Who's In The Cast Of Survivor Season 40: Winners At War?

Survivor is back for its milestone 40th season with a special two-hour premiere on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access, and it's doing something unprecedented—pitting winners versus winners!

For the 20th anniversary edition of the groundbreaking reality series, Survivor: Winners at War unites the most memorable, heroic, and celebrated champions from the past two decades in the biggest battle in the show's history, as the series' best strategists of all time fight to earn the title of Sole Survivor again, not to mention an increased prize of $2 million, the largest jackpot in reality show history.

STREAM: Every Episode Of Survivor Ever On CBS All Access

These returning masterminds will compete in epic challenges, face the return of Edge of Extinction, which gives voted-out players a second shot to win, and tackle a brand new layer of the game with the introduction of fire tokens. 

Fire tokens will serve as currency on the island and add more complexity to the already intense battle. The new twist allows players to use the tokens to buy advantages to help players stay in the game or get themselves back in the game.

"To celebrate and honor this momentous 20-year milestone, we created the biggest battle in Survivor history!" said Executive Producer and host Jeff Probst. "For the first time ever, 20 winners, who have masterfully proven they can outwit, outplay and outlast in this game, will face off to determine who is the greatest player of all time!"

Survivor premiered on May 31, 2000 and ultimately changed the television landscape. Since the first group of castaways were marooned on the beaches of Borneo 20 years ago, the game has evolved and adapted. 

READ: You'll Want To Binge Every Season Of Survivor After Revisiting The Iconic First Episode

Almost 600 castaways have played the game and only 38 were crowned with the title of Sole Survivor, with Sandra Diaz-Twine being the only castaway to earn the title on two separate seasons. 

The winners from the early seasons will need to adjust their strategy to use new elements, such as Immunity Idols and rewards that didn't exist when they first played.

Read on to discover which Survivor legends will be taking part in the epic 40th season.

Then, watch the season premiere of Survivor: Winners at War on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

Hometown: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Current residence: Edgewater, New Jersey
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: San Juan del Sur (Season 29)
Occupation: CrossFit Trainer

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
To know that my determination and unwavering dedication can pay off. And no matter how bleak a situation may seem, that if you are focused and work hard it will pay off. It made me proud of my physical and mental strength. It made me confident in my independence and to always stand up for what you believe in and what you deserve in real life and in the game of Survivor.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season?
There are so many factors that are in play in the game of Survivor. It would be stupid for me to even try and start my gameplay ahead of time. But, given the fact that I never got one single vote against me during my season, I don't think I should change much about intuition and game. I am proud of standing up for myself, for being brass and bold, for being strong and ruthless. I know to win Survivor you have to work hard but I also know that there are added factors like timing and luck that can help. Hoping for a little luck, some good timing, and my hard work to bring me success just like my first season.

Read Natalie's full bio.

Hometown: Lindon, Utah
Current residence: Mesa, Arizona
Previous seasons: Survivor: Tocantins (Season 18), Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20), Winner of Survivor: Blood vs. Water (Season 27)
Occupation: Son, husband, father, friend. In a different order though.

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
Opened lots of doors to pursue many different interests. Met many lifelong friends and gave me something to focus on every single moment my brain has some downtime.

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons?
I think players will be watching for a sarcastic, cutting, almost aggressive personality who steals food. I'll have to make it SEEM like I am none of those or like I have chilled out a bit, because I have... or have I?

Read Tyson’s full bio.

Hometown: Tonganoxie, Kansas
Current residence: Shawnee, Kansas
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: Guatemala (Season 11)
Occupation: Owner of Sideline Chic

What is one way playing Survivor changed your life? 
It made me realize how little we need to survive and how far I could push myself both physically and mentally.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season? 
Honestly, I really don't know until I see what cards the game deals me this go around. I do plan on being the sweet Midwest girl that I am except this time with a bit of edge.

Read Danni's full bio.

Hometown: Willsboro, New York
Current residence: Santa Monica, California
Previous seasons: Winner of Survivor: South Pacific (Season 23)
Occupation: Healthcare Consultant

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
Survivor built my confidence, giving me the guts to deviate from a more traditional path (I chose not to become a doctor after graduating medical school) and pursue a more uncertain career.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season?
I hope to be less afraid of failure, more open to taking risks, and more embracing of, rather than frustrated by, unknown variables in the game.

Read Sophie's full bio.

