TV ADVENTURER GINA LOSING MY GIRL WASAGIFT

The tragic death of her three-year-old daughter has taught the Alone Australia contestant many life lessons

- Maisy Rae

The hit US reality show Alone has made its way Down Under, with a new series testing Aussie survival experts to the absolute limit on the wild west coast of Tasmania, all for the chance to win $270,000.

We chat to Alone Australia contestant Gina Chick, 53, a singer-songwriter, dancer and self-proclaimed "rewilding facilitator" from Jervis Bay, New South Wales, about surviving a family tragedy and why putting on weight was so important...

Had you seen the original US series before taking part in the Aussie version?

For years, I'd had people telling me to watch it and that I'd love it. Last year, I finally buckled and watched the first episode. I was hooked! I quickly went from, "This is amazing," to, "I really want to do this!"

Why did you want to get involved?

To be a role model for women and for people who think they couldn't do something like this. I'm not an expert survivalist, yet I managed. I'm a 53-year-old woman who managed to go and hang out in the wilderness, meet the challenges of surviving and be a part of wild nature.

What was your reaction when you found out you'd been selected?

I squealed for a while. It's hilarious because when I turned up for the final selection process, I came away thinking I'd totally blown it.