Frenemy of the State w/ Nelson Thomas

our guest. I have been waiting to interview this person. I'm so excited they decided to come hang out with us. Sick in all it's sick and on. We don't mean sick in the head, we mean or something. But yes, they came to hang out with us. It's gonna be so fun this episode. A lot happened. It's you know, I while I hated to see the results of Bessie Versus not like of Nelson's Home, I actually really love

poetic movies and seasons. What I mean by that is the fact that we saw there these two friends go against each other once before and it kind of broke up their friendship, and then we see them reunite this season, and then like poetically, it comes back together and then they have to go each other at each other again. I just love. It just makes for really good, compelling TV in my opinion. And so it sucks though because so hate to see him go, but it just made

for such an interesting story. There was so much going on here. Let's get into the gold star and the time out because this episode had me with my jaw on the floor. It was a lot. And also I do want to say shout out to miss D and s D who had tweeted me her gold stars and timeouts. I love people started including, um, this is for last week, but they were saying that her gold star goes to Nelly because he's killing it this season. So I love

when people do that. And she had a whole list of timeouts of Amber, Jacy, Chauncey, Bonny death I mean, and then a special f you to Jordan. So Missy and Test and then Meals TV also tweeted me from last week. His time out was to Chauncey. So there's a lot of a lot of people I appreciate you guys. Make sure you keep hitting us up on socials. We love it. Yeah, I would say that my gold star actually goes to Team Underdogs. We love a good underdog,

and they really pulled it out. And I also love to see the way the boys went back to help bring the girls forward and like they really made it a team effort. I think that that meant so much. I my time out actually goes to Nanners and my shade my Shady Boots Award goes to the editors. This is what I mean. The fact that they highlighted that banana that someone on the team said, should we go help the girls and banana and Midwater goes no, and

they even put it in the subtitles. It's so petty to me, but hilarious on time out to Nanners for being like, nah, they got this, we don't need to do now. I'm sure his intention wasn't malicious in my mind, like I bet he just thought they got it. But seeing Nat compared to the other team who was all about supporting their team, it's just really kind of funny.

I know the actor was like, y'all gonna blame us for while you lost, we got Chopananda's right here being like nope, and they even I think, put his name semi poland no to make it clear that he said no. Go back and watch it. Um. But then the other shady boots honorable mention goes to Jordan Toria terrorists now, and I got no means believe she's a terrorist. But somebody had said that about me. Just the way that Jordan said it and was so melodramatic was larious. I

do not negotiate with terrorists. Boy, if you don't sit down. Hilarious. Oh okay, and he may said he had had his chair. That was okay. It was so funny. There was a lot of really great moments. I feel like we had all the fields with this episode, between funny, surprising, a little heartbreaking. Inspired with Nelson and his send off, I mean, they treated this man like a war hero and lit in the episode. Um. But I'm not gonna say it

wasn't hurt. And I think that's because even coming up until this point, producers included probably I can't speak for them, but probably thought it was his season to win. Yeah, it really did, really did. They were unstoppable at a moment, and so I'm so glad that we got him on this episode just for you guys, gives us some behind the scenes tea days. Asking the hard hitting questions, we find out just how well he knows the Reese. Yes, don't, don't.

Don't put a bet on whether or not you can tell the answers right I'm gonna just tell you right now, and we get down to the needy, greedy of Aqua Amber situation. Hey, because it's not about the barking the dog's hey. Okay, So stay tuned. You're not gonna want to miss a very special edition of MTV's Efficient Challenging podcast. You know, we say, grab a snack, but don't go anywhere because we got an interview with Scuba Nelly T coming up right after this. Get your snack and come back.

Oh you guys, do we have a treat for you today? What's a treat today? I am so excited. We have the infamous, the legendary, the iconic. Home know him as Scuba Nellie T. Other people know him as Spider Nellie. I don't know why I'm gonna say, I'm calling him Nellie Robbins. You know, if you know Tony Robbins, there is now Nellie Robbins the motivational speaker. Either way, we have the iconic Nelson Thomas on the podcast here with us today. Hi Nelson, Hey, what's up? What's up everyone?

I'm so happy to be here. That was such a great intro. I hope I live up to the names. But yeah, let's get the ball roll in. We're so glad. Thank you for making this happen. I know you weren't feeling well and get you coming out like the true Challenge legend. I mean, granted I had to d M your ass few times. You made it. You made it here. I'm glad. I think she made it here. This was

such um. I feel like this is one of those episodes that will will be memorable for many years to come, Like it was a standout episode for many a reason. It was sad to see you go, but the here send off that you got was just wow iconic. Um. First of yeah, go ahead, day Yeah. Before we even get into this, I just want to say, Nelson, I am so proud of you. This season right here was your season. So it sucks because you know you're going home. Let me tell you put that she in that head,

that everything all the way to the sky. Yeah, this right here was your season, Like you should be so proud of yourself, Like it's out of control. I'm so proud of you, and I want you to know that. Who thank you so much. Thank you. Now, don't hold on to this and let your ego get big next season and bring you right back down, back down, And don't don't get too big for this episode because I still need to tell you where you went wrong. We're gonna get into that too. Hey, you know what I

tell me everything I went wrong. I'm writing it down. You know. I don't make the same mistake twice, hopefully. Nelson, What do you think it was that allowed you to really like? What was different for you coming into this season? You know we saw fifty four straight dailies losses. I know you've heard it about and then and here you were just crushing it time after time after time after time. What do you think the difference was for you? Did

you do anything differently or trained differently? What was the change? Man? You know I've gotten that question a lot, and to be honest with you, it just came in the right time. Timing is everything, you know, These challenges, they they evolved, they changed, and you have to learn how to adapt which every situation you're giving. And you know, this being my ninth season, and I've learned a lot from all these vets, and I took a lot of notes down and it's took me a long time, and I hadn't

gotten a gotten it all down just yet. But I just had a different kind of confidence going into every challenge. You know, once you believe in yourself and you don't have any self doubt and you not up there in the air about to jump off of building shaking, just know, when you've been there, be done there. I've swam there ground, I've fozen, I've caught hypothermia. Like what else can you

do to me that I have not done? So it's like I went in there with a whole different kind of confidence and having a great partner like Norris that believed in you. And then second, guess you just gave me all more to just you know, want it more and just like, hey, I'm the captain of the ship. I'm looking at these bets like Johnny Nanni and Durrell coming in, I was like, you can't tell me what to do in it more. I've listened. I've you know,