Hometown: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Current residence: Foxboro, Massachusetts
Previous seasons: Survivor: San Juan del Sur (Season 29); Winner of Survivor: Second Chance (Season 31)
Occupation: Firefighter

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
Emotionally—it brought me closer to my wife and kids. When you miss the ones you love, you appreciate them more. Financially—it helped me put away for my children's future.

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons?
Let's just throw out my Season 29 performance... that never happened. I will look to add to my Season 31 game plan. I will keep my meat shields but I will add mind shields and social shields to give me a broader pool of players to align myself with. With this broader pool, I will continue with voting blocks and keep alliance paranoia on 100! I want to take it all in. I feel my last experience was a whirlwind and I forget a lot of experiences. This time I want to try and take some time to enjoy this last go-round.

Read Jeremy's full bio.

Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
Current residence: Riverview, Florida
Previous seasons: Winner of Survivor: Pearl Islands (Season 7), Winner of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20), Survivor: Game Changers (Season 34), Mentor on Survivor: Island of the Idols (Season 39)
Occupation: Case Manager at Law Firm

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
I'm the only two-time winner.

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons?
I'm gonna switch it up from the usual "as long as it's not me" philosophy.

Read Sandra's full bio.

Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Current residence: Boise, Idaho
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers (Season 35)
Occupation: Real estate/stay-at-home dad

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
More family time.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season?
More humbled and patient. That being said, when it's time to hit the gas pedal if you ain't first, you're last!

Read Ben's full bio.

Hometown: Freehold, New Jersey
Current residence: Hoboken, New Jersey
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: Kaôh Rōng (Season 32)
Occupation: Business Development Manager

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
Winning Survivor gave me the confidence to know that I can do anything I set my mind to. I did not win by being the smartest or strongest, I won by being myself. I think realizing that in my mid-20s was really pivotal in shaping how I handle challenges.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season?
I don't think I will play much differently. In my first season, I learned that I am able to calmly adapt to changing circumstances and this is valuable in a game where paranoia runs rampant. Since I am a social player, I will lean into that and make as many personal connections as possible. I would like to make some fun, big moves this time but they have to be smart and not just for shock factor.

The one thing that feels really important is advocating for my own story so that at the final Tribal I have a compelling narrative. Lately, we have seen a trend of strong, confident males winning Survivor so I want to show that you can have a different approach and still be worthy of the title Sole Survivor. The pressure is on this season because everyone wants to prove they are the best to ever play the game so I am expecting fireworks and lots of big moves.

Read Michele's full bio.

Hometown: Philadelphia
Current residence: Philadelphia
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: Ghost Island (Season 36)
Occupation: Furniture Designer

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
It made me much busier. I give more talks, travel more, and give back more than I had before. Before I made lots of custom furniture for Beve Unlimited and traveled a little for deliveries. Now I still make lots of furniture, but I'm traveling globally for other sorts of opportunities, as well.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season?
Last time I was playing for a lot of people back home. I wanted to play it safe to represent well for my family, community, and loved ones back home. I wanted to leave something my little cousins and my niece and nephew could see and be proud of. They have that; I did that. This time I want to loosen up a bit and have some fun out there. Backstab a little bit, and talk even more trash. Shoot at some big dogs, and pull some tricks out. Maybe even do some things that are out of character. Let's see who's out here to really play the game.

Read Wendell's full bio.

Hometown: Burlingame, California
Current residence: Los Angeles
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X (Season 33)
Occupation: Keynote speaker and host

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
My first ever screen name on the internet was SoleSurvivorAdam. Survivor turned my middle school obsession into a professional title! Ultimately, I believe that I am, at my core, the same person that I was when I played Survivor for the first time. Same values, ambitions, passions, and energy. The difference is that I have more opportunities to realize those ambitions and to make a greater impact on the world around me.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season?
My basic strategy is the same for Survivor as it is for life: make friends. Anyone who comes into this game believing, "I'm not here to make friends" is playing a losing game. What's different this time is that some of the people I will be playing with already are friends. I need to obfuscate my existing relationships, keep an eye out for others doing the same, and work hard to build "in-game" trust that goes beyond liking someone outside of the game.

This time around, I can't hide how big of a fan I am. I can have fun with that and subtly play into the larger egos, especially since my life is far less serious and scary than it was last time. My sense is I may come into this game generally underestimated, with at least some people believing that my win was fluky and my social game was choppy. I want them to underestimate me and I will play into that, while also recognizing that all of them are incredibly capable and not to be underestimated.

Read Adam's full bio.

