Survivor star Sarah Marschke spills beans on life behind scenes

Despite growing up in regional Qld playing rugby league, AFL and competing at beauty pageants, a Sydney CEO had to find her inner ‘mongrel’ when she competed on TV show Survivor.

Bundaberg girl Sarah Marschke has revealed what life is really like on Survivor.

Sarah Marschke may now be a Sydney CEO, but the 23-year-old high achiever still puts her regional Queensland hometown number one.

The Miss World Australia winner for 2019 and an International Miss World competition entrant, Ms Marschke cut her teeth for success on Bundaberg’s footy fields from the age of four.

Bullied for being one of the first girls in the city to play rugby league, she recalls days when people would tell her mother it was not a sport for girls.

At 13, she was scouted as a model.

But she would also continue to star in the sporting world, going on to represent the state before moving over to AFL.

Former Miss World Australia Sarah Marschke competed in Australian Survivor: Heroes V Villains which began on Channel 10 on Monday, January 30, 2023. Picture: Channel 10/Supplied

Following her footy dreams, she made the move to Sydney to join her brothers who were also accomplished athletes.

But even with a lifetime of footy and fitness in her background, nothing quite prepared her for the time she spent on this year’s season of Australian Survivor.

Voted off the Villains tribe, she was blindsided at tribal council on Day 14.

It’s a move she never anticipated, and Ms Marschke said she was shocked to look at episodes of the show and see what people were really saying about her.

Sarah Marschke says the mental element of being on Survivor is tougher than the physical challenges. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“The thing that shocked me the most was that I had no idea what my teammates were saying about me,” she said.

“I played it a bit too nice and I got stabbed in the back.

“You’ve got to be brutal and I just wasn’t brutal enough.”

Ms Marschke says the weeks spent filming the show in Samoa were much more gruelling than anyone watching from home could realise and how quickly her perception changed.

“I was like, what a beautiful location. I thought I’d be laying around and tanning every day, what a dream,” she said.

In reality, the young CEO was tired, drenched by rain and went days without food.

“TV makes it out to be a lot nicer than it is,” she said.

“You must find food to survive, you must make friends.”

Sarah Marschke is also a singer. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The mental health toll was also significant, with Ms Marschke saying being away from home, low on food an in the elements while a physical and mental game was playing out was like nothing she could have expected.

“I can confirm everything you see on the TV is happening, but there’s so much more behind the scenes,” she said.

“No one knew there was a cyclone, six days without food and we were in drenched clothes.”

But Ms Marschke knew going on a TV Show like Survivor was something she had to do – to prove she could let her “mongrel” out.

“I wanted to be taken seriously and prove it to myself and everyone,” she said.

“I was doing it for all the models out there, all the beauty queens.”

By the time she was voted out, Ms Marschke said she was “thrilled”.

She is still watching the game with a keen eye, but admits she still struggles with realising she does not have to go looking for food.

“Certain things will trigger you,” she said.

Whether it’s the footy field or fashion, she’s in her element. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Like I’ll see a coconut and go ‘yuck’ because it’s all I ate.”

Ms Marschke has settled back into her role as CEO at disability support service Our Choice, a concept her mother’s work as a special education teacher inspired and the fact she started volunteering at age 12.

“There’s never a bad day at work, I love my job,” she said.

“I’m very grateful I’ve been able to do this.”

And when it comes to her hometown of Bundaberg, Ms Marschke has nothing but good words.

“I love my home,” she said.

“There’s no place like home for me.”

Sarah starred on Survivor.

Her words of advice are to do what makes you happy, no matter the obstacles.

Despite achieving so much for her age, Ms Marschke remembers being told she was not the most academic student.

“I wanted to make an impression on the world, and I did that,” she said.

“No matter where you’re born, poor or wealthy, it’s important just to go for it and not be scared … grab opportunities.

“Do whatever makes you happy. Take those opportunities and run with them.”

While she was being placed on the Survivor Villains team, Ms Marschke says she has forged a renewed connection with her fans and supporters.

“I haven’t received this much love in a very long time,” she said.

“I prepared myself for the worst when I entered Survivor and I’ve had nothing but love.”

Ms Marschke, who is also a singer, is planning new music. Watch this space.

Originally published as Survivor star Sarah Marschke spills beans on life behind scenes