User blog comment:CambodiaAaron/Survivor: Honduras CONTESTANT APPLICATIONS!/@comment-32574574-20170923181029

Name: Rick Smith

Age: ​59

Current Residence: New England, MA

Occupation: ​Retired Store Manager

Personal Claim to Fame: ​Being able to come to terms with my sexuality. I came out as gay ten years ago, and it was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I knew I was gay since I was a little boy, and a lot of the scars and burns on my face were due to suicide attempts. When I came out to my then wife, she was understanding and we decided to divorce in January 2008. I felt like a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders.

Inspiration In Life: Believe it or not, my ex-wife, Marissa. I remember everything that happened on December 31, 2006, when I decided to light my car on fire in hopes of killing myself. If she didn't smell something burning and rush out to pull me out, I'd certainly would've perished in the fire, and left my two wonderful kids, Noah and Autumn without a father. I'm so thankful to have had a friend like her in my life, and to know that she was there to save me when I thought nobody was, is something I didn't deserve.

Hobbies: ​Visiting the store I once owned (I retired in 2013), playing with my dog, and spending time with my family

Pet Peeves: ​People who judge others due to stereotypes. There's nothing that will infuriate me more than people saying that gay people are all pedophiles and nonsensical stuff like that. I'm more than comfortable with my sexuality and I haven't laid a finger on a child in my life, I find that behavior to be disgusting.

3 Words to Describe You: ​Calm, Friendly, Loving

Survivor Contestant you are most like: ​I enjoyed watching Cirie Fields play the game to be honest. She was very underestimated by her tribe, which is what I expect my tribe will see me as, and that's okay. But Cirie proved to be a lethal force and a strategist that nobody could expect until it was too late.

Reason for Competing: ​I simply want to try something new, and I am a tough little cookie. I've been through hell in my past, and I've come to accept myself for my differences. I believe that I can be very likable, and also very friendly to everyone, which I believe will be an advantage for me in the game.

Why will your contestant win? I think that Rick has a decent chance of winning, IF he plays his cards right. He can be very social when he has to be, but knows that if a fight breaks out, to stay in the sidelines and wait for it all to defuse. Rick also knows that his age might target him as a weak link, so he'll try to back it up with his strategic game. Rick doesn't have as much physical capability as the other contestants, due to him being 59, but he's sure to give a good shot at the challenges nonetheless.

Trivia: ​Rick is based off of Amazing Race ​contestant and activist, Mel White (1940 - )

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