RHAP: We Know Survivor - Survivor 49 Preseason Interview: MC Chukwujekwu

Episode Date: September 7, 2025

Mike Bloom interviews Survivor 49 alternate MC Chukwujekwu in this preseason deep dive. As a recent Survivor convert, MC shares her unique journey from first-time viewer to potential player, offering fresh insights into the game's appeal and strategy.

When you're with Amex Platinum, you get access to exclusive dining experiences and an annual travel credit. So the best tapas in town might be in a new town altogether. That's the powerful backing of Amex. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more at Amex.ca. www.ca slash yamex Wait, I didn't get charged

for my donut. It was free with this Tim's Rewards points. I think I just stole it. I'm a donut stealer. Earn points so fast, it'll seem too good to be true. Plus, join Tim's Rewards today

and get enough points for a free donut, drink, or timbits. With 800 points after registration, activation, and first purchase of a dollar or more, see the Tim's app for details at participating in restaurants in Canada for a limited time. This episode is brought to you by Defender.

With a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms and a weighting depth of 900 millimeters, the Defender 110 pushes what's possible. Learn more at landrover.ca. Did you lock the front door? Check. Close the garage door? Yep. Installed window sensors, smoke sensors, and HD cameras with night vision?

No. And you set up credit card transaction alerts, a secure VPN for a private connection, and continuous monitoring for our personal info on the dark web? Uh, I'm looking into it. Stress less about security. Choose security solutions from TELUS for peace of mind at home and online. Visit tellus.com slash total security to learn more. Conditions apply. This episode is brought to you by Square.

You're not just running a restaurant. You're building something big. And Square's there for all of it. giving your customers more ways to order, whether that's in-person with Square kiosk or online. Instant access to your sales, plus the funding you need to go even bigger. And real-time insights so you know what's working, what's not, and what's next. Because when you're doing big things, your tools should to.

Visit square.ca to get started. Hi, everybody, and welcome back to our Survivor 49 preseason interviews here on Rob has a podcast. My name is Mike Bloom. I guess you can call me MC Mike today, as I will be your MC2 MC, also known as Michelle Chukwujekwu. MC serves as our anti-penultimate interview here in our preseason podcast series, and she has quite the story. to her. I told this a bit in my Jason interview, but I will tell it again because once more, it's a rather historically unprecedented situation in Survivor. So for those that are unaware, whenever a cast comes out to Fiji for a new Survivor season, especially in the new era,

there are not 18 people on the island, but actually 20. The 18 people that make up the new cast, as well as a male alternate and a female alternate who are able to be on hand to sub into the cast if there's any sort of last minute emergency or other issue that leads to original cast members not being able to fulfill their duties. Now, I do talk about this a bit in an interview with Jeff Probes, which is already out on Parade.com,

but just to retell the story, Jeff has revealed that due to a, violation of rules during the pre-game portion of the season. Not one, but two cast members were removed the day before the game started. And in their place, were put not one alternate, but two of them, both the male and female alternate from Survivor 49, were called in 12 hours before the game began, and were told that their aspirations of being a future, survivor player now became current. And so from that perspective, this is a very unique circumstance

under which I talk with MC. Because MC at the time I speak with her believes that she is just the alternate for Survivor 49, that she does not believe she is going into the cast at this point. And so her headspace, her preparation, her thoughts on things, including the people around her, might be completely different than when she is told a matter of hours later that your time is now. It's a very unique perspective in that as much as this preseason is a bit of a time capsule for these contestants as to what they're thinking about themselves and the others before all of that is thrown out the window and the game begins, there is sort of a time capsule nestled in this time capsule of MC in her headspace believing that season 49 is not going

to be her season, only to find out that it very well could be a bit more about MC before you hear my interview with her. MC is 29 years old, originally from Saxe, Texas. Currently lives in San Diego, California. She talks about that a bit with me, about how she felt a calling of the sea, perhaps, much like her fellow Heena Tri member in Christina. She is a fitness trainer, but she also has a bit of experience in sales as well. So she feels that she's got a lot of senses acutely sharpened, be it tactical or physical for this game. Tomorrow we will get to my interview with Sophie Sogretti, Sophie S, in this season,

another person who has faced an alternate situation in Survivors. So do not miss out on that or any of my other interviews. If you want to check out the podcast version, go to we know-survivor.com. And if you want to watch the video version, go to watch RHAP.com or search Rob has a podcast in YouTube. I've done enough setting the scene here. Without further ado, here's my interview with MC. My name's Michelle, but my friends call me MC. I am 29 years old and I'm a personal trainer and I'm in sales. Oh, that is an interesting. I mean, I guess personal training are also kind of selling yourself as well. This is true. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then I got.

