Excerpts from her CBS.com Survivor: Philippines bio page:
"Personal Claim to Fame: Truthfully, I have no claim to fame. My friends tell me that my claim to fame is my blonde spiky hair.
Inspiration in Life: Helen Keller, because she succeeded and prevailed against overwhelming odds, and for her work with women’s rights and suffrage.
Hobbies: Home renovations, camping/being outdoors and going out dancing with friends.
Pet Peeves: Slow moving people as well as negativity, arrogance, laziness and narrow-mindedness.
3 Words to Describe You: Energetic, well-rounded, family-oriented.
If You Could Have 3 Things on The Island What Would They Be and Why?
1) Tweezers – so it doesn’t look like I’m wearing a head band on camera.
2) Hair product – because my hair sticks straight up.
3) Picture of my family – to remind myself of the lives it will change if I win.
Survivor Contestant You Are Most Like: Boston Rob for his unconquerable spirit and determination.
Reason for Being on Survivor: For the experience and the money.
Why You Think You’ll 'Survive' Survivor: I’m resourceful, I’m good at finding solutions to problems and I’m a hard-worker. Plus, I have experience camping. I can cook and help forage for food. I’m a team player.
Why You Think You Will Be the Sole Survivor: I think I have just the right amount of perceptiveness and social skills to succeed. I’m competitive and my life experiences have taught me that observing, timing and determination can go farther than anyone thinks."
From her EW.com interview, by Dalton Ross:
"This season of Survivor will have a lot of challenges in the water, which could pose a bit of a problem for Dana. 'I've never really swam in the ocean,' she says, 'so this will be interesting.' Interesting, indeed. And even though Dana has been through rehab for amphetamines, she doesn't think toughing that out will prepare her at all for the hardships she's about to endure. 'Being on a deserted island is gong to be hard no matter what.'"