“A life-changing experience.” These are the words that Paul Smulders from Krugersdorp used to describe his experience on the seventh edition season of M-Net’s Survivor South Africa.

The season was aptly named Island of Secrets, said Paul, as he was blindsided by the rest of his Tribe when he was voted off the island at the second tribal council.

Paul, 55, and his partner Jen, live at Featherbrooke Estates. Paul has two sons. He decided to enter Survivor SA because he had always watched the show and was a big fan of Survivor SA: Philippines, the sixth season of the show,

“I felt that I had what it takes and was up to the challenge. After all, age is just a number,” he explained. He explained that being a contestant on the show is basically almost anyone’s dream and no amount of money can buy you a ticket – you have to be selected.

Paul said that although they did not know where they were going, he knew he had to be prepared.

For this reason, he kept up with his gym routine and even added some extra cardio, “I started eating less to try to adapt, and cut down on my coffee and wine intake, so the cravings would be less,” he explained.

He went on to say that life on the island was very tough and every bit real, “For most of my time there, it rained and at night I had to sleep in wet clothes which was freezing, especially when the wind picked up,” he said.

Paul Smulders on Survivor.
Photo: Supplied.He remembers thinking how fortunate he had been in life to be able to sleep in a warm bed. “We only got water from the water wells, and coconuts were our friends until a reward challenge was won and we got food items or fishing gear.”

According to Paul, it is difficult for him to choose his favourite memory of his time on the island because the whole experience has left him in awe.

“From the amazing lush island to the incredible building of all the challenges, to lying on my bamboo bed in pitch darkness in the cold rain, the vibe at the tribal council, and my torch being snuffed out by Nico – there are just so many wonderful memories that I cannot choose just one.”

Paul said he would enter Survivor SA again, as he still has a lot of game play and next time he will do a few things differently, because that is how you learn.