Matt Von Ertfelda Interview

The 6th season of the Amazon is often remembered for the strong strategic gameplay of Rob Cesternino and doesn’t often give a lot of the other male contestants a decent legacy. However the runner-up of that season Matt Von Ertfelda certainly is a contestant who perhaps deserves more credit and love from that season. Through an interesting journey of discovery and some would say ‘crazy’ moments, Matt never seems to get the credit he deserves for making it all the way to the end and for his time on the show. Today we bring you a chat that just might change your opinion of him, and in our second ever written interview for this site, Matt goes over everything from his amazing life as an adventurer right through to why it was Rob following him and not the other way around.

You are the 7th person from Amazon to appear on the show so a big welcome and thanks for joining us!

Pleasure is mine

Amazing to think it’s been over 10 years now since your time on Survivor, does it feel as though it’s been that long and is it surprising to still be asked to do interviews like this?

Survivor continues to fascinate people so not surprised it drives the conversation still…a decade already? Crazy…

You seemed to have a very strong adventure background before you went into the game, is that what drew you into going on the show? Did you apply or were you recruited?

Yes, was intrigued by the physical and mental challenges and felt the show aligned perfectly with my style of adventure. Applied directly…

Had you watched much of the first 5 seasons? Did you go in with any strategy or other person’s gameplay you wanted to emulate?

Completed exhaustive research online but went into the show expecting to adapt and flex as things progressed…strategy was to lay in the shadows and drive decisions through others, which got me to second but cost me the win ultimately…

The twist obviously to have men vs. women was a big talking point of the season, how did this affect your gameplay initially early on?

Not much. If anything I expected it might help given my indomitable charm and charisma 😉

Who were some of the people you bonded with early that perhaps we didn’t get to see on camera?

Ryan before he got ixnayed…

Given your experience in travelling and adventuring were you excited to be in the Amazon of all places?

Yes, absolutely. Was a dream to finally get there and, for someone who lives a challenge, who could ask for better circumstances?

The first challenge is lost, the men go to tribal first of all and you decided to side with the younger men to go after Roger. What drew you into siding with them early on and was it a shock to see Ryan as the first voted out?

Camaraderie and trust that we had a solid majority. Definitely surprised when things did not go as planned…

Were you worried after that vote that you would be in trouble? How did you counter that?

Yes, clearly. Countered this by kicking ass in subsequent challenges and leveraging my strength and survival skills to convince others along the way that I was valuable.

You soon bonded with Daniel over your ability to speak Mandarin, but before long you had to vote him out. How hard was that moment for you?

Not bad as he knew it was inevitable. He was completely cool with the brutal reality of the game.

You soon turned provider, helping to catch some pretty big fish. Did you feel this secured your position at that point?

Nope, just momentarily kept folks at bay…never felt I had a secure position ever in the game, which is probably why I made it to second place…

The switch comes; you go along to Jaburu with Alex, Rob & Dave. What was going through your head when that was announced? Did you feel it was going to ruin your game?

Not too worried actually at the time, rather excited for a change of scenery…

Did you approach or have any women approach you initially after the switch that again we perhaps didn’t get to see?

Yes, but not sure I can talk about it. I definitely lobbied behind the scenes to secure my place…

It was at this point that Rob approached you for an alliance. What was your take of Rob at this point in the game? Was he trustworthy? Did you feel he was playing or using you?

I figured he was playing the game and that we were using and playing one another. There was no hiding the fact that he needed me and I needed him at different points during the game.

He ultimately saved you after Jaburu lost the immunity and he decided to go after Shawna rather than you. Do you feel this was the right decision long term for the tribe and Rob heading into the merge?

Not quite right. There were several people involved in that voting block. It was a good decision as it made certain players a little less confidant and vulnerable, players who ultimately got the boot later because of their egos and hubris.

After this point Rob really started to work his magic and control in the game. Was any of this evident out there during filming or was it all a real surprise when you came back and saw it all on TV?

Nothing too surprising. Was aware of everyone who was voted out well in advance as I was a part of each voting block…

That infamous immunity challenge, Heidi and Jenna strip for chocolate and peanut butter. First question is what was it like an observer to that live and second question what food would it take for you to strip naked?

Haha, it was actually hilarious when it occurred although most of us were numb to it given the conditions. Personally I could only concentrate on staying balanced so could barely appreciate the show…

Around this point you seemed to go…how will I put this…crazy! We saw the eyes, the machete sharpening and some of your fellow contestants looked like they were getting slightly scared. Was this a plan to do so? Was it overblown? What was your take on how this was portrayed?

