When Rebecca Borman returned from her stint on Survivor: Cook Islands, she had some explaining to do.

As a make-up artist on ABC's The View, Borman had not been allowed to tell her bosses she was cast on CBS's most popular reality show. So, she lied.

"I had to lie to ABC because the whole ABC and CBS conflict of interest -- they wouldn't let me tell them. So I said I was travelling with one of my clients and asked for a leave."

While most people in Borman's situation would fear losing their job, she knew ABC would understand. And, upon her return, she not only got a promotion, she was asked to co-host The View this past Monday.

"It was so much fun. I was nervous right at the very beginning, but once I did my walk out, I was very comfortable," says Borman.

With all the strong personalities at The View table, Borman says her main goal was to be heard.

"This was an opportunity for me to show more of my personality, especially looking a whole lot better than I looked on that island, and I felt like I did that."

Returning to work also gave Borman an opportunity to share war stories with The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who rose to fame in 2001 on Survivor: The Australian Outback.

"She was floored -- she had no idea I even had an interest in it," says Borman, adding her and Hasselbeck's experiences on the island were very similar.

"She had a really hard time when she was out there and she lost a lot of weight, just like I did. The only difference is she wouldn't do it again and I would."