicts.
In real survival, you’re also going to be tested emotionally. There’s the isolation, the fatigue and the frustration of things not working the way you thought they would.
A great way to practice for Survivor is to notice how you react to bad news. If you tend to give up or shut down, toughen up before heading to the island.
6. ADAPTING
If there’s one thing you can count on with Survivor, it’s that you have to expect the unexpected. Teams can change, challenges can change, alliances can change and the weather can change — drastically in some locations!
If you’re the type of person who can create solutions, you’ll have a big edge on the show. Adaptable people are more useful, often becoming the hunters and challenge-winners that no team wants to eliminate too early. Start by learning how to make fires and build every kind of hunting trap from scratch.
Have you ever tried out for Survivor? Tell us about your experience below!