‘Survivor 46’ preview: Soda Thompson overcame ‘dysfunction’ to create a ‘golden’ life [WATCH]

“Survivor 46” contestant Soda Thompson says that “success was [her] way out of all the dysfunction” she experienced growing up. The 27 year old special education teacher from New Jersey is now at a place where she can say, “I’m good, I’m great, I’m golden,” in her life. Watch their full CBS interview above.

Of her dysfunctional upbringing, Soda explains that she was raised by her aunt despite being told she was her mother and then because of his battle with addiction her father never got to know her. She goes on to say that she “fell into loving education and going to school pretty early.” The picture she paints is that she “digged a trench, find myself, put her ass on one shoulder, climbed up with one hand on the ladder” and told herself that she’s “getting yourself out of this freaking ditch.”

SEE ‘Survivor 46’ cast photos

When it comes to her outlook on the game, Soda says that “the thing about trauma is it leaves you resilience.” All of the dysfunction in her past has prepared her to overcome whatever crosses her path within the game. “I didn’t even know who my parents were and here I am today,” she says. “If that doesn’t say ‘Survivor’ written all over it, I don’t know what does.”

Don’t miss Soda compete as an original member of the Nami tribe sporting this season’s orange buff when “Survivor 46” premieres with two-hour episodes on Wednesday, February 28 and Wednesday, March 6, followed by 90-minute episodes thereafter. The new season features 18 new players divided into three tribes and they’ll vote each other out until only one remains on Day 26 as the $1 million winner. Do you think Soda will be the newest champion?

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