The Riskiest Season Yet w/ Faysal Shafaat

Hey everyone, It's Devin Simone.

And I'm Tory Deal and this is MTV's official Challenge podcast.

Whoop woop. I hope you all enjoyed our free Agents rewatch. I know I did. But the Weight is over and The Challenge USA is back for a second season. Tory, what did you think of this first episode?

Oh my gosh, man, it was just incredible. I loved the way they put it all together. I loved the personalities. I didn't get to meet these people prior, so like seeing their introduction from.

A viewer's perspective, I'm like, oh shit, I.

Actually really like these guys, Like, yeah, what what a good cast of people?

For sure, it's cool and it's cool seeing a little bit of their history and then the vets you guys too, Like I love when they do those flashback moments so that you can really understand who they are and kind of, I don't know, get like a sprinkle or glimmer into their personalities, which is yeah, fun, Yeah.

I know, like Wes is an opening interview line like I've done so many I cannot had to buy a bigger house my trophies.

Like he's so funny, he is how hilarious. I hope he stays longer than two episodes this time, because Wes is seriously probably one of the funniest people on your Challenge of all the time, Like he's just hilarious and seeing him and Bananas pull up on jet Ski, like, I wish we could also just frame that. They need to blow up that photo, like put it on a canvas, hang it in paramount offices, CBS offices, because I just it's iconic. It is iconic.

Yeah, Corey pulled up looking like he was on the cover of a Drake album.

Does so sick on that thing?

Yes, Corey is bringing like fly vibes into the house this season. I'm excited to see what that's all about.

Sure, fresh energy.

When you got there, like coming off of you know, you've had some epic seasons recently, also a Challenge Champion. Are you nervous? Are you especially because you arrived with a different group, you know, like separate with just the vets. Are you feeling a little nervous? Are you feeling like I got this in the bag? Are you just like I'm here to party? What is the inner mind and workings of Tory?

I was I definitely felt a little bit like a rookie in the sense of relationships. I recognized that was going into a game with uh like numbers that I was probably going to be on the outs of.

Yeah, and I didn't.

I kind of just.

Went in knowing that I could go home first, like, Okay, I think they could target me, and I just hopefully will have what it takes when it comes to competing. So I really didn't expect a lot from it. I know that the last three seasons I've been on, I've made it to a final, so I don't feel like people aren't looking at me like a threat. And you know, Alyssas made that pretty clear and like her opening to.

That, Yeah, like I don't like toy, like yes, how did you feel about that?

Well, she's actually a sweetheart, like she I think she just kind of meant it like, oh shit, like you know this girl's But then we ended up being on the same team, so it works.

That work, you know. Yeah, I mean that's fair someone rolling up with three vinyls in a row back to back. I'd either want you on our team or far far away also, so that is one hundred percent Pierre. Okay, let's talk about I mean a lot happens in this episode. We have castles involved, we have some secret voting involved. I feel like we may be touching into Johnny's diabolical era. I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.

How this is.

Literally just the other day I was talking with some people some challenges about how sweet Johnny is. So it's like mind blown. But we will I'm sure see more of that coming up. But I'd love to know who your gold star goes to you for this episode and then who gets your time out.

Oh, this is tricky.

I have to say my gold star is gonna go to Cassidy because she picked the winning team for the first challenge and I really enjoyed her energy. She's somebody

And then she ended up picking the winning team. So my gold star for sure goes to Cassidy.

Yeah, I love that. I love that. That's really interesting. Who gets your time out?

How about you picked the time out?

No, we each get to pick both, don't you. No?

Okay, shite, oh shitzer my time out?

I think? Can I give it to the entirety of the Green team?

Okay?

Why?

Just because you know they they had the lead there and they dropped the ball so on the puzzle and I really thought that they were going to get the win, so I'd say, probably, you know, I'd go to the Green team on this one because I mean, you you watch them with those wagons. Mikayla was by herself that, yeah, beast, she she gets my gold star.

That she gets my gold star. That and whoever came up with the idea to have statues made of you, whatever production person came up with that idea, also gets a gold star. Now, the fact that they confused your statue with somebody else's when we talk about later in this podcast, they lose half the star, but in general that they get gold stars. Let's see who gets my

That adds up.

Yeah, Yeah, I'm excited. There's a lot of twist and turns going on. I feel like different people are going to be in new airs. It's also interesting them having Angela's excell on because we saw with USA one Angela making all these calls to Tyler. They were so close, and then now Tyler's in the game. Producer production's messy. I'm gonna just say, y'all are messy.

Yeah, they know what they're doing. They know what they're doing.

