Former Xaverian Student 'Boston Rob' Talks Survivor, Future TV Projects and Possibly Returning Home

 has every right to be tired. The former  student and Canton native, who picked up the million-dollar prize on Sunday night’s season finale, has been playing the game for over a decade.

“I’ve played the game for 117 days,”  told Patch in an interview Monday. “I finally got what I was trying to achieve.”

In his fourth attempt at winning big on the reality television show, Boston Rob survived to the end and cleaned up, taking home the $1 million prize.

“I’m really happy and the fans have been great,” Mariano, who dropped 35 pounds while filming, said. The winning reality star had a day filled with media interviews and was about to hop on a plane to LA just prior to chatting with Canton Patch.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” the 35-year-old said, sounding a bit tired. Sunday night’s finale was a “culmination of the past 10 years.”

The reality star said he does not have any future plans to return to Survivor. “I feel like there’s nothing left to prove,” he said.

He does, however, have big plans for TV. “I’m getting on a plane in 15 minutes and going to Los Angeles to start production of a new show,” Mariano said at about 3 p.m. Monday.

The new show, Around the World in 80 Ways, will be airing on the History Channel this fall, according to Mariano. “Everyone’s really excited,” he said.

The new venture will allow Boston Rob to make the transition from contestant to co-host and keep his television career going.

So, how was the fourth run at Survivor? “It was harder this time,” the married father of two said. “My wife was pregnant and my daughter was just over a year old (at the time of filming).”

The Canton native said his wife, Amber, has been a great supporter of his. “I’ve got a wife that knows what it means to get the call,” Mariano said of his wife, whom he met on previous season of Survivor.  His wife, also a Survivor winner, was understanding of “my desire to win and play the game,” he said.

Mariano plans on using his prize money for his family. “To make a better life for my family,” he noted.

As for Canton, there is still a soft spot in his heart for his hometown. His parents still live in Canton.

“I love it,” Mariano said. “It’s the town I grew up in and I love everything about it. Amber and I, we’re trying to transition back to Boston, and Canton would be a great place to settle down.