Newport, R.I. - She didn't come home a millionaire, but Helen Glover of Middletown, R.I., said her life is far richer today for non-monetary gains after being a contestant on the CBS reality show, "Survivor: Thailand."
Now back in "civilization," the 47-year-old water survival instructor at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport reflected on the time spent last summer on Ko Tarutao Island where she vied to "outlast, outwit and outplay" 15 other castaways for a $1 million prize.
Assertive, competitive and witty, Glover made it to the final four competitors before being voted off on the 37th day of the 39-day adventure which aired last month.
"I never would have entered without intending to win," said Glover, who admits being too trusting cost her the game. "I am not a good loser."
The ultimate winner was Brian Heidik, a 34-year-old used car salesman from Quartz, Calif., who allied with Glover throughout the show. He eventually orchestrated a scheme to vote her off.
"I was furious," said Glover. "I was duped and duped good. There were two things I needed to hear from him...an apology, and that he did it (voted me off) because I was a threat."
Glover said their alliance was formed through a common hard work ethic. They regularly swam four miles round-trip every two days to bring fresh drinking water back to camp.
During her days on the island, she steered clear of controversial topics as religion and politics, and often bit her tongue to refrain from being too blunt.
"I had to use diplomacy, but the longer you're there, the real personality starts to come out."
The daughter of a career Marine, Glover said the military prepared her well. She credits her experience as a military child, the physical demands of her Navy job, and the military's philosophy for adaptability, team building, and respect for diversity.
"We transferred every year when my father was active duty," she said. "I had to learn to roll with the punches, adapt real quick, and learn how to make friends."
Glover's interest to apply piqued as she watched fellow Middletowner Richard Hatch compete and win the $1 million prize on the inaugural Survivor in fall 2000. Her husband, Jim, challenged her to apply.
Although her application looked impressive on paper, an accompanying video made her stand out among 65,000 others. The video showed teaching a simulated class and demonstrating water survival tactics.
"I just showed what I do every day... working in a physically demanding job that is non-traditional for a woman."
She was among 500 selected in the first round, and was interviewed in Boston. She made it through the next cut as one of 48 finalists and was flown to Hollywood for two weeks of intense interviews, plus physical, I.Q. and psychological testing.
Once on the island, it wasn't long before she realized that physical conditioning was only part of the equation. It also took mental strength.
She was selected for the tribe, Chuay Gahn, which everyone immediately ridiculed.
"We weren't young enough, pretty enough or appeared athletic enough, but our determination and maturity helped maintain focus and stay strong as a team."
For the most part, Glover said the challenge was easier than she envisioned. But nothing was more challenging than fighting starvation.
The basic diet consisted of boiled leaves, coconut, mussels and soup with a trace of crabmeat.
"It was basically flavored water," said Glover, who estimates she lost about 30 pounds.
"After a while you'd start losing mental faculties, along with body weight. You couldn't focus. We went to bed hungry and woke up to no food."
During memory games played at night, the contestants sometimes had trouble recalling their own addresses and phone numbers.
The highlight of the ordeal was a 24-hour visit by her husband. In a contest, he beat out relatives of the other contestants by swallowing ants, grubs, a water bug and a tarantula.
Did the game change her personality?
Chris Hague, Glover's supervisor at the pool, said Helen is still Helen, only intensified.
"The only change is physical," said Hague, referring to Glover's weight loss. "Her family still comes first, she's self-assured and very focused."
Co-worker Karen Ferris agreed. "She came back down to earth...the same as when she left," she said. "The attention hasn't changed her a bit."
Glover said before Survivor she tended to compete with the neighbors ... to keep up with the Joneses. "Now even with the big check ($70,000 before taxes) I'd stop and ask myself, 'do I really need this.' I hope I don't lose that attitude."
She values the small things she used to take for granted, such as pillow under her head, a sheet to cover her body, and the ability to go to the refrigerator any time she wants.
Jim Glover said his is wife is tough, resilient and quite able of taking care of herself. But after living with nothing but the clothes on her back and foraging for food every day, she is much more appreciative.
"She was deprived for so long, that she is not as interested in the creature comforts...she is satisfied with what she has," he said.
The experience heightened her sense of family unity. Absence does make the heart grown fonder, she said.
"I now know how proud my kids are of me. Maybe they always thought it, but I got to hear it. That made it all worth it for me.
"If my biggest problem was trusting too much and it cost me the game, it wasn't a bad way to come out," she said. "I came back with my integrity intact."