I definitely think it was such an interesting, i mean just impactful first episode. We literally arrive on jet Ski's. We have this huge hopper, which is something that we've never played with before. So much chance is now added into the game, Like the whole theme of this season is risk. We find out about secret voting, like a, there's a lot of information coming to us this first episode, and then on top of that, we have to carry

Yeah, it was definitely packed, packedful. And another thing that's gonna be pactful is the interview that we have for you guys today as we kick off episode one of the Challenge USA two. It's gonna be good, Tory, do you want to tease who it's gonna be before they go get their snacks?

This person likes to jump on trampolines. Let's listen. That's a good teaser.

Yes, I like it. I like it. And they're gonna give you tips on how to shoot your shot.

Yeah, yes, all.

Right, So grab a snack, but don't go anywhere. I mean you technically don't have you anywhere. It's a podcast. You all can just take us with you, But grab a snack. Stay tuned because we have a super exciting interview coming up right after this.

All right, guys, let's get into our favorite part of the podcast, where we interview a select challenger who is coming on the show and spilling all the tea that he can from this person's instagram bio.

I just want to see if you guys can figure it out.

He's an athlete, he's the lefty Libra, and he also does slam.

Ball, which is so cool. He's done five seasons of the Challenge, two finals.

It's fessel ladies and gentlemen.

If you got it right, yay, Welcome to the show man.

Yes, I'm excited.

We can tell by your voice you're very excited.

But you just got to ask me questions and then I'll express how I feel.

I love that.

I love that.

I think for the amount of talking you don't like to do, you've actually shown up on the Challenge podcast more than most challengers. So I'm thoroughly impressed with your ability to show up.

We will not make this difficult. We're just gonna have a good time talking.

No, we might make it difficult, but I appreciate that you still show up even when we do here and the aftermath. I feel like you're always a good sport, you know, you know, we throw you side eyes from time to time. So appreciate you, Bess, and congrats on being on ESPN.

Yeah, thank you, thank you.

We got to get into that later, but first, let's talk about the Challenge USA two. You're back, You're with a bunch of CBS people, You're with a bunch of Big Brother people. What was it like for you to walk back on Did it feel like a different game than the normal challenges you've already competed in.

Well, let me go back. It's hard to think about how I felt.

In that moment because we've been through hell together already.

Yeah, I don't know.

I feel like I was definitely in the middle, and I was going to use that to my advantage. That was kind of my strategy going into the House house because the way that TJ had set up, you know, kind of the theme was like Challenge Vets, Big Brother Survivor, and they kind of grouped me with Big Brother, But the reality was like I had probably a better connection with a lot of the Challenge bets just because we've done season and and seasoned together.

Yeah, whereas the Big Brother people.

Yeah, we came from Big Brother, but half of us weren't even on the same season.

Half of us have never met.

So it was like I was going to use that to my advantage though, And yeah, that was kind of my mindset going in.

Did you feel like that, like, as soon as you learned that that was sort of the way the game was going to go or the theme, did you automatically feel like that was an advantage for you that you kind of were in this sweet spot that other people weren't. And did you try to downplay any of your relationships or friendships with the Vets to keep the Big Brother people from knowing how close you were.

Yeah, so I definitely tried to downplay my relationship.

With the Vets, especially to the Big Brother players.

Like, but I don't have a lot of conversations in the house as far as politics or whatever. But if somebody asked me, you know, my opinion on something, I'm not going to be a closed book.

I'll say my opinion.

So I kind of wanted to wanted it to be known to the Big Brother players, like trying to think off the top of my head that to Alyssa's Tiffany Tyler Monty that you know, I was siding with big brother, and I was making sure Josh was letting them know that too. You know that I was gonna ride with Josh and them, so and I already kind of had a bad history with a lot of the Vets, you know, between Tory vote me in the last season, Righter Dies, you know, me and Corey got into it, Me and

Because we're comfortable with it, we know how the game goes.

So I knew I still had that too, and I was just gonna play the middle until my my hand was.

For Yeah, there was like a very I mean, you don't really get to see it from this first episode, but when Cassidy was picking the Blue team, she was kind of like asking for advice to me and Corey, like what guy should I pick next?

And I was like pick.

FESSI because exactly last season, I voted him into elimination Rideer Diyes and I. You know, who knows if Devin and I would have won that challenge had Mariah and Fessi been in the final. Like they were just such a stacked team, so I was like, keep your enemies close.

I don't know how me and Fessie feel about each other this time around.

And also he's an absolute beast of a competitor, so I'll like, we need this guy on our team.

Did you see me like whispering in Cassidy's your best?

So actually, once I got picked to your team, I don't I don't know if I remember hearing what you said or seeing you. I remember you told me after what you were saying, you know. So that's what says my brain that you that you said you and Corey were telling Cathy to pick me because I was still on the table. But once I got picked to your team, I was kind of happy because like the thing with me, it wasn't like I was like out for blood with you, you know, I was just like I didn't really know.

Where we stood, you know.

I know you voted me in time before, so I'm like, shit, I don't know what's about to happen now?

