Sophia will not compete in the orienteering race. This Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the coach was eliminated from Koh-Lanta, the cursed tribenot by her comrades but by herself. Sophia, who failed to qualify in a knockout event, left the game with her head held high. For Voici.frshe returned to her adventure which changed completely after reunification.
Voici.fr : You were eliminated in a head-splitting event. How did you experience this very sudden departure?
Sophia: At first, it hurt me, it hurt my ego. I am a sporty person, a lot was expected of me during the events. But I can only blame myself, I had my destiny in my hands. There's frustration, for sure, but I'm leaving the game with zero votes against me in 39 days. It's a source of pride, I left peacefully.
As an athlete, do you feel like you underperformed during the show?
Yes, it's clear and clear, I underperformed in the tests. I put a lot of pressure on myself, people were waiting for me around the corner, it caused me stress. I had a great profile and I felt like I had things to prove to everyone. The more I underperformed, the less self-confidence I had. It was a vicious circle from which I was unable to escape. It would have taken me just one victory to get over the hump, like Charlotte with the sloths, who gave her back her self-confidence.
The days leading up to your elimination, we felt a hint of demotivation, particularly due to missing your daughter…
Totally. The comfort test where I was able to see my best friend again was double-edged. It's great to see our loved ones again, but it's so short. When we lose, it reconnects us to our real life, which we try to put aside. My daughter was 3, I'm a mother hen and I have an incredible connection with her. It was the first time I really left her. The only way to overcome the lack is to stop thinking about it. Seeing my best friend again brought it all back in my face. All I could think about was missing my daughter.
When the relatives arrived, did you expect to see your best friend Francesca?
I suspected it was going to be her. My ex-partner was very busy with work, I knew he wouldn't come. My best friend follows me in many things, she is always behind me. For Koh Lantashe was one of the only people I told I was applying to, she always supported me. I was super proud that she came all this way just for me. There aren't many friends who would do that just for a few minutes.
When you left, you seemed to have some regrets, including putting others before yourself. What were you referring to?
I had this role of big sister a lot, I comforted others when they were not well. As a strategy, I didn't want to show my vulnerability. When I cried, it was always alone, hidden away with the journalists. I didn't want to break down in front of others because I was afraid it would work against me. If I showed that I missed my daughter… I tried never to talk about it so as not to be told: 'We're going to vote against you because you can't wait to see your daughter again'. But I think I should have trusted certain people more, reached out to others and asked for help, dared to be vulnerable. I am a strong woman but I also have my flaws and I have the right to break down.
Charlotte was very moved by your elimination. What did she mean to you in this adventure?
From day one, we had a connection. He was truly the person I could count on. After the alliance of the five at the beginning, we said to ourselves that we would never promise each other anything again and that we could vote against each other one day. But in the end we always trusted each other despite the fact that we never made any promises. He was the only person I trusted 100%.
Do you keep in touch with her?
Of course, she became a friend. We knew each other at our worst. If we get along well in extreme conditions, in everyday life, it can only be a good match. She looks a bit like me even though she's younger than me. She's hyperactive, she likes a challenge. We have already planned sports competitions together, this is just the beginning of a great adventure.
Frédéric told us that you had preconceptions about him. Do you think you had difficulty moving beyond his image as a strategist?
I hadn't seen his season, but I had seen an interview with him where he explained that he was a great strategist. He had stuck this image himself. So yes obviously, we are much more wary. But it's not so much his image, it's his actions. If he hadn't betrayed us on the alliance of five, things would have gone very well. Certainly the alliance was shaky but there was still a betrayal on his part, he turned around to ally himself with the other boys, and voted against Lola without consulting us. This is mainly why we wanted to eliminate it.
“The ex-yellows could not deny that we were the fifth wheel of the carriage”
The reunification seemed to free you and Charlotte. Was Frédéric’s departure a turning point in your adventure?
Totally. I would even say that after the ambassadors, the ex-yellows began to consider us a little more. After Frédéric's elimination, we were afraid that the ex-yellows would be angry with us but we got together, we communicated and they couldn't deny that we were the fifth wheel of the carriage.
How was the reunion with your daughter? How did you explain your absence to him?
The reunion was magical. I had asked that they not notify her of my return. She jumped into my arms, she was super happy. I told her everything in my words, but I couldn't say too much because she shouldn't tell everyone everything (laughs). I think there is a form of pride, she likes to say that mom is on TV, her teacher talks to her about it, the students' parents come to see me and talk to me about it. She knows her mom did something important, but she will understand later.
As a life coach and therefore attentive to what you eat, how did you experience the return to a normal diet?
It was very complicated. I eat a very balanced diet, and I eat a lot. From the first days I felt muscle wasting, I lost a lot of weight. I fell below 60 kilos even though my ideal weight is 68 kilos. I was floating in my clothes, it was catastrophic. We've all had episodes of bulimia. We dream of food on the camp, I woke up at night imagining myself robbing a supermarket. When you have all this in front of you, you break down. These are temporary eating disorders.
Who do you think is the most deserving adventurer?
It's complicated but I want to say Charlotte. She was not highlighted at the start in the team, she was not at the maximum of her abilities. It completely revealed itself in terms of strategy and on a sporting level. She also exceeded her limits in survival. I wish him success in this adventure.
