SPOILER ALERT: Read on only if you have already watchedSurvivor: Edge of Extinction.
A newSurvivorwinnerhas been crowned, and it is the most unorthodox winner in the history of the show.
But he is now holding a check for a million dollars as the winner of season 38.
CBS
How did the impossible become possible?
Read on for more juicy tidbits from the new champ on how he made it happen.
So its just been an unreal experience.
Im still trying to feel it out.
They had just aired before you started filming and Wendell went on to win.
And we had an aggressive season.
And I think it was because we had just seenGhost Islandand how that played out.
I still think that if Dom had done that, he wouldve won.
But it was the only shot I had at getting Rick out of the way.
When did you make the decision, Chris?
Because we saw you tutoring Gavin and Julie.
When did you make that decision that you were going to take off the necklace?Day 25.
I mean, it wasnt a day-38 decision.
I knew if I was going to get back in the game, I had to be extra aggressive.
I had to be flawless.
I wasnt willing to place my bet on three days of gameplay.
I needed fire to win.
And so that decision was pretty clear.
And so I had to take it.
I mean, it was clear.
And I was okay with casting my vote for Rick if I lost.
I was at peace with that decision.
This is, really, its not as much a strategic game, its a social game.
Its the blood of the blindside, you know?
And so, yeah, it was definitely something that I had to overcome.
How were you feeling about your chances when you were walking into that Final Tribal Council.
If you make it to the end and win immunity, youre not getting my vote.
And so that was one small tidbit.
I said, Okay, Ive got to throw a challenge.
I cannot win my way to the end.
So, you know, that played a big role for sure.
It was pretty clear that I was behind.
And Rick said to me, like, Chris, what are you doing?
We had an alliance.
Why are you letting her win?
And even at that point, I had already known that Ricks idol was real.
And my wife gave me the okay to spend a little time without kids to see the world.
And so part of its going to that.
You know, part of its going to savings.
And part of its going to giving back.
I know its not the traditional experience that most people get.
But it couldnt have ended better for me.
And I grew so much.
But, who knows.
A few years from now, things might change.