But I knew me and you worked well together. I knew you were a beast.

You know, I say it all the time, I said it in a lot of interviews. I think you're the best competitor I've seen on the show.

You know. I think the Ones.

Guys would be an interesting team to watch, Like the two of you as a pair on a team would be really interesting to see in a game. I wouldn't want to go up against it.

Oh really, thank you? Yeah, he's a beast.

Well yeah, Like regardless of any drama. The one thing about the challenge is like you do need to have a strong team, like looking at Blue, team Bro stacked, Like all of the teams are stacked in their own way.

But did you guys have a preference of who you wanted to be called by initially? Like when you rocked up? What did you guys, either of you know about these other contestants and did you have were you happy that you got put on the team you did or were you know we're yeah, what were your thoughts?

I mean walking up seeing Josh and he got the first pick. I thought I was going to be first pick for girls, but he kind of looked at me, and I was like, it's smarter for him to not pick me because I'm gonna have his back on whatever team right on. And also Johnny adds an element to being a challenger that I don't add. I'm good at puzzles, but I'm not john Ay good at puzzles. Like she's like a mastermind. So I'm like, she's gonna add so much value to that team. They already have brute strength

It's a rap, Bessie. Did you have a preference at the time before they called your name of like who you were hoping would call you, Like which team you'd be on?

Well, you could kind of break it down as the draft was going because you knew, like if they had just got a guy, they gotta go girls, so like even if there's three four picks in the rotation, it might be girl girl.

So by the time I'm called, I'm the next guy called.

So I was looking at it and I was like, I knew Cassidy was up with a guy and the last two were girls. So I was like, Okay, if she doesn't pick me here, I don't know if she just hasn't watched any tape or you don't like me, or.

What has it looked at your Instagram bio something.

Google the kid.

I don't know what's going on because I was like, you already got Corey and Toy and I'm on the table.

If you get me, that's like And I remember she said she was like because we asked her about that moment. She was like, I just didn't want y'all to take over my team.

And I'm like, okay, I understand that, but like the name of the game is win first, you know what I mean, Like, yeah, it's involved whatever, but if you have the opportunity to stack the deck, I feel like that's what you do. You know, like Josh's case where he picked because when he said he had first picked, I was standing a swimming He whispered in my ear

Know his mine. But at the end of the day, it is a numbers game, so we have to think of it like that.

So I think that was why Josh picked Paully, why he picked john A instead of Toy, not saying John Ay is not a beast, she's just Tory has a connection with Josh, so we all thought, you know where he's a beast and close with Josh. It's obvious. But I think his logic there was to spread the votes.

Yeah, and that made sense. That's super smart. What did you guys think about the icon the spoiled Banana being chosen last?

Well, you know what they don't really make clear.

Which was very clear to us when you guys had to pick, or when the captain said to pick, was that you can only have to challenge that's on your team.

So basically, by the time it got to Josh, bananas.

Was still on the table, but he was the only male challenge vet left, so Josh knew he was gonna get bananas, so it was smarter for him to start picking.

Picking the other Okay, Yeah, so that's sense.

That's kind of what happened. It was like just the way the draft. It was a strategic sort of thing.

Yeah that makes sense, that deally makes sense.

Yeah, yeah, but I'm.

Still sure a little a little humbling for nanners though.

Oh she was probably like what the f you know, but you know what I'm interested in because I obviously we roll up on jet Ski's we meet up with you guys way later. We flew in different groups over to Croatia fast. You flew with all the Big Brother people and all the Survivor people and then all of us challenge vets were kept separate.

So like, what was the politicking like in the airport on the way.

And who made out with who in the airport because yeah, happened sometimes.

Well okay, I'll tell you a funny story. So oh yeah, airport.

So we were all in the airport and we were linking up, and I think Michelle had texted me that the cast was all in like one of those American airlines like the lounges.

Yeah, like get us in.

So she was like, just let me know when you're here, because we got to give him something in the front or something the past. So I pulled up to the front, I'm texting Michelle or Tyler, I don't know who it was, but it ended up being Chris who came to the front and he's like, what's up, man, And he had like his dad glasses on and just like and I thought the whole time that he was one of the handlers, Like he was like he knew like people in the eye text hilarious.

Looked like the guy that you know. But I was like, oh shit, you're going to be doing this with us? My bad.

Was there any like talk while you guys were there? Of like not that I had?

I mean everybody, you know, I feel like everybody's kind of es actually Big Brother and Survivor players they play really like I don't want to say scared, but like timid of what to say right, Like if you heard in our deliberations, like sometimes you would hear just the way the Survivor players would talk and you're like, you're really not even saying anything.

And I think eve on the.

Challenge got so accustomed to like just saying stuff with our chest because it's like we got to face it anyway, where they're so used to it's.

