A day after the finale episode of “Survivor 48”, Vacaville native Joe Hunter is still smiling and sharing joy, though he finished third and didn’t win the top prize of $1 million.
“I’m good,” he said Thursday in a telephone conversation from Los Angeles. “At the end of the day, when you look at the stats and past seasons, making it to the final three is a blessing and I’m honored to have experienced it.”
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In the end, the jury of former contestants gave the game to competitor Kyle Fraser but Hunter said he was happy to see his No. 1 partner on the show, contestant Eva Erickson, make it to the final three as well. The two formed a tight friendship, and went through emotional roller coasters throughout the season and say they are now life-long friends who talk regularly.
The 45-year-old Sacramento Fire captain ran a very unique game, playing in honor of his children and his late sister while fighting not to compromise who he is. His stand-up guy flavor won fans across the nation.
Looking back on the season, he said he was surprised by a lot of what he experienced.
“Seeing what goes on behind the scenes and what was said, it’s always a little shocking,” he said. “Like, I didn’t know the depth of (contestant) Kamilla Karthigesu and Kyle’s plotting.” The secret alliance between those two contestants was surprising but Hunter said it doesn’t change the fact that they also “shared deep emotional bonds over really powerful moments.”
He does have advice for future contestants, borne from his experience.
“I would just say to take some time — if you want to play — to focus on the things that are your weaknesses, mentally and emotionally, because they’ll be exposed and then you can just be yourself,” he said. “So if you are a person who stresses out and has a temper or you don’t like to communicate, work on all of that until you hone and control it so that when you play, you can be who you naturally are.”
And he has a message for the legions of fans in Vacaville, Sacramento and beyond who cheered him throughout the season.
“Just thank you,” he said. “I have so much gratitude for the generosity of those who rallied behind me. It makes me proud and I hope I did you proud.”
