Michael Skupin

Michael David "Mike" Skupin is a contestant from and.

Skupin holds the distinction of being the first ever person to be medically evacuated from the competition after he fell into the fire at camp. His wounds were too severe to be treated on location and narrowly missed out on potentially merging.

Australian Outback
Michael Skupin co-founded a software publishing and distribution company in 1992 where he currently serves as president. He also founded the CCA, which is a motivational speaking company. He attended Western Michigan University where he earned a bachelor of business management in 1984. His previous employment includes office equipment sales, surgical and operating room equipment sales, and a water-ski instructor. He is most proud of his wife Peni and his three children, Michael, Kalyn and Emily.

Skupin describes himself as adventurous, a thrill-seeker, and a risk taker. His favorite television shows are ESPN's SportsCenter / Primetime (to compare notes with his son) and Seinfeld while his favorite motion picture is Meet Joe Black. Although he's a big fan of Faith Hill, he listens to a variety of music including Top 40, Country, Christian and has a soft spot for Oldies. His favorite sports teams are any team from Michigan, especially the University of Michigan Wolverines. Amid his hectic schedule, Skupin finds time to hunt, barefoot water-ski and play ice hockey. He'll also play a good game of Scattegories if time permits.

Originally from Farmington Hills, Michigan, Skupin currently lives in White Lake, Michigan with his wife and three children. They have 2 Black Labradors, Thor and Simeon and lots of wild fish and wild birds. His birth date is January 29, 1962.

Philippines
Name (Age): Michael Skupin (50) Previous Season: Survivor: The Australian Outback Previous Finish: Medical Evacuation due to severe burns received after passing out into a fire from smoke inhalation. After inhaling a thick cloud of smoke, I passed out and fell forward into the fire suffering severe burns all over my body, the worst of which was on my hands. Tribe Designation: Tandang, Dangrayne Current Residence: White Lake, Mich. Occupation: Professional speaker, author and coach Personal Claim to Fame: I have seven of them that I feed everyday – my children. And, ranking 23rd on TV Guide and TV Land's List of the 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments. It’s an honor to have been there when it all started! Inspiration in Life: My dad, a true warrior who lost a battle to cancer when he was 28 and my mom who battled emphysema for 17 years and never complained. She taught me what "tough" was. Hobbies: Sports and fitness, coaching my kids and anything to do with water… in it, on it, over it, looking at it or listening to it. Pet Peeves: Negativity and pessimism. The glass is always full. 3 Words to Describe You: Adventurous, spontaneous and competitive. If You Could Have 3 Things on The Island What Would They Be and Why? 1) Animals to hunt for food. 2) An impenetrable shelter. 3) An unbreakable alliance. Reason for Being on SURVIVOR: To avenge a long-standing internal battle, wondering if I can win this game in spite of the changes and my 12 year absence. No matter what any returning player may say, you never stop thinking about going back. And: 7 cars when they turn 16, 7 college educations, 7 weddings… I want to be there for my kids at all times when they need me. Why You Think You’ll “Survive” SURVIVOR: The physical part I’m ultra prepared for. I never stop moving. The survival part won’t be an issue. I grew up in the woods. My crazy family life has prepared me exceptionally for the mental part. I’m surviving seven kids! Why You Think You Will Be the Sole SURVIVOR: There is no other returning player in the history of this game with more to prove than me. I’ll find a way to win, whatever it takes! I won’t give up… ever, ever, ever, ever!

Survivor: The Australian Outback
Michael proved useful to the Kucha in being able to carry heavy loads of things to their camp. He tried to take control of the building of their shelter on Day 1, despite Rodger having more experience in the field of construction, though it didn't seem to annoy anyone except for Debb, who voiced her resentment of him taking control. After losing the first immunity challenge, Michael participated in the unanimous vote off of Debb.

On Day 4, Michael woke up early and put rice on the fire. This upset some of his tribe because they were not hungry and considered it a waste of their limited food supply. Michael claimed he was trying to make food for the tribe before they woke up, but some thought he made the rice because he himself was hungry.

The rice turned out bad, but Mike was shocked that they not only didn't appreciate it, but they didn't like it. He claimed that his tribe was getting edgy without food, and that they weren't aware how bad it was going to get. He decided to go fishing to at least provide his tribe a full meal. Another reason for his fishing was because during Kucha's first tribal council he was singled out as the leader, a position he wished to avoid. By catching fish, he hoped to shy away from the leadership position and to focus on the one activity. By catching fish he only further put himself in a bad position though by referring to himself as the 'leader' and focusing on his accomplishments.

On Day 6, still on his quest to provide food for the camp, Michael set out in hunt of a wild pig, generating controversy among fans. He crafted a spear with a stick and a knife, which only worried his tribe because it was their only knife and they did not want to lose it.

After they won chickens in the fourth reward challenge, Michael felt threatened he may become useless as a food provider now, and decided to kill and eat the chickens as soon as possible. In Day 17, while tending the camp fire, Skupin inhaled its smoke and passed out, and accidentally fell into the fire, burning his hands. He immediately jumped into the cold Herbert River waters to ease the pain. The Survivor Medics immediately airlifted him out of the game. Before leaving, the five remaining Kuchas vowed to win to his honor.

Post-Survivor

 * Skupin released an autobiography entitled Fireproof.

Trivia

 * Michael is the first contestant to be medically evacuated from the show.
 * Michael's luxury item in was War paint.
 * Skupin holds the record of the longest time between seasons for a returning contestant, spanning 11.5 years (23 seasons).
 * According to Rodger Bingham, Skupin and him were considered for and  as returning players.
 * Michael stated in his interview that it took a full year for his hands to completely heal after the fire accident in Australia.
 * Michael is one of five castaways (the others being Rob Mariano, Shii Ann Huang, Bobby Jon Drinkard and Russell Swan) that returned for a second season despite not reaching the merge/Jury phase in their original season.
 * Michael is the only returning contestant to never receive a vote against in all of their seasons.
 * Both Michael and Lisa Whelchel never received a vote against them on Survivor: Philippines and reached the Final Tribal Council, but didn't win.
 * Carter Williams's sole jury vote for Michael is the only time his name was ever written down.