Hello everyone.
I'm Anissa Ferrara and I'm Devin Simone and this is MTV's official Challenge podcast.
I love this episode, Nini, Devin. We're getting to the end. We're getting to the end of a pretty good season. Yeah, it's good, Like it's it.
In today's episode, like same, I had moments where I was literally like shouting advice and the elimination, you know, like get low was I just.
I'm glad that they showed it. I'm like, if they give us another clears, I'm closing my life. I'm leaving. Yeah, yeah, I'm not. I'm firing myself. Yeah yeah, because I can't. That's watch this any longer. They gave us a lot of goodness in this episode. They did they really did, which I feel like TJ's going to punish the next episode. Oh I do. I couldnot wait to see this final because it looks like everybody's getting hooked up to so.
Which is wild, Like it looks really goodl I think he's still holding the grudge because they kept stale mating and they kept ignoring him, and TJ said don't stalemate and they kept I mean, they're bold to be testing TJ, like that I personally wouldn't but right.
But sometimes he doesn't do that. He just like does it in another way. But he wasn't playing this time. He was not playing. Speaking of playing of the players this week, Nini, who was your king or queen? Your ruler of the world? And who do you think was on another planet? Who is my king or queen? You know, I might have to give the king to Troy, Okay,
the king of Troy. I feel like as a tinier player, and I'm not speaking about myself, but as a woman that's like five seven and looking at guys that have been, you know, of smaller heights on this show, how they get kind of treated as disposable or easy to beat or whatever. He really did his thing, Yes, he did
it as much as he could, considering that. I feel like, when I look at Troy and I look at Yeah, I'm like, these aren't like head to head like physical these are like thinkers, agile, like they're good at those those kinds of things. Climbing, hiking, like they're good at those things. So it was interesting to see it. I love the heart that both of them show. Yeah, So it was really it was really nice to watch that yeah, Troy.
I also give it to the queens all the time, and I figured, you know, it's nice to share the crowd. Who was on another planet for you this episode. Listen, I'm gonna need THEO and his dolphin bad to get to go get his math back maths, some of the mas get his math spotch and No. I mean there were a lot of things in this. I feel like a group of people were on another planet, like let's make this deal and then like not stick to it.
Like it almost looked like Casle on another planet. She was in the in the water, George's just hanging out like you would have thought everybody else was on on Saturday. Was chilling. Yeah, because if I mean, that's what the people on the on the shore felt like. They didn't even know what was I wonder what TJ was thinking watching that, like I really yeah, he was like are they throwing it?
Yeah?
And you know he hates that shit to day. I hate it. I think Teacher is trying to punish everybody and he's going to in the final.
So I think so too. For me on another plane, it would have to be Yes the Mess. And we talked about him last week and this is the reason why, because no, he didn't immediately sabotage Troy and Casey only to then go prepare himself a snack and sit right next to Troy immediately after and be like, hey man, I'm sorry, but we cool, you know, like I hope, I hope you and Troy was like, no, man, we're not cool, but this is not I feel like.
Yes, yes, is it great at like being a dick or playing a messy game. And I think that this was his you know, this was like his first time and like trying to be political and do all these other things and it worked until it didn't.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's a good way. That's actually a good way to think that he just felt a little silly and knew that he was probably going to go in and was like, hey man, like no hard feelings. Yeah, I mean I don't sorry, I voted doing a bunch.
Or it seemed almost even like they were delusional for a moment of really thinking. Or maybe they just felt doubly safe because Sarah won, right, and we know Sarah and Emily's relationships, so maybe they felt super super super safe. I'd say that my ruler of the world, well, an Honorable mention goes to Tory's hair. I know I've talked about it before, but the way it has just evolved,
I don't. As someone who has lived in the Challenge House a couple of times and knowing the lack of resources, Okay that are there, don't go googling old pictures, please, the way her hair just glistens and seems to thrive in a Challenge House is still baffling to me. I'd pay good money for it.
I want to pay for these damn clippers, and she has this bea and I would have to want to relax. It's a lot, and I'm not doing it.
She does like this time. It's like ombre and I've just been watching it all season. It gets progressively better. I don't understand how she does it. I do know if she comes out with them up a little bit.
And she made her waves big, so it looks a little straighter at the bottom. Yeah, and it hasn't been up as much. Yeah, and it's good, but it's good good stuff.
It does look. Yeah, she looks beautiful. Yeah, she looks gorgeous. She's the honorable mention, but the real winners are Casey and Troy. Those are my rulers because ever since they got paired up, I mean, think about it, both of them lost their partners, so they really had to literally we're gonna go Yeah, they both are gonna go home. Had to form a very quick bond quite quickly, and
they did. So they've been in elimination multiple times and then they get to go against they instead of being afraid of the people who kept sending them in, they said we're gonna take you on. And then on top of that, after they won, we saw them give congratulates, give consolation hugs and just say hey, I saw Casey sat Emily, hey, you are a beast out there like, which is just excellent gameplay.
That's just how it is. Though once you're done too well it is.
But we saw a little smack talking though, but we know that, you know, train Casey at least one with a certain level of like decorum and respect, and that was just that was great to see. And so they get my ruler of the world this week. I'm guessing TJ and his train conductor outfit is gonna get it next week. But to TVD, TVD, I haven't seen it,
but we have a great episode for you today. We have for those of you who've been Challenged podcast fan members for quite some time and to listen to us to Challenge USA that I think you'll really appreciate this episode because we have Sarah Lasina on And if you watch Challenge USA, you know we gave her hell last season and then she turned it around.
Devin's about to give her hell this time. I'm not maybe I don't mean hell. She's gonna give everyone.
I don't give anyone hell, but I don't know. You're gonna have to stay tuned and find out. So grab a snack, buckle up and get ready for one fun interview with the fabulous Sarah Licina coming up right after this.
