QUICK NOTE: The good folks at XFINITY sent me deep into the Fijian wilderness to bring you an exclusive look at “Survivor: Ghost Island.” While I was there I conducted interviews with “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and the entire cast. I also captured exclusive photos and other behind-the-scenes tidbits. So, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates.

Name: Domenick Abbate

Age: 38

Hometown: Nesconset, New York

Current residence: Nesconset, New York

Occupation: Construction Supervisor

Gordon Holmes: Are you a “Survivor” fan?

Domenick Abbate: Yes. Since its origination. I can honestly say I’ve watched the show since it came out. Some people are late to it and they’ve binge watched twenty seasons over the last two years. I’m one of the few that watched it as it went. Not to say I haven’t binge watched in the last few months to catch up.

Holmes: You’ve recently transformed your body.

Abbate: Yes.

Holmes: Does that make you more in tune with your limitations, what your body needs to sustain itself?

Abbate: Yeah, definitely. One of the diets I did was the Ketogenic diet. It’s a high-fat, low carb diet. It teaches you to live off of the fat of the land. Coconut is pure fat. The only thing that concerns me is rice. But fish and coconut…I’d live great. As far as my transformation, the fact that I’ve changed my physiology. I used to sit on the couch and do nothing. Now I work out six days a week, I eat tremendously better. My energy level is there. Whether it’s going to have an effect on me out there? I have no idea. I like to think I’ve conditioned myself.

Holmes: Why do you think you were cast?

Abbate: I ask myself that every day. I see the people I’m out here with. I get why they’re here. I don’t get why I’m here. But, there’s something right?

Holmes: Gotta be.

Abbate: I think that I’m a father, I work in the city, I do construction. Some of that old-school, old-Italian kind of persona. I come from a pretty hardcore Italian family. I have eight brothers and sisters all from the same parents. Family is everything, work ethic is everything. Maybe that has something to do with it? My transformation story, most people are in the best shape of their lives in their twenties. I’m in the best shape of my life in my life now. In my twenties I was a trainwreck. I never touched drugs, but I enjoyed my cocktails. I didn’t mind betting on a horse from time to time. But then you have children and you have to make a decision. Am I going to keep going down this path or am I going to make a move. And that’s what I did.

Holmes: When you talk about work ethic; it’s day two and you’re building this shelter. Meanwhile, I’m sunning myself on the beach. How does the rest of this story play out?

Abbate: In real life, work ethic is critical to me. If the job doesn’t get done, the business doesn’t make money. If the business doesn’t make money, he can’t pay us. Out here, work ethic is important, but I’m not going to hammer people about it. I’m not going to be a supervisor out here. That’s the last thing I’m going to do. I feel like, if someone else with a huge ego wants to take the reins on it? I’m going to sit back and be that person’s number one cheerleader. If you’re laying on the beach? That’s perfect for me. Everyone’s going to look at you and say, “That bum is not doing anything.” And that way they’re not looking at me.

Holmes: Is there anything in your backstory that you’re going to keep a secret?

Abbate: I may just lie about the supervision component. I don’t want them to think I’m a natural-born leader. If anyone volunteers to make the fire, and they can’t get it done…I’m going to let everyone else try first. Once, they’ve exhausted it, I’ll take control and light the fire. I think there’s more reward in letting someone with an ego complete the task without me. Then I come off as someone who couldn’t live without them and their skills. That way, they feel like I’m glued to them. And really, I think I’ll have that person under my control.

Holmes: Have you set any ethical boundaries as far as lying, cheating, stealing, etc.?

Abbate: I won’t go to Varner’s level.

Holmes: Smart.

Abbate: But at this point, if someone is out here because of their faith? I’m exploit it. If someone is out here because they’re honorable? I’ll exploit it. I’m going to exploit anything and everything I can.

Holmes: You’re married?

Abbate: Yes.

Holmes: Have you two discussed your limits as far as flirting?

