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‘Survivor’ was an entertainment “family staple” in Jake Latimer’s home while he was growing up in Regina.
But instead of watching the reality television series on CBS this season, Latimer will be a contestant.
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“It makes you grateful for all these little things back at home that you take for granted every single day,” he said, reflecting on his time on the reality show’s 49th season.
Latimer, who now lives in St. Albert, Alberta, said tough decisions came before he began filming the latest season.
He said his motivation to accept a role on the show surged while thinking of his father, Ken, who has glaucoma.
Alex Moore (left) stands with Jake Latimer while competing in a challenge on CBS’ Survivor. (Robert Voets/CBS)
“It’s gonna be the last season of ‘Survivor’ he’s actually gonna be able to see until he’s completely blind,” Latimer said. “That’s just a motivational factor for me, and so why not a better reason to be on the show now?”
Latimer applied for a spot on the reality series after seeing an ad for admissions at work. He currently works as a corrections officer in Alberta, a career which he said set him up with a variety of skills for the show.
“I’m a good talker,” he explained. “Manipulation is a big strength of mine, because I have to use that and work to keep myself safe.”
Kele Tribe from Survivor, Season 49, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (L-R): Jake Latimer, Sophi Balerdi, Alex Moore, Jeremiah Ing, Kimberely “Annie” Davis, Nicole Mazullo. (Robert Voets/CBS)
After getting a call telling him he was going to be a contestant on the show, Latimer said he discovered that the filming would take place during the period his was was expected to give birth.
It wasn’t until he got a push from his wife, Louise, that he eventually signed onto the show.
“There’s so many people that apply,” she said. “(He) had the chance to do it. Just go do it.”
The couple’s son was born happy and healthy while Latimer was thousands of kilometres away filming the show.
“Being down in Fiji, I thought about it a lot. It was on the top of my mind,” he said. “You’re playing ‘Survivor’ to to win the game and you’re playing to make alliances, but at the same time I’m thinking about this kid being born back at home.”
Louise said it was an emotional moment when she met Jake at the airport after he returned from the show.
“There was tears. There was laughter. He’s meeting (his son) for the first time,” she said. “It was a real emotional thing, seeing each other again… There’s no words to describe that feeling when he finally came home.”
Latimer said it was incredible meeting ‘Survivor’ host Jeff Probst, who he’s watched on TV for years.
“I’m telling you, it’s still something I dream about,” he said. “I’m not being a fan girl here at all, but pulling up to the island on those boats on the very first day, and Jeff Probst – the man himself – is just standing there with his forward hat on and his open-collared shirt… he was amazing.”
While the series has wrapped up production, Latimer is not yet allowed to reveal if he became the lone Survivor and won the series. The season will debut on Sept. 24.
“It was the experience of a lifetime,” Latimer said.