All right, you guys, she is back. She is many things.
Uh, not only a survivor VET, not only a champion of the Challenge USA, but also I'd say she holds the title of biggest comeback on her USA season. What I meant by that is in watching her gameplay, we she and I had it out. I was not a fan, but when she came on the podcast, I am such a Sarah fan. So I'm so glad to have her here today. We have Sarah Lacina from the Challenge World Championship.
Hello, Sarah, Hey Davon, how's it? And that's why I wasn't a fan of her. Don't worry, I did it a lot of time when I started podcasting. No, I am, hey, Sarah, how are you?
I'm awesome? How are you good?
So glad to have you back. Now, the last time we talked to you, you were about to go or no, no, no, you were on bak. Are you at the Lake of the Ozarks? Do you remember you were?
Yep? I think it was like Labor day or Labor Day weekend, maybe down at the Ozarks?
So absolutely.
Now I'm sitting in Iowa.
So who good old Iowa? In Iowa? One other person? Who's who's there too? No? One other person? You know? They have a cousin that listens to an so it's too. I don't make those types of assumptions, but I guess that they are there. I want to get into this because I want to go all the way back, Sarah. I will say this. I was unsure watching Challenge USA.
I didn't know about you. I didn't watch Survivor, but then I watched this season and I was like, oh, she's really trying to start some shit, like she's really trying to get to this final. She does not give a shit what anyone thinks, and she's going to do
whatever it takes to get there. And I liked even though I am a vet and I've been playing this a long time, I liked the change up of the dynamic even though Tory is my best friend and she was trying to protect my other friend, Casey, and but also yes, it's my friend and all of these people I have these relationships with. So watching everybody kind of have to play a different game because there were different variables, I EU was exciting for me.
And I coming in this this being your second season of the Challenge. What were the differences for you in how you played the game the first time, sort of your your official rookie season to playing it this time.
Was there a switch up for you? Did it feel different? What was that like?
Now? I think it was, you know, similar, but just on a bigger stage, a bigger We have all these legends come in, right, and so we've gotten to see how they have played the game and kind of what reputations they have. Whereas you know, I had never watched Love Island, So the people that were on Love Island that were on Challenge Usay, I don't. I don't really watch the Amazing Race. You know, I knew the Big Brother people, but but just from what I see on TV.
So I feel like we we almost got more of a packet, you know, going into this, because a lot of these guys have been on for years. So going in, you know, I was open to working with anybody, but you know, I was also aware of kind of how they've played in the past, and.
And did you research and prepping for this season, Like did you go back and rewatch certain seasons or episodes when you heard, you know, who might be on this season.
So I didn't really rewatch, but I did go online and like, uh WICKI fandom or whatever does like a breakdown of the seasons, right, so like you can get all the cliff notes like who beefed with, who, who put you can see who put who into an elimination and things like that.
Definitely went on the channel, right, So.
I, yeah, I wanted to like who's good at this, who's good at that? Yeah, I definitely wanted to prep And that's kind of like how I attacked Survivor too is. I mean, my husband probably gets tired to be talking about the shows, but it's it's like we prep every single day, just okay, if this happens, what are we going to do? Or you know, what should I do if this happens? What you know? And and I feel like I've been pretty successful, and so that's why I just try to do as much homework as I can,
you know, going into this stuff. Because again, I'm you know, everybody's leaving home, so I don't want it to sound like I'm the only one that left something back at home. But you know, I love my husband, my son, my coworkers, you know, a full time job, and it's it's I'm not just going out there to party. I'm going out there to win money, and so you better be prepared.
You said that with the seriousness that's borderline scary. I mean, I respect it, but it's also your face just went very like be prepared. This episode was so good on so many I mean, there were definitely clutching moments. I don't know about you got you obviously lived at Sarah, and I don't know about you watching it a Nissa, but there were just multiple moments.
That I don't know what was or I didn't know what was going to happen. I was like, who's going to lose on purpose, who's going to get up the ladder first, who's going to sabotage whom? And is Sarah going to keep her word? That was really my biggest I'm like, Sarah had a deal, but are Jordan and Kaz about to go in if they don't win? Like, yeah, That's the only thing I could think about, And I'm like, it's just unfold after that, Salem, I just it was a lot. This episode was. Yeah, it was a lot.
It was good the elimination, like and we'll get to all of that piece, but let's start with the Daily. So it's funny because we saw theo oscillate around how he felt about the win, right because he.
Was like, you know, it to win amazing.
Then he's like, but it was karma because my ex like helped me win, and so we saw him go.
Back and forth.
How did you feel about winning this Daily, especially knowing you're as competitive as you are and you set such a high standard for you.
Do you feel like it was given to you? Do you feel like it was deserved.
One hundred percent. It was given to us, but a win to win, so right, you know here, here's like, okay, going back a little bit our very first swim challenge that we did that Kelly, Anne and Tristan won. THEO and I are like doing our OTF and right before it and he's like, oh, He's in the frame being like, oh, this is ours to win, and I'm like, what do
you mean. He's like, We're going to crush this, and I'm like, Emily has a fucking gold medal, like sixteen, she had like a world record, are you serious right now? So now I'm thinking, oh shit, THEO is a serious swimmer that couldn't be more.
Flawed, not on blast like that. So imagine if he could swim right.
So, like, I'm not a great swimmer, I would like on a scale one to ten, I give myself a four. And on that first swim challenge I had to swim back out and help THEO. So then then when we get to like our next swim challenge that we have where we're tied together, well, you see Emily's just pulling yes, and you you got Jordan pulling Kaz. I can't fucking pull THEO Like it's like I'm a I'm a little Toyota prius trying to pull a semi behind me and
it ain't happening. We literally I remember getting up to the shore and I'm like standing up walking uh, and feels like he goes pull me and I go stand up walk in the water. And so yeah, going into this final challenge, I was like, great, another swim challenge, Like we're screwed. So quite honestly, yes, we deserved that win.