I'm not. I'm not. And that's the thing back then, when you come in as a rookie and even two or three seasons and you still don't know, you still don't know. You've seen things you've never seen before, and you know TJ. He's always got something around the corner that you've never seen, and it's like, damn, but yeah, that was it, man. It was a confidence in myself to no doubt and just believing in me. And yeah, we definitely saw that. There's brought out a certain sprinkle

in you. Like this season right here was just I can't even say it enough, go ahead about to say, yeah, so you did, you did an excellent job. When did you start to feel because you're someone that we've seen on the cover of posters, I've seen bands talking about it. You know, you've been in certain ways kind of the

face of the challenge even until more rookie years. When you got in this house, though, what was the moment that things started to click differently for you where you started to recognize maybe the momentum you had or kind

of the tie it's finally changing. And then part two of that question is how did you handle the power or what were your thoughts around that, because we've heard that people like Bananas were actually trying not to win certain dailies because they didn't want to put a target on their back by having, you know, to pick four people to be going too interrogation all that stuff. So how did you navigate that power, you know, to really

make it work for you? Because it seemed like a lot of people didn't hate you at the end for the amount of times that you won dailies and had to nominate people and had to vote people in. Sometimes that can create a lot of enemies, and it doesn't seem like you created a lot. Now it shouldn't be some We're gonna get to your relationship with the Livia in a minute, But how did you know? I'm a holding behind to that, But how how did you navigate

that power? And when did you recognize that, like, this may be your season once you were in the house. You know, that was the difficult part about this season because with all the power you had, you had a lot of response stabilities and either way you were going to hurt somebody because we had so many ties in

the house. But I was such in a great position with the Vets, and the Reach was in great position with the rookies, and so was I. So it kind of when people say they didn't try to win, you know, it played in their favor if you think that last season, I didn't win that one challenge, but I went all the way to the final. So a lot of history in connections with these people got your long way in the game. I knew my bonds with these people were strong because I always kept it one hundred. I was

always honest. I always spoke from the heart and I kept it real. And that's one thing a lot of people respect about me. And once you people's respect in the house, you know, moving further in the game is like, yo, you just don't want to make the wrong move or upset the wrong people. If you win, you have to say all these names. So I'm like, why are we gonna put ourselves in the position we're in and when

we are in the best position right now. But being a rookie, the Rees didn't know that, and um, she just wanted to win, you know. And I love that about her. I loved that about her because my rookie season going in with Corey Hunter and all them you know, we saw no fear and nobody we want to win

everything daily's eliminations. But yeah, that's a rookie. That's that's how you knew you're a rookie in the game, because like there's it's not about winning challenges, it's about winning finals and staying out of elimination that comes within time because you go in there with being an alpha male or female. Want to be the king or queen or take the throne away. That's what we all did. We all want that position. We all there's a reason why

everybody goes after the bananas. There's a reason why everybody goes out there. Yes for you, but yes, really really quick, just real quick, no, because I just want to tap into this just because it's been a conversation in these Twitter streets, right, and so I want to give you

the opportunity to clarify it. So you made a comment where you said just now that you played a very honest game, and you were very honest with people, and you were straightforward and you said what you had to say, right, So why is it that Chauncey and Amber were so adamant about you lied to them the entire time of your game, you lied to them. What was that about? So? And not to clear that out is because Amber pulls me to the sides. Hey, Nelson, I got you, and you got me and I and I told her yes.

I did tell her yes. But she also had to realize that I had alliance already, so I couldn't put you in front of the alliance I already had going into the house and in front of the rookies. There was a list. There was a list, and Amber wasn't my number one, and she wasn't my number two. She wasn't my number three or four, but she was on

You told her that to her face. Nelson, by the way, yeah, but did you tell her though before you put her in interrogation though, because she seemed genuinely because you said that she was taken aback in interrogation, you were like, you're not my number one, my two, three, four, and she as she's like telling you you were my number one.

When she first came to you and pulled you aside to say, hey, you know I got you got me, did you at least let her know then that she wasn't in the top four or when she when she came to me with that proposition. But I say, I got you, got me? No, I did not tell her she was in my top four, top five. I said, I got you. That's it. You know, it doesn't I don't have to spill everything I have, you know, because

that's not the name of the game. And the thing is, when it came to these rookies and people I did not know or didn't have the alliance with, yes, I got you. Now, if me and Amber were spoke hard before the game and had this allignance which I had with the people already, then that she wouldn't have been in that position. But you came to me into the house.

And that's one of the viewers and the fans need to realize, is that, like these alliances are getting made before the game, right yeah, So you gotta realize, like I'm not gonna sit here and say, Okay, I got this, this this is but Amber, you fall number six. So in Amber's head already, if I was to tell her that, what do you think she's gonna think? Right? Right right right?

That's fair, right, that's it, that's really fair. Now about the messy side of your game, because I remember I went in on you a couple episodes ago on the podcast about that moment with Amber because she seems so genuine and because yeah, you dug the knife in a little bit broke, because like when she's saying you're my number one, you like, bro you ain't my number one, two, three, or four. I was like, nothing, you need to sprinkle that on top. You didn't need the razzle dazzle you're

and you're absolutely right. That was a that was a mistake. That was you know, that was you know, at that moment, I regret that, not just it being a horrible game play, which it was from a game perspective, but just as a human being, Amber being who she is, because she's

such a great person. She is Jesus sweetheart. You know, at that time, y'all don't see everything that goes behind and seeing and stuff like that, right, I mean, I don't know why at that moment, I was frustrated and needed to say that, and but I apologize, you know, and now oh yeah, yeah, yeah, you know, the game is the game, you know, And to be honest with you, like I told Amber, you know, like think back at it now, the way I played the games with a

lot of emotion and heart. I wish I wouldn't have made some of the decisions I made, you know at that time, but I have read of them. No, because I mean I can't regret anything I've done, you know. Yeah, yeah, all I could do is and you played a great game. You played, seriously, a really great a great game. It's chaun cp Jordan still madic you or is he forgiving you? I mean no, no, um, we you know, we had a we just got back from the reunion show. We all let it out out there and that's where it's

supposed to be, that out. Once we let it out there, you know, we go from there. If you still have a problem, we could deal with it on a challenge field. Other than that, then is there still a problem because that didn't sound clear, Nellie, Okay, all right, all right. I loved, I mean a lot of love for Amber. I you know, Chauncey Amber. I wish nothing but the best for them. And you know, hopefully in the future me and Amber can work together and she can. Yeah.