A one and done, like Survivor, you vote somebody out.

They're not going to even know it, they're not going to see it coming, and you're never going to see him again, you know, And this is different. So like I peeped that I noticed that about him, I'm like, you could kind of see right through it because we,

The cameras are going to tell on you. Did you guys know Well, I guess not you Tori, because I know you knew being a VET. But Betsey, did you know going in what the format would be like? Did you know that these other like challenge vets were coming or did you think it was going to be kind of like USA one, which was all sort of you know, aside from yourself, but like all Big Brother, Amazing race and all that.

Yeah, I kind of figured just because I've I've known some of my castmates now for you know.

Four or five years, so we kind of know who's made so.

Y'all put out calls, is what you're saying. Yeah, yeah, you can figure out.

When we try to plan trips with each other and we're like, oh, we can't go, oh bye, we don't.

We don't tell each other anything. We're just like, hey, now I have work calls on the twenty third, So it's like, oh together. But it was who was to see I don't know. I feel like Pauli. I was surprised to.

See you seemed excited to see him, though.

Yeah, just because I knew he Uh Like, I'm not like best friends with Pauli, but I've seen him outside.

You know, he's come.

When he's in Orlando, come. We went out a couple of times, you know, and we text here and there. But so I knew how bad he wanted to come back, and I knew he was a strong competitor. You know, if anything, he tries hard, and you got to respect somebody, yeah who lays it all out there like he does. So I'll never complain about having somebody like that on the show. You know, we all bring our own little problems, and you know, we're all we all got our own problems, you know, the.

Fact when you saw him get drafted to Josh's team and then it's Josh Banana's Paulie all together. Like, were you at all ever intimidated by that team or did you think Green Team looked stronger?

Like who would you put place your bets on besides Blue?

To be honest, like, I was very satisfied with our team, just because, you know, I was. We had some heavy hitters, but I was I felt like it was pretty evenly matched, you know when you really broke down the teams, because.

Like Green Team had Manty, which is a big rude.

You know, me and him are pretty much the same size, and they have Wes, who's who's won. He's smart, and then they got Daisy Michayla, So they're not lacking over there at all.

Right, Yeah, they were heavy hitting teams. How hard was this? First of all, when you rock up and you see these statues, toy, did you recognize that it was actually you at first? That's what I wouldn't know. Yeah, No, actually no.

They actually gave me the wrong statue. Once we like got them to the top and compared them, I was definitely carrying.

Johnny's but it's hilarious.

So they're like, I don't even think that. I think they tried.

They tried their best, but I was like, I don't see the resemblance at all.

Yes, that is hilarious, And how hard was it? They looked it looked heavy.

They were heavy.

Yeah, they were heavy.

They were heavy.

I was really happy to have the guys that we had on our team. We had Corey vessel Sebastian Chris, like, these are guys that are not little guys, and then we had girls who were ready to go everywhere. So I just felt like, you know, I felt looking around and seeing like my brothers on my team, I was like, Okay, we're gonna be strang.

Yeah, Like, did anyone get hurt because at one point, when we see they do the overhead shots, right, you guys look like the Trojans in the Philistines or something. I don't even know that they were in the same battle, but whatever, like rolling through carrying these chariots and statues, and it seemed when when teams were trying to kind of slow down or break it was going really fast. Did anyone ended up hurting themselves at all in this one? No, that's impressive.

But that one time when we were going down the hill, I don't know if.

It was Green spear or something like.

It was Red moveing off of their wagon and it was like like.

A spear, like a long ass two by four or some shit, and it almost like nailed Johnny in the back.

So it must have been Green's wagon going down like this.

Shit is dangerous because these these wagons, they looked like they were built like one hundred years ago.

They were all all wooden.

They were by the time we put the two statues on, how much do you think those statues weighed tod like one hundred and fifty pounds? Yeah, Yeah, we weren't five hundred pounds, but they weren't no forty pounds fifty pounds, they were like.

One hundred pounds.

I'd say they were like two hundred pounds.

Yeah, And then we put those on it and we're running full speed down this hill.

Yeah.

I remember looking over when I think it was when after the second checkpoint when we had to take it off the wagon and carry it up that mountain that was the last hill, and I just remember looking over at everybody's faces because we all had our heads like under the statue or against it for leverage, and like everybody's face was just like looked like they were given maximum effort, like Chris and I remember Cassidy looked like

Try the hardest, you know, and you have to have heart, to have.

To show up to the first challenge and rely on your team, and your team come through, because there was times where I just had my head down and I was just trucking and I wasn't looking at the symbols. So you know, all the girls came through clutch. I know Alyssa was working on it. I know all the girls were working on it.

