Challenges: MPF percentile
38%
Seasons: 1 | Days played: 30 | Wins: 0 | Jury: 1
- Survivor 35: Heroes v Healers v Hustlers (2017) - 8th place, 11th out - 4th juror.
- Voted out in Episode 11, "Buy One, Get One Free" (Day 30).
| Challenge stats | Tribal council stats | Jury stats | Overall stats | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | ChW | ChA | ChW% | VFB | VAP | TCA | TC% | wTCR | JVF | TotJ | JV% | SurvSc | SurvAv |
| S35: HvHvH | 1.18 | 8.38 | 0.14 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 0.47 | 1.08 | - | - | - | 0.61 | 2.26 |
| Career | 1.18 | 8.38 | 0.14 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 0.47 | 1.08 | - | - | - | 0.61 | 2.26 |
Joe Mena - Performance ranks
Tribal: VFB% percentile
46%
Tribal: rVAP percentile
25%
Performance ranks are a quick visual measure of the contestant's season vs. historical data from all prior contestants, in three basic (scorable) categories:
1. Performance in individual challenges (MPF), as a measure of "physical game";
2. Ability to vote people out consistently (VFB%, or VFB/TCA), or "strategic game"; and
3. Ability to avoid being voted against (rVAP, or TCA-VAP) - which scales better than a percentage would - for "social/strategic game."
See also: Full glossary for all these abbreviations.
Joe Mena - Challenge record
S35: Heroes v Healers v Hustlers 
Tribal/team challenge record (5-for-13; 3 2nds; 2 sit-outs):
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 1 RC: "Quest for Fire" - Healers hit the beach first, and Healers win! (1st/3).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 1 IC: "Tracks of My Tears" - Hauls carts for the Healers, and they win again (1st/3).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 2 RC/IC: "Crossroads" - Sits out, as the Healers win again (1st/3).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 3 RC/IC: "Rock In a Hard Place" - Tosses sandbags, Healers don't lose (2nd*/3).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 4 RC: "Tangled Up" - Now with new Levu, unable to lasso the sled; Levu loses.
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 4 IC: "The Color and the Shape" - Hauls, works the puzzle; Levu loses again (3rd/3).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 5 RC: "Head Long Flight" - Slithers to push the ball along, and Levu wins (1st/3).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 5 IC: "Rice Race" - Moves the rice, retrieves the balls; Levu doesn't lose (2nd*/3).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 6 RC: "A-Tension Span" - Helps move the boat, takes a slingshot shot; Levu loses (3rd/3).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 6 IC: "Discy Business" - Holds the rope, stacks blocks, Levu doesn't lose (2nd*/3).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 8 RC: "Air Raid" - Randomly chosen to sit out, gets to enjoy reward anyway.
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 9 RC: "Hear About It Ladder" - Unlocks the crates, shoots all 5 hoops; red team wins.
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Ep. 11 RC: "Kenny Log-Ins" - Helps paddle and haul logs, blue team wins!
Individual challenge record (0-for-6): (Mean % finish: 52.2%)
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 7 IC: "Will It Go Round" - Eighth person to drop out (5th/12).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 8 IC: "Ten Foot Pole" - Second person to drop out (10th/11).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 9 IC: "Squatty Probst" - Fifth person to drop out, fairly quickly (6th/10).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 10 RC: "The Game is Afoot" - Starting on the top layer, but doesn't win (5th/9).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 10 IC: "Bermuda Triangles" - Lasts over 20 minutes, but third person out (4th/9).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 11 IC: "Driving Wheel" - Working on the final word puzzle, but loses (tie-3rd/8).
Hero challenge/ duel record (0-for-0):
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers: None.
Career totals - challenges
| Wins: | 5 |
| 2nd place: | 3 |
| Played: | 13 |
| Win%: | 0.50 |
| Sat out: | 2 |
| Wins: | 0 |
| Played: | 6 |
| Win%: | 0.00 |
| Mean% Finish: | 52.2% |
| Wins: | 0 |
| Played: | 0 |
| Win%: | -- |
| Mean% Finish: | -- |
Joe Mena - Tribal Council record
S35: Heroes v Healers v Hustlers 
Idols held/played: (2/2; 2 votes voided)
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 2: With Cole's assistance, finds the Healers' idol (Day 5).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 4: Plays the idol for himself, voiding two votes & avoiding a tie (Day 11).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 6: Finds the Levu clue during the day, digs up the idol at night (Day 15).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 7: Plays the idol for himself, no votes voided (Day 19).
