Each weekday, EW will post the answers from a different player.
Chad Crittenden made reality TV history when he showed up to play onSurvivor: Vanuatu.
But when he did, he won their respect, if not the game.
Chad Crittenden on ‘Survivor: Vanuatu’.Monty Brinton/CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
“I did impress some of the guys on my tribe,” says Chad.
“And I know I impressed millions of viewers as well.”
Soon after our season aired, I started doing some speeches locally.
Chad Crittenden on ‘Survivor: Vanuatu’.Monty Brinton/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images
That soon turned into joining a speakers bureau and doing motivational speeches all over the country.
I was super-lucky to have that opportunity!
I got a gold medal in slopestyle and a silver medal in halfpipe.
Off-road triathlons (Xterra series) were my favorite.
I still do tons of mountain biking; it’s my passion.
As I continued motivational speaking, I also got a consulting job in San Francisco for 3-D-printed prosthetic fairings.
After some time juggling these freelance gigs with a wonky schedule, I decided to finally return to teaching.
So, it’s been six years now since returning to teaching primary grades.
That remains to be seen, with the latest surge with the Delta variant.
Vax up, everyone!
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
Some of them had figured it out but had kept it to themselves.
But more broadly, it demonstrated the capabilities of all those with disabilities.
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperience?
My biggest regret is not stepping outside my comfort zone as someone who is never manipulative.
I could have channeled some inner manipulative person, I suppose, and it would’ve helped me.
However, I just stayed the course and tried to do my best with the alliances I had.
Look at Chris, who won the game.
He got that million dollars because he was more crafty and used the “outwit” tenet the best.
There was one thing that happened to me personally with my leg.
It’s called a one-way expulsion valve.
I stepped through some mangrove roots and it snapped off that tiny valve.
I wouldn’t be able to run, and I would be limping around everywhere.
I fixed it, and I was good to go!
How do you feel about the edit you got on the show?
Also, I was portrayed as the hard-working, inspirational disabled guy.
My “character” was the nice guy who perseveres and is relatively quiet.
However, my outgoing and gregarious personality wasn’t shown much.
They certainly didn’t show that part of me… but that’s editing.
I witnessed and heard the same things aboutKatie Gallagherduring her season.
At different events, I’ve hung out with her in real life she’s hilarious!
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shock or an adjustment coming back?
I was not coming directly from my tribe/camp and flying home.
One does readjust to civilized life very quickly!
It takes a while to readjust to living by the clock.
Whom do you still talk, text, or email with the most from your season?
Both Chris and I, and Julie and Leann separately had reward trips together on Vanuatu during season 9!
We were huge fans ofSurvivorsince the original season with Richard Hatch in Borneo.
This is partly due to our kids' various ages/stages as well as our TV viewing habits.
I’m a lifelong soccer player, and I was an instant Ethan fan.
Incidentally, now Ethan and I are pretty good friends.
It was duringAll-Starsthat it was announced that CBS was looking for new contestants.
I knew it was the perfect time for me to apply.
The rest is history!
Who’s one player from anotherSurvivorseason you wish you could have played with or against and why?
I think Ozzy was/is one of my all-time favorites.
I tend to like players who are good interpersonally, but also amazing athletes.
I’ve met him a couple times and he’s pretty cool.
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor, what would it be and why?
It’s become an institution.
I really think it’s the perfect formula I wouldn’t change a thing!
Finally, would you play again if asked?
I would totally be up for the challenge (so to speak).
And, I must say…
I’m as charming as ever!
Maybe I could rock a short curly-haired waterproof wig and be a dashing 24-year-old version of Chad.
And BTW, why haven’t they?
But wait… it ain’t over yet!
