When Worlds Collide w/ Jonna Mannion

I am so excited to see Johnny come back and to see how she is dominating in this episode. I'm so so proud of her. It could be because you know, the whole Mama thing. I don't know, but I just I love her as a person and I love her spirit. You know what I was thinking, I am really I noticed as I was watching this episode, Casey is more active. I don't see Casey as active on the main show. I noticed in this episode she's more active, more talkative.

And then I was like, you know what, but I am excited to see how Casey plays this game without Josh, Nanny and Fansy around her. I am so excited to see how she plays this game this season. I can't wait. Yeah, I think she's definitely This is definitely a different, different Challenge chapter for her. And I think that she's coming on after we had a really long season with the mindset of like I'm gonna go have fun, right, and I feel like I feel a lot already from her. Yeah,

but we shall see. Girl. It's some te bruin, okay, Kelly, and I feel it mine on an episode, I am anxious, paranoid Pam and it happens. It happens to a lot of us, but we're like silently spiraling. She had out loud spiral. I think I outlet spiral sometimes. Yeah, we all have, we all have. Yes. So for this particular season of the Challenge, we have a new segment of which we're calling it King or Queen of the world or someone who's on another planet. Right, so we'll start

with you. Who is your king or Queen of the world for this episode? I mean, my queen is john A. And not because she's coming on, and not because I love her, but I feel like she handled that puzzle in two seconds. Yeah, she did good, and that was one of the most difficult ones because they were the last ones to get there. Yes, moving her reputation to be true. Right, Kudos to Mom and Pops, to Grant for following directions and trusting that john A had it. He was like, I'm just gonna let it go, and

he did and she killed it. However, there are two people. There are three people on this other planet. Sorry, I think Cahoui and Nelson are on their own planet during this episode when they are trying to figure out this puzzle. Poor babies, but they were just so confused. They were just they were just helpless, like just stuck in the material. I know, I know, I know, Well we don't. We don't know what's going to happen. You know, we'll see on the next episode or the next depending depending We

may never get to this elimination in three episodes. Just gonna have morehouse drama, right, talking about who they want to vote in. But you know what, that's what the people have been asking for. They're like, we want to see more of the drama, so all the stuff that's we want to see, difficult challenges that challenge people. Yeah, and we also want to see what goes on in people's heads. And conversations that they have that make them

do the things they do. Yes, yeah, because I think we're missing out on the meat and potatoes, right we go challenging all of a sudden, I'll talk of shit and a confessional. But that's fine, or not just me, just anyone. We want to know how we got from A to I don't know how we go to A to Z. I need to know A to B B two C C T T. That's what I mean there. I need a linear projection. Listeners, I hope you are

catching on. This has become a podcast that is very therapeutic for Anissa, and I'm glad to be a part of that. Thank you very much. So my king or queen for this episode is John of course, one hundred percent. Like I could sit up and rant and rave about her all day. I just thought that again she proved her reputation to be true, and I thought that was super cool to watch. And then on another planet, I'm

gonna give it to Kelly. I am wait. I just see this planet in the distance here sitting on it say that, and it's just chant just a little She's just sitting there like well, and like I like her. I like her, but it's like something this episode just really wasn't click. And then again, maybe there's something we didn't see. We don't know, but I do think there

is something that is to be said. Baby girl, you need to come on, come on back, and and and and if she ends up in this elimination and she comes back out on top, then baby, something different raise hell. I feel because I've seen both sides of Kelly Ham. Yeah, and then we became friends. Yeah. Oh, then we became friends after that, so I know what it looks like

from both ends. And it's not always fun, like the wrath of some people are just not fun because like like Johnny's you know, we all we've played with her before. She doesn't mince words. You know, she's gonna tell you how she feels. Yeah, well, let's hope john Nay tells us how she feels because we have such a fun episode for you guys today. The number one draft pick Johnny is on the podcast today, So don't go anywhere because we'll be right back with all the team after this.

I'm so excited about this episode because one of my favorites is here today. And let me just start by saying she is the bomb, and she holds it down for the mamas, and y'all know that's near and dear to my heart because everything I do is for my baby. Okay, so give it up with us for Johane, I'm so happy to here, man. I just want people to start pronouncing your name right. It's never been no. You were fine.

