Each weekday, EW will post the answers from a different player.
Thats Kimberly Mullens refreshingly honest assessment of her performance onSurvivor: Palau.
Kim has a long list of things she wishes she had done differently in the game.
Monty Brinton/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images
She wishes she had been more vocal with her tribe (the ill-fated Ulong).
She wishes she hadnt shied away from water challenges due to her contact lenses she was afraid of losing.
She wishes she had been more confident.
And then there is the work ethic, or perceived lack of it.
That is ultimately what caused Kim to be voted out fourth from the game.
I should have done that and hid how I was feeling from my tribe.
Perception can be powerful.
And that perception extended even into her lifeoutsidethe game.
Once in a job interview, it came up that I was lazy on the show, says Kim.
So they were worried Id be that way at work.
In fact, Kim is far from lazy at work, as her resume since the show can attest.
She also has some pretty interesting ideas for howSurvivorcan really change the game moving forward.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: First off, give the update as to what youve been up to since appearing onSurvivor.
Theres a reason it received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2005!)
Similar to howSurvivorhas developed since that time, Id like to think I have, too.
Its probably easier to say what I havent done.
I havent traveled to South America, Antarctica, climbed Mt.
I still love NYC and spend time there when possible, ordidprior to hunkering down during the pandemic.
Of all my life experiences and achievements thus far, having my son is my most cherished.
Other works of mine are literary fiction with elements of satire and sci-fi, as well as narrative essays.
I also want to help other entities and people make sense of these issues.
Unless we get at the core of it, it will continue to flourish.
Currently, with the pandemic, most of my engagements, in the form of discussions, are online.
For the above reasons, I also strive to help vulnerable and marginalized persons, particularly women and children.
(Did you know that the vast majority of human trafficking victims worldwide are women and children?
According to theUNODC, approximately 71 percent are women and girls, and one third are children.)
After getting the help she needed and preparing to leave, she hugged and thanked me.
I couldnt help but to thank her as well.
and now CEO ofConcentricAdvisors, Mike LeFever.
William McRaven, Stacey Abrams, and, of course, the Councils current President, Richard Haass.
Its a top-notch program at an exceptional organization that continues to improve.
(The man told me to not bring my passport, and leave my suitcases and clothes behind.
He told me I wouldnt need them and hed buy me everything new.
The experience stayed with me.
There, I successfully redesigned and oversaw the revamping of the firms security policy and standards program.
With the firms unique culture and structure, to say I grew mentally while there would be an understatement.
Fans might remember that I was a graduate student when I competed onSurvivor:Palau.
in my extended family to earn a graduate degree.
I graduated with a Master of Science with a concentration in transnational security from New York University.
Living in Prague with the wonderful Czech people was a great experience.
(Survivorrelated: my season ofSurvivoraired in the region and I was able to do some fun interviews.
There are incredibleSurvivorfans in the Czech Republic and Central Europe!)
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
My proudest moment fromSurvivorwas definitely the opportunity to play!
Unbeknownst to me, someone from casting was there and seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
She ushered me aside to make a video.
A few days later, I received a call and the rest is history.
Ill always be grateful.
My proudest moment on-air was the second reward challenge.
Considering I didnt last long out there, Ill take it.
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperience?
I wish I had won, or at least made it to the jury and family-related rewards.
I should have done that and hid how I was feeling from my tribe.
Perception can be powerful.
I mean, no one was feeling great out there.
Despite what viewers may have thought about me, I wanted to be there!
As far as being more vocal, I regret not doing so.
My assessment of my tribe, Ulong, wasnt necessarily wrong.
(Hey, Jeff Probst and producers, thank you for your patience!)
Finally, I hate that I didnt participate in the water-related challenges.
Since then, I had laser eye surgery, which I highly recommend for those able to do so.
The ROI has been tremendous with international travels and scuba diving journeys.
We filmed our season on a lot in Hollywood.
I was only there for 11 days so I dont have anything truly mind-blowing.
I remember realizing our bodies were starting to shut down out there.
Its a unique bond.
How do you feel about the edit you got on the show?
Most everyone wishes they looked like champions out there at all times, but thats simply not possible.
What I did, or I guess I should say what Ididntdo out there, was accurate.
OnPalau,I was weak.
I also let it be known I was open to having a showmance.
I was in my early twenties so I thought, why not?!
I was single and young.
Kudos to the team!)
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shock or an adjustment coming back?
(Survivor: Midwest Blizzard Edition!)
And you know what?
No, its such a unique experience to be able to playSurvivor!
Yes, in being on the show and appearing lazy, there were second and third order consequences.
For instance, I had people in my professional life have a go at use things fromSurvivoragainst me.
Crazy, but true!
As I mentioned, I recently re-watched my season.
Who do you still talk, text, or email with the most from your season?
From my season, I still keep in touch with Coby Archa.
I have so much respect for him for that reason.
Ibrehem Rahman and I also keep in touch, and used to hang out in NYC pre-adulting/parenting.
Ibe is a great person.
), Ian, Janu, Stephenie, and Jolanda.
Jeff Wilson and I keep in touch from time-to-time.
We bonded and had a lot of fun as pre-juror players on our travels in Guam and Australia.
I had something awful happen during that time, and thankfully Jeff was there to stop it.
Ill always be grateful to him for that reason.
I spoke to James years ago, but nothing in years.
It was good to see most everyone!
Finally, I think a lot about Jenn Lyon.
Jenn was a bright light who will always be loved and remembered.
Do you still watchSurvivor, and if so, whats your favorite season you were not on and why?
My parents are fans, Brian is a fan, and, now, my son is, too.
I had to miss some seasons when I was traveling abroad.
Whos one player from anotherSurvivorseason you wish you could have played with or against and why?
Instead of past tense, Ill say who Id like to play withnow.
Help a sister out!
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor,what would it be and why?
Survivoris a remarkable game and experience.
Theres a reason whySurvivorcontinues 20 years later!
Based on how much my four-year-old son enjoys it, there are many more years to go.
I believe exceptional organizations and people are always looking to improve.
I know I strive to do so.
As most people probably know, theres discussion and petition for improving diversity regarding BIPOC onSurvivor.
Its also essential that people become cognizant of overt and subconscious biases, those of others, and groupthink.
What goes in comes out.
There could be twists with this as well.
It might be interesting for a season or so, especially to see what players do with it.
Im also going to throw in an idea for a challenge, because why not?!
Finally, would you play again if asked?
Yes, call me!
I told him no.
I reminded him I had been voted off.
Again, he asked why, because what young child doesnt askwhyover and over and over?
I told him momma was weak out there and seemed lazy so my tribe voted me off.
