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How Storage Wars Changed the Lives of Its Cast Members

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There’s no question that “Storage Wars” has been one of the most successful shows from A&E. From its premiere in 2010, the show conquered the hearts of its viewers by featuring the day-to-day lives of California-based buyers who would do everything to win an auction of abandoned storage lockers, even if they have no idea what would be inside.

With an entertaining concept, an interesting cast, and a fair amount of drama, “Storage Wars” is a sight to behold when it comes to reality TV. Nevertheless, overnight fame and popularity aren’t always easy to deal with, forever changing the lives of the cast members for better or for worse.

So how has the show’s success affected the lives of its stars? Stay with us to know all about the scandals, legal issues, and family problems the stars of “Storage Wars” have gone through since the show’s premiere!

Darrell Sheets

Though TV fame can do wonders when it comes to promoting one’s business, it can also make things more complicated. Darrell Sheets has experienced a mix of both, as appearing in “Storage Wars” has promoted his business, but at the same time, made it increasingly more competitive.

Just as Darrell affirmed in an eBaum’s World article, the industry of storage locker auctioneering has changed quite a lot since “Storage Wars” hit TV screens: ‘Since the show started, we’ve gone from 40 to 50 people at an auction to 300 people at an auction’, he wrote, admitting that people find the business especially attractive, due to how easy it is to enter it.

Not everything is bad news for Darrell, though. To this day, he keeps a record of the biggest find ever made in the show, when in the third season he found around $300,000 worth of paintings by Frank Guttierez. On top of that, becoming a TV personality has massively increased his following online, and brought him lots of new customers.

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Brandi Passante

Having part of your life exposed on TV can be dangerous, which it’s something Brandi Passante has got to know well. Back in 2013, Brandi went through a hard time when a man named Hunter Moore uploaded a pornographic video onto his website of a woman who allegedly looked like her, taunting Brandi with it and spreading it on the internet as her.

Moore is known as ‘the most hated man on the internet’, and is nowadays an ex-convict jailed for identity theft, but before that, he was a free man trying to make Brandi’s life a difficult one. Brandi soon enough sued Moore for damaging her professional image and causing her emotional distress, eventually winning the lawsuit and leaving no option for Moore than to delete all the content on his website which could damage her, setting a precedent for future victims.

Another unwelcome consequence of fame in Brandi’s life was receiving unnecessary comments on social media, which also affected her kids: ‘I stopped posting photos of my babies, because some creepy ass dudes were harassing them’, she wrote on an Instagram post, warning her followers to refrain from behaving ‘gross’ towards her daughter.

While “Storage Wars” has affected Brandi’s career in positive ways for sure, it’s undeniable that fame has also exposed her to difficult situations.

Jarrod Schulz

Throughout the years, Jarrod Schulz and his now-former girlfriend Brandi Passante became known as the couple who argued often in “Storage Wars”. While having that kind of reputation might not be everyone’s cup of tea, fame was certainly partially positive for their family, at least in the beginning.

As Jarrod affirmed to Orange County Register in 2014, the changes caused by the show were ‘dramatic’, but enjoyable for the most part, as their lifestyle had ‘gone up’: ‘We’ll go to a restaurant, and the chef will send us out something special’, he mentioned.

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Nonetheless, things have changed quite a bit in recent years, starting with the fact that Jarrod and Brandi separated in 2018, and unwillingly attracted the media’s attention to their remaining relationship as a result. Their situation reached its lowest point when Jarrod was arrested for domestic violence against Brandi in 2021, making their relationship a point of discussion between fans and the general public.

Overall, fame can bring some privileges but also can put people’s lives under questioning in undesirable ways.

Barry Weiss

Appearing in “Storage Wars” has been quite a wild ride for Barry Weiss. While most of his co-stars had been involved in buying abandoned storage lockers for years before becoming TV stars, Barry had never heard of such a business before he was cast in the show.

As Barry confessed in an interview with the YouTube channel ISHOOTPEOPLE, he was asked to be in the show by his friend and “Storage Wars” producer Thom Beers. At the time, Barry didn’t know about such auctioneering, but grew interested in it upon Beers’ offer. Nevertheless, Barry was one to say no to some extra cash, as he was always involved in diverse types of businesses, including owning a wholesaling company, and collecting and selling classic cars for profit.

