Biography

When Coby Archa returned home from PALAU, it was the holiday season and, as he tells it, "it took a long while to get used to all the people, all the noise and all the decorations." Decorations? When pressed, Coby explains that it was all about stress. "The stress on the island was looking for food, playing the game or hiding for shelter," he points out. "In real life, it is paying your electric bill, fighting for a spot at the grocery store and waiting in traffic. I much prefer the stress on the island, and it was hard for me to come back, to be honest. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about it."

Since he came back from Palau, Coby's life has changed radically, and it's not just because he was on SURVIVOR. Coby still lives in Tyler, Texas, and runs his beauty salon, which he co-owns with his best friend, Amanda. But these days, Coby has a new woman in his life, one who takes up all his time: his new four-month-old daughter, Janu. "I used to read magazines and play on the computer," he sighs, "but with the baby now, I am a full-time, worn out single father who still gets to travel now and then for fun. I am truly blessed all the way around." He describes Janu as "a beautiful, healthy little girl who just happens to be teething already, keeping me up at night."

As a SURVIVOR fan, Coby has been having a ball. "One of the biggest perks of being on SURVIVOR is now being able to meet all the past Survivors," he smiles. "Even the people you don't like on TV, when you met them in real life you see the charisma that got them cast. They are all great, but a few that have touched my heart. Lex is a doll, Tina is a sweetheart, Big Tom is a love nugget, I am obsessed with Jenna M., Eliza is my queen, and my crushes for John P. and Burton only got bigger once I met them."

Like most past Survivors, Coby enjoys a measure of celebrity, but he's able to keep it all in perspective. "I see celebrities a lot differently now, because once you are in the limelight, everyone thinks your life is perfect," he observes. "Don't get me wrong; I love it! The fans are always sweet to me, and I can't get enough of their hugs as they want their pictures taken with me but people do view you differently."

Fame and fan culture aside, SURVIVOR left a far more significant mark on Coby, one he'd like to share with others. "The main lesson I learned from SURVIVOR was that my life before was run by a lot of guilt, and I am learning to release that," he remarks. "It's not the guilt of right or wrong, but the guilt associated with what people or society may think of you. So everyone join in: let the guilt go, and be whoever you want to be! Being a parent is the best thing I ever got lucky enough to do. I will be forever grateful to SURVIVOR for giving me the courage to do it."

For more about Coby Archa, and to see photos of adorable baby Janu, visit www.cobyarcha.com.