Oh yeah, oh yeah, all right, we'll be right back after this. Were you guys excited when you found out? Because I so, I feel like it's been a while since we've seen this whole anonymous voting thing, and we know how messy it gets when you have to vote in the way that, like Bezel said, with your chest, right, you can say with your chest in this time people get to hide behind it, which is also a little bit big brother ish, right, like it brings in some

Well, okay, I wasn't excited about it because obviously, if you have to say somebody's name right to their face, it's going to be a little harder, you know what I mean.

So I felt it put me at risk.

I'm sure Tory felt the same way, because you know, obviously, if people see Toy or myself as good competitors, why not take a shot or a chance at you know, us being down there when they don't have to get no blood on their hands. So I definitely definitely was going through my mind as far as changing up my strategy. I mean, I definitely was like, all right, well, I guess I'm gonna have to do some politicing. But kind of the way I politic is like just try to come through with my word.

That's kind of just how I play the game. You know.

I tend to win at least a couple challenges throughout the season, so it's like, just say what I'm gonna do before it, before the time comes, and then when the time comes, do exactly what.

I said out.

I want, like we go out, you know, after the challenges, and most of the time, people are stressing because they're like I'm probably gonna have to go in.

I don't know what they're gonna do. So I kind of try to let everybody know where my head's at. That way, everybody can enjoy their night and then they're.

Like, Okay, damn, that was nice, Like yeah, he wasn't gonna vote me in.

He didn't. Nice night. Now they win.

For them to turn around and say my name is like damn, that's that's yeah.

And they can trust you. I mean, I feel like that becomes the currency, right is like your your words. So it's like if you're transparent, then at the very least, because the other side of this is that people could say what they're going to do blah blah blah, and then since it's blind, like Johnny kugh cough, Johnnay, who will have later on the podcast, but you could totally do a different thing and nobody will know. Or I

I feel like every time I've ever done like a

And then it's not so secret after all.

And I also, I just want to say it totally felt like I was playing Big Brother, like and as the game continues, it feels like, yeah, so much.

It was so stressful.

I thought it was like the most stressful beginning to a season ever. Obviously everybody was just so calculated, everybody is so good at playing the game. I never felt like I was playing with a rookie. I felt like I had to watch everything I said.

And like anytime I've talked to anybody.

Who's come off of Big Brother, like Fess or like Casey or Josh like, and I hear horror stories of what that's like, I'm like, geez, I just I don't ever want to play that game.

And I felt like we were playing that game in many ways.

Yeah, Bessie, was it harder for you going into this? So if we talked about you having a bit of an advantage, right because you We're on Big Brothers, so you know some of those people. And then obviously you've done several challenges, so you're enmeshed in both sides of the thing. But then there's sort of this third layer to it, which is the heart throb that is Fescil.

No.

I feel like like as far as me, Tory and Michelle, we are kind of like pretty professional about it, Like, you know, we had a couple flings on the show, and then we show up.

The next season and we know we're going to be there, and like we.

All worked well together as far as like me and Tory worked well together, Me and Michelle worked together as far. My big concern going in was Amanda, just because I hadn't spoke to her in like a year or two. So I remember the first night, all the.

Girls were like starting to pour up some wine and I hadn't went over and talked to her at all yet.

So I'm like, damn, I probably should go have a conversation with her before she.

Starts voting people in yes.

Before she starts sipping. So I went over there and I was like, Hey, I just want to let you know, like, I'm sorry. If you know I.

May like did something to you in the past, I'll take full responsibility for it.

I'm not here to put you on blast. You know, Let's just keep it cordial.

So I just wanted to make sure I told her that that way, you know, she didn't think I was out here trying to, you know, embarrass her or make her look bad, because that's not what I'm I'm trying to do on the show. So I think my mindset was is go into the game, try to focus on the game. I got a girlfriend back home, so this is my first time on the show going in with a girlfriend, so I was actually excited.

She's really pretty.

She really loved how long you guys been together. Pest.

Well shit, I mean officially probably like six months, but I mean we've been talking out for a while, like a year or two.

I'm happy for you.

He did the hard launch on Instagram. I was proud of you, fast, Yeah, you hard launched her. You were like, we're together.

He was Bessie, yeah, oh on the story, on the story on.

Your did you do it on your page? You posted her now?

Yeah. But it was like, I mean, I guess it was a hard.

Line for you.

That's a hard launch, that's a hard lunch.

I was.

I was proud of you. I was like, that's sweet. I'm happy for her.

That's so good. Does that mean we're going to see a different vessel this season because there's not this like added tension toy's not in her head. Yes, that'll be interesting.

I mean, you know, I think I can still get spicy in terms of like politics, and.

Of course yeah it'll be like ut it at all, but just there won't be this added dynamic of you know, flirtations and love notes handwritten and left. But that's you know, I can't.

Yeah, go ahead, like on the show, it's like I don't even remember.

What I know, so I know, so much go it does.

It was so many damn notes.

