Each weekday, EW will post the answers from a different player.
Terry DeitzdominatedSurvivor: Panama Exile Island.He won the very first individual challenge on the game’s very first day.
He found a hidden immunity idol.
Terry Deitz of ‘Survivor’.Monty Brinton/CBS
And he won an incredible nine individual post-merge challenges (five immunities and four rewards).
(The very next season,Survivormoved to a final three format as a direct result.)
Read on to get the scoop!
We moved to San Diego four years ago, but last fall moved to Florida.
Kids are doing well!
My daughter is in nursing school in Phoenix and my son is online with Chico State.
It was a success, but definitely aSurvivor-like experience on a hurricane damaged island!!
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
My proudest moment would have to be winning 9 individual challenges 5 immunity and 4 reward.
I believeExile Islandhad the most athletic cast, with the most athletic challenges.
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperiences?
My biggest regret would be not giving Shane the hidden immunity idol when there were 5 of us left.
I needed him, but he had me convinced that Danielle was getting voted off.
Unfortunately, he got blindsided.
I believe you would have seen a final with Shane and I.
Nothing really mind-blowing that would have changed anything.
How do you feel about the edit you got on the show?
I believe I had a good edit.
Had I won, it would’ve been better.
Also, the fact that in the last two weeks, I was spearing fish and feeding everyone.
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shock or an adjustment coming back?
No real culture shock for me coming back fromPanama.
Having spent 3 years of my life deployed on aircraft carriers, definitely prepared me for that.
Coming back fromCambodiato spend three months with my son and family in the hospital was definitely a shock!
It was an honor to compete onSurvivorand I have no regrets.
Whom do you still talk, text, or email with the most from your seasons?
It goes both ways, and we remain a part of each other’s lives.
Probably season 10, where Tom Westman won.
He inspired me to apply for the show.
And yes, I still watchSurvivor!I’ll always be a fan!
Who’s one player from anotherSurvivorseason you wish you could have played with or against and why?
Actually, five players.
The first four are fromCambodia.
I felt those are the people I would have aligned with had I stayed.
We would have cleaned house!!
And Kim, because of her challenge success and strategic game.
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor,what would it be and why?
The game is evolving to where the actual survival part of the game is being minimized.
They no longer need to boil their water and there’s too much food.
The hardship and mental toughness required to get through circumstances like these was part of my game.
Finally, would you play again if asked?
As I’m still jetting around the country, they’d have to make it worth my while.
My vacay will only cover so much.
If the timing is right, I’d definitely go back.