into sales just in the last year because I was like I need something with like insurance and benefits so yeah that's how I got into sales but I still personal train on the side yeah so I guess you know we see which came first but what led you to both of these pads in the first place for these is fitness something that's always been a part of your life this has always been a part of my life I started playing basketball when I was eight years old and since then just sports basketball track tennis I was voted most athletic in high school my senior year and then I went to play division one track and field at the collegiate level yeah So I've always loved fitness and, like, I genuinely enjoy working out, even though most people don't.

So that's how that. And I wanted to help people in their fitness journey as well. Well, let's talk about, you know, a very different type of CrossFit environment here. The sweltering heat of the Fijian jungle. Talk to you about your history with Survivor and what brought you out here from a fan to a player. Okay, so I have a secret. Okay. So my secret is season 47 was my first ever season of Survivor that I ever watched.

And now I'm here. So I have never watched Survivor, but my, I just love hanging out with my friends. And I wanted, I wanted an excuse to hang out with them. Yeah. So I was like, let's do a watch party. Let's watch something every week. They were like, oh, Survivor just came back on. And I'm like, oh, yeah, sure, okay.

Yeah, that works for me. And then I came in on episode three of season 47 and I became obsessed. I was like, how have I missed this my entire life? Like, this has been going on for the last 25 years. And so I watched all the 47. I binged like half of the seasons, old era and new era. I applied and now I'm here. So what was it about the show that you've made you feel so in love with it

that you're like, this is something that I want to be a part of specifically? Yeah, first it was the athleticism, like the challenges, the physical challenges, but also the fact that it was like regular people doing it. Like it wasn't like CrossFit athletes or anything like that. It was regular, degular human being. Yeah. And so I loved that. It was cool to see that.

And then I was a psychology major. Oh. So, yeah, the sociology, psychology. psychology behind it. I was like, this is fascinating. Like, this is like social politics. And at the end, the fact that, like, anyone can win because it's like you're voting for your winner. It's not who won the most challenges or who did this. Like, it is who the jury votes for. So all of that put together, I was like, this is an amazing game. This is the best game ever. Yeah. So looking back upon your very recent dive into Survivor, give me one winner and one non-winner who you identify

with the most. Hmm. Okay. So a winner, I would say, I would say yam yam, which I just love him. I loved him from the beginning of his season,

even like I didn't think he was going to win. And so the fact that he did win, I was like, it's amazing. I love that he was himself, like, and he just was like funny and humorous. So, yeah, identify with him as a winner. When it comes to a non-winner,

maybe Cody. Okay, from season. 43? Yes. And I just, once again, I loved his personality. He has like living, I'm tattooed on his butt. Like, I just love people like that. People are goofy, make me laugh. Like, that's who I identify with for sure. And what would be your favorite moment in Survivor history? Did it revolve around these guys or anything else? Man, my favorite moment, you know, I did love in 47 Operation Italy. Oh, yeah. I mean, like, how can you not? And, but I didn't want it to work. I did not want it to work, but it was just really good, like, TV, and I was watching with my friends.

By that point, I was into it. And I was like, there's no way this is going to work. And then it did. So that was just an amazing moment. Yeah, why didn't you want, was it because of the people or was it more so like, oh, my God. I was not rooting for the Operation Italy people. Oh, interesting. Yeah, I wanted, I wanted Jen and Andy.

I wanted them to go home. Well, we got your wish in the next episode. Yeah, yeah. So looking onto, you know, what you are going to bring to the game in Survivor, what's one life experience you feel has prepared you the most for all of this? Yeah, I think moving, I moved from Texas to California two years ago, completely by myself, didn't know a single soul, didn't really have a job lined up. I was just like, I'm going to figure it out. And I feel like that's like adaptability and that figure it out mentality. Like, I feel like that's 100% what you need