For those of you listening. If you're wonder about which note, google the challenge aftermab on YouTube they have there's the episode is still up. I believe you can't read the note. But that's so good that we get to see a different side. That'll be really cool to see as well. Okay, so we have the votes, right, and then we find out sort of this other twist, which seems to be whether or not it's going to be guy girl like, you know, competing that day. What were you guys's thoughts

Yeah, that was a I mean, just talk about being on edge even more because you know, when it's guy girl elimination on a guy's day, the girls are just less stressed. But now with the hopper, you have one ball in there, anything can happen, and obviously the point of the game is to like load it up. It's probability you put as many balls as you can on either the opposite sex to avoid you going in, or one individual person and hope that the majority pops out

F'st What did you think?

Yeah, I mean I was not a fan of that hopper, just because we're so used to like in PA seasons, you know, like whoever wins, you got to survive the House vote. You got to get people to say with their chests around that couch, get the majority, and then you got the people who won, they got to bold face say your name. So now it's like it's a secret vote, so you don't even know what the hell's going on in there, and then you have no control

It a while, trying to play the system and.

Figure it out, you know, majority rules, and it's just like same outcome. It's like, I mean, maybe it's not entertaining, but it's like I don't know house rules, Like it's we treated like a competition. It's I know it's a politic game too, but that's what we try to do. And with this it's like hard being like you know, an athlete and just where you strive on performance based things for this just to be out of your out.

Of your hand, you know. I mean, it takes it back to free agents days. I feel like a little bit right where we just did a rewatch of that season all the podcast listeners where it's very much in chances. Hey, you know at that point, so you have the two that go in to elimination, but then the remaining sort of losers if you will, or those who are in the draw. You're flipping a card and so you can

Tyler and Alissa only just look at that situation.

Well we know that you Tory, And wait, who would you make out?

I didn't make out with anybody.

Well, now you know, Bessie, I know you wistness some things. You you are an observer, sir. What did you see?

Well, I'll tell you. I'll tell you what was funny? Oh god, was in the beginning of the season. I don't know if Tory if you remember this, but Michelle was.

She was like trying to like flirt with Tyler, and the way like Michelle flirts is just like quirky and funny and whatever.

So but she's like forward as hell with it, and Tyler's kind.

Of like introverted, laid back. You kind of got to like bait Tyler. So I was trying to like coach Michelle up on how to bag Tyler and She's like.

No, I don't want to do it that way. I want to do it my way. So he's just like openly blatantly telling Tyler all.

These things and it's just I'm like, Oh, that's not how you will in a guy like that.

It's hilarious. Oh, I would have paid so much money to see that. It was coaching Michelle on how to like get the guy. I would have paid so much to witness that. So funny.

Oh.

I love Michelle though. Man, she's amazing. She really grew on me this season.

She's amazing and quirky's a good way to describe it. I Yeah, I think she's She's hilarious. It makes for good TV, is very entertaining. I was also excited to see Mikayla back because Mikayla got this short end of the stick on her first season. I mean, yeah, it wasn't even a stick. It was a toothpick her last season, so I'm glad to see her back. What did you guys think when you saw her?

Well, I have a different experience now that the show's all over, you know what I mean. But how can you not look at Mikayla and think absolute threat in the game?

And you can see it while watching her compete. She is in the front of her wagon, pulling it by herself sometimes. Yeah, the girl is in a sense, probably the best female athlete on the show on this season. For sure, I get rid of the kid.

Really she's incredible, Like she's truly incredible, and so I knew that she was gonna be tough to beat. But ultimately I was just kind of hoping, like, you know, we could smooth things over from Spies eyes allies, because she ended up going.

Out first and yeah, yeah, that was rough.

Yeah, So I was just you know, hoping that there wouldn't be any drama there. But you know, as we see with the conversation she has with the Mira, there might be a little you know, get the vets out, which maybe the way the tide turns for a minute.

Yeah, I feel like that happens every season, and we're going to see that every and it's look, it's expected with newbies to want to do that. Yeah, but I feel like it's also expected for bets to stick together best. So I feel like you said it so perfectly when you describe the fact that when you showed up, you're like, look, I'm connected to both sides. I have a history with some of the vets. I've voted this person and I've done this, But at the end of the day, we're

Okay, Well, the all damns was gonna be Tori, just because I knew we were gonna smooth things.

Over because me and Tory are both like rational human beings and like logical thinkers, so we'll come to consensus. But you know, we hadn't had that conversation yet since the Rider Dies season. We hadn't talked since then, So I was like, and then I hadn't talked to Amanda in two years, and I didn't even know what her method for coming in was, how her she was going to play it, so I didn't know if she was out for blood. So I'm gonna go with them to another one who I wasn't excited to see.

I was excited. Mm hmmm, I don't know, just us two.