I immediately immediately like did I say it? No? On this actual episode, Danny was like, and Jana or Jonah or I've seen people call you Joanne. Yes, yes, people, there's no a before those ends. Maybe Johan, you are here with us on the podcast. So I just want to jump right into this episode because girl, so I we're salty. Everybody could hide the fact that they were like damn, I'm like, yeah, there's little yeah, yeah. Actually, I don't think anybody. I don't think anybody was more

surprised than I was that I was first round draft pick. Um. My face showed it all. Um. Honestly, I knew. We didn't know, like TJ told us, like, you know, do well in this qualifier, but we didn't know for sure. We kind of made assumptions like, hey, this would be

the order we're choosing, but we didn't really know. Um, I knew Grant had gotten first, and um, let me just tell you every conversation that I had with Grant leading up to this point was about Tori, about him choosing Tory as a partner, you know, And so I was just like, yeah, she's a badass, like she just wants us thirty eight like, you know. It was more informational about other people. It was never like, yeah, why

would you be a good partner for me? So when it actually came down to it, I think, like in you know, the arena when we were there, He's like, I think we might be a good partners. I was like, I think I think we would be too. But I didn't think that he was going to choose me, you know. So yeah, I was as sure that everyone else was. If the roles were reversed, who would you have chosen? After watching the qualifier, right, Um, coming into this, like

we hadn't seen anybody performing. So the only show that I had seen, obviously, besides the Flagship in All Stars was The Challenge USA. So going into this, I mean I had talked to Sarah and I was like, hey, listen, I think I would be a good fit for Usa. I think I would work well with Danny. I think

I would work well with then. I don't know, if you want to put in a good word, but like, honestly, they were the only people whose names I knew going into the qualifier, so I thought, you know, after talking to Ben, I thought, you know, for sure i'd be paired with him, and anything is is. Danny and I had this little joke now and he always every time we like cross each other in the hallway or something,

he'd be like the partner that got away. I was under full impression that like either Ben or Danny was going to choose me. Didn't even you know, question it. Otherwise, did anyone express like their level of anger or disappointment for partners that they could have had or should have had or wanted to have and now they don't like were people? No? I do. I do remember though, like um, Sarah giving Danny like a lot of SHITU and being like, well, Danny,

if you would have just you know, won the qualifier. Um. But I think that grants not telling anybody who who he was going to choose, and then it kind of caused this like domino effect of people getting different partners than people they had originally talked to. I love that. I love a good surprise mission. Everyone went into it thinking that he was gonna pick Tor. That's that's what

I thought. I don't know what everyone else thought. So, you know, we move into the house after the qualifier, we have a couple of days to like you know, get to know one each one another, and before we get to the next thing, like you know, in the show,

it shows us going directly there. So I think everybody kind of had an idea of, like, you know, who they want to work with, you know what they're gonna do, and you know, Grant just comes out with us, Okay, I'm gonna choose this person um which shape the tables. To be honest with you, West West took credit for it. Somehow. It's very you know, West thing to do. He was like, well, you know, you know, funny, I talked to Grants and I you know, I asked him what his weakness's word.

He said puzzles, and I was like, well, you know, my girl, Johnny is really good for puzzles. And job you did on your own sissy your so I My other question was, I know you got to actually see the expression on the faces of the last pick. Yeah, did they express their um, did they express any hot think about Kelly? Ylliam was pissed she was hot? Yeah, Kelly Kelly didn't probably, I mean, no one would like

to be picked class. Honestly, it was like dodgeball and it's like you get if you get, you're standing there and everyone else is getting picked like yeah, um, yeah, she didn't want to be picked. Like. I hate it because I feel like you're just getting sized up and you just wait down there to see. Like. I hate how it makes you feel like people are just I'm judging you. I mean, even though they are very much

basically picking you based on what they think you're capable of. Yeah, and I feel like the last pick is like, well, we'll just work with this. Yeah. Yeah. I don't know what happened to Tristan during that qualifier. He couldn't. I didn't see it, but I couldn't figure out the weight thing, So poor guy. Okay, let me ask you this question. Here goes some tea. Give it to our listeners because you know we likes to get a little a little look ish over here, right. Were there any preseason alliances