You know what, Nelson, in in what you just said, you said you have no regrets, right, and I get that, you know you don't want to, but but but this fassy situation. Okay, because when you got on the phone with Corey and you were, you know, kind of feeling Corey in Corey was like you signed with the enemy, Like what you're with? You with the ops? What you're

doing bro right? And it was almost as if like you kind of didn't want to tell Corey because you kind of already knew what he was gonna say about it, and so in saving him, you showed his loyalty, your loyalty to him, right, and that ultimately led to your downfall because if you went in the episode, a lot of people were saying, Hey, we need to break up that duo. You see how they are. We need to break them up, we need to separate them. One, it's

FESSI really your friend? And then two do you regret that decision knowing that it ultimately led to you being out of the game. Such a great question, Um, you do, if you don't do, if you doubt you know, and this is what I'm doing. This, this is what I've always said about that. You know, I've been in I've

been in Fessi's shoes. I've been in this position. So I see his perspective of why he did what he did you know I made the same mistake, you know, not in the game, in real life, and um, you know, I take everything I've learned throughout my life. You know, that's the way I live it, regardless if it's a

game or not. So when Fessie backstabbed me a few seasons ago, you know, I've felt that pain because I felt like I've done that to some of my friends in the past, and I've always wished for forgiveness, and I was I've never felt that, so putting myself confessive shoes and him and not having the relationship outside of the game. You know, as time went on, I realize he's really trying to, you know, be a different guy and show me a different side with him and really

be a real friend. So I think everyone deserves forgiveness, no matter what if even if you thought you don't deserve forgiveness, you do, you know, And that's what I thought. And I feel like nobody wanted to give Fessi that chance. They always people look for revenge so much, and that's what's wrong with the world nowadays, because it doesn't solve anything game or not. Like you hold it in your heart,

you're gonna feel that way. So I didn't. I didn't have any revenge in my heart FORFESSI no more and I forgave him. And when I told him I forgave him last season, I meant that. And for me to do this now just because I have a loaded gun in the opportunity, what kind of what kind of man and what kind of example showing for the future and younger generation. To go back on my word, So it was cool sing you guys come together like that, actually

like it was. It was it was a nice It was nice to see that like partnership now where it wasn't so nice, Nelson, was your treatment of Olivia walked me through? Please the original Let's take it. Let's take it back to the beginning. Okay, how exactly did you

woo Olivia? Was there a connection forming when you guys, because you know, when we get to the airport, right, like people start talking and vibing and you may sit next to someone on the plane like we saw it with like Johnny and I think it was an arse right where they were like making out and stuff before they even got to the house. So when did you and Olivia start vibing or did you feel a connection

we got um. To be honest, man, I thought Olivia was this big party animal because I remember her on the plane, which she's great after you go love him. But when she was on the plane with us, she was just you know everybody. You know, we were all having a good time. I'm trying to sleep, she's still they're having wine, They're going up and down the aisle talking. I'm like, this girl, go sit down. She's a wild one.

She's a wild one. You know. She didn't make it into the house until later down a couple I mean, like I think two challenges down, I mean, or one, I don't know. But then when we got to talking at the bar, and that conversation just kept on going and going and going. We spent the entire time talking. It might have showed y'all a little bit of us just talking at the bar, but she's probably the only person I talked to that entire night at the bar.

And I'm like, what you guys talk about? Like, what mean an example some of the topics you guys, honestly we talked about. We talked about, you know, the typical what showed you from? Where are you from Alaska? Like what do you do outside of this um relationship. She talked to tell me about what she's gone through, and things were just matching up, just matching the little I'm like, hey, we're just throwing the little jokes at each other and drink as a bubblies were going down, smiles and things

were good. So, I mean, that was the first time at the bar. I didn't think nothing of it as much because I know, once you get into a relationship with a young lady in the house, it's like it's yeah, you're not just looking out for yourself no more. Yeah, that's exactly what happened to me. She changed my whole game, did she really though, Nelson? Because sir, can you there's a couple of times that I could have won a different way, you know, I mean, and why didn't you?

What was your thought process behind? Because this is a girl you're cupcaking with. You're like, she's so great, and then me, girl, you done vote her? Now? I know? Good? And well what if that's the thing? Meaning her had such a great conversation. She understood what position I was in be having to choose between my friend and her, and any woman to see that in respect your decision even you're like wow, like it didn't the game really didn't matter to her, Like what mattered to her was me,

like and how I felt in my emotions. And right there, that's how she went. That was not all because it wasn't mutual. It was it was not mutual. No, listen, I listen. I'm saying all because of how he sounds while he's explaining, like like her, her logic mean a lot to yeah, you know what I mean. Yes, but we would have loved to see it reciprocated Nelson. Nelson, you gotta realize, like I don't going into this house man, you don't know what's real, what's fake, and like like

somebody using you for the game or what. So at the time, like I was slowly stepping like back in the day. You see my last seasons, it's like Nelson's always fallen for a girl or this and that, and it's like this time I was so focused on the game. I wasn't happening that you And I told Olivia like at one point was that Livia, You're not you can't sleep in my bed tonight, Like I don't. It's challenge day. Like you're not sleeping, you're not sleeping in my bed. Yeah.

