Survivor Nicaragua

Twenty castaways will compete in a tribal battle of the ages when the Emmy Award-winning Survivor: Nicaragua premieres Tuesday, September 28, at 9.00pm on Channel Nine.

For the last 10 years Survivor has travelled to the farthest corners of the planet and subjected over 300 contestants to the harshest environments. As the next decade of Survivor begins this new group of strangers will compete in Survivor: Nicaragua.

The series begins with the castaways marooned in a land of smouldering volcanoes, exotic wildlife and impenetrable terrain. They will be forced to work together to adapt to their new surroundings, yet compete against each other to the stay in the game or be voted out. In the end, only one will remain to claim the million-dollar prize and the title of Sole Survivor.

The 20 castaways will be divided into two tribes of 10, comprised of older and younger competitors.

The Espada Tribe, made up of over-40s, includes a dog trainer, a fireman, a swimming coach and a real estate executive. They must prove they have the life experience and knowledge to ultimately help them outwit and outlast their younger competitors.

The La Flor Tribe, made up of under-30s, includes a physical education teacher, a club promoter and a medical student. They will have to use their youth and vitality to outplay and outlast their elders.

Will the life experience of the Espada Tribe or the physical performance of the La Flor Tribe provide the winning edge? Anything is possible in the enthralling new game of Survivor.

Survivor: Nicaragua – Tuesday, September 28, at 9.00pm on Channel Nine

Name: Shannon Elkins (30) 

Tribe: La Flor 

Current Residence: Lafayette, La. 

Occupation: Pest Control Co. Owner 

Personal Claim to Fame: Raising three children. 

Inspiration in Life: My family. 

Hobbies: Working out, playing basketball and coaching. 

Pet Peeves: Dumb people. 

3 Words to Describe You: Smart, sexy and strong. 

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Straight forward like Russell but much prettier. 

Reason for being on SURVIVOR: To put another notch in my belt. 

Why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: I’m very likeable and very athletic so it will be hard to get rid of me.

Name: NaOnka Mixon (27) 

Tribe: La Flor 

Current Residence: Los Angeles, Calif. 

Occupation: PE Teacher 

Personal Claim to Fame: Not having any kids at 27! 

Inspiration in Life: My sister. No matter if I stumble and fall, my sister always believes in me. 

Hobbies: Playing with my doggies, working out, playing volleyball. 

Pet Peeves: Old people driving. 

3 Words To Describe You: Unique, spontaneous, funny. 

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: No one. 

Reason for being on SURVIVOR: Getting the experience of survival. 

Why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: My drive to win.

Name: Matthew “Sash” Lenahan (30) 

Tribe: La Flor 

Current Residence: New York, N.Y. 

Occupation: Real Estate Broker 

Personal Claim to Fame: Being one of the fastest distance runners in the country and one of the youngest brokers ever on Wall Street. 

Inspiration in Life: My Mom 

Hobbies: Extreme Adventures, Running, Dating Beautiful Women 

Survivor Contestant you are Most Like: Tyson, because I have some great one-liners and because I’m awesome. 

Reason for being on Survivor: For the adventure and for the glory of winning the greatest game in the World.

Why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: This game is something people have in their blood. Either you’ve got it or you don’t. Count me in!

Name: Kelly Shinn (20) 

Tribe: La Flor 

Current Residence: Mesa, Ariz. 

Occupation: Nursing Student at the University of Hawaii. 

Personal Claim to Fame: Successfully completing my first two years of pre-med/nursing classes at the University of Hawaii. On a smaller scale, I also look at winning homecoming queen as one of my greatest accomplishments. 

Inspiration in Life: My dad. He has a beautiful heart and is the hardest worker I know. 

Hobbies: Surfing, wake boarding, go-kart racing. 

Pet Peeves: Dirty fingernails. 

3 Words to Describe You: Vivacious, confident, outspoken. 

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Elizabeth Hasselbeck because she played with smarts and integrity. 

