By Melissa (A.K.A. SurvivorGalMellz)
SurvivorWeb

When we all started watching Survivor: The Amazon , we weren’t sure what to think of him. He was that quiet, reserved guy that faded into the background and didn’t really say much. But during the run of the show we all got so see just how far his “Be-the-driver-without-touching-the-steering- wheel-strategy” would take would take him. Join me now as I try to clear some things up, dive into the less apparent, and take a look at one castaways life after Survivor.

SurvivorGalMellz: Have you been surprised at the response you’ve been getting since you opened your website?

Matthew: Yes, people have been very receptive. As I state on the site, I really had no plans to do one, but there were so many requests! It has been great to hear from fans, some from as far away as Singapore and South Africa. It truly does add to the Survivor experience, making it so much more meaningful. The support and respect of fans really validates my strategy and philosophy during the game.

SGMellz: If you end up doing Survivor: All-star, do you think you’ll change your game plan this time around?

Matthew: Yes, without a doubt. As on S6, I would tailor my game to the personalities / strengths / weaknesses of the other players. Versatility and adaptability would be key assets to compete in a game composed of weathered Survivor players.

SGMellz: What do you do for fun other then screenwriting, exercising, and cooking?

Matthew: I love to travel, sample new restaurants and bars, watch movies, study foreign languages (an ongoing battle!), play basketball outside in the sun, chat with friends and family, and plan out future adventures / strategies to achieve my dreams.

SGMellz: Do you ever get on the Internet and check out some of the crazy stuff people say about you on the Survivor message boards?

Matthew: All the time. I find it very entertaining and I’m often impressed by the creativity and intelligence of the posters.

SGMellz: On your trip through Irian Jaya, was there ever a moment when you thought that you’d never come back alive? If so when was it?

Matthew: Yes, that night we spent in the canoe with the Momina chief and his henchmen, drifting downriver in the darkness. We did not trust our guides and the crocodiles splashing into the river on all sides was pretty disconcerting. The fact that the chief kept falling asleep, oblivious to the huge logs in the river that could easily capsize our canoe, added to our anxiety. Of course, it did not help that we were really “off the map” with no chance of any sort of rescue if things got hairy.

SGMellz: Alex impolitely called you out at the Survivor reunion show saying that your "crazy act" wasn't an act at all. Did you ever say anything to him about his disrespectful attitude during or after the show?

Matthew: No, I never said anything to him. As I’ve said in past interviews, I quickly close the door on negative people. To his credit, Alex did leave me a voice mail with an apology. While I chose not to speak to him, I did draft him a letter in which I accepted his apology, forgiving him for his behavior at the finale.
(Authors note: Thats why we love ya so much! your so classy! )

SGMellz: You said in an interview that you had a near-death experience in the form of a car accident. When and how did that happen?

Matthew: Yes, that was covered in a tabloid article. It occurred during the summer of 1990. I was driving home on a very slick, narrow country road. I was tired and driving too fast around a corner. In seconds, the car skidded off the road, square into a tree. I was hurled into the back seat. The car was absolutely totaled. I lost 40% of my blood in that accident, broke some limbs, cracked some teeth. Still, I managed to make it back to school 6 weeks later, on crutches of course, for the fall semester. It was a turning point in my life.
(Authors note: Wow... )

SGMellz: Fill in the Blank "When I first get out of bed in the morning, the first thing I do is_________."

Matthew: 3 sets of 40 push-ups.

SGMellz: Is there anything that you haven't done in life that you really want to do now?

Matthew: Would love to write and sell a short book or a screenplay. It would be fun to explore opportunities in the entertainment field, such as writing, acting, etc.

SGMellz: Do you still have that cute spiked hairdo that you were sporting at the reunion show or did you go back to the old look?

Matthew: Funny, just got back from getting my hair cut. The spikes remain…

SGMellz: You guys had to bring Speedos with you and wear them in the Amazon, were you glad they never showed you on television, like they did to Rob?

Matthew: I refused the Speedos as it was obviously an effort on the part of production to exploit us. Instead, I chose spandex bike shorts which, in my experience, are much better at keeping out the insects / jungle critters.

SGMellz: At the final Tribal Council you had this "get me the hell out of here, I’m so tired of everyone" look on your face. What was going through your head at that time?

SMatthew: Exactly that. I did not expect to win against Jenna. I hoped to give a solid final TC performance and then escape the people and the experience. It was really tough going through S6, all the while knowing that there were certain individuals vehemently against you, poisoning the opinions of others behind your back. Sitting there in the final TC, you could almost taste the jealousy, the bitterness, the anger of the jury.

SGMellz: Favorite thing to do on the weekends? (Other then studying other languages and working out)

Matthew: Getting together with friends for a good meal and some wine. Doing a bit of writing. Maybe catching a movie or two. Road trips to offbeat places are fun, too.

SGMellz: Now that you've been on a reality TV show do you plan on watching the new season of Survivor or any other reality shows?

Matthew: I’ll try, but no promises. I’m generally so busy during the week that I have little time for TV. Life is just crazy at the moment. Between work and personal projects, I’m swimming.

SGMellz: Whats been going on with you since you left the Amazon?

Matthew: As stated above, I’ve been hammered at work. Seems I’m traveling all the time. Hawaii, St. Louis, NYC, and soon Miami, the traveling just kills me. When I do find free time, I try to answer fan emails and explore options in the literary / entertainment fields. I’ve contacted some magazines about writing some articles (stuffed so far), and approached a local casting agent (who was very receptive). I’m doing my best to balance the needs of my job with my other aspirations. It’s an ongoing battle…

Any final thoughts?

Matthew: Thanks to all the fans who have reached out to me. You’ve made the whole Survivor experience worthwhile. Best of luck to all of you!

(SGMellz: I want to give a huge thanks to Matt for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do this interview with me. Thanks Matt!! Your the coolest! )

For more information on Matthew, you can view his website online at matthewvonertfelda.com