Natalie Tenerelli remembers the adjustment back into society after playingSurvivor.
“It was weird,” she says.
“I felt like an alien.
Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images
A very hungry alien, at best!
I just remember thinking, ‘I can eat whenever I want to!’
I’d wake up at four in the morning and eat five bowls of cereal.”
There was only one problem: Natalie’s mother Tracie “caught her in the act!”
It’s everything you want, and then some.
NATALIE TENERELLI:It’s so hard to believe that it has been over 10 years since mySurvivorexperience!
I’ve evolved and grown so much since then.
Soon after I got home from Nicaragua, I moved to L.A. and pursued my dance career.
I danced for multiple sports teams including the Los Angeles Clippers for three years.
It’s all good now.
I’ve since healed from that journey.
Oh, and I have also met my guy,Dan Cox.
He didn’t find love onTheBachelorette,so then we paired up!
We both share the love for adventuring and seeing more of the world!
It’s been so rewarding to be a part of the family business and bring it to another level.
That about wraps it up!
A lot of learning and expanding in between.
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
I’m really proud of 19-year-old me for being daring enough to say yes fearlessly.
I look back and now realize like a lot ofSurvivorcontestants, it meant more than winning the million.
I’m also very proud of the moment that I won the very first individual immunity on my season.
That was the best feeling, especially because I was competing against some really athletic and strong individuals.
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperience?
I don’t have any regrets.
I played with my heart, because that was my strongest deck of cards at the time.
I cringe at watching myself back on the screen because I know how much I have grown since then.
How do you feel about the edit you got on the show?
I think my edit was pretty fair and accurate to who I was on the show.
I was a little timid and afraid to tell producers exactly what was happening in my brain.
I didn’t even trust them when it came to gameplay!
I guess that’s something that I have had to work on since my time onSurvivortoo trusting people.
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shock or an adjustment coming back?
I felt like an alien.
A very hungry alien, at best!
I just remember thinking, “I can eat whenever I want to!”
I’d wake up at four in the morning and eat five bowls of cereal.
It all felt very heavy at the time.
I wish I could have told myself, “Natalie, relax.
It will all fall into place.”
I put a lot of pressure on myself to do big things afterSurvivor.
There were absolutely moments of me feeling like maybeSurvivorwas too much for me to experience at the time.
I was so young and naive then.
Watching yourself on TV is strange.
At the end of the day, I’m a much better human for all the perspectiveSurvivorhas given me.
Whom do you still talk, text, or email with the most from your season?
There was a ton of animosity between my castmates.
I keep in touch with Rob and Andrea most.
Rob is like a brother to me!
We don’t talk too often, but I know he always has my back.
I feel the same way about Andrea!
I love that girl!
I always love seeing Phillip at differentSurvivorevents.
He always has a positive energy and brings a smile to my face!
Of course I still watch!
Every episode was pure entertainment.
Who’s one player from anotherSurvivorseason you wish you could have played with or against and why?
She was who I looked up to for gameplay before I left forSurvivor.
I think she and I would have a ton of fun playing and scheming together.
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor,what would it be and why?
All of the twists give me massive anxiety!
Finally, would you play again if asked?
Yes, if given the opportunity I would go back!
My heart starts beating really fast at the thought of my return.
I feel like I’m such old news though!
Maybe one day it will happen.
He possibly told everyone that to ease the pain!
