"All for the right reasons" - Survivor 47 star Kyle Ostwald on his journey in the show

Kyle Ostwald's participation in Survivor 47 brought forth an array of challenges, strategies, and personal milestones. His competitors recognized the danger of allowing him to progress further, ultimately leading to him being voted out as the fourth member of the jury.

In an exclusive interview with EW on December 2, Kyle reflected on the emotional intensity of his time on the show, stating how tough and transformative the experience was, saying:

"I just had to keep reminding myself that it was all for the right reasons and that this was just a game."

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Kyle Ostwald opens up about his Survivor 47 journey

Kyle’s confidence in winning the jury vote

Kyle Ostwald was certain that if he had made it to the Final Tribal Council, he would have been a dominant force. Kyle also shared his thoughts on how determined he was, saying:

"I would've let 'em have it..So kudos to them because I was not going to let it go down easy....So I was a huge physical threat. I played with a lot of heart."

He approached Survivor with a drive, stating:

"My foot was hitting the gas pedal and my foot was not coming off the floor until I saw God or a checkered flag."

Kyle believed his combination of strategic manipulation and vulnerability would have made it challenging for anyone to beat him in the end. His confidence stemmed from his multifaceted gameplay. Kyle declared:

"Somebody would've really had to pack a lunch if they thought they were going to get that money from me...I was very vulnerable. I was very open. I didn't give a lot of room for any other edit other than who I am as a person."

He credited his openness and honesty as leaving no room for misinterpretation about who he was as a player and person.

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Wrestling with his vegetarian lifestyle on Survivor

A lifelong vegetarian, Kyle faced an emotional challenge when he chose to eat meat during the auction and while surviving on the island.

"I've gone so long without doing it..the difficult part was the fact that I've gone so long without doing it. Like seven, eight years," he shared.

He explained the weight of breaking a seven to eight-year commitment to his lifestyle. The decision was not taken lightly, and Kyle described it as "emotional" to abandon such a deeply ingrained personal principle, even temporarily.

"We're talking a long time of personal decisions and watching people eat food that I truly enjoy, but I make a conscious decision to not take part in," he added.

Despite the internal struggle, Kyle rationalized his choice as necessary to maintain his physical and mental performance during the game.

"It would've been disrespectful to my game if I just let myself deteriorate to the point where I couldn't perform," he explained.

After returning home, he fully resumed his vegetarian and vegan lifestyle, reaffirming his long-term commitment to his principles while embracing his decision as part of the extreme conditions of Survivor.

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Kyle’s reflection on his game and potential return

Reflecting on his time in the game, Kyle expressed immense gratitude and pride in his journey, even though it ended before the final tribal council. He recounted the moment of his elimination:

"That was a fall down. I failed. That was the end of my journey. But it was a false fail because I stood right back up."

Kyle emphasized the elite competition he faced and how his performance against such high-caliber players was a point of pride. When asked about playing again, Kyle was resolute.

"I would absolutely do it again..Zero thought. As soon as they call, I would be on the plane. I would be gone. I wouldn't even pack a bag because I know I wouldn't need it," he said.

He believed his gameplay, was rooted in authenticity and tenacity of his character and his family’s values. For Kyle, participating in Survivor represented more than merely a competition; it was a significant legacy that would impact his family's future.

"I stood up taller than I've ever stood up before. And I think that's going to put ripples into my family's future. That's going to go on forever," he said.

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Don’t miss the adventure! Survivor Season 47 airs Wednesdays at 8 PM ET/PT on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+. Tune in to watch the drama, strategy, and survival unfold!