Pure entertainment value. Loved the editor’s exaggerated take on my questionable sense of humour.

You escaped the vote again; did you always feel as though you were being targeted? It did seem as though you were unaware people were constantly targeting you?

I was always aware from the beginning. I carried a target since the first tribal council so it was a tough game every day of the competition. But I love a challenge and had no issue people gunning for me. Builds character 😉

Did you feel as though Rob had taken you under his wing and you were just playing along with his plan or was there more to it than perhaps it was shown on TV?

Initially sure, he was a frequent confidant, but toward the end he was more reliant on me than anyone, a role reversal which saw little play.

When you bought that burger and fries for $400, was that the best $400 you ever spent?

It was without a doubt a damn good burger…

You admitted you had a weak strategical game. Did you believe this to be true? A lot of people have often said your game and strategic game in the Amazon is severely underrated.

Actually I think my strategy worked well as it secured me second place. Only regret is I did not spend the time to coddle other participants along the way to secure votes in the end, and was a bit too covert / modest in trumpeting successes later in the game…

The reward challenge where you got the right to see your mum that was then taken away once you gave up that right for everyone else to see their loved ones, how hard was it at that point for you? And deep down did you think that Jeff would allow you to see her anyway like he ultimately did?

Not hard at all. I had spent considerable time away from home living all around the world and was never dependent on others for confidence or comfort. Had no inkling I would see my mom…

The Christy vote was a big turning point, with Rob ultimately getting you to swing to take her out instead of Heidi. Do you feel had Heidi gone at that point instead of Christy that Jenna could’ve followed next and would’ve given you a better shot at winning the game?

Actually it was not his decision here, but one pushed by both rob and me. Christy would not commit to our voting block so had to go. No choice but to preserve a male majority which we felt was more important than risking Christy voting butch or rob or me out.

What was it like winning the car? And did you keep it after the show?

I never thought I would complete that puzzle and win. Completely unexpected. The food was amazing!!!

The camp burnt down and you came back and were pretty noble in saying to not to blame anyone. Did you have any ideas though as to who actually did it?

I think ultimately I did as I was the one who stacked the wood, alongside butch…

Had Jenna not won immunity the night Butch went home, would she have gone? How do you feel the final 3 of you, Butch and Rob would’ve turned out? Who would’ve you taken to the end?

Yes, she would have. Butch for sure…

The key though at that point when Butch went was the final 2 deal you made with Jenna. What drew you into making that deal with her given your longstanding relationship with Rob?

I had alliances with both Jenna and rob at that point, thus guaranteed a final spot…

You pulled a ‘Richard Hatch’ in the final challenge knowing that whoever would win would take you. Why were you so adamant about this and were you worried at all this wouldn’t work?

Not worried at all given alliances in place. Plus it was hard and I would not have lasted long anyway…

Would Rob have taken you to the end had he won? Do you feel you would’ve had a better chance against Rob at the FTC?

Yes, probably. No, likely still would have placed second.

During your FTC speech you mentioned you had played ‘honourably’. Not sure if you have stayed up with the game in modern times Matt and seen Coach play, but he based his entire gameplay essentially on playing ‘honourably’. Do you honestly believe that you can play Survivor with honour and still win it?

Yes, think so. I only had to betray one person and that was unavoidable. At least during our season, I feel I was one of the few who kept his character and morals intact right up to the end.

At the end of that FTC, how did you feel you had gone? Did you give yourself any shot?

None…but enjoyed the confrontation nonetheless…

What was that waiting like after it had wrapped right through to when the votes were announced?

Not a big deal as I was certain I had not won but had played a great game, overcoming significant odds to finish second.

Were you happy to at least get one vote in the end or did you expect more?

Sure, butch owed me anyway. I taught him how to fish after all 😉

Were you happy with the reaction and reception from the fans and people on the street? Did you feel as though you were accurately portrayed?

Loved the fans. I received so many emails and letters. Tons of ego candy and support. Could not have asked for a better reaction from fans across the world. Accurately portrayed, not really buy that’s the nature of reality TV. Whatever is deemed most entertaining wins.

Who have you kept in touch with since the season ended from your season or other seasons?

Butch, Jenna, Daniel…

Have you ever been asked back again to play? If so for what seasons? And if not would you play again if asked?

No, but would be unlikely to accept as I feel I beat the odds the first time. Also, like my job and have enjoyed many, even greater, more challenging adventures since survivor…

Do you still watch the show? If so what do you think of how it’s developed over the years?

Do not…

What was your take on Rob and Jenna on All-Stars?

Never saw it…but hope they represented us well!

