Noelle Lambert ’19 Inspires on “Survivor"
Noelle Lambert ’19 inspires on “Survivor.”
07/01/2023
By Ed Brennen
Noelle Lambert ’19 found a new way to inspire people by competing on the CBS reality show “Survivor.” A former River Hawk women’s lacrosse player from Londonderry, New Hampshire, Lambert lost her left leg above the knee in a 2016 moped accident. She has since started the Born to Run Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing child amputees with prosthetics, and become a track and field star: She competed in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo and holds the U.S. record in the 100-meter dash.
On season 43 of “Survivor,” Lambert was “stranded” with 17 other castaways in Fiji—on the same island where the 2000 Tom Hanks film “Cast Away” was shot. Lambert returned to campus this fall for a “Survivor” watch party at University Crossing, where she answered questions about almost everything—except whether she won the $1 million prize and title of “Sole Survivor.”
Q: How did you get cast on the show?
A: My mother (Judy) is a huge fan and has been telling me for years that I need to get on the show. But I’d never seen an above-the-knee amputee on “Survivor,” so I thought I had no shot. And I didn’t think it was the best idea because when I get hungry and tired, I’m a terrible person. But when I was in Tokyo for the Paralympics, I got a DM from the head casting director. I thought it was a joke or a scam, but it was real. I sent in a video to start the whole casting process, which took about six months.
Q: What were some of your strategies in the game?
A: I wanted to starve myself leading up to the show so I could get used to that. When I lose weight, it affects the suction on my prosthetic and my leg will pop off. And I didn’t want the other players to know that I’m a Paralympian, so I lied to everyone and said I’m a lacrosse coach for UMass Lowell. My strategy was just to be likable and useful around camp, and to lay low in the beginning. I think I proved myself. I was able to keep up in challenges.
“Survivor” contestant Noelle Lambert ’19, front row center, joined the women's lacrosse team for a watch party at University Crossing. Lambert made it to the top eight on the reality show.
Q: You wore your Born to Run Foundation sweatshirt on the show. Has it helped the cause?
A: People have reached out and donated, saying, “I saw your sweatshirt.” A lot of amputees are also reaching out, which is great. I’m glad I can create a positive light for people going through difficult times. They can see me doing it and be like, “OK, I can get through this.”
Q: How did the experience change you?
A: I want to say it taught me patience, but that lasted for about a week. You feel really accomplished after the game is over—“I actually did this.” When you’re complaining about things back at home, like when you’re hungry, you remember: I survived eight or nine days on nothing but coconut. It makes you realize what’s important. It makes you appreciate things you have at home. But it’s weird how it affects people in different ways. It can psychologically mess with some people. That’s what I was most scared of: What if it changes me? But I came home on Memorial Day weekend and was like, “Let’s rage.”
Q: Would you do it again?
A: Absolutely. On the island, I was like, “I’m never doing this again. This was the worst decision of my life.” But a week out of the game, I was like, “OK, I’m ready.” It’s a really cool experience. You create genuine relationships with every person you play the game with.