It sounds like, Sarah, you deserve that win because you've been putting up with Theo's nonsense all seasons. It sounds like, really, quite honestly got to the point that you deserved that.
I mean in that moment, No, no, we both did, and he's telling me how, oh, don't worry about it. I got the Dolphin badge in my swim lessons when I was a kid.
No, yes, talking about nineteen ninety six, right, like relaxed, however old he is, I got the Dolphin bag.
Come to find out, you just had to write your name on the top of the paper to get that. So that's how he got So yeah, that's our swimming the ability. So I would say, you know what, when all all spails, when you're when you're when you can't physically do it, if you can rely on your social politics in the game to get your win, then hell yeah you deserved it.
Girl. You preaching to the choir. How do you think I made it to two finals? Right?
Regarding when Kaz and Jordan started helping you, it seems kind of like watching it seem like you guys were kind of confused, like, wait a minute, hold up, what's happening? Were you really confused? Did you not trust their answers initially? Or were you like, hey, it just must be my lucky day.
I'm gonna roll with this. It seems like they really want us to win.
Yeah, no, I knew they couldn't pull anyone's flag anymore, you know, so and then they're not, like Kaz is in the water, so they are like giving it to us. But it was taking us forever because you know, like our knacks were at a weird angle and stuff, so it's hard to see. Kas could see better down on the ground.
I think if you touched the water read out, so like if she was in but Jordan was still up, they were fine.
Yeah, they were fine, okay, and so yeah, then they're going, come on you guys, We're like, we're trying. And so then finally all four of us just started working together and we ended up getting it.
So did did they all also have a dolphin badge for math?
No? No, nope, And you didn't have.
One either until later you got the Golden star. Right when you're up there, it's exhausting. So I get I get it.
Yeah yeah, and then but I think too. Then the pressure was off because we knew we were going to win, and I was almost like, TJ, can we just like act like we got it? And then because they're giving it to us, was the.
Pressure off you were about to have You're going to have to make a decision?
Well, the pressure was off to figure out that math problem.
Well, why couldn't Jordan and Kaz just go into the water and then hand it to you?
Guys?
When were they saying like, we're not going to like like they weren't going to give up, they were going to hand it to you, but they weren't going to hand it to you.
If that makes it right, Well, they had to help with the math angles. Clearly we'd still be waiting for the episode.
Absolutely, yeah, I mean if they quit then are they the losers? Then?
Oh good point, you know what I mean?
Yeah, it was just one of those like they weren't just gonna TJ wasn't gonna blow the horn, so it's like, all right.
Help us and we got Had you been because you were so close with Emily who we had on last week, did she inform you about the deal that Jordan had made with them beforehand? Like was that kind of on your radar at all?
Or you know, I don't I can't remember. I mean, obviously I know about it, like after the fact, right, but it's been so like, so much happens that I don't know if I knew before that, But maybe I did.
At any point throughout the game, had you started as it the number starts like getting narrow, or had you been having conversations with yourself around what happens if because I find this is something that you know, people come in and give the Vets a lot of crap for understandably,
so they do a lot of the same things. But obviously the longer and the more you do this game, and you're seeing that even in your second season, the trickier becomes if you're a likable person, right, because you start to make friends and you start to grow close with people and build a connection. So, had you already started having conversations in your mind around Okay, we're getting to a smaller number and I'm here with multiple teams
that have my top people on them. What happens if you know what I mean, Like, what happens if it comes down to Danny or an Emily? Had you been having those conversations with Danny or Emily beforehand?
Had you been thinking about it at all?
Or did you not really think about it until you won this daily and you're kind of put in that situation.
I think I thought about it a little, but definitely didn't have to like put it into reality until this happened. And then I'm going this was the worst thing possible as winning this. Like at that point, I'm like, Okay, this is you know, not good at all. But that's the game that we sign up to play. And you know, anytime you get down, you know, to small numbers, you're gonna have to make a decision and it sucks. And yeah, like if I could go back, would I want to have to make that decision?
No.
But if I could go back, would I have like offered up first place to not have to make that decision? I think my answer is no.
Also, so it's no for It's going to be a no for me as well, because thatsion.
I mean, at the end of the day, only one one team can win, and the only way you can win is to make it to the final. And so by by you know, making that deal with Jordan and Kaz to like let us win even though the decision was going to be put on us, the only way I can win is if I'm in the final. And so yeah, I wouldn't change it. It just sucks. It's part of the game though, and that was the point
of the game that we were at. And sometimes you will be faced with those decisions and sometimes you won't.
And yeah, I mean it's definitely better to be We were talking to Emily, and yes, think about this last time that like it's gonna be weird and messy in the beginning and then at the end, like you're only stuck with clearly good, good players that have made it that far. So if anybody takes offense at that point, it's kind of like broke, Like we had someone has to go in and someone has to go home, and four pairs need to be in that final, and you got your spot. So after that, I've been like, sorry,
I'm here. I mean part of you is like I worked this hard. I kind of made a lot of waves, I ruffled feathers. I did work. You know, you were never really safe in this game.
I mean, if you've got to, like say one of your friend's names, at least it's at a point where it's either you going to the final or not going to the final, versus like the third vote and you're saying your friend's name, you know what I mean. So at least there's like, I don't know, justification to it a little bit more.
I don't know if I want to dive into that part, like I want to know more about the vote. But yeah, we too, Like when you when you when they said stalemate, were you it's a two parter? Were you expecting that? And were you expecting to then if there was a stalemate have to pick a pair to go against Troy and Casey?
