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How are Elizabeth Potthast and Andrei Castravet doing today? Pregnant with Second Baby

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Elizabeth “Libby” Potthast and Andrei Castravet are undoubtedly among the most memorable couples in the TV series “90 Day Fiancé.” Their story had a typical beginning; they contacted  using a dating application before meeting and falling in love in Dublin, Ireland; Andrei then relocated to the USA in search of a better life. Their fans will never forget the early struggles related to his unemployment and seemingly unachievable goals of a solid family and a luxurious life. Thankfully, although initially reluctant and somewhat annoyed, Elizabeth’s father offered Andrei a job, and the blessings kept coming. Here’s how the couple tailored the course of their life and where they are.

Elizabeth and Andrei live lavishly

Nothing could have predicted the success that Andrei and Elizabeth achieved. Although Elizabeth earned enough money as a Florida-based real estate agent, Andrei had arrived from Moldova on a K-1 visa, meaning that he could only work once he married. That proved difficult because of his boastful personality and refusal to accept criticism or do jobs that he deemed unworthy. Andrei was also on bad terms with two of Libby’s siblings, and others didn’t have a good opinion of him either. Finally, he left her father astonished after requesting a $100,000 loan without plans to repay it.

Fortunately, most of those problems are old history. Elizabeth and Andrei now have two children, live in a luxurious house with a long driveway, and run a successful real estate company. Moreover, they have several side hustles, including monetized content on YouTube, Cameo, OnlyFans, and TikTok, and both still work with Elizabeth’s father.

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They welcomed their first child four years ago

After marrying in December 2017, the couple settled in Tampa, Florida. Andrei started working for her father’s company, CMP Capital Investments, LLC, first by helping renovate properties, then as a house flipper himself. Following much family drama between Andrei and her family, the couple moved out and filed to start their Limited Liability Company (LLC) named Castravet, INC in 2018, focusing on property management.

However, that fact went under everyone’s radar, leading to accusations that they were living on borrowed money and TV show salaries. That was unsurprising; following the 12 episodes of the fifth season of the main show, the couple starred in three episodes of “90 Day Fiancé: What Now” in 2018 before announcing that they were expecting and would stay on TV. Their daughter, Eleanor Louise Castravet, was born on 23 January 2019, weighing 6lbs 11oz or 3kgs.

The Castravets had a son last year

Following their appearances in the fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons of “90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?” which included more family feuds and cute moments from their lives, the couple made their fans happy again. Fans who missed their March 2022 public announcement could see her pregnancy during the tell-all special of the seventh season, thus they were overjoyed, not surprised, when she gave birth to son Winston Leo Castravet on 4 October 2022, who weighed 7lbs 10oz or 3.5kgs. They also noted that their daughter was immediately ‘all about her baby brother.’ Elizabeth posted a three-month body figure update, showing that she’d already shed all her pregnancy weight ,and reported being happy and busy.

They enjoy family activities

They never hid their love for doing things together. However, Elizabeth and Andrei increased the frequency of social media posts featuring their family, while dedicating enough space to praising each other. Their Instagram followers could see the couple playing tennisboatinggoing to the swimming pool, and sunbathing on the beach, with and without their children.

Elizabeth promotes products on social media

Elizabeth continues to partner with companies that benefit her life, and promotes them via her social media profiles. She’s partnered with EveryPlate, a weekly healthy food delivery; Viori, a cosmetics brand; Viacord, a stem cell collection bank; and several others. Moreover, the couple has a joint Cameo account, @elizabethandrei, where they charge $75 for a personalized video and $225 for a video call.

Plus, Elizabeth manages Eleanor’s YouTube channel, Ellie’s World. She uploads videos of their trips to the candy store or home activities, such as baking and singing rhymes to Winston. Although a mother, Elizabeth isn’t afraid to charge $12,95 monthly for access to her OnlyFans account at @. She apparently refrains from posting full nudity, but has posted pictures of her naked lower body.

They are doing more photoshoots

Their followers have always praised the couple’s consistency and quality of social media updates. However, they decided to take things up a notch in 2022, when they started posting photoshoots with and without their children. Instead of relying on a friend or a relative, the couple hired a professional photographer, Lindsey VanderWal, who made her work available on Instagram at @lindseyvanderwalphotography.

That allowed the fans to see pictures from Elizabeth’s maternity shoot before they welcomed Winston. Similarly, it informed them that Ellie loves unicorns; hence they brought a horse wearing a horn to make her dreams come true. Moreover, the photographer captured Andrei excitedly throwing his children in the air, and the couple in a tight hug alone on a beach at sunset for Woman’s Day this year.

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They are still feuding with the family

Although Elizabeth has six siblings – two sisters, and four brothers – three have been vocal about their dislike of Andrei. Her mom, Pamela Putnam, who later remarried, was concerned too, and very reserved in her approach. They could have ignored his shortcomings, such as a short temper, brash attitude, and unwillingness to accept his faults and correct his behavior, however, what hurt them the most was their opinion that Andrei and Elizabeth, especially him, manipulated their father, Chuck, into giving them money for their ventures.

They were surprised that the pair’s second wedding, in Moldova, supposedly low-key and small, became a costly event with many dancers and invitees. Although they didn’t know the couple’s financial situation, Elizabeth’s siblings were sure that their father had to foot the bills to make his daughter happy.

With the producers’ help, Elizabeth organized a family gathering during a 20 November 2022 episode of “Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?” Although she invited her mother, and two sisters, Becky and Jenn, and seemed open to conversation, the tension immediately skyrocketed. That’s because she brought Andrei, making things awkward and overwhelming. After all, the family discussed why the couple announced the birth of their child on social media without notifying the rest of the family. At one point, Becky slapped Andrei, and the family had to consider attending therapy off-screen.