By the end of this seasons, I didn't want her to leave my dad. On challenge Day. I was getting up. I was getting upset that she wanted to leave on challenge Day. Nay Na stay with me, but it was like a ritual. But I was going to break that with her. And that's how I knew at that time

my decisions was not just based on me. It was a base around us because even at times like this trivia, you mean, y'all want to get some insight tea, Yes, yeah, me and especially thought it was like, bro, we have Mariah and we have Maria and the reas on the other team. We're unistic. Why don't we just throw these challenges on boys days and girls days and then we'll help each other out. And now's I won't make it too But and this is why I said I changed

my game. I knew that Anissa and Nanni would go against Olivia, and that's what scared I didn't want to elimination. I could have took the easy way out and through those challenges and did that way. And I even spoke to Olivia about this. I was like, hey, baby, I don't want to do this blah blah blah, because I don't want to put you in a position where you might have to go home, so let win every challenge. And that's why I'm saying I changed my game up.

That's a little bit of insight t because you know, through our challenge history, people are known to throw challenges and that's easier for people to get to a final. But I wasn't doing that, so like, and that's so smart. That actually explains a lot about what may come. We've seen clips or snippets of you know, Bessie is telling Maria yep, kind of like are you gonna help me? Yeah, you know, like your team didn't help my team and

all that, and it didn't really make sense. And now it's like it makes a little bit more sense, right because all about it. Think about it like that, I'll come of it. If we lost on it was Girls' Day, Okay, we Nanine Kate like Nanine Casey and then you had Olivia, I was like, okay, we already know which way they we're gonna go, which way we were gonna and it would have just been an easy way for us to go, and Mariah and theres they would have agreed with us.

They were like they had their own mindsets, don't get me wrong, but they still agreed with us. We all would have wanted, right and so yeah, so essentially at this point, you're playing the game for you and Therese and Olivia and and Fatsy. Well, that's a lot, that's that's a lot for you to for you to carry. That's my kids knows. Hello, that's a lot for you to carry. Period. But and so we're gonna we gonna cut that out next season. Hey, okay, let's day bonn

or I are ever on the season? Changed you to pick us? Right back up? Kids? Cool? No, I thought it was so cute, how you know? Fast forward, you get eliminated and she comes down and you guys have this really nice moment together, right, and then you make a statement and you say that you wanted to pursue things after the show. Now has that happened? Are you too pursuing each other still? Or what what's happened? Uh? Uh, she's she's what happened Nelson? You know, Um, that's pretty fun.

I'm gonna keep that to myself. Okay, I mean, y'all gonna stay tuned too. We want some general and because she dms me Nelson because I've been riding your ass all season. I'm gonna just put out here. And I've never met Olivia. I have met you. I love and adore you. Even Adam like seeing my fiance. I don't know why, but he's really one of his favorite. Um. But but she did ding me because she knew I

was right. I was going in on your ass and past episodes because of how because of you voting her in although it makes a smige more sense, although you did it twice, sir. Um, So just at least you don't have to share like the full details, but at least give us yeah and then yeah, just because we want you to be able to share your side of the story. Yeah. The truth is I pursued it, you know, Um, it was crazy because she caused me and I missed

a call. I'm so upset. I'm back at home, and then I get another call and we stay on the phone for two hours. My bill like nine hundred and ninety eight dollars. You got it, You got it. But it felt, you know, that phone call, and you know days after that, you know, it felt like high school. You know, you could talk on somebody on the somebody on the phone for like hours and it just times passed by it like wall. So you know, the spark was still there afterwards for me, and I'm sure it

was there for her. You know, I can't speak on her, but for me it was. But you know, she just wasn't ready for what I was ready for it. And right, it wasn't the city thing. It was just climbing thing. And you know, just because I'm ready, which I've realized, doesn't mean the significant others ready. Are you ready for a real relationship? Nelson? Oh, I thought it was this time, right, got my heart broken. But it's all good, It's all good.

I'm so. It's just like you know, it's scary because you put yourself out there being in this kind of the world that we live in, you know, and it's hard dating in the real life. But when you find that one person you could talk to on the phone, count on and just have a great time to smile or you know, even if it's raining in cloudy cold outside, you know, it's like one person. So she was at rock for me at one point, and um, I wish nothing but the best for her, and uh, you deserve

nothing but the best. Wait, Texas. You're in Austin, Texas, but you travel around a lot right in La. Okay, we're gonna get you in the matchmaking database. I don't need to talk about. Are you kidding? I'm just mad because I haven't matched her. But David, I'm ever busy. I know this because it's hard to schedule episodes with her. Nelson, I have been waiting in line, Nelson, I have been

waiting in line to get this. In this even the day I love you day we'll get We'll get to dad, and we're gonna put you in the day real database, and I'm gonna get you. We'll work that will get you because if you're really ready and you you know, then we can definitely make that happen. Now, what was your question, Day I love I didn't have a question. Whatever, I didn't have a question. I have more of a statement, like I wanted to say to you because I'm listening

to how you're talking. You know, you put yourself out there and so on and so on and so forth. Don't go into a shell, continue to be vulnerable, continue to put yourself out there, because that's what it's all about. It's all about taking risks and jumping off that cliff and everybody's gonna catch you, but you have to learn how to get your own wings and fly for yourself, you know what I mean. And at some point you're gonna meet somebody who jumped off a cliff too, and

y'all gonna end up flying together. Okay, So don't don't lose that vulnerability because that makes you a sweet, kind person that you are, and it is in that that you're gonna ultimately find the person that you're looking for. But if you lock that up in a vault, then you're gonna hinder yourself from finding that person. So don't lose that, Nelson. Just don't don't lose too long. Don't read, don't become a FESSI yea, because you just saying, keep it open, no shade, defess the mess. We love him,

not when it comes through that we don't. All Right, hold on, I gotta go get some more egg now and get out of this closet for a second, but I would be right back and we'll have more right after this. Can you tell us a little bit because we got to see this other vulnerable side, like when you were talking to Corey shout out to Corey, who we love. Yeah, but you you, we got to see you talk a little bit about your mom and your

you know, relationship with her. Can you tell us a little bit more about that and how she either inspires you or you know, motivates you. Like what role she plays in your decision to be a part of the challenge and the legacy that you're creating. Oh, man U, she plays a major role. Because you know, my mom the first time she's ever seen me on TV, and I could just see her smile and laughing, just her reaction because you got to realize, you know, the sun I was back in the day. I was a troubled

