Each weekday, EW will post the answers from a different player.
Throughout ourSurvivorQuarantine Questionnaires, we have heard from lots of players who struggled once the cameras were turned off.
and the moment I was free to let down, it was like a flood.
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Indeed, Whelchel’s reaction upon reentering society mirrors those of many of her peers.
And the worst was yet to come.
“That was, in some ways, even more traumatic.
It didn’t help that I was more raw and open and undefended than ever before.”
It was the equivalent of giving hundreds of people sledgehammers and submitting myself to a fairly painful ego-annihilation.
Now, the sitcom and reality star is helping others overcome their obstacles as alife coach.
LISA WHELCHEL:Oh my!
That’s a lot.
I’ll do my best to summarize.
My next endeavor was a yearlong “interior journey.”
Most importantly, I got married and became a grandmother!
(Oh, and I’m also now hosting a show on MeTv calledCollector’s Call.)
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperience?
Well, this relates to my previous answer.
Therefore, it’s okay to play by rules I would never consider in any other situation.
How do you feel about the edit you got on the show?
Sadly, this meant I was afraid to actually be human!
I thought it showed a lack of faith to feel fear.
I felt like I should always be peaceful and loving, never angry.
And, yet, I still couldn’t bring myself to let go and embrace ALL parts of me.
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shockor an adjustment coming back?
For starters, I cried for almost three straight days from the moment I walked away from Tribal Council.
and the moment I was free to let down, it was like a flood.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t prepared for a whole new round of PTSD when the season aired.
That was, in some ways, even more traumatic.
It didn’t help that I was more raw and open and undefended than ever before.
This many years on the other side of it, I’m grateful.
It was the equivalent of giving hundreds of people sledgehammers and submitting myself to a fairly painful ego-annihilation.
I have loved the game from the beginning and always dreamed of playing.
Friends would ask, “Why would you want to put yourself through all that?”
In hindsight, I do think the phrase, “Ignorance is bliss” applies.
I didn’t really know on a visceral level how hard it was going to be.
It was all abstract.
The first go around, I was still fairly cut off from my feelingsemotionally and even physically.
I had learned to shut off pain as an early defense mechanism.Survivorstripped me in a good way.
But, it also ruined me for playing again, I think.
Whom do you still talk to, text, or email with the most from your season?
That being said, I haven’t really kept in touch with anyone with the exception of Denise.
We make it a point to schedule a phone call to catch up periodically.
Yes, all of them!
I wouldn’t miss it.
My favorite season wasWinners at War.
Speaking of Denise, wasn’t she amazing?
I was so proud of her.
Who’s one player from another Survivor season you wish you could have played with or against and why?
Gosh, you could ask me that from season to season and it would change.
I admire so many players.
It would be impossible to choose one.
Denise, Malcolm, Skupin, and Penner again, for sure.
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor,what would it be and why?
Until we step foot on the island together, we are not allowed to talk to another tribe member.
Even though we travel from the States together and spend a few days at Ponderosa first.
We just walk around silently the whole time.
I think that should be the case for jury members, too.
If they are not playing the game, then they shouldn’t be allowed to play.
That means no talking.
Finally, would you play again if asked?
