INTERVIEW: Emergency room nurse competes on ‘American Tarzan’
As Tarzan swings his way to the movie box office this summer, Discovery Channel is offering a different take on the survivalist’s image. American Tarzan finds a group of strangers dropped on the beautiful island of Dominica, and they must overcome a variety of obstacles to win the competitive series.
The contestants, coming from all walks of life, are faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, and only the true “Tarzan” will overcome the odds and win the game. Hollywood Soapbox recently interviewed contestant Maria Herrera about her time on the island, and now here’s an email interview with Kim Liszka.
Liszka, originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania, is an emergency room nurse who counts long-distance running and mental stamina as her strengths. She joined the Army while in college and became a combat medic and flight nurse. For 18 years, she raised her son as a single mother, and now, with him all grown up, she wants to take on new challenges in life, according to Discovery.
New episodes of American Tarzan air Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Discovery. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What skills as an emergency room nurse did you bring to the competition on American Tarzan?
Being an ER nurse made me extra observant to how my body was feeling — how the external elements were effecting my body. Since it rained a lot and I did not have a change of clothes, I knew the importance of building a fire to warm my body so hypothermia didn’t set in. I knew food and water were crucial to avoid dehydration. When I was stung by bees ,I knew to recognize the signs and symptoms before it was too late. As an ER nurse you always have to be ready for the unexpected, and that helped me in the jungle.
Have you always been into adventure and sports?
Heck yeah. Ever since I was little I was a daredevil explorer. From playing Dukes of Hazzard with the neighborhood kids to skydiving and wind surfing!
What are your memories of Dominica? Were you able to appreciate its beauty?
Memories are beautifully brutal! Of course, I appreciated the beauty of Dominica; that’s how I got off the course and ran into a beehive and stung by all the bees.
What was the hardest aspect of surviving on the island?
The lack of food and water that I needed to be able to perform and it wouldn’t stop raining!
As far as the challenges and obstacles went, what do you feel were your best strengths?
Oh definitely the climbing. I love to climb everything. And my mental toughness is insane. I was the oldest competitor out there and was still able to keep up with the young!
Do you like being a reality TV star? Do you watch the show?
Of course, I like being a reality TV star, and I love, love, love the show. I watch it every Wednesday when it airs and then everyday in between. My friends threw me a viewing party for the first airing.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
American Tarzan airs new episodes Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on Discovery Channel. Click here for more information.
