The original Hero, it’s been six years since Sam played in the very first series of Australian Survivor on the shores of Samoa.

After lasting 49 days without a single vote against his name until he was sent home, Sam played a game of mateship and loyalty. And while his morals haven’t changed, he knows the game has evolved and so will his gameplay. He says, “Coming into this game as a returnee, I see the game completely different. I’m coming in here with a pretty similar strategy, but I feel like the energy in Survivor is a lot more cutthroat and I may be wrong but I’m looking forward to it, I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Sam continues to run and work his mental health charity, LIVIN, and hopes the good guys win in Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains. Praising his mother as his Hero, even Sam admits that sometimes Heroes can have their villainous moments. He says, “My mum is a Hero. She’s probably the biggest Hero but I’ve seen her turn and if that gives me permission to turn, you better believe I will. I’m not out here for a holiday.

“I think you could win this game playing a moral game, but you may have to bend a few of those rules within that moral. Let’s find out. People thrive off an underdog, the battler, that’s the Australian way and I’m a battler man, let’s go. I’ve lived my life with my back up against the wall, nothing fights harder than when a mongrel dogs back is against a wall, nothing.”