going into there? Preseason Alliances. Well, you know what, the Challenge World Championship was very different because listen, so I had just come from, like say, All Stars, so I have obviously those relationships that I've kind of come into this game with. Yeah, they just wrapped filming season thirty eight,

which I'll get back to that. But you know, coming back home and watching season thirty eight and seeing how that game was set up, it made me understand why everybody played, you know, in the World Championship with that like mob mentality. Yeah. I didn't get it when I was there, but after watching thirty eight, I was like, oh, no, wonder they all like played that way. Yeah, and then you know, we have people coming in, you know, this

is their second show. We have people from Survivor and different shows from Big Brother, and it was very interesting to see how everyone plays differently plays the game. Oh, I forgot you at first. All Stars. So we've been doing shows of people from all the other shows Davon included. Yeah, um so yeah, they do. They do play really differently. Yes, Oh my gosh, I can't even explain it to you.

There was there was one point that I was like in the house right and I saw Grants right, And I saw like Sarah and Danny and just different people downstairs. Everybody was talking to Grant, and I noticed how the survivors were feeding him these things, right, and Grant is just like he's like, I don't care. I'll go into elimination. I don't I don't give a funk who I go against. And I was just like, WHOA, let me do some damnage control here, like this week hopefully admit like, hey,

we don't care who we go against. We want to think out the best. That's not that's not how you know the legends play it. I'm like, we need to reel it in a little bit. Yeah, So Bibar and big Brother is very mental, and so when we when we come into the challenge, it was like, y'all that's what you guys rely on. There's no there's no this chance of like you know, the daily challenge thrown in

this game or notions you fully rely on. Yes, And it was my first opportunity, in my first chance to witness it firsthand and see, I'm damn you guys are good. Were scary, but it is scary, Like I love to make it work. So now we have the pairings right, because these great pairings and there's some heavy hitters. Like when they say world Championship situation, it for real is

a situation. Okay. And so to you, were there any teams that you were like, oh, I might be a little yeah, give me the top three that you may have been like, um, Tory and Danny getting paired together. My immediate thought was, okay, I don't want to see them in hall roll. However, you know, absolutely strong team right there. I didn't know anything about Kazz necessarily. I knew that she had won uk UM, but I knew Jordan, you know, it was a very strong competitor as well.

And you know, I was, to be honest with you, I'm sitting around looking at all the teams and I'm like, damn, this is like. This isn't like a hey, here's a layout team, Hey there's this. It's every single team either has an Olympian, an ex professional athlete, a champion, like all of it. I personally, when I saw the pairings, my eyes immediately went to Sarah and THEO bro Like

that's scary. I think I think the only thing that's probably scarier than that would have been THEO and Tory that would have been the only thing that would have been scarier than that. I was like, this is going to be physically, but I don't know about um communication wise, I don't know yet. Oh yeah, yeah that's all. Here's the thing, because I feel like when you get these people together, they may be strong, however, coming from different games,

coming from their experience on the show. Maybe one's one one, maybe one hasn't. You go on with a totally different mindset on how you're going to play that game, especially when you have nothing to lose, like you don't have to win again because you've already won, when you still want to get to win bitter, Um, it doesn't. This was my very first time doing a challenge with you, and I will first off of that say he is

the most hilarious person I've ever met. Like when you want comedy, when you want that, like you know, comedic relief of like not being in a challenge game, Like he is so fucking funny. I love him. But um, they were a very interesting pair seeing Sarah and THEO together. They're both very opinionated, they're most and very different alliances. Like, yeah, I will say that about the way that the pairing

shook up um the Challenge USA team. All the pairs in that team specifically, it was very interesting to watch because not only were they strong, but every pair had it's you know, one partner was on one side and one partner was on the other side. So I mean, I haven't been to nomination yet, but there's a very good chance that you know, it's gonna get real heated between USA because whoa. I thought the dynamic of the baby steps between Johnny and Justine was really really good.

