‘Survivor’ and ‘Traitors’ Star Boston Rob Picks His Ultimate ‘Survivor All-Stars’ Lineup
What To Know
- Boston Rob Mariano discusses his partnership with Dramamine, encouraging travelers to embrace meaningful experiences.
- He shares his dream Survivor All-Stars lineup, which includes himself, his wife Amber, and notable players like Parvati Shallow, Tony Vlachos, Sandra Diaz-Twine, and others.
More than two decades after viewers first met “Boston Rob” Mariano on Survivor: Marquesas, the reality TV favorite is still ready for his next adventure. Following his appearance on The Traitors and his new series with Dylan Efron, Everything’s a Competition, Mariano is partnering with Dramamine for its “Your Why. Your Way.” campaign, which encourages travelers not to let motion sickness get in the way of meaningful experiences.
ReMIND caught up with Mariano to discuss his most memorable trip, his dream Survivor lineup, his friendship with Efron, and how his idea of adventure has changed since becoming a husband and father.
You’re partnering with Dramamine for their “Your Why. Your Way” Campaign this summer – tell us what that’s all about? What does it mean to you?
Rob Mariano: “Your Why. Your Way.” is centered around encouraging people to focus on the reason they’re traveling in the first place (a.k.a. their “why”) and not let things like nausea or motion sickness get in the way of those experiences. Everyone travels for different reasons, whether it’s adventure, spending time with family, or seeing something they’ve always wanted to see. I connected with the campaign because some of my most memorable travel experiences have come from stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing the journey. Dramamine encourages travelers to have those experiences with right tools on hand to help stay focused on the experience itself instead of worrying about what might derail it.
What’s the most memorable trip, ride or adventure you’ve had where you wished you had some Dramamine and what was going on? I don’t think it would have helped with eating fly feces.
I’ve had my fair share of travel experiences over the years, both on and off television. One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had is driving the Road to Hana in Hawaii about seven years ago with my brother. It’s a 64-mile highway stretch with over 600 curves and takes about 12 hours round trip, which is sure to make anyone queasy. It would’ve been a great trip to have some Dramamine on hand when my brother was driving!
I’ve revealed some of my upcoming dream adventure trips in the ‘Your Why. Your Way.’ Travel Itinerary created in partnership with Dramamine.
If you could handpick a season of Survivor All-Stars, who would be the best of the best that you would select – could you give us your top 10 (in no order)?
Richard Patterson/TV Guide/CBS/Everett Collection
In no order, it would be myself, Amber (my wife), Parvati Shallow, Tony Vlachos, Sandra Diaz-Twine, Cirie Fields, Jeremy Collins, Tyson Apostol, Dee Valladares, and Kim Spradlin.
What’s a reality TV skill for Traitors, Amazing Race, Survivor, or all of them that ends up mattering far more than people think?
Adaptability. Every show throws unexpected situations at you, and the people who do best are usually the ones who can adjust quickly. Fans often focus on strategy, physical ability, or competition results, but the ability to read a situation, change course, and stay calm when things don’t go according to plan is one of the most valuable skills you can have.
I’ve also learned that viewers respect authenticity, and that’s resonated with me. Whether people loved me or loved rooting against me, they knew I was giving it everything I had.
You’ve spent a lot of your career in high-pressure environments, from Survivor to The Traitors. What does “adventure” mean to you now compared to when viewers first met you? Do you have any fun trips coming up this summer?
For me, adventure still means trying new things and embracing the unexpected, but I probably look at it a little differently today than I did when I was on those shows. Back then it was often about competition and pushing limits. Now it’s more about experiences, making memories with my family and appreciating the journey. I love seeing what adventure looks like through my daughters’ eyes. They span the gamut from adventure seeker to more cautious, but I love seeing them challenge themselves, whatever that means for them. I’ll still get my adrenaline rushes when the moment feels right, and the experience is worth it.
What’s the most “Boston Rob” travel habit you have?
Tony Esparza/CBS/Everett Collection
I can be quite resourceful when traveling, which is good because the best adventures usually involve a few surprises along the way. I like being prepared when I can and have some go-to’s that help with that along the way, like:
• Dramamine’s NEW Less Drowsy Powder is a no-water-needed, easy-to-use stick pack that delivers fast relief within 30 minutes and provides up to 24 hours of relief for on-the-go convenience.
• I never go anywhere without my Red Sox hat, which may seem obvious to some, and my aviator Ray-Ban glasses are always on hand. Other than that, some jeans, a hoodie, and a toothbrush, and I’m good!
Your return to reality TV on The Traitors introduced you to some viewers in a totally new way. What surprised you most about that experience?
What surprised me most was how different the game felt compared to other competition shows I’ve done. Strategy is important, but so much of the game revolves around perception and trust. It was interesting to see how quickly relationships formed and how much every conversation mattered. I also appreciated getting the chance to meet and compete with people from so many different backgrounds.
I love the real friendship you created with Dylan Efron on Traitors. What made you gravitate toward him early? When was the last time you saw him?
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
We literally just gravitate towards each other because we have similar personalities. We both love adventure, competing, and finding loopholes. I am literally on his couch writing this right now! We are about to go play golf!
Which reality competitors would you love to go head-to-head with in another strategy-based show?
There are so many great competitors across reality television now that it’s hard to narrow it down. Anytime you put smart, competitive people together and give them a game to play, you’re going to get interesting results. I’d have to say going against any one of my fellow Survivor alumni is always fun, especially from different seasons, because we all bond over the experience but go about the competition in different ways.
What can fans expect from you next, whether that’s on screen, in business or in your personal adventures? Anything else you want to tell fans?
I’m excited about what’s ahead. Dylan Efron and I have had a blast with Everything’s a Competition, and hopefully we’ll get to keep the rivalry going because we’ve barely scratched the surface of all the ridiculous things we can turn into a contest.
Beyond that, I’m looking forward to spending time with my family while the kids are on summer break and hopefully doing some traveling along the way. Whether it’s a family trip or a new adventure, it’s about making the most of those experiences and creating memories that last. At this stage in my life, I value experiences a lot more than things. The trips that mean the most are the ones where there’s a real connection behind why you’re going in the first place. That’s travel, my way.
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