THE ATHLETE NEXT DOOR
Louisville ‘ Survivor ’ Contestant Inspires
Norton Neuroscience Institute nurse practitioner Jessica Johnston ’ s ‘ amazing ’ experience was on display across the country
The opportunity of a lifetime came calling for Louisvillian Jessica Johnston in March 2017 . That ’ s when the 29-year-old was selected as a cast member for the 35th season of “ Survivor ,” CBS ’ s Emmy award-winning reality television show .
Despite the fears and challenges Johnston faced on a remote Pacific island , she brought back great memories . If given the opportunity , she even would do it all over again .
“ The experience was amazing and I made friendships that I will have for the rest of my life ,” she said . “ I am very appreciative of the fact that I got to experience what thousands wish and apply for each year .”
Johnston is not exaggerating . According to CBS , the show receives more than 20,000 applications each season . From those applications , only 18 participants are selected to be “ castaways ” on an island , where they face environmental , physical and psychological challenges during the show ’ s competition format .
“ Mamanuca Islands , Fiji , was breathtaking ,” Johnston said . “ As a participant on ‘ Survivor ,’ our amenities were lacking , but the scenery was amazing .”
Johnston left Louisville for Fiji in late March 2017 , and filming began in early May . For the first four episodes , the contestants were divided into three teams : “ Heroes ,” “ Healers ” and “ Hustlers .”
Johnston , who is a nurse practitioner with Norton Neuroscience Institute in Louisville , was part of the “ Healers ” team , composed of people who serve others by helping them heal physically or emotionally .
On the island , she and her teammates slept in makeshift shelters and ate as little as half a cup of rice per day .
“ I remember being hungry a lot . Coconuts were plentiful , but the raw coconut meat and milk were hard on our stomachs ,” she said . “ Spearfishing was an option , but it was very difficult and took hours in the scorching sun to possibly catch a very small fish . You had to ask yourself , ‘ Is the effort worth the reward ?’ And in most cases it was not .”
Johnston spent months prior to her departure preparing for the challenges . Physical preparation not only entailed physical workouts but also reducing her food intake .
“ I eat six small meals a day focusing on high protein and multigrain foods . I knew that food would be scarce and availability would depend on my team ’ s ability to fend for ourselves . So , I started cutting back on my food intake and reducing my meals by one each week ,” she said . “ By the week prior to my departure , I was eating one meal a
By Lynne Choate Photos : Robert Voets / CBS © 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc . All Rights Reserved
12 EXTOL SPORTS / FEBRUARY 2018