It was back on the season premiere of Global’s “Survivor: Ghost Island” when superfan (and, ironically, eventual second boot) Jacob Derwin made the bold claim that Malolo was one of the greatest tribes of all time.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

Well on the path to being the losingest tribe ever, Malolo was about to attend its fifth tribal council (out of six) when Michael Yerger confessed, “This is ‘Survivor: Ghost Island’! It’s all about reversing curses, not creating new ones!”

RELATED: ‘Survivor: Ghost Island’ Castaway Stephanie Johnson On Exiting The Game: ‘I Definitely Knew It Was My Time To Go’

The latest victim of the Malolo curse? Business consultant James Lim, who tells us how betrayed he felt by Michael, his regrets and his favourite moment in Fiji.

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What was going through your head as the votes were being read, and it was your name Jeff Probst was reading?

The first vote I obviously predicted from Des, and then the Des vote came out. And by the second vote you kind of see me narrowing my eyes like, “OK, this is interesting” and then I got voted off. It’s funny because Jeff and I connected post-game and he told me in those split seconds of the votes being read and my exit, he saw in my eyes the whole process of shock and anger, disappointment, sadness and acceptance. It took me just that instant to realize what happened and I looked at Michael like, “So this is how I’m gonna go out. You flipped on me — I see how it is,” but I still remember exactly where I was sitting, what I was doing. That moment will never be forgotten, to be honest.

How betrayed did you feel by Michael for voting for you, and how long did that feeling of betrayal last?

That deep sense of hurt? Probably literally those two seconds, because it took me no time to realize that if I’m Michael, I mean he is literally in deep-preservation mode. We saw what he went through on the old Malolo. He was living a nightmare and he fled completely on Stephanie Johnson to save his own ass. So I don’t blame him for turning that move, and also, I didn’t know at that point, but behind the scenes Kellyn had told Michael, “Look, you know what you went through with me. I’m not one to be messed with. You’re back on the bottom. Flip on James.” And he was happy to oblige. At the end of the day, yeahm as a game move it hurts, but as a person I have no bitterness towards him at all. It’s a game, right? For instance, when I reunited with Morgan at Ponderosa, she was so gracious to welcome me with a big hug and not be bitter about this and I did the same for Michael. I think that’s one of the great things about our cast — that we are paying it forward like that.

Why didn’t you consider turning on him first?

Well the thing is, in terms of the bond between Kellyn and Desiree, Kellyn saw Michael as a much more useful number than me — a guy that she had met just two days prior. And having gone through all those tribals with him, Kellyn thought, “OK, I can manipulate Michael.” Whereas she and I did bond very well for just three days just on a personal level, but, “He’s this kind of guy who was a part of the Morgan vote, definitely not willing to flip to Naviti just yet.” But Michael had a pretty tight bond with Des, and it was hard for me to break into that dynamic in just two days. It was an all-around nightmarish spot for me.

What was the most challenging thing you had to do out there?

The single most challenging thing… It’s hard to pinpoint just one thing. I would say having to come back to camp and face the reality that I cost Malolo the win on day 6. It wasn’t tough like, “I didn’t want to do it.” It was tough like the emotional burden on myself. It was this sinking feeling in my stomach. On the way back to camp, I was so gutted, you know? As a former athlete and team captain, it was the single worst choke that I’ve ever experienced in my athletic career and to do that on national TV for “Survivor” was no fun. But at the end of the day I really did want to own up to the reality and take responsibility, and I was given a second chance by my tribe. I think all-in-all we were able to make some good out of this terrible situation.

Looking back, how should you have trained for “Survivor” differently?

That’s a good question. I think when I was binge-watching all the seasons I would have paid a lot closer attention to the nuances of the social game. Like, every season brings you different types of people and I think I should have studied the show a little more contextually and really think what works in which situation and also how to really leverage something like the idol. You know, I went idol hunting myself but honestly not enough. And to watch Dom find an idol on night two in the middle of the dark — that was very impressive and I wish I did something like that. I think in terms of athletic training or bulking up and all that I think, I did a pretty good job of it and I’m proud of how I prepared. It’s just that I think, you know, you never know until you hit the beach and you get to meet the 19 other castaways that are going to be a part of your season.

What would you say was the biggest impact you made on the season?​

I will mostly be remembered as the guy that orchestrated the 4-3-1 vote. After that episode aired I got a flood of reactions from press and fans and players like, “That was an amazing move well done! Top 5 pre-merge votes of all-time,” and it was really humbling! I am proud of what I did on that day to make that vote happen and so yeah I’ll go with the 4-3-1 guy.

What was your favourite Survivor moment being out there?​

Absolutely the moment on day 14. We all saw Laurel and Dom have a conversation on Niviti about missing home and watching the sunset. It wasn’t shown, but Libby and I joined them about five minutes after the scene and we just sat there talking about our feelings and our families and how much each other means to us while watching the sun go down. It was absolutely beautiful. The cove on Niviti was stunning. I was sitting by three of my closest friends and allies and that conversation was a scene that we had hoped would make air, and we will never forget for as long as we live. You can ask the three of them as well — it was such a special moment that we shared and it’s funny because after that kind of experience you sort of feel like they are your ride-or-dies. I was ready to protect them and to play with them for as long as I could.

What was it like being at home watching a season of Survivor you’ve actually been on?

Oh it was absolutely surreal. I hosted a New York City premiere party with Jacob and Desiree. Being able to share the story with my friends and my family, it was absolutely a blast. That surreal feeling went away pretty soon and from that point on it was more of, “Let’s soak in that feeling of I’m a part of the ‘Survivor’ community and I’m in that family forever.” It was an incredible, I want to say five-week experience. I wish it were longer, but that’s the reality.

Are you still keeping your fingers crossed to be cast and compete in “The Amazing Race”?

I wouldn’t mind! You should hit up Phil Keoghan and tell him James from “Survivor” is up to come back on “The Amazing Race”. There are no swaps on “The Amazing Race”, so what could go wrong? I have great faith that I could potentially go out there and crush the game.

If they were to do another “Survivor” Second Chance season, and you were in the running, what would you say to campaign to go back?

Oh man, first of all just to be on the ballot would be such an exciting development for me. To get the chance to campaign to the fans! I think I would just emphasize the fact that as you saw on “Ghost Island”, I was somebody that played hard, I played with class and respect and I hope you guys appreciated seeing that. And I hope that this will show you what James Lim is truly capable of because I left a lot in the tank and there was a lot that I didn’t get to show and if I ever go back to get a second chance, I’m going to leave it all there on the field.

Watch “Survivor” Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global and catch full episodes here.