Besides debuting in an industry in which he didn’t have any previous experience, “Storage Wars” also changed Barry’s life by turning him into a celebrity. As he said in the same interview, he considered the attention ‘flattering’, as people recognized him even when he traveled abroad.

Barry’s fame is an impressive one indeed, as he became an absolute fan favorite, despite appearing in only five of the 14 seasons of “Storage Wars” aired so far.

Ivy Calvin

Going down the line of people who have had a great time as part of “Storage Wars”, it’s impossible to not mention Ivy Calvin. Though The King of storage locker auctions was once a dedicated martial arts fighter, these days his business, Grandma’s Attic is quite famous, thanks to his hard work, and the fact he’s one of the most likable buyers in “Storage Wars”.

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Of course, appearing for several seasons on an internationally famous TV has its benefits. While most thrift stores keep their numbers low, Ivy has amassed thousands of followers both on Grandma’s Attic’s social media accounts, and personal ones.

That being said, most buyers in “Storage Wars” are business-focused, staying away from becoming attached to their fellow co-stars. Nevertheless, Ivy Calvin has allowed himself to become ‘best friends forever’ with Mary Padian, on top of spending quality time with his son Isaiah on screen. It’s been a good time for him, at least from what he has let us see so far.

Rene and Casey Nezhoda

Two of the stars of “Storage Wars” who’ve taken the most advantage of their TV fame have been Rene and Casey Nezhoda, the fan-favorites known as the Bargain Hunters.

Making good use of the dozens of thousands of followers they’ve gained on their Instagram and Facebook accounts, the Nezhodas do well at promoting their business by often sharing videos, making live streams featuring the newest articles in their store, and interacting with their followers. They’ve also opened a very successful YouTube channel, amassing over 180,000 subscribers, and allowing Rene and Casey to grow an audience outside of the show.

That being said, not everything is good news for the Nezhodas, as their former Bargain Hunters Thrift Store physical store was robbed several times before its closure in April 2021, when they moved to the greener pastures of online commerce. Though it’s unclear if the burglar had any intention other than getting some dollars out of the Nezhodas’ business, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to think that the couple’s exposure to fame could have attracted malicious attention to their shop.

Mary Padian

The story of Mary Padian is an interesting one. She had been involved in interior and furniture design for a while, having her work featured in Architectural Digest before finally opening her own business, Mary’s Finds in Texas.

It was some sort of luck that a producer involved with “Storage Wars” entered her shop, and asked Mary to appear in the show during the second season. Though that initial feature was a brief one, later in 2014 Mary became a regular buyer in the show, starting her career as a storage locker auctioneer.

Being introduced to the industry of thrifting wasn’t the only change caused by “Storage Wars” in Mary’s life, as it also prompted her to close her old physical shop in Texas to move to California.

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The fame Mary gained through “Storage Wars” served her well in gaining over 300,000 followers on her Instagram account alone, making good use of that to promote her online store Mary’s Finds, and gain money for advertising brands. It’s been a good deal for Mary, it seems.

Dave Hester

Out of all the “Storage Wars” buyers, Dave Hester is quite a special case on his own, for becoming the most scandal-prone cast member out of the lot.

One of his most controversial moments was when he sued “Storage Wars” for wrongful termination in 2012, claiming that he’d been fired for revealing the show was supposedly staged and the auctions rigged, according to court papers obtained by TMZ. Dave and A&E Network eventually settled the case, and he went back to the show in the fifth season, but the controversy caused a stir in the show’s fanbase.

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Dave’s knack for stirring up problems and confrontational personality have done wonders to cement his villain reputation for viewers. Even though it’s unclear if Dave’s on-screen persona has negatively affected his business, he made it obvious that he’s not grateful for his time as a TV star when he admitted during a 2014 interview with the website Online Storage Auction, to wishing having not ‘spent time’ in “Storage Wars”,

Going from finding increasing competition to being extorted with videos, having a great start in a new business, or being robbed and having their family exposed because of their increasing fame, it’s evident that the experiences of “Storage Wars” cast members are quite mixed. Nevertheless, one thing for sure is that the show changed the lives of everyone involved in it.

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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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