“I wasn’t excelling” — Battle Camp star Polly Brindle opens up about her strategy during the game

Netflix's newest competition series, Battle Camp, has brought together reality stars from various shows to compete for a $250,000 prize through grueling physical and mental challenges.

Among the contestants was Selling the OC star Polly Brindle, who surprised many by advancing far in the competition despite her lack of previous competitive TV experience. In a recent Screen Rant interview alongside fellow Selling the OC castmate Gio Helou, Brindle revealed her unexpected gameplay approach that kept her in the running.

"I wasn't excelling at anything too much that people wanted me out because I was a threat, and I wasn't bad enough at anything that I was a weak link and people wanted me out. So, that did me really well - the fact that I just kind of coasted along helped me make it really far," she explained.

This middle-ground strategy emerged after Brindle quickly assessed her position among contestants who came from more competitive backgrounds when the show premiered on April 23, leading her to rely on social skills rather than physical prowess.

Battle Camp’s Polly Brindle on finding her footing in unfamiliar territory

Brindle acknowledged that entering the competition environment required a quick mental adjustment. Unlike many competitors with previous game show experience, she had to rapidly develop a survival strategy.

"I knew within minutes of joining the camp that I wasn't the most physically strong, I probably wasn't the most mentally strong. I definitely, you know, was out of my comfort zone," Brindle admitted during the interview.

This self-awareness proved valuable. Rather than attempting to dominate challenges or form aggressive alliances, she opted for a more subtle approach. By deliberately avoiding standout performances while still contributing adequately to team efforts, Brindle crafted what might be called a "gray man" strategy – becoming neither a target nor a liability.

The Battle Camp format placed contestants into two competing teams, the Eagles and the Bears. Despite coming from the same original show, Brindle and Helou found themselves on opposing teams, creating an interesting dynamic between the real estate professionals.

For Helou, seeing a familiar face provided unexpected comfort in the challenging environment.

"Having her there just made it feel like a little piece of home, you know, made it to Battle Camp. So, you know, even though we weren't on the same team, we were definitely still watching out for each other's backs," he shared.

This existing relationship gave both contestants a strategic advantage that other players couldn't match. Helou emphasized this point, noting:

"It was a level of trust that I don't think any of the other campers could quite have matched. Yeah, it was a huge benefit, just both personally and strategically when I saw Polly show up to camp."

Brindle and Helou’s separation worked out for their gameplay

Interestingly, Brindle suggested that their placement on different teams might have inadvertently helped their individual games. Had they been aligned on the same team, their close connection could have made them targets.

"If we had been on the same team, we would have had targets on our back," Brindle theorized, explaining that their effective teamwork would have been perceived as threatening by other contestants.

This perspective highlights the complex social dynamics at play in competition shows, where existing relationships can be both beneficial and dangerous. By maintaining their friendship while competing separately, both contestants gained advantages without the associated risk that comes with powerful alliances.

For viewers of Battle Camp, Brindle's strategy offers a fascinating glimpse into how understanding one's limitations can sometimes be more valuable than exceptional ability in competition settings.

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Battle Camp is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.

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