‘Survivor,’ the ultimate game of wit and courage, has been a staple of reality TV for years, drawing in contestants like Jerry Sims who are ready to tackle grueling challenges, fierce competition, and the constant threat of betrayal.
These castaways have to navigate tricky alliances and use smart strategies, all hoping to be the Sole Survivor and win the $1 million prize.
Jerry Sims, however, had a major health scare after accidentally breaking one of the show’s cardinal rules.
His ordeal highlights the real dangers of Survivor, much like when Jeff Probst almost lost his life, underscoring the importance of following the safety guidelines.
In this article, we’ll uncover the health challenge Jerry Sims faced after breaking one of Survivor’s cardinal rules, and we’ll explain why he was eliminated from the show.
What Health Challenge Did Jerry Sims Suffer After Breaking One Of Survivor’s Cardinal Rules?
Unlike Survivor’s Neal Gottlieb, who ended up in the hospital because of a nasty wound, Jerry Sims dealt with a different kind of medical issue. He got a severe stomach condition, called gastrointestinal distress, after eating uncooked beans during his time on Survivor.
In an interview with People, Sims explained that his decision to eat the uncooked beans was driven by intense hunger and starvation. He said:
Bad beans have felled many a strong player. You’re starving so you eat whatever is available. One day we ate beans without cooking them. We didn’t have any fire, but we were hungry so we set them in the sun all day thinking that would cook them.
Jerry Sims’ troubles started on Day 4 of Survivor when he got hit with a nasty stomach upset from eating uncooked beans. For five tough days, he was barely able to function, relying only on water, which didn’t give him the energy needed for the show’s demanding tasks.
- Jerry Sims finished Survivor in 14th place
- Jerry Sims won only one challenge on Survivor
Driven by extreme hunger, Jerry Sim’s choice to eat the uncooked beans backfired big time. It messed up his health and broke one of Survivor’s key rules about eating unsafe food.
During the first season of Survivor, the finale was a gigantic pop culture moment that was viewed by 125 million people live. During the final tribal council, Sue Hawk stood up to address Richard Hatch and Kelly Wiglesworth. While Hawk’s speech is widely regarded as one of Survivor’s most memorable moments, many fans ignore how cringe-inducing it was to watch. After all, Hawk’s speech to Wiglesworth and Hatch was uncomfortable to watch since her anger and frustration were so palpable even though she was guilty of almost everything they did too.
On Survivor, hoarding food or eating more than your share is a big no-no, and contestants usually get specific portions of rice or beans each day. Jerry Sims admitted that his desperation made him break this rule, which led to his downfall.
After getting eliminated from Survivor, Jerry Sims started to feel better after a few days. He immediately got medical help and was diagnosed with gastrointestinal distress and given medication. He even had to beg for a bottle of Pepto but wasn’t given any. Once Jerry finally got home, he decided to visit his doctor to ensure his health was back on track. He said:
When I came home, I went to my doctor to make sure there was no bug inside of me or anything. I got a clean bill of health and none of my limbs have fallen yet so I think I am out of the woods.
Jerry Sims’ experience is a clear reminder of how tough and strict the game of Survivor can be.
Why Jerry Sims Got Eliminated From Survivor
Jerry Sims’ elimination from Survivor was closely tied to the health challenge he endured. After returning to camp following a challenge where he didn’t perform well, leading to his tribe’s loss, his condition worsened, leaving him weak and unable to help his Timbira tribe mates. Jerry Sims’ inability to contribute made him a target for elimination in his tribe, and when it was time to vote in the tribal council, he became the scapegoat and was voted out.
In a post-Survivor interview, Sims explained that his tribe voted him out because they were unsure how long it would take for him to recover from his illness, which posed a threat to the group’s success. He said:
…because my stomach had gotten so bad that I couldn’t hide the pain anymore and they had no idea if I was going to get better or not so you have to vote to keep the tribe as strong as possible. I was not going to quit though. I am not a quitter so the only way I was gonna go was if they voted me off.
Jerry Sims joined Survivor: Tocantins as an S.C. Army National Guard Sergeant and a nuclear power plant worker, ready to take on any challenge that was thrown at him. With his combat experience, everyone thought he’d stick around for a long time and handle anything the show threw at him. But things didn’t go as expected.
When Rob Cesternino played Survivor for the first time, he became a fan favorite due to his sense of humor and understanding of the game. However, at that time, Cesternino could also be immature in a way that would turn off some viewers. Since then, Cesternino has become a wildly successful podcast host who routinely shows how much he has matured as he seeks to speak about Survivor in responsible ways. Given how knowledgeable Cesternino is, the wisdom he often carries himself with, and his built-in fan following, he would be the perfect person to replace Jeff Probst if that needed to happen.
In his exit speech, Jerry Sims admitted that Survivor was the toughest situation he’d ever faced, even as a soldier. He compared it to his time in Afghanistan, where he had everything he needed to survive, unlike the tough conditions on Survivor.
“In Afghanistan, they provide you with everything you need to survive in the environment that you’re in. You have food and appropriate clothing and shelter. In Survivor, they give you a machete, a bag of beans and a bag of rice for 39 days and see what you are made of. That is a big difference.”
In a post-Survivor chat with Entertainment Weekly, Jerry Sims talked about life after his elimination, saying it felt a bit like being a movie star. Returning to his normal routine, he was surprised by the attention he got, with fans asking for autographs, handshakes, and pictures. This new recognition brought him a lot of joy and a sense of fulfillment. Since retiring from the Army in 2009, Jerry Sims has been working with Duke Energy Company and now lives in Rock Hill, SC.
Even though he left Survivor early, Jerry Sims considers being accepted as a contestant one of his greatest achievements and has no regrets. Just like everyone who comes on the show, he had hoped to last longer and maybe reach the 39th day as a finalist, but things didn’t go as planned.
Reflecting on his time on the show, Jerry Sims said he didn’t feel betrayed when his tribe voted him out because he saw it coming once his health took a turn for the worse. He explained:
…because we had plotted the same way against [Sierra Reed] when she was sick and we didn’t know it. But we were gonna vote her off with no problem. So I kinda figured that I would be the one under the radar that night.
Although Jerry Sims didn’t stay long on the show, he maintained a cordial relationship with some contestants he met on Survivor: Tocantins.
Jerry Sims’ journey on Survivor: Tocantins was cut short by a severe health challenge after he broke one of the show’s cardinal rules. His decision to eat uncooked beans, driven by hunger and desperation, led to gastrointestinal distress, leaving him weak and unable to contribute to his tribe. This misstep not only impacted his health but also made him a target for elimination. His story serves as a stark reminder of the physical and mental demands of the game, and the importance of adhering to survival rules. Jerry Sims’ resilience and honesty in sharing his ordeal highlight the unpredictable and often harsh realities of competing on Survivor.
