9 Things Stephen Fishbach Wants You To Know Following His Second Chance Send-Off

Stephen Fishbach may've used his mysterious advantage at the last Tribal Council in hopes to steer the result in a favorable direction; however, after the votes were tallied, the joke was on him as he was sent packing in Episode 11 of Survivor Cambodia.

Oh, the blindsides just keep comin'. 

We were able to catch up with Stephen and he shared insights about his favorite Second Chance memory, why he chose to split his two votes, and why he was so fixated on outing Joe Anglim. 

Stephen: "You know, I thought there was actually a chance I was going home. I really didn't think Spencer would flip, so I thought I had the votes all locked up. I thought the votes were going to be me, Spencer, Jeremy, Tasha, Kimmi, my stolen vote against Abi, Keith, and Wentworth. So I thought I was solid with those votes.

But I had this doomed feeling [come] over me, so I thought there was a good chance I was going out, [but] how could that possibly be? But maybe I'm gonna get doubled-Idoled. We all thought Joe had an Idol and maybe someone else was going to be generous with one. 

There are so many questions go to vote. You just have to make your best guess and live with the consequences."
 

Stephen: "My alliance was splitting the vote. The idea was that guys vote for one person and girls vote for another—and I'll just vote for both people. I thought I was being clever and that this was an interesting way to use an advantage.

I feel like people are shocked that I split the votes in a way that is different than being shocked that my alliance split the vote. For me, it's like one in the same—my alliance had a strategy and my split vote were part of that strategy."

Stephen: "Yeah, I do think so. I thought Joe was going to be my big résumé point when I was at my own Tribal. I think different seasons make their own assessments as to who should win based on different criteria and, this season, everyone was very focused on, 'What's on your résumé? What have you done? What is your move that you can point to?'

And, for me, I felt like Joe would be my résumé. He would be my Second Chance story where I can show, 'Hey, I got out the alpha male.' 

I think it did blind me a little. If I had been a bit more situationally aware, I would have shifted the votes to send Abi home, rather than try to take that shot at Joe."

Stephen: "I don't know! That's my question. Why are they voting for me instead of Jeremy? I could never figure that out. There's a huge threat out here people!"

Stephen: "Yes, I think two things. A specific thing is [that] I should have played the advantage immediately. I think the advantage put such a big target on my back and I should have just gotten rid of it. It was this awesome shiny thing in my hands that gave me such big dreams of awesome plays I could [make].

And then, the other thing is, I constantly tried to not play an emotional game because I didn't want to get burned at the final Tribal and have people feel betrayed by me. I think I should have gone deeper on some of those personal bonds and that would have made people trust me in a way that they never did."

​Stephen: "It's been a tremendous growth experience for me in both of my seasons. Survivor has a great way of [helping you] learn more about yourself and other people. 

My first time, I met people I would have never ordinarily met and knowing them has broadened my perspective of the world and I think deepened my own character. [The first time out] I could see how much my body could take. My body took a pounding. This time out, I could see how much my mind could take. My body was breaking down and I still forced myself to go on.

And also, I saw some qualities in myself out there that I didn't like and I'm working to address that since I got home. I think Survivor really exposes some of your rawest qualities and those are great things to know—to know yourself better and to be able to change yourself. 

It's been a powerful experience for me and I'm so grateful for it."

​Stephen: "I have two favorite moments. The first one might seem surprising. It was winning the blocks' Immunity Challenge with Wiglesworth, Jeremy, Spencer, and Kimmi. That was such a cool moment for us. We really thought we were the underdogs to get Ta Keo and it was a challenge that required all of us to come together both physically and mentally. We worked so well as a team in that brutal blazing heat and winning it was such a high. I know it seems totally weird and random, but it was awesome.

And then I remember winning the Reward and that was so cool. It was such a great iconic challenge at night. And it was a memory challenge. I felt, like, I gotta win something out here and not be a total loser."

​Stephen: "I think I was pretty awkward both of those days. Honestly, I think my first day of my first season, I stepped up in a big way. Out of the gate I carried a lot, I made friends, and I think I surprised people, positively. 

This time out, I was so in my head about everything that I think I was worse. So I would say this time was worse."

​Stephen: "I'm working on some writing of my own. I'm working on a book. No more reality television, I think. I would be honored to be asked [to compete a third time on Survivor], but would have to decline."

Watch all-new episodes of Survivor Cambodia on Wednesdays at 8/7c.