Yeah, so I was expecting a stalemate. I was hoping they wouldn't stale maate it, you know, like just put because ultimately, you know, they're only sending one team in, so we don't have a decision. So almost THEO and I almost got to get away with, you know, getting without.
Having my hands clean, without having to do anything.
And you know that that's just you know, getting your having your cake and eating it too. And so once they stale mad it, I was like, fuck, now what But you know the conversation that you see Emily and I having in the bathroom, it's I've basically told her like I'm sorry, but I'm I'm not turning my back on Danny. And we literally just made that deal with Jordan and Kaz and so you know, it sucked, like
I had weighed a lot of things. I hate that I even had to have that conversation with Danny because yeah, I think it made Danny be like what the hell, Like why are we looked Danny? Yeah, And so I hate that I had that conversation with him, but I needed to talk through it because Okay, so THEO wanted to put Torri and Danny in and like, yes, and
Emily wanted us to put them into. And so I've got all these people in my ear, uh you know, and THEO was like, it's gonna look really bad if you turn on Emily now, and and so like Danny was the last person I had talked to, and so I'm kind of like just filling him in on what I'm thinking right right now. And with to me, I was just trying to talk through things. But I can totally see how Danny takes it as like I'm contemplating.
This, yeah, and and but.
I flat out told him, I'm like, Danny, I'm not conscious, like I just needed to talk through it. And I go, you know, and I apologized for even having to have that conversation, and I go, like, I will show you. I went, I talked to Emily and I told her like, it's it's going to be you guys. And that sucked having that conversation with her too, but again I'm gonna
let her know. And then and then ultimately, I don't know, we didn't even have to make the decision, and I was like, I wish I did, But you know what, I'm not upset about not having it because I I felt so bad that I that it even brought the conversation up with Danny that even though we didn't have to make the decision, Danny still saw that I chose him, and.
So we saw Danny ask you during that conversation, or he said, you know, my biggest thing is I would have just loved a heads up looking back, sort of two parts A. Was there an opportunity to give him a heads up of hey, I know you were thinking you already explained that you were thinking, oh, we're not gonna get our hands messy anyway, you know, but looking back, do you wish you had given him or Emily a heads up before that voting happened, just so that either
one of them maybe felt a little less blindsided or.
Well, okay, so if I let them know, like I mean.
Clearly, maybe like after you won, you know, on the bus ride back for example, that literally, but you know what I mean, like before actual deliberations are happening, I.
Don't think there's like okay. So if I tell Danny like, hey, man,
like this is gonna be a tough, tough decision. And again I was getting you know, I have a partner too, and you know, like THEO had wanted to save Yes and Emily, and so I'm sitting there like if I would have told Danny, I felt like I would have been going behind Emily's back then, like because I'd be giving dannya heads up to basically don't stalemate it, because FYI, you know, so I would have rather just if we're gonna ultimately do your session anyway, then I'd rather just
then I'm not doing anything shady to anybody, right, And.
You can live with that, and you can also come back from that.
Right, right, And that was the thing, like if I give Danny a heads up, hey, don't stalemate it, and then and then yeah, it keeps my hands clean until out that Sarah told me to not still made it. Now now I'm the bad, bad guy, right and where I can own a decision that I have to make and I can explain why I have to make it, but there's no explaining like that shadiness.
You know, did Emily's behavior towards you change after you had that conversation in the bathroom, like before you guys went down to the arena.
Yeah, so I mean anyway, well, usually we were I had that conversation, We're supposed to be leaving for elimination, and for whatever reason, we couldn't do the elimination that night, but not only back. Huh yeah, so not only that we share a room, so yeah, yeah, yeah, so yeah it sucked, and she was a wreck, Like the whole day she she's just kept to herself. So it really
really sucked to have that happen. And then you know, parts of me, like I would I would battle with like kay, I'm trying to see it from her standpoint. But then at the same time, I'm like, but like, I mean this predicament that I'm in, Like if this was Grant, if it was you and my shoes and it's Grant and me, I wouldn't even ask you to save me. I would expect you to see Grant and I wouldn't be upset with you at all, right, And so then like I'm battling with that, I'm like, so,
like you're mad at me? But is that fair? And then but ultimately, anybody can feel how they want to feel, you know what I mean? And and so I think all of it was justified. I just you know, if I could do anything different, like I would go back and you know, not make Danny feel the way that I made him feel, because he didn't deserve that. And and that's not what I had intended.
There, I just because he was riding for you. I mean no, no, I like he was. He was going to war with Tori, he was going to war with everybody. He was going to war with the viewers, every he was riding for Sarah, right.
And and that's why I'm glad that I had the conversation with him too, because it was like I'm getting the other side of it from Yes, Emily, THEO and Kaz a little bit and then and nobody's going to bat for Danny right now, and so it's it's like I'm hearing all this in one ear and then so I'm glad, Like it was just no, no, no, no no. And yeah, but I would say, if I have any regret from the season, it's the fact that that Danny and I then I made Danny feel that way.
Yeah. Yeah. We definitely saw a softer side I feel of you, todight, I know. And I was like the family side, the friends.
Well, this whole I loved because Sarah last season was buck while Sarah was like coming and gunning full guns of blazon in every single episode in Challenge USA, and this season we got to see more of the side that we saw on the podcast last season, like we when you came on and we interviewed you and we got to just see you know, no one's one note and so it was cool getting to see these other notes of Sarah.
Wait, so before we go any further, we need to take a quick break, but we will be right back after this.
Sarah, we saw you and Emily get married on this season of the Challenge.
How you know, are you guys still married? How they got engaged? They didn't get married?
Yeah, yep, we got engaged.
Well do we have a date now? I'm out of the conversation. I was just in a forir a second.
She's actually engaged now to somebody else.
So are you okay?
I'm okay. It just so happens that I'm married also, so maybe that maybe that's for the best. But now that uh we have, we're ex fiances now.
