Excerpts from his CBS.com Survivor: Philippines bio page:
"Personal Claim to Fame: Beating stage 4 cancer.
Inspiration in Life: My ex-wife - she’s my light, my strength, my everything. I pray everyday that we are brought back together.
Hobbies: Martial arts, motorcycle riding and bowling.
Pet Peeves: Traffic, know-it-all people, bullies or people that prey or pick on those weaker than themselves.
3 Words to Describe You: Spontaneous (sometimes explosive), opinionated and competitive.
Survivor Contestant You Are Most Like: I’m a combination of Rudy, Rupert and James. I have Rudy and Rupert’s cunning leadership and likability. I have James’s physical appeal – even at 52.
Reason for Being on Survivor: The million dollar prize and the chance for the experience of a lifetime. Plus, I’m tired of yelling and screaming at my TV about how the contestants are playing.
Why You Think You’ll 'Survive' Survivor: I have physical and mental strength, creativity, adaptability and a sense of humor. I’m an incredible manipulator and I have an uncanny ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
Why You Think You Will Be the Sole Survivor: When the odds are stacked against me that is when I shine the most. Although I’m definitely no angel, I believe I do have a guardian angel watching over me. No one has been more persistent than me to be on the show and it is because I know I can win if given the chance."
From his EW.com pre-game interview, by Dalton Ross:
"'I'm like a chameleon with the ferocity of a praying mantis,' says Artis. I have no idea what that means…but I love it! 'The minute that I feel that you're threatening me, I will chew you up and spit you out.' A man who has already beaten stage 4 cancer should be able to handle the rigors of living off the land, but unless Artis is able to adapt socially to his younger tribemates, he may be the one that is spit out."