That's good, that's fair. That only that only those two you were Who were you pumped to see? Like most that You're like, yes, I'm going to run this town tonight, Alla, Rihanna.

Because I saw the whole cast, I was like, I'm gonna run this town tonight.

Well you know you got lucky Festal. I don't know if you know this, but I was actually supposed to be on this season. I was supposed to be on this season real talk said yes. I almost said yes. No, I'm kidding No, I wouldn't, of course not.

But what you've been coming them, I know.

Right only about your love life, Estil. That's the only time I ever go after you when it comes to the game. You freaking kill it.

Yeah he does, he really does, dude. I loved that. I loved that promo.

Like for the challenge, when the trailer dropped, it was like that slow mo clip of you jumping on the trampoline.

Yeah, to get that thing. That shit was crazy crazy, I.

Mean cool, just when I think the challenges can't get any crazier, Like everybody always asked me, you know, nowadays like, they're like, so, what's the craziest challenge you've ever done? And I'm like, I mean, it depends on your definition of crazy. You know, We've hung from the bottom of helicopters, you know, jumping into the water.

We've been on.

A speeding boat, had to grab a rope from a helicopter.

And hang on.

We propelled from three hundred story buildings, like the list goes on.

So, yeah, getting that, but that shit is crazy.

And how does that compare to your other career in slam Ball? I mean, did you was Slamball the training for the Challenge or was this season the Challenge the training for Stamball? Because I saw you on ESPN up there getting it, so tell us a little bit of that.

No, I think definitely this season of the Challenge was trained for Slamball. But I didn't even know Slamball was coming back because we were.

In Croatia filming, you know, for April May.

So I guess all the hype around it happened then, because by the time I knew what slam Ball was, I was actually.

This was like in June. Yeah, end of June.

I was in Puerto Rico on the way back and I saw one of these people I follow, he's a basketball player. He posted he just got drafted to the slam Ball League. So I clicked on Lamball's Instagram and I saw they were having a draft for and the type of players they were having it was like ex college athletes.

Stuff like that.

So I just went out on a limb and I said I DM them and said scoop me up, thinking they weren't even going to reply, and one of the like higher ups called me and he was like, asked me, like, are you in shape?

How big are you? Do you think you know? What's your background?

He was like, if you can get a flight up here tomorrow, we'll give you a workout. So I was in Puerto Rico. Oh well yeah, I got my flight up there. He was like, we're gonna work you out for a couple of days. I ended up making a team and I started the first game on ESPN.

So it's just very.

Cool, a very cool vessel, how good.

Crowd, proud mom moment, dude.

But it's like it's just like so random, you know, because like I turned thirty two in October, so it's like I'm the oldest player in the league. So I don't know how long my career is in slamball, you know, just because this it is a very dangerous sport. It is a fun sport, and I think it's gonna take off. This is the first time it's been back in like fifteen years, but it's just perfect for this day and age and social media.

It's a high flying sport.

The people who are running it are doing a phenomenal job. They have big time investors in it, so it's gonna take off. I just don't know, you know, like it's fun as hell, don't get me wrong, and I'm competitive, but this is I mean, it's dangerous. You're, yeah, probably fifteen twenty feet in the air and then your collidor

Playing How tall are you?

I'm like six four and a half six five, Yeah, I mean.

It's it's it's fun and it definitely keeps my competitive drive going, and it's it's it's been a crazy ride, but it happens so randomly and fast, but it's it's it's definitely been a blessing.

For sure.

You're a poster child for shooting your shot. FESSI there figure the DMS. I'm telling you guys, magic happens in d ms. Not when you DM people inappropriate pictures of yourself, but when you DM normal things, magic can really happen.

So dude, that's so cool.

It's it's so dope to think about you being on two networks at the same time, CBS N, ESPN crushing.

That's that is pretty wild to think.

Yeah, that's crazy, Like, that's so so cool. You should be you should be really proud of yourself.

Everybody on this side definitely super proud of you.

It's always don't see somebody like do something not bigger, but different and still something just as cool as a challenge. So fast before we let you go, because I know that you are so eager to get out of here. What is one thing that you want to tease about the upcoming season of the Challenge?

Hmmm, I guess I feel like this season, I mean, I know, I don't know. I feel like in the trailers you see a lot of arguments and obviously I gotten a lot of arguments this season, so that's probably going to be entertaining the watch. But I feel like for the most part, the cast was like authentic to themselves, you know, like we're all in there playing the game, trying our best, but like I feel like for.

The most part, everybody you know, was themselves.

So that was a cool feeling and I think it's going to translate well across the screen. Like, I think they did a really good job with the casting, you know, all around, it's like we got a lot of heavy hitters. Everybody brings something to the table. So I think it's gonna be a great season on the side, So.

Awesome for those who want to follow you, Pesti, not just on the challenge or when you're doing slamball, but even on socials. Where can they reach you?