kid back in the day. So to see me where I'm at now, it makes her so proud. So if it bringing a smile to her face, it just makes me just blow up and makes me want to do better. So it always, it always has been. She's always been my motivation to give her the world because I put it through so much growing up, especially growing up in Englewoods. You know, it didn't have the right head on my

shoulders back then. So, you know, for some of those who don't know Nelson, because I actually was surprised when I saw you kind of reference this on the episode. But just a quick summation for those who don't know, can you share with this a little bit of the adversity you faced in your childhood that like, because I think your story so inspiring, like it really it just really is. So just a little bit of kind of like where you started to how you know, how you

got to where you are now. Yeah, regardless of how bad things are and how bad you you know your surroundings are, doesn't mean you can't make it. It doesn't mean that you can't make it to the top because you know, a kid growing out of inglewood and poverty and gang violence and drugs and seeing that at such a young age, you know, you don't expect to make it out of the age of eighteen. You just trying to make it to the next day. But you know, God never gave up to me, gave up on me,

And it's it's a true blessing. Every day I wake up in the position I am to teach others, to motivate others to do better and want more because there's a lot more. And that's what I love about social media and the platform that we're given. Because yeah, I love the reason why I love flogging so much, because there's kids that follow me in dam and say, Nelson, we can I want to travel there, I want to do this. I wanted to go there. I'm like, yo, you can do it. I was at Juvie, disrespectful kid

growing up. But you can change. All you need is that one person to believe in you. And yeah, he's changing, Like I said, the one And I remember my mom called me one day. She said, a fan right outer, the parents, right outer, we love your son. He motivates us and this and that, and my mom just started shedding tears and she couldn't believe. She couldn't believe it. You know, it's a blessing that I have this platform to motivate the younger generation even older. So I hope Nellie.

Oh you know what, even though we see the goofy side and this confident side on the show, like all the listeners, I have to say that, like Nelson really is that got like a sweetheart. And so when you do these sort of like confident sometimes these arrogant comments you make about yourself or these nicknames, I mean, but there's really this good guy behind it, which I think is so cool. What do you have any new nicknames you've created for yourself in the last couple of months.

What are you rolling with now? Man? I just go with the punches. The only reason you got spighty Nellie teas because I think Challenge made a pockets. They made me to a spider man because the connections I had in the house. So you know, I see it and I run with it because I think making fun of yourself is the best thing ever. And then so I just love it. I think I love it. I own it. I'm goofy. I'm not the coolest popular kid. I'm just me and I love it. So it's like, I just

want to show people you can be you and be cool. Still, what was it like for the second time going up against your friends in elimination? Walk us through what your emotions were there. Did you see it coming at all that that would really be a possibility that day? And how are you feeling when ultimately you knew you'd have to go against Bessie. Well, I knew it was going to be a possibility, but at that point I knew

I had to take action. So even though it was a losing battle because I went up the Chaunty and I said, hey, bro, if I pick the safe dagger, what you're gonna pick me or you're gonna pick Johnny. And I try to shake his hand on it, but knowing I already threw them in, I'm like a right. But right back in my head, I'm thinking, dudes, you talk. He's talked a lot about not wanting taking bananas to the final. Well, this is your shot. You know what I'm saying. You know what I'm saying. I think, are

you thinking long term? Are you thinking revenge? And he was thinking of revenge And that's that's plain facts. Because I was the best time to probably throw Johnny in there against Bessie to beat him. So let me take a shot real quick with Chauncey. Because I knew with Devin's team, they weren't telling me who the main vote was, because I knew for a reason in the back of my head a lot of these people weren't cool with Fessi,

and I'm thinking it might just be Fetsi. It might and because you know it's not gonna be Chauncy because of Amberg. So I know they had a campaign going for Chauncy. Yeah, yeah, what did you think when you saw it when you found out that they had a campaign to save Chauncey. Reason, and there's a reason why. And this is the truth. This is no shame in

the game. But Chauncey wasn't putting up nothing, like nobody was scared of go against anything like challenges wise, like he just wasn't a good challenge when it came to challenges. He like, there's people that got it and people that don't got it. And I'm sorry he didn't have it. So yeah, there's a reason why I don't want to Chauncey around, and I get it, So don't don't so like all these like trying to be friendly or I'm

I'm vote for Chaunty because the Ambergs. Boy, No, you kept them around because you wanted him to go to the final. You wanted to do another challenge against him. But uh, you didn't want FESSI final. You didn't want in the final. You didn't want me, right, we didn't want to say you know what I'm saying. So we knew, we already knew the game. So at that moment, Oh

so before we go into the elimination me. We all look at each other because we had to go in order to pick a dagger, and you saw something go back. They're running up to the dagger, like, I want to pick first because you have a better chance of pulling the safe. Yeah, how did you guys decide that? How did you decide who? Here goes a little bit more

te behind the scene we had to pick up. We all looked at each other and said, look, we can either go up there and fight like dogs, because we all wanted to go first, second, or third, or we can be men and we could pick a number between fifteen. Whoever is the closest. The security guard would tell us. So we went that way. And I'm like, damn, I wish I would have fall like a dog up there because I went wow and that and and I wanted to pick that middle dagger so that and I knew

it was there. I knew it, And when Chauncey picked it, I was like, damn. And I knew when he wouldn't shake my head my hand in the house to save him just in case, I knew, Yeah, it was my right right, you know what, Nelson, I'm listening again, Chin up, head up, because he didn't just take you down, you know what I'm saying. Like it was it was Nick and it was a tight race, and then you started gassing out, and I'm like, come on on, Nelson, you started to get how hard was that elimination? It was?

