Neal Gottlieb

Neal Gottlieb is a contestant from Survivor: Kaôh Rōng.

A quiet character for much of the season, Neal found a Hidden Immunity Idol and reached the merge. His adventure was cut short when a severe infection led to his removal from the game. He also has the distinction of being the first person voted off the jury.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com

Name (Age): Neal Gottlieb (38)
Tribe Designation: Brains
Current Residence: Sausalito, Calif.
Occupation: Ice Cream Entrepreneur
Personal Claim to Fame: I started Three Twins Ice Cream with my life's savings of $70,000 in 2005 at age 28 after returning from the Peace Corps. I couldn't afford employees, so I did everything myself at first. I opened another shop, then another and then built a factory in 2010 to start selling pints to grocery stores, and have since opened a second factory. We're now sold in grocery stores in all 50 states, have a team of around 100 and sales this year that will be about 100 times sales from the first year, despite almost going broke during the economic downturn and unrelenting competition. I am proud of the growth, taking on the challenges, being creative, treating employees well, giving a great deal back and inspiring others through my version of the American dream.
Inspiration in Life: I am not much for heroes, but the person who has come closest to obtaining hero status is my Uncle Larry. I admire him for the deep and devoted love that he had for my aunt. Despite being a tough guy, he has never been afraid to cry or share his feelings. I admire him for his larger-than-life deeds, like finding 55 pounds of cocaine off the coast of Florida (he's a former cop and turned it in). I admired him because of his Popeye-like muscle on his forearm, which I later found out is actually a tumor, but I didn't know that as a kid. But more than anything, I have always admired him for being himself.
Hobbies: Traveling, indoor rock climbing and one-upmanship.
Pet Peeves: I am not really one to complain and therefore don't have too many pet peeves but I do have very little patience for whiny people and hypocritical bible thumpers.
3 Words to Describe You: Incorrigible, witty and kind.
If You Could Have 3 Things on the Island What Would They Be and Why? I would take a big comfortable bed with high thread count sheets, a down comforter and lush pillows to facilitate good nights' sleep and an assortment of fake Immunity Idols and fake printed clues on convincing paper to fool my fellow contestants into thinking that they have immunity. Lastly, a spy kit so that I can bug camp and listen in on the plotting and scheming of my campmates to give me valuable information.
Survivor Contestant You Are Most Like: I relate to Erik Reichenbach as my brother in ice cream. I can relate to Rob Mariano because he not only won but he seemed to have more fun than anyone else while doing so. I can relate to Tyson for his priceless, witty commentary on the other players. I relate to Parvati because I think that I'll also charm my fellow competitors while I'm busy destroying them. I kind of hate myself for saying this, but I relate to Russell Hantz for his lack of fear and filter.
Reason for Being on Survivor: My primary reason is to win, as is my secondary reason. Winning the money will be amazing but I am more interested in the metaphorical crown, bragging rights and satisfaction that comes with winning than the cash. It is also to have the privilege to compete in what I consider one of the greatest competitions of all. I have watched the show for years and yearn for the chance to be a castaway in a remote locale and compete for 39 days.
Why You Think You'll "Survive" Survivor: I will be the provider for the group and the court jester. I will be a calming force and the one that psyches up the tribe to go into battle. I am a strong swimmer and will be a valuable hunter, fisher and gatherer for the group. I have a tireless work ethic and will contribute more than my fair share towards building a strong shelter, cooking and getting water. I am most often happy, quite witty, never complain and am generally entertaining, which will help to keep the peace during tough and stressful times. I am physically and mentally strong, I was a competitive athlete for years, I am a fast runner and sharp, so I will be strong in challenges.
Why You Think You Will Be the Sole Survivor: I have been a Survivor fan for years and therefore understand the game, am mentally tough, a physical force, likable and absolutely determined to win. I will excel at both the social and physical game. Much of my life has prepared me to be a great contestant. Being a fan has shown me some brilliant moves and perhaps more importantly, stupid ones to avoid. More than anything, I believe that I will be the Sole Survivor because I want to and I usually get what I want, no matter how hard I have to work for it.^[2]

Survivor[]

Neal started off on the Brains tribe, where he quickly found himself paired up with Aubry Bracco as a result of the weak tribal dynamics. The pair was initially pulled into an alliance with Liz Markham and Peter Baggenstos, but defected to Debbie Wanner and Joe del Campo's pact after Neal heard of a conspiracy against him. He and the pact successfully blindsided Liz. Neal then went on to have a winning streak, not visiting Tribal Council for the remainder of the pre-merge stage even after a tribe switch. He also managed to find a Hidden Immunity Idol on Day 10, and hid it from his tribemates.

On Day 17, the tribes merged, and the Brains alliance was plunged into the minority when the Beauties opted to side with the Brawns. Neal revealed his idol possession to Aubry, and they planned to use it to save themselves if necessary at Tribal Council. However, Neal never made it to Dara's first Tribal Council, as medical staff visited the tribe camp and pulled him from the game after diagnosing him with a life-threatening infection. Neal became the first member of the jury after his evacuation on Day 19.

On Day 38, Neal was voted out of the jury by Michele Fitzgerald, so he was not present at the following day's Final Tribal Council. Before leaving Tribal Council, he delivered a few harsh words to Michele in a last-ditch attempt to debase her case.

Episode	Tribe Affiliation	Challenge	Challenge Type	Sit-Out?	Result
1	Chan Loh	Wooden Ships	Reward/Immunity	No	1st
2		Dragging the River	Reward/Immunity	No	2nd
3		Rice Race	Reward/Immunity	No	Lost
4		Dig It	Reward	Yes	1st
4		Snake, Rattle & Roll	Immunity	No	1st
5		New School	Immunity	No	Won
6		Baba Buoys	Reward	No	Lost
6		Get Over It	Immunity	No	Won
Tribes Merged, Day 17
7	Dara	Roller Ball	Immunity		Lost
Evacuated, Day 19

Episode	Neal's Votes	Voted Against Neal
1	Chan Loh Tribe Immune
2	Chan Loh Tribe Immune
3	Peter; Liz¹	-
4	Chan Loh Tribe Immune
5	Chan Loh Tribe Immune
6	Chan Loh Tribe Immune
7	No Tribal Council
Evacuated, Day 19

^1 In "The Circle of Life", the vote ended with a 2-2-2 tie between Aubry, Liz, and Peter, forcing a revote. Neal changed his vote to Liz on the revote.

Post-Survivor[]

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Trivia[]

Neal has a twin brother, Carl, who happens to be married to another twin, hence their ice cream brand name, Three Twins.^[3]
Neal is the second person to be evacuated with a Hidden Immunity Idol in his possession, following Colton Cumbie of One World.
- Coincidentally, both were the second person evacuated from their respective seasons.
Neal is the fourth person to be evacuated and become a member of the jury, following Bruce Kanegai (Panama), James Clement (Micronesia), and Erik Reichenbach (Caramoan). Unlike the other three, he was removed from the jury before the Final Tribal Council.
Neal lost 17 lbs. during his time in Kaôh Rōng.^[4]
Because he was removed from the jury, Neal is the first person to reach the jury stage yet not be present at the Final Tribal Council. He was followed by Dan Spilo, who was ejected from Island of the Idols for misconduct.
- Had he been allowed on the jury, Neal claimed he was voting for Aubry Bracco to be the Sole Survivor.^{[citation needed]}