I Just Found Out The Insane Way Savannah Trained For Survivor 49, And I Don’t Think I Could Have Done It

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When I’m relaxing at home, I often imagine how well I’d do on Survivor in Fiji. I think I’d be a strong competitor, build good relationships, and last as long as possible. But I usually don’t consider the realities of the game – like how exhausting it is to sleep on the ground or how hungry you get. Actually, the recent winner, Savannah Louie, described her preparation for the latest season, and it sounded so intense I don’t think I could have handled it.

Louie recently shared how seriously she prepared for the upcoming CBS reality series before it airs in 2025. She explained that she began preparing roughly three months beforehand, focusing on both mental and physical conditioning. As part of this, she fasted completely once a week to get ready for the challenges of the show, which is filmed in Fiji.

I wanted to simulate the experience of being on Survivor, where you don’t get much nutrition. I figured it would prepare me to work out even when I was depleted. Looking back, it sounds a little crazy, but I’d have a final meal on Sunday evening and then work out that night – usually hot yoga. Then I’d do two workouts on Monday and one on Tuesday, before finally eating another meal either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.

I mean, that’s hardcore, and even Louie admitted it was “insane.” I’m a gym girlie myself, but anyone who has ever worked out knows the hunger kicks in almost immediately after a lifting session or any intense cardio. OK, maybe not if you’ve just eaten a big meal, but Savannah was clearly not eating prior to these workouts. She confirmed in her Instagram post she was doing 48-60 hour fasts while doing activities like yoga several times a day!

She also adjusted her diet leading up to the game. She started prioritizing electrolytes and, like many Survivor players, eliminated all coffee and caffeine a month beforehand – a change she described as really difficult. She stopped eating sugar, except for what’s naturally found in fruit, and gave up alcohol, though she admitted she didn’t drink much anyway.

Many contestants on Survivor adjust their diets and avoid caffeine and alcohol before the competition. However, Savannah took her preparation to a much higher level. We’ve often heard stories about the difficulties players face when they first arrive, and quitting nicotine before hitting the beach is a common challenge, with Shane and Peih Gee being notable examples. But for me, the most impressive sacrifice Louie made was completely cutting out water during her training.

I deliberately avoided drinking water during my workouts. I was trying to train my body to function without it, preparing for the possibility that we wouldn’t have access to water during games. That’s pretty much what I was doing.

Playing Survivor is incredibly challenging, even without considering the complex social dynamics that make it such a compelling reality show. While Kristina criticized Savannah Louie’s social strategy in the finale, Savannah was well-prepared for the physical and mental challenges the show threw her way. This likely contributed to her winning the title of Sole Survivor.

Savannah Louie is coming back for the highly anticipated Survivor 50, and I’m excited to see how her strategy changes this season and what she did to prepare. While we’re waiting for the new episodes, Mack Rawden from TopMob has suggested rewatching Season 49, which is a great way to pass the time.

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2025-12-22 02:40