It was ye. I didn't think it was gonna be so difficult until I started trying to pull these things out of the dry wall. And I didn't have I wasn't I'm not as tall as and I'm not. I'm not taking anything away from him, but the hype, different weight, different pulling them down and pull it. Yeah, well you weren't just man handle on him. It was a way to do them. You had to go up left, right and then pull and then having that certain height and wait for him to pull that down was a little

bit more easier for him. But you know, every eliminations meant for certain people, and that that was just his. I was his man. It was a great race. I give it up them And it sucks that I had to go off that way. It really does, because another here goes some more team. Oh. If you see Devin's face and his reaction of me going and he's picking me, Me and Devin oh, he was gonna pick Johnny Bananas

a lot of people. That's why. The only reason Horatio and Devin and Jordan voted that way, they I knew, they knew FESTI was gonna go win, but they thought Chauncey and I Denot had that locked down because I told them to Chauncey and but yeah, Chauncy never gave me an answer. So that's how that went down. That's why everyone was so stocked up there. Yeah, you know

what's crazy about this? And this was as love setting and I see a little bit little because a lot of people try to I've evolved a lot in this game, and every move I made, even when you want to say I voted to Olivia and Olivia and twice I stosategically made that move between Darrell and Olivia to save each other into who was going in regardless. I knew Olivia was safe. I knew Darrell was safe. But I came up with that friend. I told him, this is what we're going to do. Ye, I mean we saw

you do that, Nelson. I'm just saying if we were cupcaking, if we if you were my man, Nelson, because the game is second by second anything, No, Negro, that's not how you earn You earned trust by picking up a double cheeseburger for McDonald's a late night row build trust, not by getting my behind close to into down there right right, and you did it twice and she didn't come for your behind. I was like, Noon must be given his kisses, must be good. No, I'm not going

to find out nothing. Why Why were not to vote? Be mad at you ahead? Why were you so confident that it will work? Why were you that confident? Because I knew for fact that me and Jurrell was so close and I was so close to Olivia, there was no way of losing. There was no they had two chances that I already knew it in regardless, Olivia was gonna be saved. Olivia was gonna be saved regardless. Did

Olivia feel that safe? Did she? Yes? Yeah, I ask you can ask her, and everybody was and then you know, and everybody said back like damn, I didn't get no, I didn't even get any blood on my hands. And that was I'm gonna take that away from you. And that was masterful, and not even that I didn't want to. I told the Reese I was like, I don't want

to win the Memory Challenge. If we win this challenge the Reese and where the Reese went wrong, and I tell her this, your head got too big, Like you went into the house after the Memory Challenge saying I knew I had a great memory, blah blah blah, this and that, like like it was always up up for you. You would never like I can't do this, I can't do that, so people, but if we didn't, I started

kind of getting that vibe from her. Watching the episode you like through chronologically as well, I think we saw her do great, which is amazing, and she's like she's just amazing all around. Right, she's beautiful, she's super skilled at a variety of different dailies. But there was a little bit I felt like, just as a viewer, an energy shift, kind of like what you're mentioning else where. There's this which I understand because doing well in the

challenge is a drug. I think it's also why people come back time and time again, even people who say they're retired come back because it's a bit of a drug, like doing that. But she seemed to get a little I don't say cocky, but just not under the radar as she was in the beginning, right like she started being a little more Oh, I run this, I know how this is gonna work. I'm about whoever got it out. I'm gonna make this in this move, and she was

kind of vocal about it. She was getting a little bit she was calling too much attention to herself, especially with the Jordan move, because like even it's like, who are we here for? Here are we on a dating show? Or we right dollars and right? I I tould her aside, like you're calling too much a touching to yourself and you're not staying he can't stay a little bit more humble because people are already seas off a threat and

I have so many connections. Once you're cut loose from me the rees, you know what these people are gonna do to you. You're gonna be the first one. Yeah, and it's exactly what happened. Yeah, and you know, but hey, we literally learned, you know, I've learned that maybe we got to start calling you prophet predicting just over here predicting,

but to be fair, to be fair. As soon as she left, you went right behind her, so you needed her too, to be fair, because to be fair, why do you why do you think I wanted to tell her to calm down and humble her. I was like, I needed each other. I get yeah, I never You'll never ever hear me say I didn't need her. I wanted her there and I wanted to be on her team. That's not the case. And we could tell that you showed it. We could tell that, yeah, I did everything

I could. But the thing is Johnny was fitting facts. My whole team memory. The memory was crazy, like, yeah, every challenge we see nowadays you have puzzles, puzzles, puzzles, puzzles. But they if she would have just listened to me and we didn't win, that, guess where we would have been sitting, she wouldn't have been there. I promise you that. Yeah. It's like yeah, But and Nelson got eliminated not because people were really pushing for him. They weren't gunning to you.

They were gunning for Bessie. And I feel like you were kind of a byproduct and you were attached him, But they weren't gunning for you. Know I'm I'm saying because they literally said, we need to break up this duo. They literally said that we need to du But even in breaking it up, I feel like, I don't know, I feel like realized we did. We weren't a duel. Then we were all different teams. No no, no, no, not you. I'm talking about you and Fancy. And this

is what I'm saying. Even even though what I'm saying about you and Fessy, they wanted to break you guys up because you proved your loyalty to him. What you did, like kind of like put a staple out there. You laid out the red carpet like, yeah, this is for real, like that's his Oh that's a problem, you know what I mean. And so then people was like, we gotta get him up out of here, like one of them gotta go. And I believe that that's in your mind when you were like you thought that they were gonna

pick Johnny. At no point do I believe that any of them were gonna say it was gonna make it a situation where Johnny was gonna be down there with FESSI, because Johnny it wasn't that for whatever. I don't know what Johnny was doing behind the scenes, but a lot of them rookies was like up under him, they wanted him right. I don't know what he was doing behind

the scenes that man want his strategist approving. I also think if you hadn't voted Chauncey, and I do think Chauncey would have saved you, like I think if one yeah, yeah, I don't think anybody wanted to approve of Johnny. I think Chauncey would have made that move. Like you said, if I didn't throw, then yeah, if you didn't draw. That's the only and the only reason Bananas wasn't the main vote is because he had too many friends on the other team, so they wanted other people to do

the dirty work. So well, and like somebody said on our interview that Bananas made and it could be because Bananas was trying. We know we've heard on this on the streets that he was trying not to win some of the dailies or crying just because Bananas has gotten a little older. And that's no shade, it's just things change. But we heard Bananas wasn't putting up numbers the way

that like Bessie was doing. You were, you were winning dailies, and Bessie was showing that he would be a problem if he made it to a final, right, So just looking objectively you at this point, my only thing with Johnny is Johnny's like the sneak attack, right. So it's like, if you let him make it to a final, he has proved that once he gets to that tail end, he has an unlimited supply to make things happen, you know, like, oh yeah, push himself beyond. But if you're sort of