I'm excited to see how that progresses. But I thought that was really good to see them in the beginning to see how that played out. So I want to get right into it because Kelly Anne is your girl, like outside of the game, that's that's your girl. Before we even get into it, because in this episode we don't get to see what happens in the ending, but just to kind of give us a little hint, where do you and Kelly Anne stand today? Okay, so this

isn't this is what I think. It's very interesting about that. Sorry, but I'm stressed out for you in this episode. I'm stressed out for her, I'm stressed out for you. I'm like it like gives me nervous energy life. Yeah, we can I know, both of us. Yeah, I don't know that both of you. And you don't know how you hate conflict. And she's she's like, you're my friend, don't vote for me, thank you, And I'm like, oh my god, I'll never do Okay, so let me lead up into this. Okay. So,

Kelly Anne and I are friends. Um, we we're good friends. And you know, coming into this game, Uh, Kelly Anne and I were both on I was on All Stars one, two and three. Kelly Anne was on All Stars one and All Stars three she missed two well, and in All Stars season two, Jody and I, you know, became close.

Not necessarily close, like we weren't like best friends or anything, but as far as the game goes and as far as um reliability and alliance is, like, Joe proved herself to me, and I will say honestly, it's because of her and because of our alliance that we had with you know, Janelle and Darell and Jody and Brad, you know, because of that, Like, yeah, I knew one thing about Jody. I knew she was a straight shooter. I knew that, you know, what she says, she means she's not ever

gonna bullshit me. So, you know, when I'm faced with this hard decision of Okay, what are you gonna do? First of all, the people nominated, Kelly Anne and Jody are both people that I'm you know, would like to play the game with it, I'm close to. But they are also both my roommates, you know. So that was stressful. But I was weighing it out, you know, And what really it comes down to for me is Kelly Anne and I. The reason why we are friends is because

we're very similar. And I'll just say at point blank, like I don't like making tough decisions when I'm put in a position of power. I honestly hate it. And Kelly Anne is also the same way. She's very watery. She's all over the place. I mean, you see the paranoia kick in. As soon as you know she knows she's on the chopping block, she goes to this person, she talks to this person, she comes and talks to me,

same time. So what you're saying, you guys are very different, That's what I'm got seeing in the sense of emotions all over the place. I knew I know in this game that this is going to be a very tough road ahead of me and who out of out of the people that I'm choosing against to go in. This isn't This isn't like a nomination process like All Stars two was like the winners don't nominate, they put the

nail in the coffin, you know. And for me, I'm trying to decide, you know, do I go with my friend or do I go with someone who I know what she says is true is reliable in this game. Jodie and I are very different. We're like the ying to the yang. Like. She's very point blake, very logical. I'm very emotional, very watery all over the place. Kelly and I, Kelly and and I both being that same way was was not good for me and I. I just think yours is more like yours is more like

a lake. I feel like you can hide yours better though, Yeah, I think, Well, here's the thing. The difference between Kelly, Anne and I is I understand that this is a game. And that was the biggest difference between past Challenge on A and now is Yes, we do have friendships in this game. We rely on them to get us further. But you know, at a certain point you have to figure out what you're playing for. Are you playing for you? Are you playing for your family? Or are you playing

to maintain these friendships? You know outside of this, If we're really friends like we say we are, we should be friends leaving this game, regardless of what happened, right, Like, right, So that was at the point that we were at, is like I had already learned that lesson and that's where I was, and she, Kelly Anne, was still there and this is what I rely on to get me further and I need you now. So so two things.

One in your confessional you said you you were like, I know, I don't want Kelly An to play the game. You said, right you, You made it a point to

say that. So with with with knowing that, was it any easier to make whatever decision it is that you're going to make, no, no, because it's still even though even though you don't want to fall back into like the old way that I played and fall back into your emotions and friendships, it's hard when you're there and yeah, with those people, and that's the only thing you rely on Because I knew I knew kind of like the hard decision that I had to face, and I knew

I didn't want to do this to a friend. But then I also understood, like this is a World Championship. It's either going to get ugly now or it's gonna get ugly later no matter what I do, No matter what I do, this decision that I make is going to have consequence yes, and get to be the first person to choose Yeah, someone's feelings are harder and decisions only get harder as people get more attached to each

other or maybe not. Did you guys have any agreements or anything before coming into the house, because I mean we all talk before we go on the show. We do you guys have any agreements? So I had. I had just found out. I had found out that Kelly Ann was come to the World Championship, and you know her and I. Here's the thing, her and I had

talked on the phone, texted, talked on the phone. I think a matter of fact, I think I ordered her some stuff on Amazon because she was like on vacation in like Tahoe or something, and she's like, my stuff. Phone gets sense to me in time, Like we had

talked before, which leads me to another point. I don't know if they show this because I didn't watch the first episode yet, but leads me to the point that you know, when you're first in the house and we're all sitting there, I just met Zara, and I just met Emily, and we're sitting there getting to know each other, and this is where it starts with Kelly an right sitting there getting to know each other shooting the ship.

