How did you find out about TradeMutt?

I remember being at the hardware store in the screw aisle and there was a bloke with a lairy shirt standing in front of me and as someone who is a party shirt enthusiast myself, I think I just said to him 'love the shirt, mate' and he asked if I knew TradeMutt and I said no and he told me what it was. 

You’re a national TV icon, but did you ever think you would be able to tick off becoming a TradeMutt Model, and what does it mean to you to represent a brand like TradeMutt?

After 3 stints on national TV, playing the toughest game in the world, it’s a career highlight for me to be a TradeMutt model.

In all seriousness, it’s an important part of giving back because I've always been a big advocate for mental health. Before I started my apprenticeship at 30, I came from a 10-year career in marketing and advertising where professional development support was a given, counsellors were readily available and progress was empowered by communication. To go from that to residential building working in a small team, it was a real shock to the system that there is very little support for the blue-collar industry, so I love supporting TradeMutt and what they stand for, to enable TIACS to do the great work that they do. 

Why did you choose to wear a TradeMutt flanno on Survivor?

First of all, the message on the back of the shirt, 'This Is A Conversation Starter' is an amazing sentiment to wear in front of your tribemates. The island can be a very lonely and dark place - trust me, some of the darkest days I have had have been playing Survivor out there on the island.

I wanted to wear the TradeMutt Flanno to remind my tribemates, that yes we may be playing a game for half a million dollars, but we are still humans. I will always be here for a chat, a shoulder to lean on and to be able to lend an ear to any of my fellow castaways who were really going through the challenges of living on a beach in Samoa on a handful of beans and rice. 

Going back for a third time and being a qualified chippy now, how did you play the game differently? Did you come home with any idols in your pocket this time?

I was 12 weeks into my apprenticeship when I first played, now I'm fully qualified and a little bit older and wiser. There is a great metaphor between being an apprentice and being signed off. When you turn up to work as a tradie, you know what you have to do, how to do it and have awareness of everything else that is going on around you and planning for what is ahead - be it managing a project, sub-trades or a crew. And that's the same as playing Survivor. I'm a veteran now, I understand the fabric of the game at both a micro and macro level and that is a huge advantage... but it also makes you a huge threat to all the apprentices who want to vote you out! 

As for the idols... I was voted out with 2 of them (that's not a good thing) in my first season, so I'm hoping I learnt my lesson. 

Our community is a big supporter of everyone they see in a TradeMutt shirt. Are they picking the right person to back this season of Survivor?

I love seeing someone out and about in a TradeMutt shirt, it's the best, knowing you're part of something bigger.
You have to back the horse from your own stable right, if you don't believe in them then who else can you believe in. 

Is it legit just beans and rice?

Yeah, it's pretty grim. By my calculations, I think it's the equivalent to about 800 calories per day worth of beans and rice which is sweet f**k all. And that's if you can get a fire going - it rains for at least 20 minutes every day in Samoa, which is not helpful for collecting wood out of the jungle. 

There are coconuts around if you can find a good one, but eating too much coconut gives you the shits, and when you're living on a beach for up to 45 days with barely a change of clothes, you want to make sure you moderate your intake. 

This season is all about Redemption, what does Redemption look like for you?

Well for anyone who hasn't seen my first 2 seasons, let's just say I've never sucked so much at something that I love so much. Things haven't exactly gone my way and I'm back to prove that I have what it takes to kick it with the best of them. So there's a lot on the line for round 3.

Where can our TradeMutt legends follow the journey?

Get around it! Hope you enjoy it, legends, appreciate the support! 

Survivor kicks off on Monday Feb 23rd on Channel 10, and follow my journey @simon.mee89

Survivor Redemption starts Monday Feb 23 @ 7.30pm on @Channel10AU | Watch +Stream Free