Hometown: Concord, California
Current residence: Los Altos, California
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: Cook Islands (Season 13)
Occupation: Product Management

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
Winning Survivor gave me a platform for raising awareness of issues I care about, from diversity in media to the need for more minority bone marrow donors, to the importance of civic and political engagement. It also gave me a lifelong aversion to eating coconuts.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season?
When I played on Cook Islands, I felt as though I had to walk on eggshells and monitor every word, especially in light of the surprise theme for that season. Now that I'm free of those constraints, I'm just gonna let it rip!

Read Yul's full bio.

Hometown: Muscatine, Iowa
Current residence: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Previous seasons: Survivor: Cagayan (Season 28), Winner of Survivor: Game Changers (Season 34)
Occupation: Police Officer

What is one way playing Survivor changed your life? 
Enduring the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of the game made me realize how powerful your mind and attitude are. Survivor changed me by teaching me that anything is possible! There is NOTHING I can't accomplish.

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons? 
The past two seasons I've had a game plan going into the season. I've now played two completely different games, one being loyal and one being a flip-flopper. I feel like the best approach to this season is going to be psychological warfare to create paranoia and have people self-destruct. 

Read Sarah's full bio.

Hometown: Beaver, Pennsylvania
Current residence: Pensacola, Florida
Previous seasons: Survivor: The Australian Outback (Season 2), Winner of Survivor: All-Stars (Season 8)
Occupation: Director of Marketing and Communications

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
I met my husband on the show and the rest is history.

How will you play differently than you have in past seasons?
A lot of time has passed since I last played Survivor. Heck, it's been 20 years since I played the first time on Season 2. Not only has the game evolved and changed a lot... so have I. I'm no longer just playing for myself. I'm married with four children who will be closely watching and listening to everything I do and every word I speak. I'm 20 years older, too. I was the youngest in my Tribe when I played Survivor: The Australian Outback. Now, I'm going to be one of the "older" people. People see me in a whole new light.

Plus, being married to "Boston Rob" paints a HUGE target on my back. When I played the first two times, I didn't have that pressure. So, I guess for me I'm going to try to focus on my social game in a big way and try hard to find Idols/advantages! I'd like to think I'll be good at challenges but let's face it, I am not in the shape I was before having four kids. But I also want to focus on enjoying the experience and showing my girls how strong their mom is! I'll never give up and I'll show them to always go big and finish what you start. And in the end, hopefully, win it again!

Read Amber's full bio.

Hometown: Boston
Current residence: Pensacola, Florida
Previous seasons: Survivor: Marquesas (Season 4), Survivor: All-Stars (Season 8), Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20), Winner of Survivor: Redemption Island (Season 22), Mentor on Survivor: Island of the Idols (Season 39)
Occupation: Construction

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
I have my family because of Survivor!

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons?
Always got to adapt!

Read Rob's full bio.

Hometown: Atlanta
Current residence: Los Angeles
Previous seasons: Survivor: Cook Islands (Season 13), Winner of Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites (Season 16), Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (Season 20)
Occupation: Yoga Teacher, Life Coach, and Speaker

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
It opened up the competitive beast within, and it also gave me the opportunity to host TV shows, travel around the world as a journalist, and take pics with really excited fans at airports. I played three seasons when I was in my 20s and then processed my experiences for the last decade. I think the main reason that I am able to help people with my work as a life coach and yoga teacher is because I came through such intense experiences playing and winning Survivor and then afterward with the criticism and reality TV fame. I know what it's like to go after a goal with everything I have. I know in my bones how hard it is to be judged and found lacking. I know the sting of betrayal, and I also know that miracles happen all the time. No matter what it looks like, there is a way through every block.

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons?
I'm sure I will be targeted again right away like I was on Heroes vs. Villains. So, this time I will have to take into consideration that I may be on the outside looking in at first. There also may be some people playing with me that I have history with—probably not good history—and I will have to clear my mind and see them as totally new, like we're meeting for the first time. I plan to be more aggressive and sneaky in hunting Idols, distributing misinformation, letting other people lead and take credit, and really play up that I'm a new mom. I'm definitely not in as good of physical shape as I was the last few times I played, but I have a new stamina and capacity that comes from knowing that I can survive six months of sleep deprivation with a newborn. And, I know that I can connect with people in a completely different way as a mother.

Read Parvati's full bio.

