227: Survivor 50: Colby Donaldson on Coming Back 25 Years Later to Finish What He Started
Podcast:The Exclusive With Sharon Tharp Published On: Mon Feb 09 2026 Description: In this preseason interview filmed in Fiji, three-time Survivor alum Colby Donaldson explains why he was the first person to call casting for Survivor 50—and why this return feels more meaningful than any of his previous trips. Colby reflects on the full-circle perspective he has now in his 50s, revisiting his past games and the moments he’s proud of (and the ones he regrets), and what it means to come back determined to “finish the way he started.” He also shares how he’s approaching the modern, faster-paced game, why playing from the middle could be his biggest advantage, his thoughts on old school vs. new era players (and the targets that come with built-in season groups), and the relationships he’s excited to explore on the beach—from fellow Heroes vs. Villains alums to the unknowns from season 49.