Being a strong performer in “Survivor” challenges can certainly be an asset, but as Cole Medders found out in the show’s most recent episode, it can also become a disadvantage when you start to pose a threat.

By the time the 24-year-old wilderness therapy guide from Little Rock, Arkansas, realized there was a target on his back, it was too late, earning him the dubious distinction of becoming the latest castaway to be cast off, and the second member of the season-35 jury.

©2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved

RELATED: ‘Survivor: Heroes Vs. Healers Vs. Hustlers’ Desiree Interview: ‘I Was A Bigger Threat’

ET Canada caught up with Cole, who spoke candidly about how he felt about what led up to helplessly watching Jeff Probst snuff out his torch and send him packing.

How did Lauren beat you at that challenge?

“Because Lauren is extremely tough. She’s an athlete herself, she played softball for awhile, she’s a deep-sea fisherman. She is a tough girl, and she beat me fair and square. But I was honestly surprised when my urn dropped because I felt really good too. But that was an impressive win by Lauren.”

How much scrambling did you attempt after losing that challenge to try to stay in it?

“I tried a little scrambling but I soon realized that no one was going to talk to me and I kind of just let it go, honestly.”

How aware did you feel out there, both socially and in knowing who had what advantage?

“I was pretty unaware about a lot of things. I didn’t realize that a lot of people had it out for me, that I thought I was OK with, like most specifically Ben. But when it came to challenges I thought I was very aware and completely present, that was definitely my strong suit. But I have a lot to work on when it comes to the social game play.”

Did you have any idea that Dr. Mike had an idol, and if so would you have tried to convince him to play it on you?

“I did have an idea that Mike had the idol, basically when I told him and Jes where to find the idol at the Yawa beach and I asked them if they had found it, Mike told me no but Jessica couldn’t lie and started laughing so I knew they had found it. But I never asked him to play it for me. I was going to leave it up to Mike, because if he had played it for me, he would have gone home instead of me. It’s his idol, he played it right and kept himself alive.”

Before getting voted out, did you feel like your tribe mates were already lobbying for your jury vote?

“Yeah, I feel like a lot of them had attempted to make a relationship with me and built some kind of friendship. Devon, JP, Ryan — even Chrissy had tried to, I guess, fix the wounds at some point. But yeah, a few of them had. Ben never made the attempt. I think he just had it out for me, period.”

Did you feel like Ben’s farewell handshake was sincere?

“Yeah, I think there was some form of mutual respect there. Like, we had it out for each other, but hey, you got me, good job, you beat me. Way to go.”

At what point did you feel like your game was doomed?

“I felt like my game was doomed once Jess was going home. I realized that our votes were not going to go the way they were supposed to, and that I was now on the bottom and if I didn’t win immunity I was going to go home. And winning immunity every time is next to impossible.”

Has your reputation for having loose lips followed you off the island?

“Not so much. The thing that follows me more is the food. Wherever I go my friends make jokes about the peanut butter. They’ll pull out a jar of peanut butter and say, ‘Hey Cole, are you hungry?’ And they think it’s hilarious. It’s gotten old, but if it gives them a laugh, whatever.”

Speaking of food, how much do you regret not hiding that spaghetti plate?

“That was probably in the top two mistakes. It’s up there. A lot.”

How have you been dealing with the barrage of questions regarding your relationship with Jessica?

“I mean, I’ve just been telling everyone we’re friends, which is true. We’re really good friends. And we’ll see what happens and how that relationship continues to grow over time.”

If you were to go back on “Survivor”, how would you prepare differently?

“Just mentally I’d prepare myself to be hungry, and know that going in. And try, or attempt to put some weight on if it’s possible.”

What did you learn most from being out there?

“I think I really learned how much my family means to me, from hearing everyone talk about their families. And also the fact that you don’t have anyone who has your back out there, like really has your back. And knowing that your family does makes you miss them a lot.”

What are you going to take from your experience on “Survivor” to help you with your job as a wilderness guide?

“It gave me some perspective of how the students might feel. They’re out there too: hungry, with no one they can really count on, their families not around. Maybe it provided a little empathy for my job.”

What has it been like watching a season of “Survivor” you’ve been on?

“Oh, I’ve loved it! At the time you’re on the show, you’re thinking, ‘Oh, I was clever,’ or ‘Oh, I did a good job.’ But as I’m watching it back, every moment was like, ‘Wow, you are an idiot.’ Like, that was so stupid, just hitting yourself on the head for it.”

“Survivor” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global; watch full episodes of “Survivor” here.