By Kendra Gilchrist
For Charleston Gazette-Mail
When Maggie Nestor was 15 years old, she turned on her television to find “Survivor,” a reality competition show in its first season. She fell in love with the show’s obstacle course challenges, psychological complexities and rugged outdoor settings. Nestor, a native of Middleway, Jefferson County, dreamt of competing for the million-dollar prize.
“It’s always been a part of my life,” Nestor said. “I watched it throughout college, I watched it when I became a mom, I watched it when I went through postpartum, I’ve always just loved it.”
Nestor studied psychology at West Virginia University and got her master’s degree there in community counseling. She got married and had three kids who she homeschools. All the while, Nestor was watching “Survivor.” And she felt a calling.
“Every time Jeff says, ‘This could be you, you should apply,’ I just was like, ‘He’s talking to me,’” Nestor said, referring to the show’s creator and host Jeff Probst. “But I just kept feeling like it wasn’t my time.”
25 years after it first premiered, CBS announced the 51st season of “Survivor,” which ushers in a new “Open Era” that expands the possibilities of the game. Every twist, idol and advantage in the show’s history may come into play in any order and without warning.
Things clicked into place for Nestor at the end of last summer. She finally felt like it was her time. With the support of her family, Nestor flew to California for a “Survivor” casting call and applied online.
At 40 years old, Nestor became the first-ever West Virginian to be selected as a contestant on “Survivor.”
Nestor is proud to have a family history in West Virginia that goes back many generations, and she couldn’t think of a better place to raise her children. Nestor is honored to represent the Mountain State on a national stage and challenge the country’s assumptions about what a West Virginian is.
“I think that West Virginians get a really bad stereotype,” Nestor said. “So I’m thankful that I’m going to be able to break a lot of the stereotypes.”
What does it take to be a Survivor?
Being on “Survivor” requires contestants to push themselves outside of their comfort zone. Stranded on the beaches of Fiji, players have limited access to shelter, food and support.
This appealed to Nestor, who loves strategic games, is good with people and has faith in her own perseverance — qualities that she thinks make her a good competitor.
“I feel like it was designed for me,” Nestor said.
Her background in psychology prepared her for being a part of the “Survivor” tribes, where contestants attempt to use their wit and personality to stay in the game. For the physical challenges, Nestor relied on the strength and agility she earned from working on her farm and raising her children.
Nestor and her husband bought a farm — where they board horses and offer riding lessons — in Charlestown in 2023, another lifelong dream of hers.
“I absolutely love it because my days are spent outside and it’s more so doing physical labor [rather than] sitting behind a computer,” Nestor said. “It is like my own slice of heaven.”
Her family also helped her prepare for the show’s challenges. Nestor’s three children set up obstacle courses in their yard for her to practice on, and even hid idols around their farm for her to find.
“I’m 40, but I love to play,” she said.
Having a zest for life, travel and play — even as you age — is key to being a good Survivor, Nestor explained.
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