I'm pretty sure I say something along the lines of, you know, this is a hard game, but one thing about me is you can trust me in the sense that if I say I'm going to do something like I'm one of those people that you know, I hold my word to a high standard. And then immediately Kelly and jumps into the conversation and she's just like, actually, I don't think that's true, and I'm I'm sitting here as like a wan or my friend, and I'm I'm

just meeting these people. She has no filter though, yea she doesn't, which is it's like not like she's doing it on purpose either, but that's just how which is like, here's the thing, it's it's her best quality and maybe might be one of the worst in the game for her that she is so honest, honest to a fault,

and it's something that I admire. But in that moment, she was like, you know what, what Johnny says is, you know, might not be true, and I like look at her and I'm like, shut up, a bitch, I'm trying that. I'm amazing up here. And you know what's scaring about that is because that's your friend. And so it carries weight with the people that she's saying it too. They're like, oh, you maybe you're lying because that yeah.

To me, I was like, listen, we have talked every day leading up to CLI into South Africa, like what if this is something that was heavy on your heart. Maybe it's something from the Path, maybe it's something from All Stars to whatever happened I'm sorry All Stars three. Then in those conversations leading up to it, I understand we're filming TV show, Like why wouldn't you bring it

up to me? Then why do you wait into the very moment the first time we're in the house, the first time I'm talking to new people, to just interject and say this, you know. So that started it with me and Kelly Ann and right then and there, I was just like, Okay, she's going to be all over the place just like I am, and in this game, like I can barely handle my own all over the place emotions like I can't deal with this right now, you know. So Wow that was fun. Wow, it's all good.

It could start. It could be from like All Stars one where you guys tied but she didn't believe that you guys tied for third. Yeah, two back, but you know, it could be from All Stars three to listen, like she makes sure to say that too. Did you can't that what? She was like, um, you were like, um, I won this and I wanted or she said one of you said I want this. I wanted. She was like yeah, and you tied with me. And I was like,

oh okay. So I feel like no matter how people act when they get in, it's like they forgot everything else outside of this, and the only thing that matters is what happened a million seasons ago. To like, the game is like all consuming. Listen. She's coming fresh off of All Stars three, right and she you know, her and Kendall were in you know, obviously they were lying their best friends and then they had this whole alliance the Treehouse against them, and here I am in the middle.

I was kind of close with Kayla and then she, like you know, Kelly Anne got targeted a lot, and so because of that, you know, I think she's carrying that Vaneta and feel like thinking in her head still like you know, oh, you screw me over and I'm like, no, I was playing a game. And that's how we have to approach this situation as well. And you know, I call it post traumatic challenge syndrome. I don't know people

carry over real happened in the past. Yeah, breaking it into whether they say they want to like clean the slate or not. It's still off your head. Yeah yeah. Okay, so hold on, before we go any further, we need to take a quick break and we'll be right back after this. I don't want this drama to override you winning the first daily, okay, So let's fasten to that because Mama made it happen, Okay. I was so proud of you. Other than the chains obviously being heavy, what

do you think was the hardest part of it? Because you guys got there last and then won the whole thing, So what was the most challenging part. So the hardest part for me is and I told Grant, because mind you, we just became partners. I don't know anything about him. He doesn't know anything about me. M I let him know, like right away, my shrinks, my weaknesses, you know, weaknesses. Not the greatest swimmer, also, not a sprinter anything that's like fast running. Like, I'm not your girl. I'm more

of an endurance girl. So right away we're sprinting through sand dunes, you know, and I tell him, I'm like, we're not going to make it there first. And he's like, well, I hope you're good at this puzzle. And I'm like, I'll take any of them kind of thing. So the chains were really heavy. I remember, you know, my first FaceTime conversation with like with my family back home, and I was wearing like a tank top and I had all these bruises, right because that chain was so heavy.

