"Big Tom" Buchanan

At 6'3" and 285lbs, it's no mystery how Tom Buchanan got his nickname. The goat and cattle farmer has affectionately been known as that for years in Rich Valley (Saltville area) where he grew up. Born on October 30, 1955, Tom attended Rich Valley High School where he was student body president and later received a football scholarship to East Tennessee State University, where he served as football team captain his senior year.

In 2002, the rest of the world meets "Big Tom" as a cast member on the reality television show, Survivor. Tom debuts in the series' third installment, Survivor Africa. One of Africa's final four contestants, Tom is 13th to be voted out of the series lasting 37 days.

Popular among viewers, cast members and TV executives alike, Tom is asked to return to the show for 2004's Survivor All-Stars. He lasts 36 days and is the 14th contestant to be eliminated. Tom holds the title of Longest Running Survivor Contestant, lasting a total of 73 days over two seasons.

Tom's schedule remains busy years after his fifteen minutes of fame. When he's not helping out on the farm that's been in the family for three generations, he's traveling around the world on promotional jaunts all over America and internationally to Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Tom says he garners the most satisfaction from helping out with causes for children, lending his name and likeness and making personal appearances for charitable campaigns and events. Has the fame changed him? According to Tom, not a bit. "The main thing that's changed about me is my bank account! I know who I am, and I think because of that, I'm a good spokesman to younger generations. It's important that they see someone who's had this kind of opportunity and hasn't let it go to his head. I'm still me, even after everything that's happened to me through Survivor. I'm grounded. And, I'm proof that dreams do come true."