When self-described larrikin John Eastoe signed up for the latest season of Australian Survivor, it was, he says, a bit of a joke.
John, 28, grew up in Footscray, a place still close to his heart despite recently heading to the mines of Kalgoorlie to find gold, adventure and himself.
“It was more of a piss-take than anything – it was all just a joke with my mates,” he said.
Yet the next thing he knew he was signed up and on a plane to Fiji, hurtled into the most gruelling physical and psychological challenges of his life.
“I don’t know when it sank in,” he said. “It is the real McCoy – the mental games were really hard. And you’re just so hungry all the time.”
John credits his experience of being raised by a single mum and his grandmother in Footscray with helping him handle the more psychologically testing challenges of the show.
“I’m a pretty easy-going bloke – people would work on all these strategies for the challenges but I just cruised on through and that worked well for me,” he said.
The constant struggle against hunger, pain and exposure to the elements has opened his eyes to suffering in the world around him, giving him a new appreciation of what some people live through daily.
“That’s probably the most profound effect it’s had on me – you just appreciate what you have more,” he said.
With his wavy mullet flowing during an early nude romp down the beach, John has been dubbed the show’s unexpected sex symbol.
“I just think it’s funny,” he said. “But as long as everybody can have a laugh at my expense, I’ve done my job.”
Australian Survivor airs from 7.30pm Sunday to Tuesday on 10 and on demand via 10 Play.
