Survivor Polska

Age: 31
Hometown: Walnut Creek, Calif.
Current Residence: Atlanta
Occupation: Former reporter
3 Words to Describe You: Adventurous, no-nonsense, curious
Why do you want to be part of Survivor?: Easiest $1 million I’ll ever make! Kidding. I’ve been a huge fan of the show since season 1; it has brought me so much joy and created a community for me amongst family and friends. It is ridiculously cool to be a part of something bigger than myself. And as an adrenaline junkie – the adventure of a lifetime!
What’s one life experience you feel has prepared you for the game?: Through my work as a journalist, I became an expert at connecting with others, building trust with all different types of people, and operating in high-stress scenarios. A huge part of my job was getting people to trust me with some of the most intimate details of their lives! And the newsroom is ultra-competitive. If you can survive a newsroom, you can survive anything!
Which previous player do you identify with the most? I’m going to embody Kim Spradlin and Dee (S45). Both women were fierce competitors with impressive physical games, but their social skills and tight alliances helped carry them across the finish line and seal the deal.
What will you value in an alliance partner? Trust is the core of any successful alliance. I’d also like to work with someone whose strengths make up for my weaknesses and vice versa. Or someone who can connect with different groups better than I can, and vice versa. I don’t want a number – I want someone who helps me show that two heads are better than one.
Favorite hobbies: Yoga, Pilates, hiking
Pet Peeves: When people who have the middle seat on a plane pressure you to trade your window/aisle seat, middle management, and consistently being late.
What is something we would never know from looking at you? I am a big solo traveler! Some of my favorite memories include overnight camping in the Sahara Desert, running with the bulls in Spain, clubbing in Berlin, and the four-day Salkantay trek in Peru. I went on my first solo trip when I was 20 and couldn’t get anyone else to go with me. Life is too short to wait for others to be ready for your adventure.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why? My parents. I have so much respect for both of them. We didn’t grow up with much; my parents were young when they had me, but they made sure my brother and I could access everything we needed to succeed. They put our sports, our academics, our music, and all of our other extracurriculars before their own needs. Today, they run a successful business thanks to their hard work and big dreams. They are badass!
Why will you be the Sole Survivor? I’m an under-the-radar physical threat with a social game that will get me to the end! I’m hoping others underestimate me while considering me someone they trust – only to realize I’m a force to be reckoned with once it’s too late!