‘They probably thought I was dead,’ says the two-time cancer survivor about his return.

He wants to win…again.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Okay, Ethan.

It’s been so long since you played and you were a completely different person then.

And you’ve been through so much.

So I went back and watchedSurvivor: Africa.

I was 27 years old.

So I went back and I almost didn’t recognize that kid.

I was like, “You have no idea what’s about to happen in your life.”

And I was so kind of shy, reserved, innocent and polite.

Obviously, I knew that an all-winners season might’ve been around at some point.

One of my advantages here is that I don’t think anyone thought I was going to be here.

They probably thought I was dead.

Right.So they’re like, how is this kid going to play?

Well, is there a learning curve for you then?

Because you just said you re-watchedAfrica.

People are saying, “It’s going to be like a bicycle.”

Probst gave a little announcement to everyone.

So I think it’s an advantage that people aren’t going to know how I play.

And the people who say I have a good story, like, “Come on, dude.

Are you going to use my cancer against me?

I would gladly trade my good story for any of your good stories.

So f your good stories and let’s play.

Stop living in the past, right?”

So I don’t think it’s fair to weaponize my cancer and use it against me.

I know how much you love this game and how important it is to you.

Now in 2020, 2.2 million kids have graduated from Grassroot Soccer.

So you’re talking about howSurvivorhas changed lives.

So I definitely think about that.

I will be wearing a Grassroot Soccer shirt again, of course.

So I think about that, but it’s not my first priority on being here.

I’m here to play.

This is going to be an incredible epic experience.

But there’s a way you might be a winner in this experience without being a winner.

Yeah, you wrapped that up pretty nicely.

This, for me, just sitting here across from you pre-game is an absolute miracle.

I shouldn’t be alive right now.

So anything that happens after this moment or after day 1….

Sorry, you’re pretty awesome, but I’d like to make it to day 1.

I don’t want to die today before the game starts tomorrow.

But yeah, it’s pretty awesome.

It’s like anything is icing on the cake.

So I’m happy, I’m a little spiritual right now.

Obviously I want to win and I’ve prepared.

I’m the oldest guy here, 45 years old, and I’m the oldest male player here.

That says something, when I playedAfricaI was 27.

So my wife and I, we moved to a warmer climate.

I was walking barefoot to get calluses on my feet.

She was hiding idols in the forest.

Taking free-diving classes so I can hold my breath.

So I’ve prepared and I’ve tried to like control everything that I feel I can control.

On the flip side, I have no idea how to play an idol.

I don’t know what the f a blindside is.

But I am an old school guy.

I feel that an old school player’s going to win this thing.

I feel that like the old school values of trust and loyalty can be applied to this new era.

He played kind of an old school game.

He had a loyal relationship.

Parvati, she played with one person all the times she’s played.

She was loyal to Russell in the second time, she was loyal to Amanda.

So those are old school values in the new school game.

You have to have one or two ride or dies.

So like that’s my Lex and Tom.

He lost his mom to cancer, he’s a compassionate guy he plays with his heart.

That’s someone I can identify with.

Does that have value when you got the Robs and the Tysons and the Wendells out there?

I don’t know.

You have no connections to the others.No connections.

I am hoping some old school women show up like, maybe Tina is here or Parvati or Sandra.

I’ve met them.

So maybe you could make that bond quickly, but I don’t know.

And that could always end up helping or hurting you.

How do you think others see you?

That’s what I’m hoping.

Everyone else has played more recently, their strategy has been outed.

[Pauses] You’re like, “Yeah, right.”

“I’m fine with that.

Let them take advantage of me.

Or letting themthinkthey’re taking advantage of you.Yeah, let them think they’re taking advantage of me.

I’m okay with that.

You know me well enough.

I’m the guy behind the guy, that’s my role.

That’s where I feel comfortable and safe.

I don’t need a resume.

I don’t need blindsides, I don’t need to embarrass people, that’s not my style.

I’m good just siting behind.

Does that still stick in your craw at all?A little bit.

Everyone’s strategy at that time was you’ve got the option to’t let a winner win again.

So it was an uphill battle.

I could never really get anything going.

So it was a little bit sour on that stuff, but it is what it is.

I lasted the longest of all the winners, so that’s kind of something.

I don’t get emotional, right?

But I’m actually getting, like, slightly emotional.Okay, just a little bit.

For me, that’s a huge thing.

It’s very cool to see you out here.

I’m happy to be here and it’s an honor to be here.

Don’t mess it up.Okay.