All of it is fitness.

Okay, where you most active Instagram?

Okay, I g But remember, people do not slide into Festi's DMS. Yes, shoot your shot, but not to Pessi. He's no longer vailable, but you can root for him and cheer him on in both of these cool ass endeavors, and you can see if he's still one of your favorites at the end, by the end of the season of the challenge, or if you or if you've grown to side with whoever may be coming after FESTI.

I have a feeling people who are gonna like fast. I think this is a good season for you.

Yeah, but I think you know I fit the role of hockey guy.

So you know you're so subdued. On this interview, I was thinking that you've been so chill, which I know there's multiple sides of you, and I always give you crap. But like I've now again, i've not seen the season. I purposely don't watch that. I can watch it as a viewer, but I feel an energy of growth from Vessel. I feel that whether we see that on the season, we'll see. But yeah, you don't come across as you.

Know, I've been blessed, and I feel like Tory probably has the same feeling. Like when you've been on numerous seasons and you kind of just it's a good feeling when you could kind of be yourself on it, you know, like people kind of know you and so you don't really got to force anything. So so that definitely was a good feeling to have this seaon.

So do you feel like that's new for you, like that in the past seasons, you felt like there was something to prove in a way.

For sure to the first couple of seasons, and like everybody had these big egos, so that I mean, I'm not saying I don't have an ego, but that kind of just made me like, oh, like they really think they're like that, and I'm in my head thinking, no, I'm like that. So yeah, now I got to show them. So that was like door I was trying to kick

What we can do, you know, in the challenges.

So that's a good feeling when people know your capabilities and your worth because you know, there's a lot of people that go in there and they would die for that game, like put it all on the line.

So yeah, that's true. I love that fest.

It's always good to hear you talk, you know, it really is, because I do think that you have such a good perspective and You've had an interesting journey up to this point, and yeah, I'm excited to watch you this season. I think people are going to really enjoy.

You, appreciate it.

I'm excited to watch you, Festie. Thank you so much for making the time again. We're rooting for you for real. You're always such a good sport. And if it weren't for that girl, toy, who knows what you could have done right or dies So.

I'll make it to you.

So I'm hoping you crush it this season. But thank you for coming to visit us. And yeah, we can't wait to watch and see more of what happens with both of you guys this season. You're off to a good start so far.

So Team Blue Baby, thanks for having you guys. Yeah, bye bye bye be sol I.

Well, that was an awesome interview. I like the direction we're going this season. I like how we're kicking it off. I know so much more is to come. So for those who want to try to extract clues or Easter eggs from your social channels, Torri, where can they find you?

Yeah, you guys can find me at Tory Underscore deal on Instagram. I'm definitely going to be keeping up with this season and talking a lot about it, mostly on this podcast, actually probably only on this podcast, because.

Devin, You're the only person that makes you feel safe enough.

To talk about Oh good. It's always a safe space. I mean, I'm nosy, but it's a.

It seems like it comes from a good place.

It does, it really does. I'm just curious, but I love that good. So that means you guys know that you guys gonna have to be here to get all the tea and we are going to push for the t the inside info, all the things.

Yes, Devin. Where can they follow you on social media?

Well, if you want to see an exhaustive list, you can go to devinsimone dot com. That's Devin with a wife, Simone with an ie. You can also find me on Instagram That's Devin Simone. Also and TikTok. I'm probably most active on Instagram and Twitter, and then also Amazon, Amazon Lives I do those, they're fun.

We talk to you live.

So you can follow my channel. If you just google Devin Simone and Amazon, it'll come up. It's called Devin Simone's Gift Closet. Hit the follow button and when we go live. I will give you live shout outs. Just tell me that you're a Challenge podcast listener and I will shout you out.

Oh my god, that's so fine. I love that side over there and see what it's about.

Yes, girl, ooh, you should come do one with me. We should get you in the show.

Oh, I would love that.

That'd be fun. Okay, we'll work on it.

I would love that.

And if you guys like listening to this podcast, then please rate and review this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and you know.

Tell a friend, listen to it with somebody and have a blast.

Yeah, this would be good on date night. You know, you guys can watch the show together and then you can listen to this and then if they have the same view on the same players as you, maybe you guys are compatible. And if they don't, continue listening to the podcast. But we have to think about getting somebody else. You can also catch new episodes of The Challenge USAY airing on CBS. And you know what, Torey tell them the little surprise.

Okay, guys, there's another one airing this week. In fact, that's right, two Challenge episodes in one week. Are we worthy that?

I don't know.

Look at that. You guys, we're always looking out for you, not that we have any control over programming schedules, but if we did, we know you want more, so we want to give you more. So watch that next episode that's coming out, and then we'll see you back here for a brand new episode of MTV's official Challenge podcast and rate us on Spotify. We'll work on it, Tori, We'll work on it.