An Interview with "Survivor: Nicaragua" Castaway Dr. Jill Behm

" Survivor: Nicaragua " was met with mixed reviews. Even host Jeff Probst called it "not our best season". However, even the mediocre season introduced some fantastic castaways-- many of whom would have rocked the competition if they had started on a better tribe. (Clearly, the older vs. younger idea didn't go over as well as "Survivor" producers had hoped.)

One of these captivating castaways was none other than the intelligent and beautiful Dr. Jillian Behm. Originally from Erie, PA, Behm dominated the challenges over any other woman on the Espada tribe, and often performed better than many of the men. Behm took time out of her busy schedule to do an interview exclusively for Yahoo! Associated Content.

Candice Cain: What motivated you to apply for "Survivor: Nicaragua"?

Jill Behm: I have been a huge fan and applying to "Survivor" since 2002. The game appealed to me because I thought it was a good mix of athletic and intellectual competition.

CC: After the preliminary application, what other steps did you have to go through in order to get onto the show?

JB: I had gotten some semi-final callbacks interviews (2002 and 2007) but never made it any further. This year, I went right to LA for the finalist interviews and was able to get cast on the show.

CC: How long did it take from the time you applied until the time you found out that you were going to be a castaway?

JB: A couple of months. I found out for sure with about 3-4 weeks to go and started force feeding myself, I put on 20 pounds for the game.

CC: This season, castaways were divided by age. What was your reaction when you found out?

JB: I was bummed! I was worried we wouldn't be able to cut it in challenges, and that's pretty much the way it went until the tribe swap.

CC: This season, castaways were divided by age. What was your reaction when you found out?

JB: I was bummed! I was worried we wouldn't be able to cut it in challenges, and that's pretty much the way it went until the tribe swap.

CC: Yeah, the tribe swap screwed things up all around-especially for you, Yve and Marty. The three of you were just sitting ducks. What was your thought process right after the swap happened?

JB : Oh crap?! Yeah, we had complete control of our tribe, so when we swapped and went on to the LaFlor tribe down 5-3, I knew it was going to be next to impossible to weather it, and it was for me.

CC: You were totally gypped out of a chance for a million dollars when you were voted out before Marty. What do you think your strategy would have been if you made it to the merge without Marty?

JB: I would have tried to hook up with the minority alliances, maybe have gotten in with the Chase/Jane/Holly group.

CC: What was your favorite challenge?

JB: The digging in the sand challenge of course! I won my individual immunity then again vs. Holly in the ring toss to win the ka-bob feast for my tribe. I also liked the 'water polo' challenge where I threw against Chase as goaltender.

CC: You were fierce in the polo challenge! I literally cheered for you from my couch. What was your least favorite challenge?

JB: Probably the water wheel one, just because my part was just turning the wheel and I felt like I wasn't able to contribute much.

CC: Who was your favorite castaway this season?

JB: Marty of course.

CC: Nothing against Marty, but why? He just wasn't one of my favorite castaways this season. Did he get a bum wrap with the way he appeared on the aired episodes?

JB: Nah--he'll be the first to admit that he's cocky and arrogant, but he's also pretty grounded, and great family man. We had a lot in common and got along very will both in and now out, of the game.

CC: Who was your least favorite castaway in "Survivor: Nicaragua"?

JB: Jane. From her irrational hatred of Marty and I, to her hypocritical attitudes. But we have since put our differences aside, and get along.

CC: From the final three of Chase, Fabio and Sash, do you think the jury was right in choosing Fabio as the winner?

JB: I would have picked Chase. Mostly because I think he will spend the money a bit more wisely than Fabs.

CC: If you could have mapped out "Survivor: Nicaragua" from day one, who would you have put in the final three?

JB: Day One? I made an alliance at the Medal Of Power challenge with Marty and Yve, so us three!

CC: What is Jeff Probst really like?

JB: Very nice and personable, but in the game he is all business. He actually brought his entire family out to the finale, so we got to meet his mom, dad, sister and niece. They were all very lovely.

CC: We all know that they are edited for television, but how long would most tribal councils last?

JB: About 2 hours, maybe three. It's hard to tell, without having a watch as we did out there. Long. The stools got hard fast.

CC: Two to three hours?? Are you serious? Why did they last so long? Did you get any breaks?

JB: Nope, just sat there and tried not to fall off your stool. It was warm next to the fire and you would get sleepy...........................

CC: I have always wanted to apply to be on "Survivor" (regardless of how out-of-shape I am), but the thing that has prevented me from doing it is the toilet situation. I just can't fathom, well, not having a bathroom. Is that as bad as I think it is?

JB: Well, after you quit eating you quit needing the toilet, so it's not so bad? But yeah, it's rough sometimes.

CC: What was the biggest challenge you faced while on "Survivor: Nicaragua"?

JB: For me it was going without food definitely. I lost 20 pounds in 18 days. For some people (Marty, Dan, Holly) it was the lack of sleep and for others (NaOnka) it was the weather, but for me it was the lack of food I found the most difficult.

CC: Well, heck, that puts any diet plan I've ever heard of to shame. Since you brought up NaOnka, what was your reaction when she and Purple Kelly quit the game?

JB: I half understood it--I mean it was so hard out there, but with only 11 more days to go? And NaOnka just coming off of a reward challenge? Augh!

CC: If given the opportunity, would you ever do "Survivor" again?

JB: Absolutely!

CC: What is next for Dr. Jillian Behm?

JB: I am writing a novel--a fictional book about--of course--a doctor!

CC: How interesting! Can you give any details?

JB: It's about a doctor who travels back in time and is sort of forced to practice medicine without any of the modern medical technology he's used to and his adventure doing that.
CC: Let's do some fast favorites. Favorite food?

JB: Geez-- I like so many. Probably ice cream.

CC: Favorite color?

JB: Blue

CC: Favorite television show?

JB: Other than "Survivor", we watch " The Biggest Loser " and I am a huge fan of a now defunct CW show called " Firefly ".

CC: Favorite movie?

JB: " The Last of the Mohicans "

CC: Favorite actor?

JB: Edward Norton

CC: Favorite sports team?

JB: Pittsburgh Steelers

CC: Favorite vacation destination?

JB: The Caribbean

CC: Favorite book?

JB: I read the Bible pretty much every day, but for fun I like anything by Agatha Christie or Stephen King .