Townsville mum, stand-up comedian Indy Saleh to represent North Queensland in Australian Survivor season 10 Brains vs Brawn

The business development manager turned comedian, now turned Australian Survivor contestant has revealed how she prepped for the world-renowned series ahead of its premiere.

Australian Survivor Season 10 contestant Townsville comedian, Indy Saleh. Photographer: Nigel Wright

She’s conquered business and she’s conquered the comedy stage, now the North Queensland mum has conquered Survivor island after filming the latest season and sitting on the edge of her seat with the rest of us waiting for the show to air.

While Townsville residents can often find Indy Saleh at Osk for monthly stand-up comedy events, they will soon be able to find her on the T.V. competing in Australian Survivor season 10 Brains vs Brawn.

“To be honest, not even trying to be bias because it was my opinion before I went on the game, but it is the most outstanding, most remarkable, the most interesting, the most engaging,” she said.

“When you watch it from home you tend to be hyper-critical of what people do, you really take for granted the thing they’re enduring, for example being hungry and it’s a real factor in the game.”

Australian Survivor Season 10 contestant Townsville comedian, Indy Saleh. Photographer: Nigel Wright

The mother of one, business development manager and stand-up comedian said she was just as excited as everyone else for the show to air on February 17.

“When you’re inside the game it’s insular and you can’t see the whole picture,” she said.

“It won’t be until we’re all watching it with everyone else that we get the full image.

“It’s just as exciting for us as it is for every other person out there who can’t wait for it to air and it has nothing to do with seeing our ridiculous mugs on T.V.”

Saleh, who travels to Cairns for gigs, said she had prepared for the upcoming season by re-watching previous seasons and becoming familiar with other contestant’s strategies.

“I did have a chat with myself to reconcile before I went and said ‘whatever it is, it will be and I’m good with that’,” she said.

“As far as the physical side goes, in the six months leading up to it I actually had let myself fitness go, I hold pads for boxers doing boxing training and I let it slide for a while for various reasons, mostly ice cream if I’m being honest.

Australian Survivor Season 10 contestant Townsville comedian, Indy Saleh. Photographer: Nigel Wright

“I consulted with a good friend whose a personal trainer who said ‘don’t go nuts, don’t try and lose all the body fat because it’s not just physical fitness it’s deprivation of food’, even coffee, all the niceties, showers, access to toilets.”

The number one question the comedian has had from family and friends is whether or not the show is scripted.

“The answer is, it’s as real as it looks,” she said.

“No one tells you who to vote for or how to play the game. They give you support and keep a close eye on your health and wellbeing but you’re as much on your own as it appears.”

The Survivor contestant is looking forward to being the only representative from up north and even more so looking forward to represent her 25-year-old son.

“I’m not reserved, I’m not quiet, I’m not conservative,” she said.

“He knows all of that so he was like Australia is going to know who you are, are you prepared for that? And I was like, I will just make sure to tell them I’m your mother.”

Viewers can watch the show on February 17 at 10 or 10 Play.

Originally published as Townsville mum, stand-up comedian Indy Saleh to represent North Queensland in Australian Survivor season 10 Brains vs Brawn