M hm. You know.
So for future players, wherever.
They can be challenged, we.
Will not vote for each other because.
I wouldn't say that right now. I wouldn't say that right now because people will hold this, hold you to this, they will time stamp this ship. Sarah said such and such. However, many minutes and seconds that she is never going to vote for Emily and already said that. She's already said it now, I know, until they put her husband on the show with her or somebody else and then it's her Listen or Danny again. Yes, right, that could be tough, Sarah.
Now when they come to a stalemate, because I've been I feel like they've been hinting at this all season and I've been wondering about this, and I'm curious your thoughts too, Nini, because we see TJ warn don't do a stalemate again, right, Like we see him increasingly get annoyed when the stalemate is happening, and so he said it. Once stalemate happened, he said, don't do it again, and then it happened again, and he's like, I said, don't do a stalemate, and then y'all do it again.
And I just Okay, you were in on this one.
You weren't in on this one, but this season, this group does a stalemate again. Was there any fear in your mind going up there to that elimination that TJ wasn't going to take kindly or did you think he was kind of just like all talk and that it would you know, play as usual.
Yeah, I thought he was all talk and it was going to play as usual. I definitely did not see it coming down to Casey and Troy picking. So yeah, he definitely worked out well.
It did, because I was so well in it that he was going to say that you guys had to go in because he's done it before, and I was, I was, I was.
He said, we punched our ticket. Yeah, we won the challenge.
That's fair.
Yeah.
So when they said that it was Casey and Troy got to decide, did you instantly know that it was going to be Emily?
And yes, yeah, I mean there was no way they were going to put it in Danny and Torry, and even if they weren't friends with Danny and Tory, they're not putting Danny and Tory in and then Jordan Kaz. Casey and Jordan are tight, Like, there was no way the only option on the table was Emily And yes.
Yeah, yeah, I mean it kind of it felt definitely felt karma esque, right like, it definitely felt a little especially because Troy and Casey were in that elimination specifically because yes, and Emily, you know, sabotaged them first to get them down there, So it felt it felt like one of those challenge poetic moments that kind of like comes full circle where it's like, okay, you guys did this. You've been coming for you know, us, the whole time.
Now you have to go against us, which is as Again, as a viewer, I'm sure being up there doesn't feel so great, but as a viewer it was awesome.
It was sort of beautiful to watch.
Yeah, yeah, no, it was. I mean I hate it that it happened, obviously to to Yes and Emily, but I mean, if you take that off the table, yeah, it's as a viewer it's it's super fun to watch and you're like, boom, you know, you got what you wanted. So no, I think it all worked out. Even though I didn't have to say. I already said who I was picking, So I really still didn't get to skate
without you know, making it known. But Emily and I have recovered since then, and she understands that it's a game and it wasn't personal, and it was you know again, if it was Grant there, she would have done the same thing, and I would have expected that. How often do you we talk, I don't know, maybe like once a week, but it's it's like through a message because I mean.
You know, time so off. I had to talk to her at seven am.
Yeah, and like you can't make phone call. Well I don't know. I guess you could make a phone call. Like I don't know. You can use Google whatever. I don't. I don't know what people do and people and yeah that yeah, I live in Iowa.
What's app there?
No they do. We don't have Uber either.
Do you not have Uber? H It's okay, Austin texts have Uber either.
No, okay, so we do have Uber, but like nobody uses it.
But oh that's fair because you guys right.
So anytime, like I would go anywhere for casting stuff like whether it be Survivor or like with the challenge, I would always have to re download the Uber app on my phone, Like you know, they would apply you to do medical or they would whatever. I would have to always download the app because I don't ever use it.
You'd have to take your horse to the airport.
You mentioned Sarah that you kept in touch with Danny, you know during the off season.
What do you guys chat about?
Are you strategizing or like what are the Sarah and Danny conversations.
Honestly, why is that funny?
Because I feel like there's a big whiteboard and it's a production I've been researching, and there's like what like I just feel like it's like an it's a whole episode of Law and Order, and you're like.
Dum.
And then like you have these whole boards up like Torri's faces up there, and there's like red marks and darts in it, and like this is like the potential cast and you guys are like, this is what we're gonna do.
We have like the strings running get this person has had sex with this person and this.
Watch out for these connections.
These two have held hands. Yeah, I mean you're so uh no, that's not what our conversations are, Like, uh No, They're just regular conversations, you know, and like we'll talk about everything. During football season, we talk about football, like he does fantasy league, so do why you know, he works with the Cowboys, so we talk about all that stuff.
And then and then like when we were training, so like Danny's like, hey, like before we take off, like let's let's get up to ten miles, right, So we as we were training throughout the week, we would send each other like our runs for that day, you know, to motive, Like, so if I hadn't it's five o'clock and I haven't gotten out and ran and Danny Danny's sends me his that he went out and ran like eight miles this morning, and I'm like, oh shit, I
better get on it. And so yeah, we just like kept each other in check and uh but it was fun.
Yeah, it sounds so I just ran eight miles this morning. It was amazing. I never like, oh my god, I feel so inspired of it. Back in three days, that's pretty much what it looked like. I mean, it is nice to have a partner like that.
Yeah, for sure, an accountability part like an inspiration slash accountability partner.
Would you love like a like a like another ride or dies thing like to be paired up with Danny?
Oh yeah, Danny's like would be like be a dream partner to have.
Yeah, you guys would be a team. You don't think it would cause any friction because I almost feel like YouTube being on separate sides or like different pairs helps you to kind of like work your strategy throughout the house a little bit more efficiently.
Yeah, I think I think we're more effective not being part because you know, it's like having two bullets in the gun instead of one. But if we're on the same you know, if we're the same partner team, then then yeah, we only got one shot, where as you know, yeah, I definitely want that final though, mean but yeah, well no, no, no, yeah, if I can run a final like with as your partner, yeah,
oh yeah, Danny's so ideal for that. The guy. Yeah, the guy will not quit and he'll encourage you and you know that you'll get one hundred percent out of him, and yeah, that's how you want.
