Lyrsa Torres

Lyrsa María Torres-Vélez is a contestant from.

Profile
Retrieved from CBS.com

Age: 36

Hometown: Puerto Rico

Current residence: Boston

Occupation: Airline Agent

Hobbies: Kickboxing, writing, and drawing.

Pet peeves: I can't stand a dirty kitchen, people that won't stop talking about themselves, and unnecessary continuous noises.

Three words to describe you: Overachiever, funny, and resourceful.

What's your personal claim to fame? Going back to school and making it to grad school.

Who or what is your inspiration in life? My hero is my mom, but please don't tell her! She went back to college after 40 years, completed her undergrad with a dual concentration and graduated Cum Laude way before I did. I saw her overcoming her fears and school struggles. She never gave up and we even took classes together!

If you could have three things on the island what would they be and why? My sketch book with a pencil for drawing and writing. The book 100 Years of Solitude because it's one of my favorites. My kickboxing gloves to practice.

Which Survivor contestant are you most like? Probably Sandra. Her first two seasons with the "as long as it's not me' and playing low key until the end was good. I would also have eaten that goat if possible on . It's food!

What's your reason for being on Survivor? I want to prove to myself and my friends that I can do this. I've been a fan of the show since the first season, although sometimes I forget some details. My friends think that just because I don't go camping, I can't do it. This is also a social game, not just physical, and I think I can outwit and outlast just being me and using my brains. I also have student loans and a Ph.D to pay. I would also like to win the game for parents and friends. After Hurricane Maria, things got very hectic back home in Puerto Rico, and I would love to be able to help them.

Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor? I might not be a physical threat, although I have been doing kickboxing for about four months, but I think studying other contestants, using their weaknesses to my advantage and keeping a good social game, I would win. I am mostly relying on my social game. I will vote off people but my relationships with them would be real. I am a very loyal, honest person, so I would try not to backstab people, but it's a game and I want to win.