Andrei stays in shape as a father of two

Viewers may remember that following his show debut, Andrei had a tough time adjusting to the lifestyle in the US. Luckily, after gaining some weight, he returned to doing what he did in Moldova when a police officer; working out. With a slimmer figure, Andrei wisely used the lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and is still in enviable physical shape; he’s also unafraid to show his progress and give fitness tips. His pictures from beach outings best illustrate that he lost the tough guy attitude, particularly following his son’s birth.

Andrei started smiling in pictures with his wife and children, and now radiates happiness. His Instagram followers noticed and complimented him, particularly his slim face and chiseled arms. That’s unsurprising to most; Elizabeth shared her love of cooking for her family over the years. Since she tries to make at least three home-cooked meals daily, the Moldovan beau doesn’t have problems staying fit.

They still celebrate religious holidays

Elizabeth and Andrei are both Christians, and their fans have seen them celebrate all major holidays in the US, including EasterHalloweenIndependence Day, and Christmas Eve. However, the couple also respects each other’s lineage, and celebrate days such as Saint Patrick’s Day and religious holidays in Andrei’s Orthodox Christianity religion. Although they rarely capture the latter, making fans wonder how religious Andrei is, his 2020 wedding in Moldova proved his devotion to his people’s traditions. Interestingly, their German Shepherd, Stella, has been with the family for most holidays since 2017. Thus, she was part of the family celebrations on Thanksgiving and Christmas last year.

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Andrei may get deported

In late 2022 Andrei made waves among the show’s fanbase due to a potential secret. That’s because US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) representative invited him for an interview, which shocked everyone. His two-year green card which had expired was extended, and he thought that getting his permanent green card was all but guaranteed. However, his lawyer, Emel Ersan, explained that the only reason for an in-person invite with an immigration officer would be a recently discovered serious problem.

Emel explained that couples with children usually get a green card in the mail, and 95% of his cases never require an interview. After they concluded that the suspicion of marriage fraud wasn’t a logical explanation, the lawyer concluded that someone had reported him to immigration, or perhaps that an investigation into police enforcement in Moldova, in which Andrei testified, triggered a notification in the system. Andrei also admitted to overstaying his work and travel J-1 visa in the US for a few days in 2007 or 2008, which may have gone unnoticed. That led to immediate distancing from Elizabeth’s family, since they didn’t know who to trust.

Although all family members had the motive, Charlie, a fellow cast member, acted suspiciously; hence, he received the most blame. He slipped up during the tell-all episode and said, ‘If you are gonna treat somebody’s family the way you treat people, like, yeah, there might be a chance somebody might report you!’ However, he denied being the whistleblower, claiming that he ‘didn’t care and never thought about him.’ Time will tell if he lied, but most people believed that Charlie wouldn’t stoop so low, despite the grievances with his Moldovan brother-in-law.

Andrei bought a muscle car

Many fans were shocked to see Andrei boasting about his expensive ride in mid-January 2023, since his post went online around when the deportation news came out. He posted a picture of his black Chevrolet Camaro next to someone’s BMW X6 M and captioned it with, ‘Neighbors are not gonna be happy lol… But we work hard, and we play hard.’ Although he didn’t mention the price or the model, the cost of Camaros typically ranges between $35,000 and $135,000. His male fans applauded his purchase, some offering personal experiences. Regardless, most of his followers questioned his purchase amid the danger of deportation.

They are working on their house

As if purchasing a pricey vehicle wasn’t risky enough, some fans remember that the couple wanted to build a house, and purchased a home in late 2021. Andrei explained that they had been working hard for Elizabeth’s father in the sixth season, and deserved to own a house at that point in their lives. They were equally enthusiastic about not renting, and moving into a building that served all their needs.

However, they weren’t in tune regarding work responsibilities; Andrei wanted Elizabeth to work part-time and be a stay-at-home mom to their two children. In contrast, she felt that she was having an unnecessary career break, and that they could have hired a babysitter. They promptly shared many details of additions to their two-story home, including granite counters, sparkly patterned bathroom floors, a spacious white color-themed kitchen, and large couches. Elizabeth also planned to turn their guest room into a singing studio, and they decorated their daughter’s room in gold and pink.

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The Castravets live the American dream

Although they unsurprisingly took a break while Elizabeth was pregnant with Winston in late 2022, the couple still works in their real estate company, of which he’s the president and she the vice president. Andrei still has his real estate license, and also works for his father-in-law.

Additionally, the couple utilized their skills in purchasing and personalizing their family home over the last year and a half. That made Andrei happy the most; after a nine-month building process, he said in August 2022, ‘It means a lot for me to own a house in America. Being an immigrant, to own a house is a huge step; it symbolizes my American dream.’

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They are hard-working, yet loving parents

Andrei and Elizabeth attracted attention with their traditional yet polarizing relationship. She stood by her soon-to-be husband from the beginning, even if it meant ruining the relationship with her entire family. Andrei was criticized for being too macho, aggressive, dismissive of others, and irresponsible. However, the couple now owns at least one expensive car, two dogs, and a big house for their two children to grow up in.

Moreover, Elizabeth, who comes from a family of seven, expressed a desire to ‘someday have at least half of that,’ meaning that the couple could welcome their third and fourth child in the coming years. They certainly have the means, the environment, and the willpower, based on everything that happened so far. Thus, we expect the couple to return for the eighth season of TLC’s spin-off, possibly with news about expanding the family.

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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