We're backing down, Yeah, which I really admired that part too. It's like, no matter what happened, he like really stuck to what he believed in. So yeah, I don't know if those talks with y'all, but.
He's probably gonna yell at me when she sees this episode and be like, what the fuck are you're thinking?
I'm sorry, It's fine, trust me, you can tell her. Listen, She'll be okay, Danny didn't go anywhere.
It's fine.
When you got back to the elimination and you saw that it was haulbrol and we saw that Emily and yes were going in.
What were not?
We know who you wanted to win, but like, what was your gut instinct when you saw them lining up to go against one another?
Who was you who did you assume likely would win?
Yeah? I thought Emily and yes, we're gonna win. And because Yes is bigger than Troy, and then you know Emily's a beast and so and I know Casey is two. But I just I don't know I had it in
favor of them. I think their downfall was this is like I said, uh, just the night before I told her she was going in, she was out of it all day and so she was like down in the dumps, like like bad for the whole day, where As like Casey and Troy knew they were going in the whole time, and like, you know, they've got a different mindset I think going into it, because you see Emily get in there and she beats Casey on the first one and so.
But it wasn't as easy as it would have been.
Like I actually think I feel like with Hallborll and this one was a little different because sometimes we've seen it where the hall Broll really is so narrow it's almost like they can't get their shoulders through right, Like it literally be parts of the things where yeah, they had a little more space to like move around. And just like your buddy Danny said, even the hall borl seems like it's a size thing, and sometimes it is.
I remember, I think we remember what was it Big Easy versus West, which just you know was a pretty like just wiped West out in that moment. But it's the center of gravity. Like being able to get low and move through has such an advantage. And both Emily and Yes are very tall, right with long limbs, so for them to get low is challenged, you know, harder than it's going to be for what did Troy say? He was like five foot seven or something like that,
and Casey as well. But they definitely put up really really good fights. Who did you want to see when it got to the coin flip right, and it was like, okay, they're going to decide if it's a men's round or a women's round to determine it. Were you hoping it would be a women's round again or were you hoping it would be a male round? Like who do you think had the better odds?
Yeah, I was hoping it would be a women's round because Emily's just came off, you know, fresh off that win, and so I was hoping that like mentally that would have given her like a boost and maybe noted Casey down a little bit and put some doubt in her mind, like oh shit, like can I pull this up? Like can I do this? And so I was happy to
see that. But as you see them go in, like you just said about the leverage and getting low, I mean, Casey just got lower than her, and then it you know, and then ultimately it turns into a foot race too.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, And that's where I think Emily and Yes had it because they take longer strides, right, because they have longer limbs, So in that regard, they had an advantage there. But it was a really interesting final. How long do you think it took for that or for it was interesting elimination? How long do you think it took all up? Did everything happen pretty quickly or was it?
Yeah, it was pretty quick. It wasn't like as fast as Enzo and Leo's hall brawl on Challenge USA, but but yeah, it wasn't like Kiki and Paudia's pull wrestle I mean that, Yeah, while you know where this was, this was over a lot, a lot quicker, but it was it was also nobody like ran the other person over and it was like a done deal, you know.
Yeah, yeah, I mean it was a fierce case. Yeah, that was.
That was one of those moments where I was, you know, like holding my breath and yeah. And it seemed like it was interesting too, because all five teams that are remaining are stacked teams at this point, right, Like, all five teams are teams that you don't necessarily want to see. And even when we see people like Toy, for example, rooting for Casey who's her friend, you know that there's still probably an element of I don't want to actually see Casey in the final you know, like I.
Don't I don't know here, I'm gonna get give it some tea, give us some tea. I disagree with that a little bit. I mean, these guys, listen, part of the problem I have with these head knees don't be looking at me like that shit, that's fine. Uh So
here's the thing. I feel like they are kind of having alignances that are bought and paid for and you know, explain well, when Casey wins and gives Tory fifty thousand dollars, When last season Tory wins and gives Jordan Nanny Johnny, you know, thirty eight thousand of dollars, they all get this money. It's like, then, do you really care who you want your friends in there even if they could beat you?
Because yeah, but I didn't know, like I got to give money away, but not everybody was gonna give money if they.
Want when they're not required, And would you rather the big sum then the little son you know, friends or not?
Because when you renif they don't want to get a dollar too, I don't care who the hell's in there? And the last one, the one before that, when u CT and Casey won, like they were given the option this one, they just came up with giving us money And I'm like, but I would have shared money with Tori if I would have won, But that's because we just endured one hundred hours of bullshit.
But are you implying that they're saying that they're okay if they have their friends in there who they feel could beat them, that.
They got to kick back money. Would you rather that? Because yeah, like, wouldn't you rather have the people you feel you could beat period. Also, if your friends aren't in there, it means you don't have to share money because you don't like the people you're going up, except when there are sabotages in the final, because you get less of them if you have more friends. Otherwise people are putting it all on you. It's a hard I want to juggle here.
I don't know. I just think that you know only one team. If if four teams go to the final, only one is going to win. And if you've got people in there that have thrown cash your way after they won in the past, why wouldn't you want them going to the final with you over Yes, and Emily who've never thrown any money your way.
Well, you don't know that. They don't even know. That's just because yes, well I'm not gonna put a shit out there because yes, it's a close friend of mine, but I have his letter on my fridge to this day after all stars. But not everything has to be seen. I think a lot of people do things off camera that are noble and wonderful and whatever. I don't like. If I were to run a finalatory again, I would not expect her to give me money, she's my best friend.