And the crazy thing about the chain is like as you pull it through the sand, it like buries itself. And so the hardest part for me was definitely you know, interworming, moving that chain down like he got there didn't seem for y'all. I thought, you guys we're gonna do double Dutch with it. But yeah, yeah, you and Kaze. I'm saying her name right. You guys were pretty much neck

and nick hunting up there. How did that feel? And to pull out the win against her due at any point you think you were gonna lose it because you were just pushing brands like come he gotta love Grant. He was so positive. He was just like, come on, Johnny. I think he was still like at the point we had just become partners, still be pronouncing my name a little bit, but he's like, come on, you caught this.

You got it. And I was so tired because, like I said, though she's were heavy, the sand, all of it. I did hear in the back of my head. I could hear voice and it was I mean, Anis, I'm sure you know this voice very well, but it was Jordan yea, and he would catch me, let's go, come on, catch me that voice honkey right, But I could hear Jordan. He was like, Jay, you better get that bell like he was. He was behind me, but he was he was like, I'm gonna catch you. I'm gonna catch you. Yeah,

I better get that bell. It almost seemed like he didn't he wanted to win, but he didn't really want to win, so it wasn't like like totally mad to come in second. It's from seas that season thirty eight mentality. Oh yeah, because it scared us because we were like, oh shit, we gotta make decisions. But Jordan's not afraid of the sand, so as you know, as a partner. But it does make the ride a little easier after coming off of a season that was that was just we were in the sand so much, so I could

understand why. But it is always nice to win that first one. I will say thirty eight like that was such a mind fuck, the way that game was set up. And then so you have these players like you have Tory, you have Casey, have Bananas, you have Jordany, you have all these people come traumatized, traumatized from the season thirty eight. We have a trauma running this house like it is a mob. And I was like, this is a different game, guys, and they're like, no, it's like in this one it's

the same thing. It's like they don't want to win because they don't want to like have that responsibility. But at the same time, you want to win. I don't you want people don't want to win. You're gonna get a target anyway, and there's gonna matter point regard end of the game when you have to go against a bunch of people. Yeah, yeah, and all and they're all good, So it doesn't matter who you get rid of. You're still stuck with a bunch of great teens. So it

does not matter who you put in. Oh, somebody's feelings are gonna get hurt. Well, they're gonna have to win the next daily. Yeah, to be able to do something to you. I do want to ask you though, going back to that daily, because that was your moment. A lot of that doing the puzzle took communication, right, How is the language marrier or between you and Grant? Let me just tell you. Okay, So Grant, if you can have him figured out by now, he has a very

thick Australian accent. Right. So I'm talking to Emily, who Emily and Grant are pretty close, right, And Emily explains it to me this way. She says, Okay, you know, John, Ay, you live in Nashville. There's you know, big cities in the US, like you know, New York, La. Whatever. Grant is what we call um. She's like, what do you guys call it? We call it country. He is from the middle of nowhere, so like she's like, can you imagine like people in the south or you know whatever,

had this super thick accent that you can't understand. She's like, that's Grant. But for the Australian. I was like, Okay, Grant, it's not just me that can understand him. But let me just tell you. So we have like our interviews and stuff, right, and We're sitting there and I'm just dying laughing at everything he's saying. He's coming out with all the all these expressions like a bit how you go in And one time he said something about like pissing.

He's like, oh, I was pissed, And I was like, you mean like pe or like I don't know if it was really weird, but m yeah. He the language. I wouldn't necessarily call it a language very because obviously we're both speaking English, but his accent, Man, and all of our interviews he had he had the camera people dying, he had the sound people dying. I was dying because I was like, I have no clue what you're saying. Bro.