in the game of Survivor. So I'm going to, I'm going to bring that, I'm going to bring that full folds, yeah. That's interesting. What prompted the move? Was it for like more career opportunities or were you just like, I need to change a scene? I need to look at the ocean. Yeah, the short answer is just because literally. But yeah, I visited San Diego like once and I fell in love and like 10 years ago I visited. I was like, I'm going to move there one day. And I was previously waiting for like this job, this gym that I worked with. I was waiting for them to move to San Diego and they kept delaying it, kept laying. And I was like, you know what? I'm going to move without y'all because I'm trying to get there. So yeah, what was it? 2022. I was just like, okay, it's time. And I love, I love being outdoors. I love the ocean. I love that she can go to Mexico, but you can go snowboarding, but you can go Vegas. You can go surfing. Like, San Diego is an amazing place. So again, as someone who is so physically minded in terms of your career, when you found out you were coming out here, did the prep change at all? Was there other stuff you were incorporating in? Yeah. So it did a little bit. I held myself more accountable. I always love to work out. I'll do it. But I held myself more

accountable on which type of workouts and when I was going to do it. I didn't let my self slack as much. I don't necessarily like need or want to get stronger or bigger, but I started lifting heavier again because I was like, I need to be as strong as I can for Survivor. And I started working on like grip stuff. So I can work on grip strength. I started running a little bit more so I could have that endurance as well. So a little bit. Like I was always working out, but I just like kind of tweaked it a little bit. Was there anything involving like the mental aspect where you're practicing puzzles

or anything? Okay, so no. Like, I kept telling myself, I was like, yeah, do those puzzles, work on the slide puzzle, do it all. And I did every now and then, but not as much as I probably should.

So let's hope that it doesn't come down to the wire on that. Oh, listen, that's what other tribe members are for, you know? Exactly, exactly. What would you say is your biggest superpower

and your biggest piece of kryptonite that you're bringing into the game? Okay, I'll start with kryptonite. My biggest piece of cryptonite. My biggest piece of cryptonite, is I do care what people think. I think a lot of everybody does a little bit. Right.

I always say I'm a recovering people pleaser. I'm trying to be in my villain era and learn how to say no. But that is my kryptonite because I'm like, okay, I want people who like me, but I had to let go of that. But also, my biggest strength is I do feel like people are attracted to my energy. And like back home, I feel like I'm a lot of people's best friends, even though they might not be my best friend. Yeah. use that to my advantage. Like I can I can work with people. So it's kind of the like different size of the same coin kind of, but it can be to my benefit, but it can also be to my detriment. How do you

think, I mean, maybe I'm just feeding the people pleasing part of you. How do you think you'll be perceived in this game? What do you think people are going to see when they look at you and work with you? I think when they first look at me, they're going to see this like tall black girl with locks and muscles and they might be like intimidated at first or they might see me as a physical threat. But I hope when I smile at them and then then I start talking. to them and they realize I'm a little bit goofy that they'll be like, okay, let me like keep her by my side. That's what I'm hoping. Yeah, fingers crossed. Well, let's talk about some of this opposition, turn the mirror around onto them because I'm sure as you've been sitting here,

you've been making some assessments, you know, some snap judgments here. So let's start with the positive side of things and you can use their initials. You could describe them to me. Who are some people that would be like a best case scenario like we hit the beach. You're my right or die day one. Yeah. There is her initials are SS, I think. And so we've been sitting like kind of near each other. And she looks athletic. She looks like she played like soccer or softball or something like that. And you know, we've shared some smiles.

So I'm like, okay, like let's do this. Let's see, let's see. There's a guy who I called Bruce, as in Bruce Banner because he's like swole. Oh, okay. He's like the Hulk. I just say Bruce out here for a third time? No, no, no. And I feel like, you know, he's really strong.

He clearly like lifts. and that he, that could be dangerous or it could be to his detriment. We'll see. But, I mean, if he's on my tribe, that would be nice because he'll be able to like, you know, build a shelter and stuff. I was looking at him like, oh, he needs to build a shelter. That would be nice.

So let's talk about idols, advantages, journeys, you know, DNA of the new era. Yeah. How much are you going to incorporate them into your own workout routine in a manner speaking out here? Oh, when it comes to advantages, I hope I'm on a journey. I hope I get to go on a journey. I know some people feel a little iffy about that. But me, I'm trying to get my like survivor bucket list,

to do list, check everything off. I definitely want to find an idol. I've been even looking around here just trying to practice like, where would they hide it if you were, if it was here? So yeah, once a day, idle hunting, maybe. If you find something, are you going to disclose that to anybody? And it's a big question always as to like, do you tell people about your advantages or not?

Honestly, my first answer is no. But I think you definitely got to read your tribe and the people that are around you. Like, did someone else get an advantage first? And they shared it because now it's going to look really bad if you did it. But every time I'm watching on TV, I'm just like, you know, why did y'all, why did y'all share that? Come on now. So my first answer is no. Let's speak in an idol's advantage.