VFB - Votes for the person booted (3/6):
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 4: Alan Ball (idoled out, 2-[0]).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 9: Cole Medders (voted out, 7-[0]-1).
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 10: JP Hilsabeck (voted out, 5-3-1).
VAP - Votes against (9):
- [Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 4: Two votes, from Alan and Ashley; both voided by his idol play.]
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 8: Four votes, from Ashley, Chrissy, Cole, and Mike.
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 10: One vote, from Chrissy.
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 11: Four votes, from Ashley, Ben, Devon, and Lauren (voted out, 4-2-[0]).
Jury votes made (1/1):
- Heroes v Healers v Hustlers, Ep. 14: Voted for Ben Driebergen (who won, 5-2-1).
Career totals - Tribal Council
| Advantages held/played: | 0/0 |
| Idols found: | 2 |
| Idols played: | 2 |
| Votes voided: | 2 |
| VFB: | 3 |
| Tribals: | 6 |
| VAP: | 9 |
| Made: | 1 |
| For winners: | 1 |
| Received: | -- |
Joe Mena - Pictures
S35: Heroes v Healers v Hustlers -
Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers intro shot -
Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers intro shot -
Bonus Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers intro shot -
On the boat, Day 1 -
Listening to Probst -
Swimming to the boats, Day 1 -
Healers tribe, questing for fire, Ep1 RC -
Made it to shore, now trying to light the torch -
Healers win reward! -
Yay, Healers -
Heading to camp, carrying supplies -
In camp, chopping stuff -
Healers tribe meet-and-greet -
They're all my victims -
Confronting Mike about his idol hunting -
Challenge arrival, Ep1 IC -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep1 IC -
Listening to Probst -
Hauling the cart -
More hauling -
Watching the table maze -
Healers win! -
Talking about his idol hunt, Ep2 -
Not in here... -
A clue! A clue! -
Enlisting Cole's help with the clue -
Ready to dig -
Got heeemm -
Getting his first look at the new Heroes tribe -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep2 RC/IC -
Sitting out, watching from the sidelines -
Yay, Healers won -
Worrying about Cole knowing about his idol, Ep3 -
Complaining about uncooked potatoes -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep3 RC/IC -
Liking the sound of the reward -
Watching Cole toss sandbags -
Taking over the tossing -
Whoops -
Healers don't lose! -
Pre-swap lineup, Ep4 -
Picking new buffs -
The new Levu tribe -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 RC -
Starting line -
Untangling ropes -
Hoping Alan hooks the sled -
Greeting the new tribemates -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep4 IC -
Starting line -
Going under the net -
Talking about trying to pull in Devon -
Consulting with Desi -
Making a scene to draw votes -
Levu tribe, Ep4 Tribal Council -
Talking to Probst -
Watching Devon read his advantage -
Joe plays his idol -
Gotcha, Ashley -
Post-Tribal chatting, Ep5 -
I was acting! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 RC -
Getting the ball to the end -
Watching Devon shoot baskets -
Levu wins! -
Cheers! -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep5 IC -
Starting line -
Watching Devon place a ball -
Levu doesn't lose! -
Starting line, Ep6 RC -
Swapping out for Devon on the slingshot -
Back in camp, collecting crabs -
Also finding idol clues -
I have to go dig for the idol tonight -
Measuring 4 feet from the well -
Got it, second idol of the game -
This is why you play Survivor -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep6 IC -
Holding the line -
Levu doesn't lose! -
Idol time -
Pre-merge lineup, Ep7 -
Excited to have made the merge -
Getting new buffs -
Liking the sound of the feast menu -
Merge feasting -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep7 IC -
Listening to Probst -
Starting line -
Still going... -
Watching Desi get her necklace -
A chilling vision of things to come -
Solewa tribe, Ep7 Tribal Council -
Calling bullshit on people feeling vulnerable -
Playing his second idol -
That's for me, Jeff -
Praising the blindside, Ep8 -
Really, it was a good play -
Uh oh -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep8 RC -
Listening to Probst -
Randomly picked to sit out, still gets reward -
With the winning blue team -
Hoping to start winning friends by eating last -
Picking Devon to eat first -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep8 IC -
Starting line -
...and done -
Watching Cole get necklaced -
Great, Cole doesn't actually have an idol -
Trying to convince Ryan and Devon they can't beat Ben -
Arguing with Ben -
Solewa, Ep8 Tribal Council -
Listening to Probst -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep9 RC -
