MIKE
AGE: 49
FROM: Manchester
OCCUPATION: Joiner

ABOUT

Master craftsman Mike can build pretty much anything out of wood, whether that’s a house, furniture or anything in between.

Mike describes himself as a kid locked in a grown-up's body. He loves adventure and holidaying and believes his biggest achievement in life is his daughter.

He lives on the street he grew up on in Manchester.

In the late 80s, he was very into the acid house scene and struggled with drug addiction. It took him many years to get clean but he turned his life around and now loves spending time alone in nature, having trekked waterfalls, wild camped and travelled around much of the world.

He believes he has the capabilities to succeed on the show and thinks it’ll test his knowledge to the max. He also very much enjoys the solitude that being alone in the wild brings.

Interview with Mike

Why did you want to take part in Alone?

I’ve always wanted to do this because it’s out of the norm.

Do you think you’ve got what it takes?

I’m a pretty simple person and I like to try and keep things that way. I’m a joiner, shelter building, I’ve fished all my life. It’s just the mental side of it, er, because that’s, that’s where it’s at.

What do you think you’ll find the most difficult?

I’m a people person, so that’s what I’m going find the most difficult, being alone.

Do you think you can make use of that time alone?

I think the time alone will be a good thing, just to evaluate life. Similar to how we re-evaluated our lives during lockdown, so this will be like that, but on a more severe level, because there’ll be no telephones, there’ll be no people knocking on the door, there’ll be no TVs, there’ll be no fridges full of food. So these feelings will just intensify naturally.

How do you feel about being on your own?

I’m curious about how the mental side of it is going to go. But not to a point where I’m anxious and afraid of doing it.

What do you expect this experience to be like?

I’d rather everything be a little win and a positive. It’s going be extremely difficult and painful, and anything other than that is a bonus. That’s how I’m going in.

Which do you think will be harder for you - the physical or the mental part of the challenge?

I think the mental will be way more tough than, than the physical. I don’t even think I can comprehend some of the thoughts that I’m going to have coming into my mind.

What do you see as the competition?

For me, the competition is simply how I’m going to deal with, resolve and get over every situation that comes at me. That’ll be the challenge. That’ll be the thing that I’ll have to conquer whilst I’m out there. It’s certainly not about the other people. It’s all about the location, and what you’ve got in the bank to bring to the event.

Do you think this experience could change you?

This experience absolutely will change me, one hundred percent. Going into this, there’s nothing else to do other than change my outlook on how I’m living my life at this moment in time.

How do you think you’ll feel about tapping out?

I think it’s a big reality. It doesn’t matter how skilful you are at certain things, it’s like the underdog can always come and steal the show. I could have an injury or I could eat something that I shouldn’t have eaten, or I might go out of the game. Anything can happen.

What is your main emotion when you think about this challenge?

When I think about the challenge, mostly I feel excited. A little bit nervous, a little bit anxious. I do feel confidence but I don’t think it’s with an arrogance. I hope it isn’t. I hope it doesn’t come across that way. But the overall feeling is excitement.

What would it mean to you to win?

On a personal note, winning it would be proof that I have enough about me to deal with every situation that’s put in front of me.

Do you think this could be a pivotal moment in your life?

I’m hoping that this is a defining moment in my life, that may result in a career move. Hopefully doors open will open for me that I’m not expecting. I’m hoping that it has an impact and that it changes my life.

What are the elements that you feel most confident about?

The shelter building is probably my most confident area, followed shortly after by the fishing. But that’s all I’ve done all my life. I’ve been a joiner all my life, so if I’ve got a got a poor shelter it’ll be embarrassing.

There are going to be moments that are scary during this. How do you think you’ll handle them?

I’ve just never really been that worried or concerned about the animals out there. I’ve got this strong belief that they want to stay away from us as much as we want to stay away from them.