But I wouldn't. It wouldn't be an expectation. I don't think anybody goes in with that expectation. It's nice. I mean, it's nice, nice, and it's something we've seen kind of more recently. But I don't also because we get pissed off that, like there used to be three places, so every yeah, I come from the three places. You do a whole final time, Like what are we just getting
that for? At least give us incentive or give us ten grand to be like, you know what, you did a good job, bro, like not good enough to like win, but like you endured the whole thing and you lost at the last second like somebody beat.
And I think that's why some of the vets do do it because exactly like you said, so like the two finals I did, I came in third place both times. I got money both times, not handed, but earned money
both times. And so I think these vets looking at it, see know exactly what Niece is saying that, like it's sucky to do all that get nothing, And I I just wonder because I feel like the term bought and paid for implies that there's this quid pro quo, or that there's less sort of legitimacy behind getting there winning,
whereas like anyone handing out money is not expected. Just like when TJ throws in the twists of the reverse in the past, where it's like, oh, actually, both members of the team, don't you know you can keep all the money or whatever, you don't have to share it.
I think you know that happens too.
I guess maybe a little bit more context to that is I'm going back to a nomination discussion that we all had at the table where Cory's refusing to say Casey's name, and she is like, she gave me fifty thousand dollars, and she's like, you know, cramming that down our Throat's like, you can't expect me to say her name. She gave me money, I think then.
But not like that. I think it's also like because when I'm when Casey's like Casey's my friend, is not enough, I think it's, well, she also did this for me as well, so like it's almost like, how the hell do I put somebody in here who like potentially paid my bills for a youre like, yeah, we have this thing, but Casey is also our friend, like we I'm.
Not saying, and.
There are real friendships outside of this that I say, you felt strongly about Emily, but there wasn't money involved, but you felt strongly about the connection you built with her and that proposal, then you know it's I think it's similar or there are strong connections otherwise. And I think they're saying that Toy was offering the money on tie. It's like, I get what Sarah saying also to coming in, like you're coming into a game that started way before
you started. Yeah, and I think that also changes your perception of like what's going on. We're not your perspective of like what's going on, how it's going on, and what it may look like to you, and which is just because you're still which isn't a bad thing. Like you're I mean, you feel how you want about whatever. I mean, you've been on point about certain things, and you're gonna play how you want to play regardless. I can see how it can be a little irritating to
see these things play out. I get that. I'm not trying to jump on your back, like you know, attack before it. I'm just trying to explain the one side, so you could see it a little bit better that like, it doesn't have should do with you, but all like we expect to see each other get then.
And that's like the point of it doesn't have shit to do with me. So why are you guys making it my problem?
Is?
That's what I get that. I mean, that's a fair you know.
It's like all of your guys's reasonings behind everything you want to do and why you want to do it this way is they're my friend. They gave me money, we have this, we have that, and it's like, well, none of that includes me, and so we're here to play this game. I'm here playing the World Championship. So you can tell me this un till you're blue in the face. But at the end of the day, that's your problem, not mine.
It's not going to change how you play. And I like that. Yeah, you are consistent. Yeah, and there's this you get the same Sarah, there's no like switching up, which yeah is and that's great character trait.
That's a valid I think that's a valid perspective. I know earlier in the season we had conversations around Danny, who took a similar stance as you guys are very much on the same page. The difference being though that Danny stood to benefit though from the very alliance he was complaining about at that time, simply because Tory, you know, like he's it's not like it was. You know, uh,
you guys weren't playing with the legends quote unquote. You guys were partnered with them, so his partner stood to benefit, which therefore meant Danny stood to benefit. And one could argue that you and THEO didn't have the same benefit, you know what I mean, Like THEO didn't have the same strong alliances that Tory had coming in the right your stance may.
Ten Jordan or Johnny and Tory, you know, wanted us like following their lead on this, and I'm sitting here going, well, Okay, Casey's gonna have Tory, Johnny's gonna have Toy, and Jordan's gonna have Tory before they're gonna have me, right and
then and vice versa. I mean, yeah, I've got Danny, but unless they could yea and so and then, like Johnny wasn't letting Justine like have a voice, so as much as she's an ally, wasn't helping our numbers because he was doing like whatever he wanted, so he was his pitch to me, and I think why he got so frustrated, and I wouldn't because, like, dude, if you would have just I'm not an idiot, Like you're using me as a number. You're trying to make it sound
like I'm part of the group, but I'm not. I am really low and I'm sorry, but I'm not gonna because guess what, those relationships that you told me were stupid that I shouldn't like, don't trust a three second relationship over the ten year relationships we have. Well, those three second relationships saved my ass more than once.
Right, And your relationship with Johnny is three seconds realistically, So so he's telling you not to trust your intuition over and then he's new.
Really when he gets sent home and none of his people turn around and help him, you know what I mean. So it's like, well, you told me that these guys were so tight with you, Well sure doesn't look like it.
Mm hmm. Yeah, things can happen that way.
It's a little funny, yeah, And there in lies the challenge, all right, So we got to see a little sneak peek of the final coming up now? Without giving anything away, what can you tease about the final?
Like? Was just give us a little just like a little taste Sarah of what we should look out for.
It's brutal, and I would say it was. I thought the Challenge USA final was bad. I would put this one on another level.
Was TJ in the train outfit the whole final? Are we seeing him in the hat and the coat? I can't. Yes, it's my favorite thing when he gets dressed up because he looks absolutely ridiculous. But he's such a good sport. Yeah, no, yeap.
He hees the driver of that train the whole time, Nisa, so.
Little conductor TJ. Mm hmmm. I love that. And then also, you're guns drawing. How is this budding artist doing?
Oh yeah, he's doing good. You know. Uh. If he drew a picture of you, it would look very similar to the one that he drew of me.
I love that.
What's that?
Did you have bangs in that?