a rookie, you don't necessarily realize that yet. And so Fessie is looking far more intimidating in the moment, right then bananas and his knees. Yeah. But you know what with the situation with Nanni and Amber, remember how we talked about that, how intense that they were with each other, Devin, how we were talking about that, that relationship with Nanni, How close they are so in that too. That's another reason why I say what I said, because there's no

way Amber would have allowed Chauncey. Well I'm not gonna say allowed, because that's a grown man, but there's no way that she would have been cool with him saying anything. Right. I'm with you, Nelson, I'm with you. I was thinking the same thing. You got it right now, You got it. Allowed, there's no way and allowed continue because it would have affected the relationship between Nanni and Amber. Actually would have been a problems. So I don't think it would have

happened at but Newthing. TJ calls you a legend. I one hundred percent agree with that. Man, you did such a phenomenal job. You get to the race and you find a helicopter challenge. Before the helicopter, we want to talk, okay, because that look cool as hell and surprisingly none of y'all, miss y'all's targets. Tell us what it was like doing that. Hello after challenge and the strategy, Yeah, like I was impressed with that. Tell us and why would you spinning

around in circles Neil Thing? Yeah, you know what this is. Um. This is one of those pivocal moments that you realize that I'm a challenger because going into this challenge, I told my team we're going into the challenge with the wrong strategy. I looked at Specie and I looked at Johnny Vanalas, which you look at them, you see captains. You're looking at around like, what should we do? Johnny?

You have to experience Specie. You want a lot okay, and they come up with a strategy, which Johnny really he does, and I look at Johnny Bananas and I was like, no, bro, that's wrong, and he said, no, we need to do it. That's why I said, and I'm looking around and said, y'all need to listen to me. This is the reason why we're gonna lose. And everybody said, no, no, let's just stick to the plan because once you change the plan up, people will get confused and start second

guessing their selves. And so nobody wanted to change the plan. And that was a problem because I knew it wasn't gonna come down and hitting the bull's eye. It was gonna come down the time. And who can swim the fastest? Yeah, Chauncey and I were one of the slowest guy swimmers. Then it came to Casey and Tory, which we had them all the way at the end, and then we had Bessie and Johnny dropping in the middle. I'm like, bro,

does that make any sense right now? Why not our fastest swimmers in the back right and have our girls a little bit closer up. We would have done that, We would have a yeah, because nobody would have been dragging in the bag. Also the people dragging. I don't know if you caught this, but Vanea said, no into helping the rest of the team. That may have helped you guys a little bit too. Think about it. Think

about the girls wouldn't even have been back there. Our fastest swimmers would have been back there, so they would have helped them regardless. And I said, yeah, I said, bro listen to me. And I say this in my interview. I was like, this is how I know when I go into future challenges. I'm not listening. I'm taking everybody's Yeah, I'm gonna listen to everybody and taking into perspective, but I'm gonna have my own and i'm gonna speak up. And this is how we're gonna do it. And this

is what we need to think about. And that's why at that moment I became a challenge camp. I knew what I was doing and I had the confidence with it myself. And look at Captain Nelly. That's what I'm gonna start calling you, Yes, challenge captain and leader trust those instead no, no, because why I didn't put your foot down and make it happen, Captain, And this is sometimes. This is exactly when I was trying to put my foot down. The whole team started second guessing themselves. We're

changing up plan at the last minute. We're changing up plan and let it roll. Yet over here was like, oh no, we're not. We're doing this. We're doing this and you gotta you got you got this. Guy seven time champion said we should do it this way, and everybody's looking at me like hey, no, no, no, no, I'm like all right, And then afterwards afterwards everyone would have said, wow, we should have done it that way. Yeah. Yeah,

so everybody's, oh, we don't be good. They cheated us. No, this was a strategy that I hate when people try to like fall. I hated that because that's exactly what people wanted to point those fingers. I say, no, but strategy,

we would have won. And that's when we're so upsetting. Yeah, and that's when Chauncy not looking And this is and this is one of the reasons why before we're going into that challenge, Chauncey was so scared and nervous, like he was like he said, dude, I don't know if I'm gonna hold on, Like I'm scared of heights and this now he was coming to me. I say, bro, this is your time. This is just you. Hold on, you got this. This guy fell right after me saying hold on, I'm holding on to you. And this is

where a goofy Nelson is. I grabbed the hand so the handbars from the helicopter. I didn't notice the strings were twisting, so when it came across, it's going to hold on to it and grab it with I could have waited and let the helicopter twisted, but it was. The lines already were twisted, and that's why you see Daniel and hanging. To be fair, though it looked like Jordan was twisted a little too, it wasn't twisting as

bad as you were. You know, it didn't look like a chandelier earring bouncing around, but it was still moving a little bit also, So I wonder if that particular position was a little crazy. Um what was it like? Though? When you so finding out, so you get eliminated, you go home. You know you've seen that experience before, so you know they put you in the band, do your exit interview, blah blah. This time it's like they're holding you.

Then they bring you back out onto the field. What was it like finding out that nurse was still technically in the game. Oh ah man, that was now that feeling right there? Was it hurt because it hurt really bad, Like, um, you know you you realize, like not only did I let myself down by I let her down because in the entire time I was there, she was hoping to come back into this game and was real was relying on me. And I felt at that moment I let her down. I was like, I'm so sorry, Like, and

this was her first season. I knew how bad she wanted to win. I knew how bad she want to win for me, and um, I just felt like I let a lot of people down, and um, I let her down. And Nelson, whatever your middle name is, Thomas, you let no one period, You let no one. I don't ever want it you, sir, And you know I would call your ass out. You let no one down. You made everyone the way you played this game, Like, I get it. It's disappointing not to win, like I

get that. And it's her first season and she did do a kick ashow and you know she's gonna be called back and she's gonna um but you let no one down. And Nelson, please get proud of yourself. Please like soak that in, like take that moment. I guarantee there are people watching you and watching your story and especially getting this sneak peek of just all you've overcome to even get to this place and the way you

handle it. There are people who come on here with such arrogance or callousness or a lack of awareness, and you are none of that. Like, and I Am not hyping you up just to hype you up, like Legit, you let her down, sir, you are Captain Nelly for life. In my opinion, you deserve to be a front face of some of those challenge posters like you happen. And it's not just because your muscles are decent sized. You, Legit are a legend and a legend arguably in the making.

