Today on Beyond the Torch, Chad Crittenden joins Todd & Leslie and shares his incredible story of being diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare and deadly form of cancer, during his ninth year of teaching. After discovering a tumor on his foot that grew from peanut-sized to golf ball-sized, he faced a life-changing decision: undergo a wide excision that would leave him with a permanent limp, or choose amputation below the knee. He chose amputation and, remarkably, auditioned for Survivor during his recovery after watching Season 8 (All-Stars). His unique perspective and Mark Burnett's vision led to him concealing his prosthetic leg with pants, revealing it strategically on the show to explore how preconceived notions affect people's perceptions. Chad discusses the physical and mental challenges of competing, his alliance dynamics, his friendship with Julie and Chris, and his post-Survivor life doing motivational speaking (including a TED Talk and speaking to the royal family in Abu Dhabi). He's now a PE teacher, continuing to inspire children by demonstrating what people with disabilities can achieve.

Watch Chad's TED Talk here!

Key Points of Interest:

• Chad discovered his cancer between Survivor Seasons 8 and 9, had his amputation, and competed on Season 9 all within the same year
• He concealed his prosthetic leg initially to study how people's treatment of him changed before and after the reveal
• The opening ceremony in Vanuatu included drinking kava (a traditional ceremonial drink with muscle-relaxing effects) and a dramatic moment when it started pouring rain the instant Brady touched the idol at the top of a greased pole
• Chad's humor and personality weren't shown much on TV because he was portrayed as the "inspirational guy"
• He got angry at Julie for voting against their alliance, but it wasn't aired because it didn't fit his character arc
• He was expected to be cast for Heroes vs. Villains but wasn't selected for undisclosed reasons
• Chad now teaches PE to elementary students, serving as a living example that disabilities don't limit capability
• He remains close friends with Julie, Chris, and Ethan Zohn, and does work with Grassroots Soccer

Beyond the Torch is hosted by Todd Herzog & Leslie Nease from Survivor China. Produced and edited by Leslie Nease. Artwork by Leslie Nease. To contact them, email [email protected]! 

This podcast is a love letter to Survivor and the people who played it — but just to be clear, we're not connected to CBS or the official Survivor franchise. Just superfans and former castaways telling our stories beyond the torch.

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