The long-running actuality TV present Survivor has simply topped 52-year-old coronary heart valve specialist Mike Gabler from Kingswood, Texas, as its season 43 Sole Survivor.
However moreover besting different contestants within the present, the “Alligabler” can also be making historical past for various causes.
He’s the present’s second oldest Sole Survivor (Bob Crowley from Season 17 is the oldest winner at 57) and the primary Survivor winner to announce his plans to donate his prize of 1 million {dollars} to a trigger.
Mike has talked about his need to offer away his prize cash to deserving veterans. Now that he’s formally the present’s winner, he has an opportunity to make this plan a actuality.
This season, Survivor went again to the Fiji Islands. In its three-hour season finale, contestants Cassidy Clark, Owen Knight, and Mike Gabler made it to the ultimate three. Mike received after a 7-1-0 vote from the jurors. That was additionally the primary time his title was written down all through the season.
In an interview filmed proper after his win, Mike instructed Survivor host Jeff Probst that there are individuals who want this cash extra. He donated the a million {dollars} to honor his father, Robert Gabler, who was a Inexperienced Beret.
It’s a singular and beneficiant gesture, particularly as a result of Mike got here from a humble background. In accordance with Mike, he considers himself “lucky sufficient to return from a army household,” however they’re not rich.
Being part of Survivor is really the prospect and the journey of a lifetime. He’s all praises and admiration for the present and its affect on him and the opposite contestants. All the teachings they’ve realized are priceless and have made all of them higher.
After his stint with Survivor, Mike now appreciates how ‘wealthy’ he really is. He has a tremendous life, household, and mates again house. He additionally admitted he must work on being a greater husband, father, brother, and son, which he can’t wait to do when he goes house.
Wonderful issues occur on Survivor; that’s why many individuals watch it and why it’s on its forty third season. Giving the million-dollar prize to assist veterans in want is one other wonderful factor to occur on the present.
It’s a major sum of money that may assist veterans recovering from PTSD and different psychiatric issues and assist curb the suicide epidemic.
Earlier than becoming a member of the present, Mike talked to buddy, who additionally occurred to be a veteran. His buddy requested what if he received Survivor?
It acquired Mike considering. He’s constructed a pleasant monetary set-up and nonetheless has a number of years earlier than retirement. The prize cash can certainly assist pay for the home and his child’s faculty training.
However with all that’s occurring on the earth proper now, Mike can’t take the cash in good conscience. He can’t ignore the veterans who need assistance. So many males in his life are veterans: his dad, uncles, and lots of the guys he went to highschool with.
In accordance with Mike, these veterans saved him going throughout these difficult and lengthy days when he wished to faucet out. Occupied with them lit a hearth that drove him day in and time out, within the rain, within the solar, or within the chilly.
These veterans are his heroes. Though he by no means served, having the chance to serve them with this vital monetary contribution fills Mike’s coronary heart.
When requested why he didn’t convey up freely giving his winnings on the closing Tribal Council, Mike stated it crossed his thoughts. After which he instantly felt ashamed for even desirous about it.
He knew he wanted to win Survivor on his personal benefit. He selected to announce his plans after to make it depend as an actual win. Realizing his spouse is on board together with his plan to donate his prize additionally makes the victory sweeter! Watch the video right here:
