Connect with us

Lists

10 World’s Most Famous Conjoined Twins

Published

on

Conjoined twins, commonly known as Siamese twins, are an extremely rare identical twin developmental defect that has captivated the world for centuries. For reasons still unknown to humanity, assumedly due to particular mixtures of various unpredictable genetic and environmental factors, the single embryo of identical twins sometimes fails to fully separate in the fetal stage.

As a result, the children are born with one or more of their body parts fused, depending on how far the embryo managed to split itself before it stopped altogether. They frequently share various vital organs, such as the heart or liver.

Since even the world’s most technologically advanced hospital is powerless against this condition, it’s encouraging that this occurrence is so rare it only happens approximately once per 200,000 births. Naturally, owing to how uniquely they interact with the world in most respects, conjoined twins tend to be the main celebrities of their communities, while fewer still have managed to charm the entire globe.

Chang and Eng Bunker

The famous Bunker brothers were born in 1911 in Siam, now known as Thailand. Their fame birthed the more common synonym for conjoined twins, ‘Siamese twins,’ although there were many previous such instances around the world   They were joined at the chest by a band of flesh that was about 8ins (20cms) long and 2ins (5cms) wide. The twins’ condition is known as symmetrical conjoined twins, meaning that their bodies were perfectly mirrored, with each twin having his own head, arms and legs.

At the age of 18 Chang and Eng were discovered by a Scottish merchant named Robert Hunter, who convinced them to travel to the US and Europe to be exhibited as a curiosity. The twins agreed, and embarked on a world tour that lasted for over a decade, during which they were displayed in various circuses and sideshows, essentially as ‘freaks’.

Advertisement

The Bunkers eventually decided to settle down and start a family. They purchased a plantation in North Carolina and married two sisters – Adelaide and Sarah Yates, with whom they had a total of 21 children. Despite the challenges of living as conjoined twins, the brothers managed to lead a relatively normal life, running their plantation and engaging in various business ventures.

As the twins grew older, however, Chang and Eng’s health began to decline, causing Chang to suffer a stroke that paralyzed his right side, towards Eng, who cared for his brother from then on. Chang passed in his sleep at the age of 62 on 17 January 1974. Eng was woken up by his sons, and a doctor was called, but he died just two hours following his brother.

Millie and Christine McCoy

Also known as ‘The Eighth Wonder of the World,’ ‘The Caroline Twins,’ and ‘The Two-Headed Nightingale,’ the McCoy sisters were born to enslaved parents in 1851 in North Carolina USA. They were joined at the lower spine and shared a circulatory system, but each had their own heart, lungs and other vital organs. Despite their condition, they were able to walk, run, and even dance, displaying remarkable co-ordination and athleticism.

After their supposed emancipation from slavery, Millie and Christine were taken on tour by their owner and subsequently sold to a showman, who exhibited them around the world. They became known for their singing talents, performing for audiences that included even world leaders, such as Queen Victoria and President Abraham Lincoln.

Despite the exploitation they faced, Millie and Christine were able to negotiate better working conditions, thanks to both being very business orientated. They eventually bought their own freedom, and went on to even purchase a farm in North Carolina, where they lived until passing away aged 61 in 1912.

Millie and Christine were also active in the abolitionist movement, and used their platform to speak out against slavery and racism. They were hailed as symbols of strength, resilience, and perseverance, and their story continues to inspire many.

Giacomo and Giovanni Battista Tocci

Giacomo and Giovanni Battista Tocci were born in 1875 or 1877 in Locana, Turin, Italy. They had two heads, two arms each, and one leg each, sharing a pelvis but having separate vital organs. The brothers were discovered by an American showman named P.T. Barnum in 1887, and brought to the US to perform in his circus.

They became famous as a circus attraction throughout Europe, and toured for many years before retiring around 1900. Little is known about their later lives, but they lived until their late 20s, surpassing the previous record for longevity for conjoined twins.

Advertisement

One not-so-pleasant fact about the poor brothers is that they never learned to walk, since having to stand as an exposition all day at the order of their parents caused severe atrophy, disallowing them from actually developing and growing muscles that are crucial for leg movement and stability. However, they could stand using a chair or walking aids.

It at least seems like they didn’t have to suffer much longer, as many have reported them as passing early in the 1900’s, although some skeptics place the twins’ death as late as 1940. Interestingly, author Mark Twain saw them in a circus once, and subsequently wrote the short story entitled “Those Extraordinary Twins,” which was later renamed to “Pudd’nhead Wilson.”

Rosa and Josepha Blazek

Rosa and Josefa Blazek were conjoined twin sisters born in 1878 in Bohemia, which is now the Czech Republic. They began their career as performers when they were only one year old, with exhibitions of their unique condition at local fairs.

At the age of 13 they went to Paris to meet with doctors to explore the possibility of separation, but this was eventually dismissed as it was both too dangerous and way too advanced for technology at the time. Regardless, they moved on and continued to perform together, traveling all over Europe and later the US.

The Blazek sisters were popular performers in vaudeville shows, and their act was described as ‘a graceful and artistic performance of precision.’ They were well-received no matter the performance location, while in the US they graced Coney Island and other popular venues.

They passed away in 1922 at the age of 44, having left behind the customary substantial legacy of conjoined twin performers, adding to the overall legendary repute that these rare ‘couples’ enjoyed throughout history.

Daisy and Violet Hilton

Daisy and Violet Hilton were born at some point in 1908 in Brighton, England. The sisters were joined at the hip, and shared several organs including their circulatory and digestive systems. They were adopted by Mary Hilton, who began exhibiting them as ‘The Hilton Sisters’ when they were just three years old.

Daisy and Violet quickly became famous attractions in the sideshow circuit, and later on vaudeville (comedy) stages. They were trained in singing, dancing, and even playing musical instruments. They appeared in several films, including “Freaks” in 1932, which was a controversial movie that delved into the many particularities of living as a sideshow performer.

The sisters faced many challenges throughout their years, including financial exploitation by the bosses and a tumultuous love life. In the 1950s, they sued their managers and won back their earnings. They also had a failed attempt at a solo career, but audiences weren’t as interested in seeing them apart.

In 1961 Daisy and Violet retired from show business and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. They lived in a small house and worked at a grocery store. Their health eventually began to decline, and they both died of the Hong Kong flu within days of each other at the age of 60 in January 1969.

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon

Ronnie and Donnie Galyon were born on 28 October 1951, in Beavercreek, Ohio USA. The brothers were joined at the sternum to groin, and  also sharing a set of organs. They became circus exhibits in early childhood touring Latin America for many years, and with such as Coleman Shows among others,. In spite of their desires, they didn’t receive formal education because no school would accept them.

Their family was supported by their income as a sideshow attraction for many years, until in 1991 retiring from the entertainment industry, purchasing a house in Dayton, Ohio and living a fairly ordinary life with the help of twin wheelchairs.

Even after abandoning the limelight, the two still occasionally made appearances on television, including in “The Jerry Springer Show” in 1997, as well as a documentary film on the Discovery Channel a year later, and another documentary by Channel Five in 2009.

They eventually earned the title of the world’s oldest living pair of conjoined twins, keeping it until their deaths at the age of 68 on 4 July 2020, due to congestive heart failure.

Advertisement

Abby and Brittany Hensel

Abby and Brittany Hensel were born in Minnesota in 1990, and are perhaps the most famous conjoined twins of today. They are dicephalic twins, meaning they have two heads joined to one torso, with the rest of the body being that of a regular individual. Despite their unique condition, they have defied the odds and have lived a relatively normal life thus far.

The twins faced many challenges growing up, including learning to co-ordinate their movements and deal with the public’s curiosity about their condition. However, they were determined to overcome these obstacles and live their lives just like all other children. They hence went to school, participated in sports, and even learned to drive a car.

The sisters pursued a career in teaching after their college graduation, eventually earning a certificate for teaching elementary school. Their more-than-unique appearance is sure to at least attract everyone’s attention immediately, regardless of the age of their class, which surely must’ve helped in that line of work.

In 2012 they became arguably the most famous living conjoined twins after TLC did an eight-episode reality TV series on them, each of which lasted an hour. They also appeared in “Dateline NBC” in 1998, “Joined for Life” in 2003, and “Extraordinary People” in 2007.

Carmen and Lupita Andrade

Carmen and Lupita Andrade were born in 2000 in Veracruz, Mexico. The doctors’ prognosis at the time of their birth was three days of life at most. However, they defied all odds and continued to thrive, becoming nothing short of a medical miracle in their country. When they were old enough to travel, the family moved to Connecticut USA in search of better healthcare.

Despite being physically connected from their chest to their pelvis, where their spines connected, Carmen and Lupita lead separate lives. Interestingly, Lupita identifies as asexual and aromantic, while Carmen has been in a relationship with her boyfriend, Daniel, for over a year. They attend school, enjoy hobbies, and have even started their own YouTube channel, where they share their experiences with the world.

Their story has been documented in the TLC special entitled “Inseparable: Joined at Birth,” and the Channel 4 documentary “Two Sisters, One Body.” They have also appeared on several other content creators’ platforms, where they candidly answered questions about their daily life, dating and emotions.

The twins have faced a number of medical issues due to their condition, but modern medicine proved more than capable each time an intervention was necessary, allowing them to lead fulfilling lives. In early 2023 they’re fresh into adolescence and in peak health.

Advertisement

Krista and Tatiana Hogan

Krista and Tatiana Hogan were born on 25 October 2006, in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada. Unlike most other conjoined twins, these sisters are fused at the head and share a neural bridge that connects their brains. This makes them one of the rarest and most unique cases of conjoined twins in the world, identified as craniopagus twins, conjoined at the skull (cranium).

The twins have separate personalities, which is remarkable considering that they share a portion of their brain. Krista is more introverted and relaxed, while Tatiana is outgoing and high-strung. They are able to see and feel what the other twin is experiencing, which is due to the fact that they share a thalamus – the part of the brain that is responsible for relaying sensory information.

The Hogan sisters have received international media attention due to their almost fantasy-like mutual mind-reading capabilities. In 2011, The New York Times published a feature story on the twins, exploring the possibility of them sharing a mind. Their tale has also been featured in documentaries, including “Twin Life: Sharing Mind and Body” which aired on CBC in Canada.

Regardless of their unique condition, Krista and Tatiana are just like other children their age. They enjoy playing with their toys, riding their specially-built bicycle, and going down hills on toboggans.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpXIYWcHtuK/

Ladan and Laleh Bijani

Ladan and Laleh Bijani were born on 17 January 1974, in Firouzabad, Iran. They captured the world’s attention in 2003 upon attempting to undergo a risky separation surgery. The twins had fused heads that had shared critical blood vessels, making the medical procedure an incredibly complex and uncertain.

The sisters accepted the risks and remained determined to undergo the surgery, which they believed would allow them to live independent lives. The procedure was ultimately performed in July 2003 in Singapore, involving a team of more than 28 world-renowned medical professionals from all over the planet.

Tragically, in spite of all of the preparation and expertise that was invested into the surgery, it proved to be too difficult, with both Ladan and Laleh dying on the operating table. The loss of the twins was a shock to many, and their story brought attention to the difficult ethical questions surrounding conjoined twin separations.

Ladan and Laleh’s story continues to be studied and discussed by medical professionals and ethicists today, keeping the door open for an eventual breakthrough that would potentially enable a majority of conjoined twins to opt for a safe separation procedure.

As the Managing Editor at The Legit, I direct a dynamic team dedicated to creating rich content that profiles the lives and accomplishments of influential figures. My commitment to detail and storytelling drives the production of biographies that truly engage our audience. I manage all aspects of the editorial process, from conducting thorough research to crafting vivid narratives, all while ensuring the accuracy and quality of our work. At The Legit, our goal is to offer our readers comprehensive profiles that provide deep insights into the realms of business, entertainment, and more. Through diligent research and engaging storytelling, we highlight the exceptional journeys and achievements of those who both inspire and intrigue us.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lists

Will there be a 7th season of “Iron Resurrection”? What’s happened?

Published

on

Since its debut in 2016 on the Velocity Channel, “Iron Resurrection” has been a popular reality TV show among automotive enthusiasts and reality TV fans alike with its unique blend of automotive restoration and creative storytelling. The show features Joe Martin, his wife Amanda and his team at Martin Bros Customs, who transform rusted old cars into beautiful, high-performance machines. Over the years, the show has gained a dedicated fan following, eagerly anticipating news of its next season. However, after a great sixth season which aired in September of 2022, fans were left wondering if there will be a season seven. So, what exactly’s happened?

What is “Iron Resurrection”?

Each episode follows the team as they take on a new project, tackling everything from vintage hot rods to classic muscle cars.

One of the unique aspects of “Iron Resurrection” is its focus on the creative process of car restoration. Rather than simply showcasing the finished product, the show takes viewers behind the scenes to see the meticulous work that goes into each build. From custom paint jobs to handcrafted upholstery, the team at Martin Bros Customs takes pride in every detail of their work, and the show does an excellent job of highlighting their craftsmanship.

Advertisement

In addition, the series features the Martin Bros Customs team interacting with clients and sharing the stories behind each vehicle. These personal narratives add depth and emotional resonance to the show, making it more than just a simple car restoration program.

Cast

Here’s a closer look at some of the key members of the Iron Resurrection cast:

The founder of Martin Bros Customs, Joe Martin is the heart and soul of “Iron Resurrection”. With over 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, Joe is a master fabricator and painter who can transform even the most beat-up car into a stunning work of art. His passion for cars and commitment to quality workmanship make him a fan favorite on the show.

Joe’s wife Amanda is an artist and designer who brings a creative touch to the restoration process. She oversees the upholstery and interior redesign of each vehicle, ensuring that every detail is perfect. Amanda also helps with client interactions, and adds a personal touch to each build.

Jayson “Shag” Arrington is the lead mechanic in “Iron Resurrection” and a skilled engineer. With his extensive knowledge of mechanics and his attention to detail, Shag is a crucial member of the team. He’s also known for his sense of humor and infectious personality, which make him beloved by both other cast members and fans.

Advertisement

Joe’s brother Jason Martin is a master metal fabricator and painter. With his years of experience in the automotive industry, Jason is a key player on the show and helps bring some of the most complex builds to life.

Some cast members left the show in Season 4

When Season 4 of “Iron Resurrection” premiered in 2019, the fans were surprised by some of the changes in the cast – several including Pompa, Shorty, Manny, and Cato, mysteriously left the show. Their departure was unexpected, and there was no official explanation from the producers regarding their departure. However, it was revealed in the end that their departure was mostly due to personal reasons, such as family-related issues.

Their departure may have had an impact on the show’s dynamics, and some fans speculated that it may have played a role in the show’s subsequent ratings decline. Nonetheless, the show has continued to garner a dedicated fan base, and has received praise for its unique take on automotive restoration. The remaining cast members have continued to deliver high-quality restorations, and new members have been added to the team to keep the show fresh and exciting.

What we know about Season 7

While Season 6 of “Iron Resurrection” was also delayed, when it finally aired it didn’t leave the fans disappointed, and received great reviews, with viewers praising the team for their impressive automotive restorations and exciting challenges. The show has seen a rise in its ratings, to 7.8 stars on IMDb, which perfectly demonstrates the loyalty of “Iron Resurrection” fans, and their love for the show.

Advertisement

Given the shows success over its six seasons, it is very likely that the show will return for another season before the end of 2023. However, there is still no official announcement from either Velocity or the “Iron Resurrection” production team regarding the next season. All fans can do now is sit and wait.

Automotive restoration is a labor-intensive process that requires a lot of time and work. This can in turn contribute to the long waiting times between seasons of shows such as “Iron Resurrection” – the team at Martin Bros Customs often takes on complex and challenging restorations that require even more time and effort. They pay close attention to details and want every car that comes out of their shop to be perfect, focusing on quality rather than quantity, which doesn’t happen over-night.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CP6JKBxFZuU/

Conclusion

The highly anticipated 7th season of Iron Resurrection promises to deliver the same high-quality automotive restorations and exciting challenges that fans have come to love. With a talented team at Martin Bros Customs and a commitment to excellence, viewers can expect nothing less than the best. While the wait for the new season may be long, fans can rest assured that the team is working hard to ensure that it meets, even exceeds their expectations.

Continue Reading

Lists

From Carpenter to Gold Rush – Who, and how rich is Chris Doumitt?

Published

on

Chris Doumitt is a well-known figure in the world of gold mining, mostly due to his appearances in the popular reality TV show “Gold Rush.” Chris has had a fascinating life journey from being a carpenter to becoming a gold miner in the Alaskan Gold Rush. Throughout his career, he’s faced numerous challenges and obstacles, but his determination and perseverance have helped him overcome them all. Chris’s journey is a testament to the fact that with hard work, dedication and a little bit of luck, anyone can achieve success in life.

Chris’ early life and career

Chris Doumitt was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, in Portland, Oregon, spending most of his early life on his family’s farm, where he acquired his strong work ethic. He fondly remembers his days on the farm, reportedly learning to drive a tractor before he could see over the windshield. Growing up, he was an outdoors enthusiast, spending a lot of his free time hiking, fishing and camping in the nearby mountains and forests. He was also interested in firearms, and later taught gun safety as an instructor at the Sandy Police Department.

After matriculating from high school, Chris started working as a carpenter, building and renovating houses in the Portland area, continuing for 25 years before any idea of changing professions occurred to him. His journey to becoming a gold miner began when his friend, Greg Remsburg, asked him to build a cabin for him in Alaska; at that time, Greg was employed by the Hoffman family as a construction expert. Initially Chris was only supposed to stay in Alaska for 10 days, but his trip was prolonged to five months, over the course of which he learned about gold mining from Todd Hoffman and his crew. In the end he was hired by Todd, who was impressed by his skills as a miner.

Advertisement

At that time, Discovery’s “Gold Rush” was just getting started, and Chris found himself as one of the original cast members as part of the Hoffman crew. He stayed with the Hoffman crew through the first three seasons, but then left, returning in season four as part of Parker Schnabel’s crew, and has stuck with them until today, becoming one of the most significant members of the crew and a highly skilled gold miner.

Aside from his career as a gold miner and a television personality, Chris has also launched his own line of premium cigars – Doumitt Cigars; he started his company with Harry DeWolf who shares his passion for cigars, and now features a range of handcrafted cigars made from high-quality tobacco leaves sourced from various countries, including the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras. The company has received positive reviews from cigar enthusiasts and critics alike – its high-quality tobacco, traditional techniques and stylish packaging have made it a popular choice among aficionados. Chris’s passion for cigars and attention to detail have certainly paid off, as Doumitt Cigar continues to attract a loyal following of fans.

Gold Rush

“Gold Rush” is a popular reality TV series that first aired on the Discovery Channel in 2010. The show follows several mining crews as they search for gold in remote locations across North America, including Alaska, Yukon, and Oregon.

The show features a diverse cast of miners, each with their own unique personalities and skill sets. Some of the main cast members over the years have included Todd Hoffman, Parker Schnabel, Tony Beets, and Rick Ness. Each of these miners leads their own crew, and they face various challenges and obstacles as they attempt to extract gold from their mining sites.

Advertisement

One of the show’s central themes is the high stakes nature of gold mining. The miners must invest significant amounts of time, money, and resources into their operations, with the hope of striking it rich and making a profit. However, the unpredictable nature of the industry means that success is never guaranteed, and miners must navigate a variety of obstacles and setbacks in their quest for the precious mineral.

The show has also had a significant impact on the gold mining industry, inspiring many viewers to take up gold mining as a hobby or a career. It has helped to raise awareness of social issues associated with gold mining, including the impact of mining on the environment and local communities.

The show is filmed on location at various mining sites across North America, with crews facing harsh weather conditions, equipment breakdowns, and other challenges in their work. The breathtaking scenery of the remote locations adds to the show’s appeal, and viewers are treated to stunning views of mountains, forests and rivers.

Over the years, “Gold Rush” has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting a massive following of fans around the world. The show’s thrilling action, compelling characters, and educational value have all contributed to its popularity. “Gold Rush” has also been praised for its realistic portrayal of the challenges faced by miners in their work, and for raising awareness of the environmental and social issues associated with the gold mining industry.

The show has faced some mild criticism on its portrayal of the industry, but despite that “Gold Rush” continues to be a fan favorite, with viewers tuning in season after season to see their favorite miners in action. The show has also spawned several spin-off series, including “Gold Rush: Parker’s Trail” and “Gold Rush: White Water”, which follow some of the main cast members as they take on new mining challenges and adventures.

“Gold Rush” is a thrilling and informative show that provides viewers with an inside look at the world of gold mining. Its exciting action, captivating characters, and educational value have made it a beloved favorite among fans, and it continues to be a popular and influential series in the reality TV genre.

Advertisement

Chris Doumitt’s love life and family

Chris has been married to Sharon for nearly five decades, and the couple have two children together. However, their marriage has faced some very difficult challenges over the years.

One of the most significant was when Sharon was diagnosed with multiple types of cancer. Chris has spoken about how difficult this time was for their family, and how they had to put their personal and professional lives on hold to focus on her health. Fortunately, Sharon recovered by 2017 and is doing well today.

Around that time, Chris had health issues himself, as he’d injured his back while gold mining. He underwent a successful back surgery, which fixed all his problems.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B15TKNDHFHW/

However, that wasn’t the last of challenges in Chris’s life. That same year, his truck was stolen, and with it his passport and credit cards. However, luck didn’t leave his side for too long, as his truck was found shortly afterwards, as the person who stole was arrested in Slave Lake, Alberta. He was able to reclaim his possessions, but his truck was totaled by the insurance company, as the cost of returning it was higher than the vehicles worth.

Chris Doumitt Net Worth

Chris’s success as a television personality on “Gold Rush”, coupled with his cigar company, has allowed him to live a rather care free life. He is reportedly paid $25,000 per episode of “Gold Rush”, and his net worth has been estimated at over $400,000 in 2023.

Advertisement

Conclusion

Over the years, Chris has established himself as a skilled miner and successful entrepreneur, with a range of business ventures outside of his mining activities. Despite the challenges he has faced in his personal and professional life, including his wife’s battle with cancer and the loss of his equipment, Chris has remained determined and focused on achieving his goals. Through his hard work and dedication, he has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues, fans, and viewers of “Gold Rush.” Chris Doumitt’s legacy as a gold miner, entrepreneur, and reality TV star will undoubtedly continue to inspire and entertain audiences for years to come.

Continue Reading

Lists

Meet Teams Competing For $500,000 on “Race to Survive: Alaska”

Published

on

USA Network launched its newest survival competition series, “Race to Survive: Alaska,” on 3 April 2023. Eight teams of two took on the hardcore challenge of a 46-day, 300-mile race in volatile weather and inhospitable terrain for a chance to take home $500,000. With that much prize money at stake, viewers could expect the competition to be quite intense. In the Alaskan wilderness, however, it was not simply a race but a matter of survival, and this added a great deal of excitement to the reality show. The caliber of the contestants would have been top-notch for them to qualify in the game, so it would be pretty interesting to see how each team fared.

All about “Race to Survive: Alaska”

Over the course of 46 days, teams of two will have to traverse an unforgiving terrain from Ketchikan to Cordova and then up through the Alaskan Aleutian Islands, which is a chain of 55 smaller islands and 14 large volcano islands that extend 1,200 miles from the Alaskan Peninsula to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, without a chartered path, and survive off the land and with what they can carry on their backs. There are six races, and at the end of each one, they will find a crate with one less set of medallions, so the last team to arrive will be left with nothing, and therefore eliminated.

With the cast members having diverse skill sets, the production created the challenges taking that into account, and tried to find the median that would somehow even the playing field, at least initially. As the race progressed, they ramped up the challenges, and the survival skills, endurance, and mental toughness of the participants were greatly tested. The teams had some downtime, as they could only move forward for 12 hours each day, and then wait for the race to recommenc. Even if there were about 21 hours of light at that time in Alaska, they couldn’t keep going. However, essentially the game had no off button, as they were still out in the elements – there were no rooms provided where they could rest properly, comfortably. Once the signal was given that 12 hours had passed, they stopped wherever they might be at that point in the race.

Advertisement

They were given time to regroup at the end of each leg of the race at a survival camp. Those who arrived ahead of the others got first choice of the ideal spot to set up their shelter, and find resources. The teams were instructed to bring whatever they thought they would need for various outdoor activities. There were supplies, however, that were made mandatory by the production, particularly those that would keep them safe. Some packs were heavier than others, and perhaps this was part of a team’s strategy. Heavier ones might slow people down because they would tire more easily, but they had all their bases covered as they brought everything. Lighter ones might make them travel faster, but might lack something they would need later on.

Some said it was reminiscent of “Amazing Race” and “Survivor,” so viewers who watched these two reality game shows would have a fair idea of what it was going to be like. However, Executive Producer Alan Bishop, assured viewers that “Race to Survive: Alaska” had achieved ‘the pure expression of man vs. the wild environment like no other series.’

The production scouted various locations, not just to provide a different kind of challenge at each leg of the race, but also to ensure that every episode had a unique look, feel, and tone, keeping in mind the safety of the cast and crew. That said, bears are a constant threat, and the cast was trained extensively in bear awareness. The weather was also unpredictable, even if they filmed during summer, as they still had days when it rained and even snowed.

Meet the teams

The TV series executive producer reported that the contestants were painstakingly chosen, to ensure that each of them had the essential skills to make it through the race, such as rappelling, rock climbing, swimming, and kayaking. It was paramount that they had navigational skills too, meaning that they could find their way across rough country to various checkpoints using a compass and a map.

The initial pool of 14 teams underwent a pre-boot camp in Leavenworth, Washington State, and skills-based training to assess the degree of competency, and were ranked on a scale of one to five. After that, the production reduced the number to eight teams based on what they wanted for the TV show. Those chosen went through a more serious boot camp in Ketchikan, Alaska. Here are the eight teams that participated in “Race to Survive: Alaska” and some spoilers on their adventures from a couple of episodes that were aired:

Jeff and Hunter Leininger – Father and son duo

53-year-old Jeff might be the oldest contestant, and his 21-year-old son Hunter the youngest, but no one should discount them because both had been going on adventure races for most of their lives. Hunter believed that this prepared them for participating in what he called a ‘dream adventure’ that challenged them like never before; this pushed him way out of his comfort zone. His dad was the one he would trust most with his life on this toughest race across Alaska.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce9eFO3p_8g/

Hunter was only seven when he joined a six-hour race, and he’d been hooked ever since. The appeal of adventure racing when he was young was that he could race with his father. He was 11 when he became the National Record holder for the youngest racer to finish the 2012 US Adventure Racing Association (USARA) 24-Hour Nationals in New York. He set a World Record as the youngest finisher at 13 in the 72-Hour Sea to Sea Expedition Race in Florida (2009), and 16 in the Adventure Racing World Series Championship in Wyoming (2017). The secret, he said, was to never give up, even when the going got tough, or he was in a lot of pain.

Jeff might have the right experience to back him up, as he’d participated in over 100 Endurance Races, but it seemed that in getting old, he’d developed some fears that made him hesitate in taking on some of the obstacles, knowing that one mistake could cost them the race. He struggled walking through the marshes, as his foot got stuck in a muddy sinkhole a few times. He also accidentally nicked his knuckle with the blunt side of an axe as he was hammering a spike on a tarp, causing it to bleed.

Advertisement

Brett Gatten and Esther Sanderlin – Dating for two years

Shortly after relocating to Alaska, Brett met Esther through a dating app, and they hit it off as in sharing a passion for the outdoors. As she greeted him on his birthday on Instagram, she called him her favorite mountain man and said, ‘We’ve been on so many adventures already, and I’ve loved everyone of them!!! You truly are my perfect match, with your adventurous spirit, drive, patience, goofiness, competitiveness and spunk!!’ He’s competed in Olympic Track Triathlons, while she’s a Champion Dog Sledder and a bush pilot. She has three kids from a previous marriage, but are both divorcees who found another chance at love, and have been dating for two years, the majority of which they’ve spent hunting, fishing, and going on snowmobile rides.

Both were in their 40s when they joined the ultimate adventure in “Race to Survive: Alaska.” The two carried 78-pound packs, heavier than anybody else’s, and it seemed to create a problem for them considering that it was the hottest time of the year in Alaska at 82F degrees. On top of that, they were a bit overdressed, so it wasn’t a surprise when Esther was heard saying repeatedly that it was really hot, and she needed electrolytes. Brett, however, just wanted to keep going, perhaps not realizing that Esther’s condition was becoming serious.

Esther passed out from severe heatstroke, and viewers could hear one of the First Responders saying that she was unresponsive. She was airlifted from the race and taken to a hospital, where she stayed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for three days, fortunately making a full recovery.

Wilson and Oliver Hoogendorn – Inupiaq brothers

Wilson is a 23-year-old gold diver, while his older brother, 25-year-old Oliver, is a commercial fisherman. The two were natives of Nome, Alaska, so it was like they had home-field advantage. If that wasn’t enough to give them an edge over the other teams, then being the first Native Alaskan team to reach the summit of Denali in 13 days, and to ski down from the highest peak in just one day should do it. The Inupiaq brothers won over viewers quickly, as they gave off positive and fun vibes; it was a survival race, but they seemed to be having the time of their lives. Wilson is keen on experiencing new things, and likely to dive head-first into danger, while Oliver is the voice of reason.

Max Djenohan and Christian Junkar – Outdoor enthusiasts

33-year-old Max was not new to surviving in the wilderness, as he’d previously appeared in multiple seasons of Discovery Channel’s “Naked and Afraid.” He spent 156 days naked on four continents, and was only provided with a satchel and allowed to bring with him one useful item, such as a fire starter or a machete to survive. This meant that he had a great chance at winning this race, as he not only had a partner, but also a backpack full of things he would need. 25-year-old Christian is an experienced ice climber with excellent navigational skills, having worked as a mountain guide. The two met through a common friend; both are opinionated so it’s expected that they will butt heads during this race.

Advertisement

Cason and Bella Crane – Brother and sister duo

Cason, 29, and his 25-year-old sister Bella are Ivy League graduates. Their mother, Isabella de la Houssaye, had participated in the Ironman World Championships and completed 50 marathons in just about 50 states. After she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at the age of 54, she went on an adventure with each of her five kids. She took Bella with her to climb Mount Aconcagua, and she and Cason ran a marathon in Alaska.

The siblings are very much into outdoor adventures. Cason is the first openly gay mountaineer to successfully climb the highest mountains of each of the continents, referred to as the Seven Summits, and plant the Pride Flag at the age of 20. This was a goal of the Rainbow Summits Project that he launched to raise awareness and funds for the American non-profit organization called The Trevor Project, which was focused on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth. On her own, Bella completed the Pacific Crest Trail, which is a 4,000km-long hiking trail with elevation that ranges from 110 feet above sea level to about 13,000 fee,t, 4,000 meters and passes through seven national parks and 25 national forests. The siblings hoped to make their family proud, and show the world what they were capable of, considering their background.

Genevive Walker and Favia Dubyk – Rock-climbing duo

Genevive, 33, is a wilderness first responder as well as a certified rock-climbing guide and instructor. She joined the Rock Guide Course, an affinity program of the American Mountain Guides Association, to hone her skills in various terrains, rope management, efficient transitions, and self-rescue. Self-discovery is a lifelong journey for her, as she admitted to having a never-ending battle with her own identity, saying, ‘Never felt black enough or white enough so mixed was my default.’

She met Favia, who is a year older than her, at a rock-climbing festival, and it appeared that they bonded over wanting to create and establish space for black female climbers. Favia is a physician and a professional rock climber – for seven years, she held the 100-meter track record at Harvard University. Her story was quite inspiring, because she went through a lot from being an athlete to being bedridden as she had advanced-stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and underwent chemotherapy. After she recovered, she proceeded to get her athleticism bac, and competed in the “American Ninja Warrior,” an entertainment sports reality show. She didn’t want to have any regrets, and became highly motivated to live life to the fullest.

Advertisement

Robin Moore and Elizabeth Killham – New friends

The two women met in Egypt, as they were having a grand time skydiving over the Great Pyramids. As they shared a passion for outdoor adventure, it didn’t take much for them to want to join “Race to Survive: Alaska,” which would certainly test their survival skills. Robin, 45, is a licensed pilot, who took on the mountaineering challenge of the Seven Summits. Elizabeth, 36, had backpacked her way around the globe. Both women worked in the medical field, with Elizabeth as a veterinarian and Robin as an ER doctor.

Hakim Isler and Justice Norman – Martial arts enthusiasts

Some described the team of Hakim and Justice as the most unusual. Hakim, 45, is an army veteran who was deployed in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, serving in Special Operations Forces as Psychological Operations Sergeant. He was dubbed the “Black MacGyver” because of his know-how of primitive survival skills, and this was tested when he participated in the challenge of surviving the wilderness with the barest of essentials in Discovery Channel’s “Naked and Afraid” – Hakim taught this particular skill set to veterans who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He was reported to be a bona fide ninja as well, having earned a 5th Degree Black Belt in To-Shin Do or Ninja Self Defense. He talked about the history of ninjas in Discovery Channel’s “Unsolved History.”

For years, Justice, 38, practiced the Indonesian Martial Art of Merpati Putih. He met Hakim when the latter enrolled in a course on how to perceive things without using one’s eyes. When the two joined hands in “Race to Survive: Alaska,” they called themselves team ninja, as Hakim explained that ninja meant one who persevered or endured. They aimed to show everyone what people with a background in martial arts discipline were capable of.

Since “Race to Survive Alaska” is still ongoing, it will be interesting to see how the relationship between the two people on each team evolves as the race progresses, and the pressure to win possibly becomes too much for them. Will some teams form alliances, or will they be too wary of each other, not wanting to be with a team that slows them down, or gets the better of them? With each episode, viewers will get a chance to know each individual, as more of their personalities is revealed.

The difficulties that these teams face are all too real, as one team was eliminated during the premiere episode, not by finishing last on the first leg of the race, but because someone from that team was rushed to the hospital for a medical emergency. The first couple of episodes that were aired might have shown which teams were leading in the race, however, as there are still many adventure challenges ahead in the most extreme terrain in the world, anything can happen, and most likely will!

Continue Reading

Recommended

Lists9 mins ago

Will there be a 7th season of “Iron Resurrection”? What’s happened?

Since its debut in 2016 on the Velocity Channel, “Iron Resurrection” has been a popular reality TV show among automotive...

Lists4 hours ago

From Carpenter to Gold Rush – Who, and how rich is Chris Doumitt?

Chris Doumitt is a well-known figure in the world of gold mining, mostly due to his appearances in the popular...

Lists8 hours ago

Meet Teams Competing For $500,000 on “Race to Survive: Alaska”

USA Network launched its newest survival competition series, “Race to Survive: Alaska,” on 3 April 2023. Eight teams of two...

Lists14 hours ago

How Paul Teutul Sr. Built a Motorcycle Empire, but Lost His Family Along the Way

Paul Teutul Sr. was one of the most recognized faces in the motorcycle-building industry, and this was made possible through...

Lists14 hours ago

From Kingpins wife to Steve Harvey’s wife – about the piquant past of Marjorie Harvey

Marjorie has been in the spotlight in one way or another since the late ‘90s, and while she may nowadays...

Lists14 hours ago

10 World’s Most Famous Conjoined Twins

Conjoined twins, commonly known as Siamese twins, are an extremely rare identical twin developmental defect that has captivated the world...

Lists17 hours ago

Why “Sister Wives”’ Children Don’t Want To Follow Their Parents’ Polygamous Lifestyle

“Sister Wives” is an American reality television series that airs on TLC, and documents the lives of the Brown family...

Lists24 hours ago

What happened to Chapel after “Return to Amish?” What is she doing now?

Chapel Peace Schmucker gained worldwide popularity upon being featured on television as the wife of Andrew Schmucker, thanks to whom...

Lists1 day ago

From McDonald’s to weight loss surgery: How is Chris Combs doing now?

Depending on how you look at it, Chris Combs is both very lucky and extremely unfortunate to have been featured...

Lists2 days ago

“Survivor” Deaths: List of Contestants Who Have Died

As one of the most successful reality TV shows of all time, it’s tough not remembering some of the “Survivor”...

Lists2 days ago

What happened to Julia Trubkina of “90 Day Fiancée”? Deported?

Julia Trubkina’s life story came to light on 6 December 2020, when the first episode of the eighth season of...

Actors2 days ago

Naked Truth Of Kathleen Kinmont – Where is she today? Wiki

Kathleen Kinmont is an American actress and author, who became known through her roles in action and horror movies, as...

Trending