Let's put yourself in props his shoes for a second. If you could bring either like an old twist from a previous season, new era or otherwise, or create a brand new twist for this season, what would it be? What would you want to have in this season? Hmm. I kind of, like, I don't want to regret saying this, but Redemption Island would be kind of cool. For obvious reasons, yeah. Yeah, like, maybe, like, you know, I don't want to be alone. But I think it would be a cool aspect to have.

Mm-hmm. And I feel like, yeah, if I end up getting voted off, then, yeah, that would be nice to come back in. Yeah. So like an advantage as well That's like something that you've loved in the past That you're like, oh, I would love to get one of those Oh my goodness I've noticed that knowledge is power hasn't been used in a long time

I feel like that's handy if it can be used right But yeah besides that Honestly just give me the regular you know old idols What is your hottest survivor take What do you think is your most controversial opinion about the show Or a season or a player? I know that a lot of people disagree on this one, but I think the new era is better than the old era. And I know it's going to have people up in arms.

I see the comments. And I'm just like, y'all, y'all are the people who just don't like change. They want things to be the same. Like, we're stuck in the old times. I love the new era. The new era is what got me into Survivor. And I mean, everyone's still watching. So clearly it works.

Is there something in particular about the new era compared to the old one that has you saying that? I think it moves much faster, which is much more. interesting for me to watch um and like 26 days versus the 39 days like you get all you need to get from 26 days personally them not getting like rice or anything like I mean I'm saying this as I'm about to go into it but yeah let us be hungry like let us let us fight for it let us want it so I think all the changes that they made are great like I have I have no issue with it so let's talk about something that that might give you an issue okay and we've because we've seen in the new era at some sometimes especially with three tribes there's like this one disaster tribe right this is true this one

that keeps going back to back to tribal council and especially as someone who again would pride yourself as like a physical player yeah does that going to change the way you approach things if you find yourself in that scenario you know what i i i'm not gonna lie like i don't mind two tribes i do like three tribes but i don't mind two tribes um but i always whenever i'm watching i imagine myself as that losing team and like oh my gosh what would i do and yeah i'd probably changed my mind in that moment, but sometimes those people end up going all the way to the end, like Kenzie,

she ended up winning. So it can work out. I think whenever you're on that losing tribe, whenever the merge does happen, people aren't really trying to get you out and not focused on you. So that could end up working in your favor. Would you have any sort of change of plan if you were actually on this tribe of

like, who do I get rid of and versus who you might in a season where you're only going once or twice pre-merge? Right. Like, yeah, that's when it gets tough. Like at that point, you know everyone so well. Those are all your besties. As long as it's not me. There we go, wise woman once said.

Let's fast forward to the end of the game because the interesting thing about survivors is the concept of a jury vote. People have so many different pieces of criteria they could use, right? Relationships, social game, resume, story. Right now, if there was like one court tenant, if you were to say, if I were a juror, I would vote for somebody based on blank. What would that blank be? I think that blank would, it's kind of, it sounds like generic, but like who played the best game overall? And I know that sounds so generic, but like, I don't want to vote based

just off of relationship. Like, even if I'm close to somebody, if this person, like, found idols, won challenges, um, slipped away from being voted off. Like, dang, that was a good game. So, like, I'm sorry, I love you, but I'm I'm going to vote for this person because this is the person who ends up, who deserves winning it at the end of the day. Last thing I want to ask, this is a very odd scenario. I'll preface by saying that if you could bring out for the loved ones visit, a celebrity or a fictional character, who are you picking and why? I'm going to pick Michael B. Jordan. Because I love him.

Yeah, I mean, how can you not? He's a sexy man. And if, like, that's my loved one, then, like, come on. Come on MBJ, so I'm going to choose him for sure. All the way with MBJ, there we go. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, and that makes sense. He's also very beloved.

So I think people might be like, I'm going to pick MC because like I get to hang out with Michael Jordan for the day. Exactly. Exactly. And I hope he's like listening to this, watching this, like tell him to call me, text me. Yeah. I guess the last thing I'm going to ask is, you know, obviously you're sitting in a very specific position right now.

What is sort of like your emotional cocktail at this moment? Honestly, it's a whirlwind. I feel like I am dreaming. I feel excited, anxious, like about to throw up anxious, but like in a good way. You got to keep that food down. You're not going to get a lot of it out there. Exactly. And just disbelief in awe.

I would say all of that, just all up in one margarine.