mss11500: How bossy was Roger?
Matthew: Roger could be very bossy as well as opinionated, but I respected him cuz he worked hard and tried to play the game honestly. He was very upfront in most cases with how he felt about things and people.

Caesar1: Did swallowing that worm whole end up making you sick?
Matthew: Nope, not at all. It went down smooth. [laughs]

glittergurl: Were you "portrayed" the same way you are in real life?
Matthew: Nope, I think my editing was very creative. I'm actually a very warm, gregarious person with a great sense of humor. I think that I was portrayed in such a way as to maximize the entertainment value of the show, which I completely understand. In fact, I found the machete-sharpening incident to be absolutely hilarious.

patrickp: What was your single best memory of the Amazon?
Matthew: My single best memory of the Amazon was the plane trip which we took and which allowed us to really see areas of the Amazon jungle that were inaccessible to us before.

Gerald_Gallant: Matt, what do those manioc patties taste like?
Matthew: Those manioc patties had absolutely no flavor.

scaram4545: How long did it take for you to get used to having guys sticking cameras in your face 24/7?
Matthew: It took a few days for us to get used to the cameras. After a while, you almost forgot they were there.

westcoast2: Matt, did you think that Jeff Probst would withhold your mom from you after you gave up your Reward to let the other contestants see their family members? Or were you hoping he would do what he did and still let you see her?
Matthew: I didn't expect that he would let me see my mom after I gave up my Reward for my tribemates. I was very surprised to see her later on.

shygirl34: Matt, what will you do with your $100,000?
Matthew: I think initially I'll deposit the check in the bank and consider some desert treks in Sudan and Ethiopia in the future.

lucky01: Matthew, are you dating?
Matthew: I am dating someone in D.C. She's a great girl, although we don't see much of one another since we're both so busy.

hotstuff: Matt, how has being on SURVIVOR changed your outlook on life?
Matthew: Survivor has affirmed some of my beliefs that if you work hard and keep your mouth shut you will be recognized and rewarded. It also revealed that I'm perceived as a very intense person, which can often intimidate others. That's a character trait that can often intimidate others.

snoopy: How did you feel at first hearing that the tribes were men against women?
Matthew: I was really worried because I'd hoped to use my charm and charisma to build strategic relationships with the women. When I found out that we would begin as an all-male tribe I felt like I really needed to scramble and devise a new strategy.

mattrocks: What is your opinion of Heidi and all the comments she made?
Matthew: I think Heidi had a difficult time in the Amazon. She was very sick at times, and I think that she made some statements that she shouldn't have. I would also chalk up some of those statements on immaturity on her part. I think that the audience's reaction to her statements has helped her to understand more about how she is perceived by others.

mattshoudawon: Matt, any embarrassing moments for you in the Amazon?
Matthew: Hmm...embarrasing moments. There aren't any embarrasing moments that come immediately to mind, although I'm sure I will think of some in due course.

JennaRulez: Who was the hottest Survivor?
Matthew: I think Shawna was the hottest Survivor. She has a vibrant personality and a natural beauty. That made her really stand out. She's also a very generous, genuine individual.

Canine: Did you fully recover from your drastic weight loss?
Matthew: I have completely recovered from my drastic weight loss. It took me nearly six weeks, but I'm back to normal now.

Rachel79: What surprised you when you were watching the season of SURVIVOR? Were you surprised by everything Rob was saying about you to the camera?
Matthew: I was somewhat surprised by Rob's confessionals, but during the course of the game I knew there was a level of manipulation which went both ways. I found many of his comments to be quite funny. He provided a lot of comic relief for us both during and after the game.

MATT_WAS_THE_BOMB: Would you do this experience again?
Matthew: I don't think that I would do this experience again. For me, it was a one-shot deal. My goal was to get selected and compete in a game that I initially knew very little about, but over time really began to understand and eventually build a strategy that would bring me to the Final Two. I don't have an interest in repeating the experience.

Robs_Girl: You were a great player! Are you and Rob still friends?
Matthew: Yes, Rob and I are still friends. He proved to be a great gamer, and during SURVIVOR: THE AMAZON I learned quite a lot from him.

Matt_Is_Awesome: How hard was it to wait for the outcome of the show?
Matthew: It really wasn't a big deal. I was not confident that I was going to win the final Tribal Council, so I was not necessarily looking forward to the outcome.

Sage: You seem like the type of person who enjoys challenges in life. Any challenges you'd like to attempt in the future?
Matthew: That's a great question. I'm always looking for new challenges. I'm toying with the idea of writing screenplays and potentially getting involved in the entertainment industry. It's a dream I've had for some time.

Caesar1: How much contact did you have with the others after you got home from the Amazon?
Matthew: We weren't allowed to contact other members--other contestants--until after the finale.

carolyn: How are you enjoying the spotlight so far? Do you think you could get used to being the center of attention?
Matthew: [laughs] It's actually a lot of fun. I've met a lot of supportive people. I've met many people who believe I should've won the final Tribal Council, and I think I've really gained their respect, which means a lot more to me that winning the money.

cj18: Did you get to see any of those sloths or strange animals that they kept showing the viewer?
Matthew: I never really saw a sloth, although I did see a crocodile or two.

helloMatt: Where the heck did that Colin Powell comment come from?
Matthew: [laughs] I have a list of Colin Powell's top ten ways to succeed in life taped to my desk at home, and one idea that he mentions is versatility and adaptability. In the game of SURVIVOR the ability to be versatile and adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the game is critical.

SURVIVOR Host: Hey everyone, our time with Matt is up. Thanks for being here today Matt. Do you have any final comments for the SURVIVOR fans?
Matthew: I'd like to say that I'm greatful for your support. SURVIVOR's a great game, and I hope that it continues to be popular well into the future.

randyv: Matt, God bless you. You did great! Sorry you didn't win.

talon: Bye Matt. You were simply awesome

PrincessJenna: I love you Matt!

JennaRulez: Frisco luvs ya Matt

SurfSlade: Here in Guinea we think you are great

amac: Good luck to you Matt!

westcoast2: Matt, you rocked! You should have won. I'd sharpen your machete for you any day!

Matt_is_the_Survivor: Matt, great job!

Marie: Matt, you're the best!

slapper: Great work Matt!

InDisbelief: Your phone number, Matt!

RealityTV23: Good job

mattdudeurock: Take care, Matt

beckabee: Matt, come to Kentucky!

Emerica: C ya Mateo

georgetowndude: U wuz robbed

qmark1: You made shows fun to watch.

MATT_WAS_THE_BOMB: Bye Matt! You rock everyone's socks!

lamplight: Congrats, Matteo! You rule!

angel89: Bye Matt! Love you lots!