They were supposed to be bangs? No? I think it was like hair coming off to the side, abstract, you know, yeah, and it's meant yeah, it's whatever he wants it to best.
I love it. I love you got to start him young, and I appreciate that he's found his creative.
So the worst thing is like anytime he like because kids, he's eight, he'll turn nine in August, and so like kids, they drop all the time. They color and they draw all the time, and they think that they have to give their their parents every drawing, every picture color. Like they could take a cran and draw one line on a piece of paper and that's that. Keep this mom, And so like any time, like if I throw any of his artwork away, it's not even artwork, it's not artwork,
it's like drawings on paper. Like I literally have to bury it in the trash can because if he goes to throw something away, because he's opened it up and he's been like pulls it out, like, Mom, you can't believe that through it away and it's like, but I have like one hundred and fifty of the same lines.
Now, thank you, you are hilarious. So good. Well, maybe he'll get his Dolphin award.
What was it that you said, the it's a dolphin badge and all you have to do is write your name.
So if anybody's trying to be on the challenge. Make sure you have your dolphin badge first, Yeah, to show how good of a swimmer you think you are.
So so wait, can I just tell a quick funny story about Kaz. She's gonna kill me for this.
That's fine, all right.
So and Caz, I love her, She's she's absolutely hilarious. I loved her these last couple of episodes where you've seen her really come into her skin. It's funny because Jordan and THEO like would always be like, cads, stand
up for yourself. And then now that she's starting to talk back to them, you know, and you see her like hold her own, They're like, go back to the old Caz, and we're like no. But anyway, so, you know, we had our people from Argentina, Australia, like everybody has an accent, right, and everybody says different phrases, and they when we were doing like the tunnel time thing or whatever it was, you know, we had to do math, but Australians and people from the UK they call it
maths and they kept calling it maths but they say it like maths And I'm like, okay, Kaz, what are you saying? She goes, you know, maths and I go, all right, spell it and she goes, I'm a f and I go what what.
I thought she was gonna say? Thhs?
Yeah I did too, no, and she goes, wait wait wait m a t hs And I'm like, you did not like so if Jordan thought she was bad at math, you know, she's way worse at spelling.
You know's math.
I'm like, what, that's amazing. Oh yeah, she's gonna kill me for saying that. But it's a true story.
I love it. That's so hilarious. Now, if everyone wants to follow along and get more of your true stories inside scoop, or see some of your son's artwork that you're not throwing away, Sarah, where can they find you on social.
It's just at Sarah Leasina on Instagram. And that's all I got. And if you, Davon, if you send me your address, I will start sending you artwork.
You know Davon's done on this part.
I mean, why do I keep saying I don't know why I say that.
It's because Davon and Devin are ye close enough, and people I messed up Sarah Sarah so much. I'm like Samantha, I messed up a lot, Stacey, and I will tell you sometimes Steph, it happens. Thanks, but someone actually calls me Annie, so it's all right. It's like part of my name.
Your name, it's part of it amy.
I mean it could be a no.
I feel like an asked to look for calling you that because.
I thought we were cooler than this.
Totally are and that's why I feel.
Like a building. I even give you. Gave you my gold Star of the Week at something this season. I know last season you got all the side. You literally didn't get all the side I know, but you've come up. I'm so proud of you.
So anyway, Devin, send me your address and I will start sending you artwork.
They're gonna be worth something someday. Well, thank you so much for sure for being here, Sarah. It's always a pleasure chatting with you. We've loved watching you this season. It's great seeing your gameplay and you're really holding down the fort despite theo's inability to swim properly. So kudos to you and can't wait to see you in your second your back to back final, second final.
Can't wait to see you kick some butt.
All right, let's go get it.
Woohoo. Bye Selena, Bye Sallyanne. Well, I'm happy that I finally got to meet Sarah. Yeah, she didn't disappoint and is as honest as she is on TV as she is on Zoom. So I was excited to hear her perspective. And I like the fact that she doesn't back down from anything, So I appreciated that interview.
You guys have a similar stubbornness. That's true for those I don't I mean, I don't mind that. I don't mind that I like to be on waivering on certain topics that.
I really believe in.
Yeah, I think if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. But then there's got to be a little fluidity there. And I think what's cool is we're seeing Sarah grow in that way, which is awesome, and like we're seeing she's strong where it counts, but she's she's constantly evolving and that makes it really fun to watch and fun to talk to and fun to follow along on social media. If people want to follow you on social media, Anissa, where should they do that?
On one place? And that's Instagram, Anissa MTV A N E. S A MTV. That's the only place I am, no Twitter, no TikTok. But you know who's on every single thing, Devin, and she will tell you where you can follow, like and love her stuff. That's correct. You can go to my website Devinsmone dot com. That's them with the y Simone with an Ie and if you scroll to the bottom you'll see all of my socials. But if it makes it.
Easier, you can go to my Instagram. It's Devin Simone, my TikTok, also Devin's moone Twitter, also Devin'smone. Or you can stream along live with me on Amazon, So you can go to Amazon dot com, slash shop, slash Devin Simone, click the follow button and I will give you a shout out whenever we are doing our fun live streams. We did one with Dolly Parton the other day which was so fun, so make sure you tune into that. And if you liked this episode, rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
And tell all.
Of your friends, especially if they have names that sound alike like Davon and Devin and Anissa, Amy, Annie, Sarah, Stephanie, you know that sort of thing. Just tell everyone it's gotta totally gonna tell them to go to Davon dot com for all of.
Your Davon with an Hey, but I didn't, but you know what you folks can do. You can catch new episodes of The Challenge World Championship Wednesdays on Paramount Plus. And we'll see you back here next week, see.
You back together for a brand new episode in TV's official Challenge podcast, Serious to Say.
We're not, We're not. We weren't in sync on that one, so we were. Now it's totally fine.