The Summit's Mat Rogers reveals hardest part of filming: 'Scared'

Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Mat Rogers knows what he’s doing on The Summit. The NRL legend and two-time Australian Survivor star is by far the most strategic contestant on this year's season of the Channel Nine reality show, keeping secrets from his fellow trekkers and leading the decisions on who to vote out.

However, it turns out the 47-year-old isn’t as fearless as he’s made himself out to be on TV as he tells Yahoo Lifestyle he’s terrified of heights - which isn’t a great phobia to have considering the entire premise of the show is climbing a mountain.

“I was scared of heights prior to the show, couldn’t even go in a Ferris wheel,” he says. “But the competition is what allowed me to block it out. If I’m competing all phobias disappear.”

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When asked why he decided to return to reality TV, Mat says it was his love for the outdoors and the fact that the show was being filmed in the Southern Alps in New Zealand that pushed him to join The Summit.

“Throw some gameplay in, how could I not do it?” he remarks.

The Summit vs. Australian Survivor

Having competed on two seasons of Australian Survivor in 2018 and 2020, Mat says his previous reality TV experience had a major impact on how he approached The Summit.

“[Survivor] definitely impacted my gameplay. You learn a lot in those games, like what not to do. It was a very big advantage,” he shares. “But The Summit is way tougher physically. You work hard and your body is toast by the end - well, mine was.”

While Mat has both impressed and angered viewers with his cutthroat moves - particularly the “cruel” way he managed to get Tiffani Wood out of the game - he admits he doesn’t pay attention to any commentary online.

“If you listen to the fans you’ll end up sitting with them,” he says. “I think it’s funny. [Tiffani and Sam Molineaux] were massive threats to me; why on earth would I keep them around?”

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Monday night’s episode saw Mat make it to the top of the mountain alongside actress Simmone Jade Mackinnon, personal trainer Trisha Lindgren and nurse and midwife Charlotte Shelton.

However, their bubble was quickly burst by host Jai Courtney when he told them they had climbed the wrong summit and had 24 hours to make it to the final location.

The Summit Grand Finale airs Tuesday at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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