FOR former WACA partnership and brand manager Kat Dumont, taking a leap of faith and applying for Australian Survivor was the moment her life changed direction for the better.
Dumont is one of three West Australians castaway on the tropical island of Samoa, as part of the television series that starts on Sunday.
The 26-year-old, who earlier this year returned from a whirlwind trip overseas and quit her job at the WACA to take part in the show, described it as a lifelong dream.
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READ NOW“I have been an absolute fan of the show since I can remember and I’ve always thought if only I could compete in Survivor,” she said.
“Then when they were casting in Australia, I thought I’ve got no chance in hell but I don’t want to die wondering ‘what if’.”
“I applied and within an hour I got a call saying I made it through to the first round and it then snowballed from there.
“Even now I still pinch myself that I was chosen out of 15,000 applicants.
“I’m just an ordinary girl from Perth living out a lifelong dream, how lucky am I?”
With 23 contestants ranging in age from 23 to 62, it is the promotions featuring Dumont and fellow castaway Des that have tongues wagging.
The 59-year-old courier driver, who Dumont describes as a “character”, sees her as someone from the cafe latte set.
“I’m very girlie, I love to dress up, I’ve always done that so of course I was going to do that when I’m thrown on a desert island,” she said.
“It’s very true to who I am and because of that people underestimate me.
“My teammates and the competition came to realise I was more than my hat and winged eyeliner and that was cool though, I did like surprising them.
“Unfortunately good old Desmond doesn’t really like strong female characters and he really didn’t know how to handle me, that’s all I say about that.”
With a fresh outlook on life, Dumont said she was looking forward to the next chapter and was happy to see what opportunities came.
“I had a five year plan, a great career, when this opportunity came along,” she said.
“I took this leap of faith and quit my job and I left what I knew and went into this foreign institution and have come out on the other side.
“I can’t believe everything has worked out and I’ve fallen on my feet and for the first time in my life my future is unknown but that is so exciting.”
Australian Survivor airs on the Ten Network on Sunday.