Reason for being on SURVIVOR: It is the opportunity of a lifetime. People dream to do things as great as this.

Name: Kelly Bruno (26) 

Tribe: La Flor 

Current Residence: Durham, N.C. 

Occupation: Medical Student at University of North Carolina 

Personal Claim to Fame: Becoming the second and fastest female amputee to finish the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in 2007. 

Inspiration in Life: My father who was recently killed in the earthquake in Haiti. He was there with Food for the Poor to bring hope and aid to people less fortunate. My dad was a doctor, a teacher and a humanist. I most admired him and looked up to him for his willingness to help others. He lived his life to the fullest every single day. His legacy will be carried on by all of the lives he touched during his life. 

Hobbies: Triathlons, cooking and traveling. 

Pet Peeves: When people chew ice or blow bubbles in an otherwise quiet room. 

3 Words to Describe You: Determined, persistent and strong-willed. 

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Christy Smith because she also faced a physical disadvantage.

Name: Jud Birza (21)

Tribe: La Flor

Current Residence: Venice, Calif. 

Occupation: Student 

Personal Claim to Fame: Being a rad older brother. 

Inspiration in Life: My dad. Despite growing up under-privileged, he put himself through college and flight school. He is now a pilot, which is sick! We have a very strong relationship. 

Hobbies: Surfing, skating and bike riding. I also enjoy jamming all night with buddies. 

Pet Peeves: Inconsiderate people. 

3 Words to Describe You: Intelligent, sexy and goofy. 

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Ozzy because he surfs. Although, I’m younger, goofier and probably a better swimmer. 

Reason for being on SURVIVOR: I could do a lot with a million dollars! Plus, camping on a tropical island with a bunch of cute girls sounds like the best vacation ever. 

Name: Chase Rice (24) 

Tribe: La Flor 

Current Residence: Fairview, N.C. 

Occupation: Pro Race Car Jackman 

Personal Claim to Fame: Winning the John Lotz Award. It is awarded to the student at the University of North Carolina that overcomes the most adverse circumstances. 

Inspiration in Life: My father. I found out after he passed away that I got more from him in 22 years than most people get in a lifetime. He was always there for me no matter what. 

Hobbies: Working on cars, riding 4-wheelers, hunting. 

Pet Peeves: Lazy people. 

3 Words to Describe You: Adventurous, athletic, competetive. 

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: JT, the man’s from the South. I’ve gotta stick with my southern roots. 

Reason for being on SURVIVOR: It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Name: Brenda Lowe (27) 

Tribe: La Flor

Current Residence: Miami, Fla. 

Occupation: Paddleboard Co. Owner 

Personal Claim to Fame: Winning a Hispanic beauty pageant. I was the lamb among the Latin wolves. 

Inspiration in Life: Living by the saying- “There’s only one way to find out!” 

Hobbies: Paddle boarding, mountain biking, swimming. 

Pet Peeves: Complainers and people who don’t take action! 

3 Words to Describe You: Smart, sarcastic, straight-forward. 

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Ozzy- I wish! 

Reason for being on SURVIVOR: $1,000,000 + it looks like a lot of F U N. 

Why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: Easy, I’m a natural winner. I’m not scared of anything and nothing stops me when I get an idea in my head.

Name: Ben “Benry” Henry (24) 

Tribe: La Flor 

Current Residence: Los Angeles, Calif. 

Occupation: Club Promoter 

Personal Claim to Fame: Running two businesses at such a young age. 

Inspiration in Life: My father John Henry because of his success and business intelligence, and my friend Matt Oka who was paralyzed after a 4th of July accident in 2008. His determination is my inspiration! 

Hobbies: Snowboarding, landscaping and partying with hot girls. 

Pet Peeves: Snoring, name droppers, and flakes! 

3 Words to Describe You: Controlling, competitive, and crazy 

SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: The winners… They win! 

Reason for being on SURVIVOR: To dominate and show the world what it is like to be a champion. 

Why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: Because if you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, you get paid good!