Already a survivor: TV game contestant has shown resilience

The Illawarra has a familiar face to cheer for this season of Channel 10’s Australian Survivor as vintage clothing reseller and cafe/surfshop worker Sally Foord takes on the ultimate social experiment.

The philosophy buff applied for the show last May, looking forward to a hands-on exploration of human nature.

“I’m so excited to watch it just to geek out on what a different version of myself I got to be – how I got to lie, deceive, and manipulate,” she says. "In the real world, you don’t want to do that – you don’t want to hurt or lie to the people you love – but out there, it’s your bread and butter.

“My background is in philosophy, sociology, anthropology ... I'm really fascinated by human consciousness and existence, and the nature of existence, and what we're all really doing.

“Life is one big experiment and I think that's what really drew me to Survivor – that I can put what I've learned about philosophy and human nature to the test.”

Sal spent her formative years growing up in Wollongong and began studying a bachelor of arts with a major in philosophy at UOW before moving to Western Australia in 2015, where she spent 10 years. Last year, while completing her masters in creative writing at Macquarie University, she applied for an extension on her assignments to make time to fill out the three-hour application for her chance to go on the show.

“I was just watching Survivor one night with my partner, Cal, and he was like, 'You should apply, you’d probably get on'. And I just said, 'I would, wouldn’t I?'”

“I literally Googled 'Survivor Australia auditions' and it was basically like they extended the applications for one week. They were meant to have already closed, and they closed in three days. I kind of said, 'Oh my god, it’s a sign. I should just do it'.”

The long-time fan has been a dedicated viewer of Survivor since childhood. Sal and‌ her little brother, Jacko, spent countless hours watching the show, sometimes skipping school to watch past seasons together and routinely hosting watch parties with their friends and family.

She continued watching the show after Jacko died by suicide during the pandemic in 2020. Now their shared community will see her compete in his honour on the show that bonded them.

“I was actually saying to the producers, 'My life now is about redeeming my brother ... I’m going on Survivor to prove to myself and my family that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” she says.

“I am stronger because Jack died. His death hasn't destroyed my life; it's made me more capable, and that's my redemption'.

“And the producers said to me, 'What would you say if we told you that the theme of this season is redemption?' I didn’t know, and the whole room just went silent. It was a really electrifying moment where all just went really silent and looked at each other.”

The audience will get to know Sal and Jacko throughout the season as she carries his memory into every challenge.

“I feel like it was meant to be in a way,” she said. “I don't know if it was Jacko, my little guardian angel, just making miracles happen for me... but he has been doing that since he died. There's been so many instances of this and this is just another one.”

Sal moved back to Wollongong at the end of 2024 and has found immense support within local mental health circles, including participating in community events for Talk2MeBro. After her return, she attended a breathwork event with the group, and was comforted by support shown for those affected by mental illness and suicide. She credits these open discussions and the Illawarra community with providing her the strength to take on the game.

“I really did miss the community, the place that created the person that I am, and to come back here has just been so healing,” she says.

“I go down [to the beach] every day and watch the sunrise, with everyone down there swimming. I just am so supported by all of my customers and friends who come into Finbox (cafe at Thirroul).

“Every single day I’m going to work and everyone’s just like, 'Oh my god, Sal, I can’t wait to watch it', cheering me on. They really understand me and what I’ve been through.”

Watch Sal's journey on Australian Survivor: Redemption, airing Monday nights on Channel 10 and 10 Play.