Boston Rob Mariano is one of the best players in Survivor history, and he had a pupil competing in Season 50. It seems that challenge beast Jonathan Young turned to the legendary Boston Rob for some tips on how to improve his strategic and social game. After all, who better to learn from than the five-time player and Survivor: Redemption Island winner?
The Survivor winner “tried to coach” Jonathan Young “a little”
Jonathan, who competed in Survivor 42, came in fourth place after losing a fire-making challenge. “I tried to coach him up a little before he went there, and so far he’s hanging in it,” Rob told US Weekly. “I told Jonathan, like there’s a lot of things you can control, and the things you can’t control, you can’t worry about.”
Meanwhile, Rob also admitted that his days of playing Survivor are behind him. “I love Survivor. It’s been a huge part of my life,” Rob stated. “I didn’t play 50. I’m not playing 51 or 52. So it’s been amazing, but that chapter as a player is closed.”
During Season 50, Jonathan aligned himself with the Old School players, but also worked with other tribe members when necessary. His willingness to pivot could be thanks to Boston Rob. “I did a lot of psychological training with Boston Rob,” Jonathan previously shared. “For four years, I went to his house, trained, sat at his feet, and learned everything I could because my strategic game needed some work.”
For his training with Boston Rob, Jonathan embraced three rules. “One rule was to smile. Everybody wants to play with somebody who smiles. Number two, you want to win; nobody else wants you to win,” Jonathan stated. “Number three: control what you can control, and don’t worry about anything else.” Easier said than done, right?
As of now, Jonathan has a one in five chance of taking home $2 million. Tune in to find out if Boston Rob’s coaching can help him cross the finish line.
The Survivor 50 finale airs on Wednesday, May 20, at 8/7c on CBS.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT BOSTON ROB COACHED JONATHAN? SHOULD JONATHAN WIN SEASON 50?