You letting no One down. And I'm yeah that Theresa is very proud of you. I actually can say that she is. I interviewed her last week and nothing but positive things to say about you. That woman loves you, Okay, And it's it's so crazy because when I'm watching an episode and I hear you give you give these apologies to your fans and your friends and your family members. And it broke my heart because I'm like, no, no, no, not even a little bit like Nelson, you did that

this season, like for real, for real. But it's okay because all of this is is you climbing up the mountain to get to the next season. That's all it is. Only thing you owe an apology to is that dog you got confused with barking and biting you. Now you may need to apologize to Nereese because we do have a final segment for you, this little game. We didn't really name it, so we just gonna call it Writer Dies.

But it's something that we like to play at the end of the podcast because you know, Nelly, you've been with me, you know I love games. So here we go. We have three questions for you about your ride or die, Neice um. And since you say your writer dies, it's gonna be time to prove it, all right, Nelson, Let's see if you can get these right, all right. Number one, Neurice starred in the Chris Brown and Young Thug music

video for what song? I watched the video? Okay, points for the dressed Yeah, I don't know the name of this song. I don't, I don't, I don't. I've seen she the video of multiple times. So basically what he's saying is he wasn't listening to the music. He was watching that radio. Yeah, half a point, Nelson, it's go Crazy. It's the name of the song, Go Crazy. Number two. You and Therese were both on are you the one? What season was she on? Um? She was on season five,

close six, yap season six six. You don't get that point, but that was very You tried seven and ten. All right, Dave, fight a question. Therese has a tattoo of what animal on her arm? Her dog. Will give you a point for that, So you got a point and a half. So you got fifty per I don't think that's the passing grade in schools, but here it is. You're You're also going to get a bonus point for being sick

and still coming on the podcast. Folks on it smack in the middle of the holidays time, I was late nights dmming my boy Nellie tea and um. He responded and answered the call. We're so glad you did. I wanted you to be able to tell your stay and we just love you Nelson, we love you so much. Thank you for coming to hang out with us, man, and thank you for having me. It's been such a pleasure. Man. Your ladies are great. Um, it's been urice. Um. You're

my ride to die. I appreciate you. I appreciate the fans that tuned into this and watching this and so supportive. Um. And trust me, people, one day, one day I'll bring home when you do, Nelson, let me just ask this right now, and we're gonna have it on. I want a dollar. I want to I want to be. I want to be. I don't want any money when you do win, even if it's Nelson. I want to be the first person you let interview you when you get off the show when you win. Let's make this deal

right now. Deal you know when when when it's a deal, it is supposed to go both ways. Like what do I get, bitch? You get to be interviewed by me? All right, Today's show correspondent. That's what you get it. You get to be interviewed. I would love to. I promise you I will. I'm making that deal right now, putting it on a challenge a guy. Yes, become a challenge champion. I will give you a call to ask that interview. And you have my number now, so there you go. I do I do. I didn't. I didn't.

I didn't hear nothing about my dollar. I heard nothing. You get more than the dollars. Now, don't put that on the record. Put that on a record. See now, don't go to Luke what all right? You guys? Put that on the heard it here first? Devon gets a dollar fifty. When Nelson wins his season, I get the first interview. We will hold you to that. You said,

you're a bit of your word. Now in the meantime, Nelson, for all the fans that want to keep up with you, that are inspired by you, tell us how they can find you on the social platforms. Where should they follow you? Yo, you can find me on Instagram, Underscore, Nelson Thomas, Twitter, MTV, Nelly T and yeah, you can find you on MTV to the challenge next week. There you go. Thank you so much, Nellie, wee we love you. Get better from your colds and we can't ye what you do next.

Thank you ladies. Hey one thing. I hope y'all have a great Christmas too many. Thank you Nelson, thank you, oh my goodness, that was such a great interview with Nelson. I'm so glad he decided to come hang out with us. I know he was sick, but he got it together, got his snipples in check and decided to come hang out with us. Girl, Yes he did, he got the snipples all lay together. We're so happy he made it happen. Now we know where to follow him day. If the

people want to follow you, where should they go? I'm at home, chow. Look, it's the holidays. I'm at home. But if you want to follow me on social media, I have been on Twitter recently, but well, yes I went home. Okay, So you can find me at Dave Davon Underscore, or you can come and find me at my part time home, my vacase stay Instagram at Davon Diane Underscore. Where can the people find you outside of the closet, Devin. Yes, when I am not in the closet, you can find me. You can just go to my

website Devin Simone dot com. That's done with the y simone at any dot com and at the bottom you can click and see all my socials. I'm most active on Instagram and Twitter, so that's Devin Simone on both of those. Also, you can follow me on Amazon, so go to my website click shop tab and that'll take you there. Just go to Amazon, Google Amazon and Devin

Smone and click the follow. I also want to shout out really quick some people that have left good reviews, that have said such lovely things on the Apple podcast. One of them screen name is literally Damn Davon. Devon is you who wrote this this podcast? But it said I turn this on every time I finished an episode of the Challenge. All four ladies are amazing hosts, so we love that very much. We appreciate all of you guys. Someone said it's becoming my favorite Challenge podcast. We appreciate

all of you guys for listening. And if you liked this episode, please do rate review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. We will read the reviews on Apple Podcasts, so make sure you leave a review there. Tell a friend, tell your sister or mama, anyone and everyone. You could even like, print it out on a piece of paper and wrap it up and give it as like a New Year's gift or something to people. Whatever you want to do. Just let people know to come listen to

this podcast and let us know what you're liking. Also, feel free to tweet us because we will try to shout you out. And then after they do all that, Davon, what should they do? Oh? Make sure you catch new episodes of The Challenge. Rita dies Wednesdays at eight pm on MTB, And then, of course we'll see you back here next week for a brand new episode of MTV's official Challenge podcast. Bye Bye, I'm getting out of this closet.