You’re still a very busy and active man travelling the world and going on countless adventures. What is it exactly that you do and have your travels ever brought you to Australia? And if they have you been to Tasmania?

I have been doing a lot of endurance racing – Antarctic ice marathon and 100k ultra, jungle marathon, marathon des sables, etc…keeps me fit and travelling to exotic places…writing a book on recent adventures now in its second draft…have been to Sydney but not travelled widely there. Really want to go to Darwin…would like to see Tasmania…

What else has been happening in your life since Survivor?

Running, adventuring and writing…

We have now some listener questions sent in, first off from Shiun Nephridia who asks when making your favourite dinner, what service vessels and seasoning do you use?

Ahhh…my girlfriend’s famous pasta with breadcrumbs and Italian ham…only prosciutto, olive oil, breadcrumbs and parm…excellent…

Will Hatch says Matt, first of all I loved you on the show. You have more fans than you realize. What I want to know is this: At the time Amazon was airing, there were some people who speculated that you were “playing dumb” with Rob to get him to trust you, and when he did let you into the fold, you subtly were influencing his decision making in order to steal power from him. How true is this, if at all? Secondly, how good is your Swedish? You should be very fluent by now. 🙂 What other languages have you learned in the time between Amazon and now?

Your sources are very astute. Chose to play down my skills and experience and come off as less threatening as I was targeted from early on. My Swedish now is rough…but you can blame that on my now ex girlfriend;) unfortunately I haven’t picked up any new languages, just retained my mandarin and Spanish, with a bit of German and bahasa Indonesia…

Jorge Alvarado says Matt, how did you feel when you answered Colin Powel to Dave’s jury question and then Jenna answered with her mum?

That my answer was in keeping with my strategy during the game…

Kodi Ross says If Jenna had taken Rob to the end and voted you off in 3rd, who would you have voted for to win in that moment? Can you ask him about the final Immunity Challenge? There have been rumours that all 3 of them figured out how to cheat it and that it had to be changed in some way. Not sure if that’s at all true.

I would still have voted for rob as he never faltered during the game and proved pretty adaptable, even when not in the driver’ seat.

Tyler Barnick says Matt, what would you have done differently in Amazon to win the game?

Would have built more individual / personal relationships and been more obvious about behind the scenes strategies…

Simon Knyvett says Why was he sharpening the machete so much? Who would he have killed on his season of Survivor? Has he ever been asked back? Anybody other than Colin Powell give him inspiration now?

Was planning to fix some melted / damaged shoes and fashion them into sandals. Get my inspiration from great writers and storytellers, books and film…

Ryan Dennison asks Was it disappointing to see the Amazon duo go out 16th and 15th on All-Stars?

Did not see it, but reading it now, yes…

Matthew Goldberg asks If you won the final immunity challenge, would you have taken Jenna or Rob?

Rob…

Spencer Wilson asks Matt, did you realize how… Feral you came off? Like the machete sharpening or downing the bug without chewing.

Yes, but its all good and in keeping with my personality and my always questionable sense of humour;)

Johnny Acosta asks What happened with the Christy vote? You loved her at final 7 then at final 6 we never got to hear why you turned on her.

She was indecisive and unpredictable. At the time she would not commit so we had to take action.

Liam Jack asks How did you react to the odd editing dissonance between you and Jenna at the end of the season?

Did not really notice…

Chance Armstrong says Before the final votes were read you seemed almost positive you didn’t win. Did you have any conversations with the jury between the end of FTC and the reading of the votes where they revealed their votes.

No, just gut and intuition. Did not take a rocket scientist to know where the voting would go…

We always wrap up our interviews Matt with a set of 6 questions to close it out with some opinions on Survivor! Now if you haven’t watched much since your season, feel free to answer these as best as you can! First question, what are three things about Jeff Probst you learnt during your time on Survivor?

Nice guy, pretty even keel, good at sparking friction…

Question number two, what is your favourite and least favourite season of Survivor?

(No Answer)

Question number three, who to you is the sexiest ever contestant?

Not sure, there was someone at our survivor party from season 1 thru 6 who I found stunning…her name escapes me…

Question number four, who to you is the greatest player NEVER to have won?

(No Answer)

Question number five, who is your least favourite winner?

(No Answer)

And the final question today, Matt Von Ertfelda, who to you is the greatest player in the history of Survivor and why?

Gotta go with Boston rob as he is from my home state…and stretched his brand beyond survivor to amazing race, etc with good success…

Massive thanks to Matt for taking the time to fill in our questions! We hope to get Matt on at some stage in the future for an audio interview!