Abbate: She did mention, “It must be nice you get to go on this island with all of these hot, young girls.” I don’t know how many times I had to reassure her, not that I need to reassure her, she’s the love of my life. The girls out here are attractive, but I’m not thinking that. I’m thinking about the game. I’m thinking about bringing my wife home money. And even if I find them attractive, I’m pretty sure in a week when I’m dehydrated and exhausted, I’m not going to find them attractive anymore. The whole sexual component would be out of the game. We have a strong relationship. I’ve been dating her for 21 years.

Holmes: That’s awesome.

Abbate: We’re high school sweethearts.

Holmes: You’re in the dark as far as twists and themes. If you had to guess, what do you think they have in store for you?

Abbate: I had one thought on theme and it’s only based on shirts that people have worn. I’ve seen Brooklyn, LA…a couple of East Coast city shirts. The only thing I can come up with is some kind of East Coast/West Coast thing. But at the end of the day, none of that matters. If it’s territorial, it won’t matter because there are idiots in California and there are idiots in New York.

Holmes: Have you been having any “Survivor” stress dreams?

Abbate: I’ve been having a lot of wacky dreams. I’ll be in an episode that has already happened. Or, I’m in my truck and I’m driving down the beach. I had another one where if my wife can’t be here for the family visit, my brother will come instead. I really want my wife to be here, and I had one where we were on the beach together. It wasn’t great, we might have even been arguing in the dream. (Laughs)

Holmes: That’s very rare in the family visit. That’s some Colby Donaldson kinda stuff.

Abbate: Yeah.

Holmes: She’s going to vote you out.

Abbate: Sounds about right.

Holmes: Alright, I’m going to give you two “Survivor” situations. You tell me which one you would rather deal with.

Abbate: Got it.

Holmes: Align with a Trump supporter or a Hillary supporter?

Abbate: I could care less. A few months ago I would’ve said Trump, but let’s go with Hillary. I had a little faith in him, but if he ever read a book on emotional intelligence, he doesn’t fit any characteristic. He scares the (expletive deleted) out of me. Especially with this North Korea (expletive deleted).

Holmes: Good thing we’re in Fiji.

Abbate: (Laughs) That’s what I said.

Holmes: Steal a vote or eliminate a juror?

Abbate: Steal a vote.

Holmes: Endurance challenge or word puzzle?

Abbate: I’d do an endurance challenge, but overall I’d rather a slide puzzle.

Holmes: Yeah, once you know the trick, they’re not so hard.

Abbate: Yeah, I’ve got that pinned.

Holmes: Align with a racist or a sexist?

Abbate: (Laughs) A racist…there’s no turning back. As a sexist you can kind or work your way back. But once you’re a racist, you’re a racist for life.

Holmes: There’s something to be said for standing in front of a jury and saying, “Yeah, I lied to you. But this dude is a racist.”

Abbate: (Laughs) That’s what I’m saying! I think a racist is the way to go.

Holmes: Voted out first or before final Tribal?

Abbate: Final Tribal.

Holmes: Align with an adulterer or a tax cheat?

Abbate: Align…ugh…I’m looking at the long game. Maybe a tax cheat. These aren’t easy.

Holmes: They’re not designed to be. But imagine that final jury, “This guy is a racist adulterer!”

Abbate: (Laughs)

Holmes: Lose the family challenge or win and decide who to take along?

Abbate: Lose the family challenge.

Holmes: Caught stealing food or idol hunting?

Abbate: Stealing food.

Holmes: Align with a super fan or someone who doesn’t watch the show?

Abbate: Someone who doesn’t watch the show.

Holmes: Dance challenge or karaoke challenge?

Abbate: A gun.

Holmes: (Laughs)

Abbate: Karaoke.

Holmes: What kind of first impression do you think you put out there?

