Each weekday, EW will post the answers from a different player.
The legend ofSurvivor: Cocaine Islandkeeps growing.
Alas, as Shane explains, “That idea was quickly squashed.
JEFFREY R STAAB/CBS
Production was on me pretty quickly.
It’s a must read from the one and only Shane Powers!
SHANE POWERS:That’s such a different question for different people.
Monty Brinton/CBS
I played 15 years ago, and that boy-man was such a scared kid.
He was a force of nature for sure.
But steeped in the muck of not having proven himself to himself yet.
The Casaya tribe on ‘Survivor: Panama’.Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS/Getty Images
I had a very successful business, and had a severe reckoning with my alcoholism.
Doctors had classified me with late-stage alcoholism, and I was in very bad shape.
I’m extremely lucky to have lived through that, and I have eight years as of this January.
That’s another period of time where I almost can’t rectify it as the same man.
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
My proudest moment is strange.
I had an amazing life experience.
One of the very few on earth.
It’s not really anything you’ve got the option to replicate in your daily life.
I was angry at the world still.
My proudest moment is standing by my word to Cirie and Aras, I guess.
I was proud of everyone on the show for their own… oh s—!!!
I’m proudest of Casaya as a whole!!!
We are the most complete tribe in the history of the show.
We were the definition of this phrase I really like: “Beauty in the mess.”
That’s what I’m proudest of.
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperience?
Creating a “law” for myself by using Boston’s name.
It put me in a self-created box because I wouldn’t cross that line.
It hindered me from making any move when one needed to be made.
I wasn’t gonna cross Cirie and Aras because I gave them my word.
That idea was quickly squashed.
Production was on me pretty quickly.
The edit is pretty amazing.
They really are the best storytellers.
I really was “Maniac with a heart of gold” out there.
And that musta been such a fun thing for the show to weave a story line out of.
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shock or an adjustment coming back?
Coming back was also interesting.
Turning on lights is really wild.
Having flame in two seconds is also funny at first.
I also ran in a circle of people that looked down on reality television in general.
I really was drawn to the idea and playing the game.
Being on a “reality show” at the time, I was a bit embarrassed.
I spent a good few years REALLY trying to keep myself separate from theSurvivorconnecting.
I was VERY judgmental and malicious because of my own fear of being exactly who they were.
I don’t know if that makes any sense, but that’s another regret I have.
Getting old is really cool because you realize that regrets are a part of life.
I never regretted doing the show.
I’ve regretted not making it easier to put me back on.
Most fans don’t understand why I haven’t been back on.
It’s not for a lack of Lynne trying or me wanting to.
But that’s her gig.
And she’s tough.
Whom do you still talk, text, or email with the most from your season?
I talk to Cirie quite often.
We get each other pretty well.
And I enjoy her a lot.
I speak with Terry and Aras.
And, of course, Rob Cesternino, who I’m very very proud of.
He’s truly doing the Lord’s work.
The dirty 30 season.
I loved that tribe.
They were the closest to Casaya.
And we’d CRUSH them.
Who’s one player from anotherSurvivorseason you wish you could have played with or against and why?
This is slam-dunk easy.
We’re both kindred men who care for each other deeply.
It’s a VERY weird experience to feel that about someone you don’t really know.
And I really enjoy it.
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor,what would it be and why?
No more than one.
I’m sure production was SUPER-BUMMED about it too.
Man, that woman is good at that game.
Finally, would you play again if asked?
I’m 50 years old.
I’ve never imagined myself playingSurvivoras a senior citizen.
I think if it provided me a two-hour lunch withJeff Probst, I’d have to say maybe.
I’m not being coy.
I’ve just never imagined this physical man being in that environment.
Dalton, you’re great.
AndSurvivorowes you a fair amount.
You’ve made their show easily digestible and relatable through your content at EW.
Should I key in something provocative now?
I think that boy-man is gone and grown.