Hometown: San Antonio
Current residence: San Antonio
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: One World (Season 24)
Occupation: Interior Designer

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
I needed a reset button for my own self-confidence and just in life in general. Survivor was the perfect thing at the perfect time; I believe it changed my trajectory going forward.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season?
My life has changed tremendously in the last seven years. My first go-round I was 28 and newly single, I coveted the escape and the adventure of Survivor. Since then, I got married and had three babies as fast as humanly possible. I think this will perhaps change everything about the way I play, I just don't know exactly how. My plan is to take this new season as a completely new and separate experience from the last!

Read Kim's full bio.

Hometown: Marion, Iowa
Current residence: Marion, Iowa
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: Philippines (Season 25)
Occupation: Therapist (LMHC, & AASECT Certified Sex Therapist)

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
I think Survivor has changed my life in many ways... but not because of the money. At the core, I remain the person I was before, which until very recently included driving the SAME car, now almost 12 years old, complete with dents and duct tape patching. But playing Survivor fueled parts of me that were always there, maybe untapped, or maybe pushed me to honor those parts. It's made me more open to life experiences in general, fueled the desire to travel, and now plays a huge part in our family motto of #GoSeeDo (go to places we don't normally get to go to, see people we don't normally get to see, do things we wouldn't normally do). Ultimately, it was a reminder that life is too short, so suck it up during the crappy parts, and embrace and appreciate the rest.

How will you play differently than you did in your past season?
My honest answer... I have no clue! LOL! Why?? Because we are who we are, good or bad, and once you're out on that island... all of the best-laid plans, intentions, etc. can quickly dissipate into a miserable mess. So in truth, the core of how I played the first time will remain: adapt, adapt, adapt. And hope that the Survivor "gods" are in my favor.

Read Denise's full bio.

Hometown: Jersey City, New Jersey
Current residence: Allendale, New Jersey
Previous seasons: Winner of Survivor: Cagayan (Season 28), Survivor: Game Changers (Season 34)
Occupation: Police Officer

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
Financially! After winning, it catapulted me to a higher tax bracket, where I have consistently stayed since!

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons?
I've played Survivor twice (Season 28 and 34)—I won once and lost once. I've learned that my game-winning performance was similar to that of a one-trick pony. There is no way I can perform the same tricks playing with Survivor legends and expect to get away with it. Hence my second time playing on Game Changers. Fortunately for me, I'm well aware that I will have to change the way that I'm wired. I will play this season differently by not being as loud/flashy and will try my best to control the votes/game without making it obvious that I'm doing just that. Wish me luck! LOL!

Read Tony's full bio.

Hometown: Williamsburg, Kentucky
Current residence: Williamsburg, Kentucky
Previous season: Winner of Survivor: David vs. Goliath (Season 37)
Occupation: Attorney

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
It made me realize what is important in life. I don't have to focus my career on making money. I can focus my life on my family and my career on helping people.

How will you play differently than in your past season?
When I won David vs. Goliath, I never received a single vote against me. I was able to disguise my strategic ability and knowledge of the game under my country accent and chill demeanor. I was able to fly under the radar and build one-on-one relationships with nearly every single player in the game. This time, if I don't receive a single vote the entire game, I will take it as an insult! Everyone has seen how brilliantly I play Survivor. These legends won't fall for alliance names and my Kentucky charm as easily as a cast of complete strangers did. I won't be able to hide behind bigger threats. So this time, I'm going to be even more aggressive. In short, I am going to have as much fun as possible in the beginning. This is my dream come true and I want to take it all in. Then, I am going to TURN IT ON. No player will be safe from the Kentucky Nick sneaky ninja assassin blindside! This game is where legends are made!

Read Nick's full bio.

Hometown: Lexington, Massachusetts
Current residence: Hillsborough, New Hampshire
Previous seasons: Winner of Survivor: Africa (Season 3), Survivor: All-Stars (Season 8)
Occupation: Social Entrepreneur and Keynote Speaker

What is one way that playing Survivor changed your life?
Oh, let me count the ways! In the "pinball machine" of life, one thing can change everything about a person's life. Survivor was that one thing. It gave me opportunities that I only dreamed of, I got to see the world, help make small differences in people's lives, got to meet incredible people across the globe, and brought joy and laughter to my family from all the crazy stories I got to tell after each adventure.

How will you play differently than you have in your past seasons?
The last time I played this game was in 2004 on Survivor: All-Stars... there were no Idols, hidden clues, advantages, or ways to get back into the game. And get this—we actually had to survive! The game has changed and so have I. I plan to adapt, have fun and push my mind, body, and spirit to the max.

Read Ethan's full bio.

Don't miss the season premiere of Survivor: Winners at War on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.