Post by Cruise meerkat Youssy on Aug 20, 2013 21:54:52 GMT -5
Bryan: Who do you still keep in contact with from Endurance? Is there anyone you wish you still kept in touch with?
Connor: Taylor more than anyone else, though it's actually been a while since we last caught up. Darci and Lilly a bit, too. I actually met up with Darci while we were both abroad and I was in London. I'm still friends with a lot of them on social media, but It'd be cool to know what more people are up to. A reunion would be great, but unfortunately no one has felt like undertaking the great burden that planning one would be.
Bryan: What are you doing and where are you living now?
Connor: I graduated from Hamilton College in the spring and just got back from working as a teaching intern at a summer program for high schoolers at a boarding school in NH. It was a great experience, and it definitely showed me that I think I'd like teaching for a profession. Still figuring out the next step now, but I'm aiming to work in teaching, publishing, or online journalism.
Bryan: How has Endurance affected you and/or your life? What is the most important lesson you learned from Endurance?
Connor: I think it was definitely a confidence boost for me. I was pretty shy before and during the early stages of the show, and it was crazy to get a spot on the show, actually do well in the game, and have my friends be pumped about it while it was airing. I also learned to not be so naive in competitive situations haha. There are a few I could go with, but I think the main one is to be true to yourself and trust your instincts. The way I played the game was far from perfect, but I can look back on it fondly because I'm happy with the approach I took to the game, and that's what matters most I think (Disclaimer: any feelings of happiness about how I played the game exclude selling out gray. While I had my reasons, I wasn't proud watching that part).
Bryan: If you could do Endurance again, would you? Is there anything you would change if you did it again?
Connor: Absolutely! It was such a blast. As I said earlier, I think I would've tried to be a little less wide-eyed during the first few days, as I didn't realize how quickly major alliances were being formed during the beginning, and it's tough to break those up once they're in place. I also would have taken a seminar on untying knots before going on the show.
Bryan: How did you feel about the way you were portrayed on the show? Was it accurate or not?
Connor: I really can't complain. The edit gave me credit where I felt I deserved it, and I loved that blue team naturally slid into the underdog role as the season progressed. The only shot I didn't love was when the team switch was being plotted and there's a shot where I come up to a group of people and go "hey, did I miss anything?" I was coming back from doing an interview, and I felt like the edit sort of made it look like I had just been walking around with my head in the clouds haha. In fairness, though, I had no idea the team switch was being planned, so it wasn't untruthful in any way. I was just like, "come on, man" haha.
Bryan: Were you ever recognized by random people?
Connor: A few times. Not as much as 15-year-old me had hoped for when the show started airing. I'm always pumped to meet a fellow Endurance fan, though.
Bryan: Were you a fan of Endurance before being on the show? Did you continue to watch any of the seasons after yours?
Connor: Yeah, I was obsessed. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say I had seen every episode of Seasons 1-4 between 3 and 5 times. I still haven't figured out what about the show is so addictive. Even my college friends marathon-ed the show with me, which was very surprising. I thought they'd watch an episode and be like, "that was pretty cool," but they were hooked! I watched Fiji and was very jealous of their location haha.
Bryan: How do you feel about the cancellation of Endurance?
Connor: I was really bummed when Endurance got cancelled. I would've liked to see it get a couple more seasons, and a small part of me is still holding out for an Endurance All Stars, even though I know it'll never happen.
Bryan: Is there any non-invasive way for fans of the show to contact you?
Connor: Unfortunately, I've stopped accepting friend requests from fans. Nothing personal; just sort of something I needed to start doing as I transitioned through life. I'll usually try to answer messages, though, and my Twitter is public, if you enjoy corny humor: @elconndorpasa
Thank you to Connor for being honest and open in responding to the questions! You can contact Connor at his Twitter page (click here). Remember to be polite and understanding that he has a life outside of Endurance!
Connor: Taylor more than anyone else, though it's actually been a while since we last caught up. Darci and Lilly a bit, too. I actually met up with Darci while we were both abroad and I was in London. I'm still friends with a lot of them on social media, but It'd be cool to know what more people are up to. A reunion would be great, but unfortunately no one has felt like undertaking the great burden that planning one would be.
Bryan: What are you doing and where are you living now?
Connor: I graduated from Hamilton College in the spring and just got back from working as a teaching intern at a summer program for high schoolers at a boarding school in NH. It was a great experience, and it definitely showed me that I think I'd like teaching for a profession. Still figuring out the next step now, but I'm aiming to work in teaching, publishing, or online journalism.
Bryan: How has Endurance affected you and/or your life? What is the most important lesson you learned from Endurance?
Connor: I think it was definitely a confidence boost for me. I was pretty shy before and during the early stages of the show, and it was crazy to get a spot on the show, actually do well in the game, and have my friends be pumped about it while it was airing. I also learned to not be so naive in competitive situations haha. There are a few I could go with, but I think the main one is to be true to yourself and trust your instincts. The way I played the game was far from perfect, but I can look back on it fondly because I'm happy with the approach I took to the game, and that's what matters most I think (Disclaimer: any feelings of happiness about how I played the game exclude selling out gray. While I had my reasons, I wasn't proud watching that part).
Bryan: If you could do Endurance again, would you? Is there anything you would change if you did it again?
Connor: Absolutely! It was such a blast. As I said earlier, I think I would've tried to be a little less wide-eyed during the first few days, as I didn't realize how quickly major alliances were being formed during the beginning, and it's tough to break those up once they're in place. I also would have taken a seminar on untying knots before going on the show.
Bryan: How did you feel about the way you were portrayed on the show? Was it accurate or not?
Connor: I really can't complain. The edit gave me credit where I felt I deserved it, and I loved that blue team naturally slid into the underdog role as the season progressed. The only shot I didn't love was when the team switch was being plotted and there's a shot where I come up to a group of people and go "hey, did I miss anything?" I was coming back from doing an interview, and I felt like the edit sort of made it look like I had just been walking around with my head in the clouds haha. In fairness, though, I had no idea the team switch was being planned, so it wasn't untruthful in any way. I was just like, "come on, man" haha.
Bryan: Were you ever recognized by random people?
Connor: A few times. Not as much as 15-year-old me had hoped for when the show started airing. I'm always pumped to meet a fellow Endurance fan, though.
Bryan: Were you a fan of Endurance before being on the show? Did you continue to watch any of the seasons after yours?
Connor: Yeah, I was obsessed. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say I had seen every episode of Seasons 1-4 between 3 and 5 times. I still haven't figured out what about the show is so addictive. Even my college friends marathon-ed the show with me, which was very surprising. I thought they'd watch an episode and be like, "that was pretty cool," but they were hooked! I watched Fiji and was very jealous of their location haha.
Bryan: How do you feel about the cancellation of Endurance?
Connor: I was really bummed when Endurance got cancelled. I would've liked to see it get a couple more seasons, and a small part of me is still holding out for an Endurance All Stars, even though I know it'll never happen.
Bryan: Is there any non-invasive way for fans of the show to contact you?
Connor: Unfortunately, I've stopped accepting friend requests from fans. Nothing personal; just sort of something I needed to start doing as I transitioned through life. I'll usually try to answer messages, though, and my Twitter is public, if you enjoy corny humor: @elconndorpasa
Thank you to Connor for being honest and open in responding to the questions! You can contact Connor at his Twitter page (click here). Remember to be polite and understanding that he has a life outside of Endurance!