Waiting for JP -
Unlocking the crate -
Shooting baskets -
Sinking the final shot. Red team wins! -
The winning red team -
This will be a great chance to build connections -
Looking for idol clues -
More looking -
Sigh -
Down in a hole -
Telling Ashley she's a goat -
Mike gets it -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep9 IC -
Starting line -
Watching Lauren receive her necklace -
Following Mike's lead -
Solewa, Ep9 Tribal Council -
Mocking the Round Table talk -
Watching Mike play his idol -
Underwhelmed by Mike's idol play, Ep10 -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep10 RC -
Listening to Probst -
Starting line -
Yay, Lauren won -
Saluting the reward winners -
The Coco-Nuts are born -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep10 IC -
Starting line -
Outlasting JP -
Getting approached by Lauren and Ashley -
Solewa, Ep10 Tribal Council -
Talking to Probst -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep11 RC -
Blue team, starting line -
Taking the lead -
Helping move planks -
Watching the puzzle stage -
Blue team wins! -
Excited about the reward and such -
Cheers! -
Laughing at poor, dethroned King Arthur -
Pre-challenge lineup, Ep11 IC -
Starting line -
On to the balance beam -
Yay, Chrissy won -
Joe and Mike learn the (fake) vote split plan -
I feel like I have a real alliance finally -
Solewa, Ep11 Tribal Council -
Talking to Probst -
The fourth member of our jury... -
Snuffed, Day 30 (Episode 11) -
Full jury, Final Tribal Council -
Listening to the finalists -
The cleaned-up jury, waiting for the vote reveal -
Full cast, reunion show
Joe Mena - Interviews
S35: Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Pre-game interviews
- CBS pre-game interview (YouTube, 8/30/17)
- Josh Wigler at The Hollywood Reporter (9/12/17): "Player Profile: Meet Joe Mena"
- Josh Wigler & Rob Cesternino at RHAP (9/23/17): "Pre-Season Interviews with Joe Mena & Roark Luskin"
Post-game interviews
- Mike Bloom at Parade.com (11/30/17): "Joe Mena on BOGO, Coco, and Braggadocio"
- Josh Wigler at The Hollywood Reporter (11/30/17): "Joe Mena Reveals Three Fatal Mistakes"
- Rob Cesternino at RHAP (11/30/17): "Latest Exit Interview - 11/30/17"
Joe Mena - Bio
S35: Heroes v Healers v Hustlers Excerpts from his official CBS Heroes v. Healers v. Hustlers bio page (8/30/17):
"Pet peeves: My biggest pet peeve is that fake energetic, fake smile, person that we all know. Also, someone who does not take responsibility for their actions, and is constantly giving excuses. Let's not forget that individual that must have one up on you.
What's your personal claim to fame? Obtaining my degree. This is something I'm proud of because it has given me the opportunity to secure my career and that has given me the lifestyle where I have the ability to provide my children with their wants, needs, and a lovely home that they can call their own. Without my degree, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish this.
Who or what is your inspiration in life? A hero is someone who is noble and will not let you down. My sisters are my heroes—they are noble, loyal, and love me unconditionally.
If you could have three things on the island, what would they be and why? Me, myself, and a picture of my children. I don’t think I would need anything but a picture of my children. A picture would provide me with a tangible image of them instead of just a mental image.
Which Survivor contestant are you most like? Tony Vlachos' understanding of how to manipulate others, Mike Holloway's "balls to the wall" attitude, and Jeremy Collins' ability to stay true to himself.
What's your reason for being on Survivor? Mo money baby! Of course the million dollars. I play "survivor" 40 hours a week at work. It would take me 10 plus years to earn a million dollars at my current work rate. Why not speed up the process and make a million in six weeks? It’s a no brainer. In addition, I always tell my son that he needs to give 100 percent in everything he does. I'm constantly telling him "go hard or go home." I just want him to see that what I preach, I also apply to myself.
Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor? I can relate to people from all paths of life, I work in a diverse community with diverse backgrounds in age, religion, and social status. I can converse with anyone about anything. With these stories, I’ll be able to manipulate individuals and my surroundings. I'm a likable, outspoken, and natural in most things I do. Nothing I do feels forced or uncomfortable. I'm well aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I'm not going to Survivorfor vacation or fame. I'm not going to be away from my children for six weeks and come back empty handed. I can win this and I am confident I can."