I Was on ‘the Challenge’ 5 Times — Interesting Things About the Show

April 18, 2022 Stan

I competed on MTV’s “The Challenge” and learned a lot of behind-the-scenes things about the show.
Throughout the casting process, I was surprised by how much the directors knew about me.
I found out I wouldn’t get paid as much as I thought, but still quit my job to be on the show.

Back in 2010, when I first competed on MTV’s “The Challenge,” I would never have guessed that the casting process would be so brutal or that I would get recognized from my time on the show.

I competed on seasons “Fresh Meat II” and “Cutthroat” in 2010, “Rivals” in 2011, “Battle of the Seasons” in 2012, and “Free Agents” in 2014.

Here are 10 things that surprised me about being on “The Challenge” that even die-hard fans might not know:

I would have never imagined how long and brutal the casting process would be

The writer, Brandon Nelson, sits beside another contestant on a log. Both are wearing black wetsuits and helmets — “The Challenge” casting process was very thorough.

Though I went through casting for MTV’s “The Real World” and made it all the way to the final call, I didn’t imagine that this process would last months. My anxiety was off the charts and the questions were brutal.

As a fan prior to casting, the show appears to be a bunch of fun, but making it onto “The Challenge” was definitely a grind. “Trust the process,” as they say.

I was surprised by how much casting directors knew about me

Though I went through the casting process before platforms like Instagram and Snapchat were popular, the directors were still able to really dive into my background. They knew things about me from years prior that I forgot about.

At that time, they really dug deep and it felt like a job interview at a higher level.

I really didn’t know how large the production was until I arrived on set

When you’re walking out of an apartment in Arkansas onto a massive production and you’re considered talent, it’s the best feeling in the world.

Though it’s not all glitter and gold, being considered talent is very empowering and makes you put a lot of things into perspective. Ultimately, you’re a part of a show that’s being built around you.

You’re as important as the people who are around you and, for the most part, you’re treated as such.

There’s a lot of hurrying and waiting

Since I’d never been on a production like this, I definitely was not prepared for the “hurry up and wait” mindset on set.

We only had two Challenge days a week and because of location, setup, and the sun beating down on us, we had a super early call time to be up and ready … only to have to wait another three hours before we could even compete. And this was after the two-hour drive to the site.

However, this process really didn’t bother me much because I’d just eat some snacks, take a nap, or listen to the divas complain — you know who they are.

Before getting on the show, I assumed that everything was paid for

mtv the challenge — During my time on “The Challenge,” I discovered that everything wasn’t paid for.

I was wrong. This isn’t a bad thing because the essentials are taken care of, but when you’re watching “The Challenge” from your couch, the experience looks a certain way.

When production allowed us to go out to the club or bar we were paying for our own stuff. They might’ve hooked us up from time to time on food, but drinks were on us.

Competitors are not supposed to talk to production, but I can tell they have their favorites

It’s made very clear from your first season that you are not to talk to the production crew.

But after I had a few seasons under my belt, I saw familiar faces, and whether they’ll admit it or not, they have their favorites.

In my experience, unless you win, you really don’t make that much money

mtv the challenge 19 — I made less money than I thought I would for “Fresh Meat II.”

After watching reality shows for so long (Thanks, mom!) I just assumed that if you are on TV, especially MTV, you’re rich and famous. I was wrong about one side of it.

Yes, over 10 years later, the base pay has gone up — and it can vary depending on who you are — but I was very surprised to hear what I was going to be paid to be on my first season, “Fresh Meat II.”

The pay was bad — like, very bad —but I just wanted the experience so much that I quit my tech support job at Verizon Wireless.

Traveling the world is one of the biggest perks of the show, and I learned a lot

Being on the show is a blessing in that we get to travel the world. We shot “Fresh Meat II” in British Columbia and “Battle of the Seasons” in Turkey, for example.

I also learned a few things. Like, in some countries, it can be perceived as rude to leave a tip at a bar.

It’s a lesson I learned the hard way. I wish America … never mind.

I was surprised when I got recognized in public after my first season

Brandon Nelson and other contestants on side of hill in forrest during elimination. Brandon and other contestant wear green shirt and other other contestant is on crutches and other two contestants wear blue shirts — I didn’t expect to be recognized so much after my first season on “The Challenge.”

After I was on for four episodes, I really thought I was done with “The Challenge.”

But after my episodes aired, people started doing double-takes and asking me for pictures. It was very surprising, especially since I was still living at home and thought I knew everybody.

Now, a lot of new people say they know me. Also, I found out we all look bigger on TV.