Abbate: We have a lot of stone faces out here. It makes it a tough read. I know the more you give, the more people can take away from it. So, I’m cautious with what I give people. And with certain people I’ve been giving a sense of invitation. A smile here, a smile there. Even though we can’t talk, if something funny happens, there will be a communal laugh. I let them know I’m good. I’m here and I’m relatable. Let’s play together, let’s work together. I think my self-awareness is high. But, you never really know.

NOTE: The cast members do not know each other’s names at this point. I showed Domenick a picture of each of the competitors and asked him to share his first impressions.

LIBBY Abbate: Cute…bubbly…probably could work with her. She seemed a little fearful at one point. Now she seems a little more warm. ANGELA Abbate: Stone faced. Doesn’t give me much to play with. I don’t know if she’s going to be a demanding person. She seems like she might be. Maybe impatient? CHELSEA Abbate: Another one…another stone face. It was recently that I got her to crack a smile at me. Maybe fearful, but she’s starting to warm up. JENNA Abbate: Kinda fits that same category, the fearful category. I don’t see her smile often. She’s just business. GONZALEZ Abbate: This one I’m afraid of. She has an attitude. She’s like a diva. I see her taking an early exit. She’s not friendly. STEPHANIE Abbate: She scares the crap out of me. Way too excited to be out here. Not that she’d be untrustworthy, but too flamboyant. Too pumped. Maybe she’s a mega fan MORGAN Abbate: Sweet girl. Looks trustworthy…I think she’ll be someone to work with. LAUREL Abbate: Sweet girl also. A little fearful, afraid to give you a look. But realizing she needs to warm up to people. I could see myself working with her. KELLYN Abbate: Another sweetie. She’s a teacher or something. I could definitely work with her. DESIREE Abbate: Cold fish. Won’t look up. Won’t give you anything. Does her own business, she could be an early exit. It doesn’t look like she wants to participate with anybody. BRADLEY Abbate: “Clark Kent” I call him. He looks intellectual. He looks trustworthy. He may have us all fooled. BRENDAN Abbate: Family guy. Maybe something along the lines of me. I know he’s married. He looks like he’s probably a dad. Around my age, possibly a man of honor. Possibly ex-military. I’d like to play with him. CHRIS Abbate: (Laughs) This guy. He doesn’t even own a shirt.

Holmes: If I looked like this guy, I wouldn’t own a shirt either.

Abbate: Yeah, I hear you. Cold fish, man! I’m not sure if it’s arrogance or confidence or fear. It’s one of those three and I’m leaning toward arrogance. SEBASTIAN Abbate: Love this guy. Just chill, me and him…we don’t speak, but we’re constantly smiling at each other. WENDELL Abbate: Another guy I like. Keeps to himself, doesn’t throw much at you. He seems pretty straightforward. He doesn’t seem like he has an agenda. JACOB Abbate: The number one “Survivor” fan in the entire world. He can’t stop smiling. This smile goes everywhere. We pulled up to Ponderosa and it was like he just met Jesus. He scares the (expletive deleted) out of me. JAMES Abbate: This is the man that lives by the code. His parents are from some distant land and they taught him the most correct ways to live life. He’s a man of honor, a man of principle. I’m going to exploit him to death. MICHAEL Abbate: At first I thought he was a Marine or something, but he said something and I changed my mind. I think he’s missing a few screws…

Holmes: Screws are loose, Domenick. They’re not missing.

Abbate: (Laughs) Right, right. He’s maybe a little ditzy. But he seems like a powerhouse.

Holmes: What did he say that threw you off?

Abbate: We were under that tent and we had to take pee breaks, and a man in the military wouldn’t say, “Uh…hey, I’ve got to take a leak.” DONATHAN Abbate: I like this guy. I’ve got a good rapport with him. We were in finals together, we shared some smiles. He was wearing a Def Leppard shirt. I was like, “Yes!” He seems a little scared. But, people who are scared out of the gate can turn it around.

Don’t miss the season premiere of “Survivor: Ghost Island” – Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 8 pm ET.

Any Questions? Drop me a line on Twitter: @gordonholmes