But we'll just go with it. Yeah, there are definitely some phrases and words where I'm like, I know that means drunk. Oh, and it called ankle biters. I thought they were dogs. He men his children the ankle biters. I said, I can't how are those children when those are little tiny dogs? Did he teach you? And he slang like oh yes he did so, like between him Emily and Troy and Kiki, like, um, we called it a we we just became an Australian team, right, we

called it Kangaroo court. Um. But I took a notebook and I was like, okay, Emily, what is a bit how you go? And mean? And so I wrote down the translations. So I'm like I'm like, oh wait, I know what this one is? Like all right, um No, It's like if you see somebody and they're either a little bit off or they're kind of sick or whatever, he'd be like, oh, Anisa is a bit how you going today? Jeez? Well, I know what I'm using. I'm talking that that notebook of yours with all of us

right now. Would love to break it out right now. So what did you think of the Australian team as a whole, Like, how did you feel about listen? We have Okay, so who do we have? We have Kiki, we have Darrell. Ki just proved herself in elimination to the point that all of us were like, damn, nobody wants to fuk with Kiki, Like you know, Um, Darrell obviously strong, four time champ. We had Troy, I mean he won his Australian season. We have Amber, she's a champ. Um,

Emily's an Olympic swimmer. I mean, yes, one the first season, I'm looking at our Australian team and I'm that we're stacked. We or they seemed to beat out of everybody. So I was I was pretty comfortable, you know, comfortable with my team. Um. The thing is, though, you don't really know, like what the relationships are, like, like they just came

off of filming their season. I don't know what they went through to get to where they are, right, but um, all he know is, you know, looking around at all the teams, I'm like, between us and you know, USA, even like it's gonna be hard to beat the Australians. Not to mention the Australians, they are savages. Australians do not give a fuck. Let me just tell you they are balls to the wall all the time. They don't care who they go against, they don't care what's happening.

They are love that. So what would be one word to describe each team? M like an adjective if you will? You mean like each country? Well no not to like no no, no, no no, the p team, the team? Okay, each country? All right here, we're gonna give you a rundown. Okay, Australians, Um okay, So look we're just gonna zoom through it. I'm gonna give you the names and then you just say one't word like like speed Okay, okay, first thing that I'm gonna say these people's names wrong. I'm sorry

in advance. Um Zaren West strong, dude, listen, Zara. I don't like I said, I didn't see the first episode, but Zara came flying out of those gates. All every single guy, like Jordan West, Finance, all of them were like, damn did you see her? So like I already knew you know, West was a strong player, very strategic whatever, and West and Zaza together dangerous, Ben and Casey. That was an interesting one for me, Um, I thought I didn't. I just nobody knew who No, no, listen, nobody knew

who Ben was choosing. Everybody was there was like a few people were that were under the impression that Ben was going to be their partner. But um, strong team. I mean, Casey's strong as fuck, like you know, all right, Kas and Jordan, Um, I mean I don't know Kas at all. I know Jordan is a great competitor obviously, So yeah, strong. I can't stay strong for every team. I feel like that's how this is gonna go. You're gonna do and I'll say the name. Okay, one word, Okay,

Danny and Tory struck, this is this is becoming. How about Ben oh, ben Ha and Jody. I'll be honest, they were one of my favorite pairs. I mean, between the two of them, I mean, I don't know if it'll like translate and show, but ben Hat is a very passionate person. He was so he was thrown into basically this house of wolves, right, and he between the

language barrier between what was happening. Ben Hat had just like this pure heart and just did not understand, like he was just like He's like, okay, I guess it's now my time to politic and I'm like, I don't think it's gonna help. He's great, he's great, but the two of them like because Jody's are very like, like I said, cut and dry, point blank person, and he's very passionate. So listening to their conversations, I was like, you guys are hilarious, so hilarious. What is the word

that we are getting to? Hilarious? Sorry right now, Justine? What about Justine and Bananas? Justine and Bananas? You know it's so funny? Is Jesse? They didn't show it, but Justine was like, you know, I was a big fan of the show growing up, and so I'm gonna choose Bananas as my partner. So wait, how do you say you're old without saying you're old? You're old? I know who you are, So Justine, No, I love Justine. Justine

surprised me, Like she's Oh, she's a powerhouse. She is not only a powerhouse, but she is not afraid to say what she's thinking. And I love about her. Yeah. What about Keki and Darrell? Um? Like I said after the first elimination, I don't want to fuck with Keiki. Um uh no, because she's out of nowhere so fierce. Um and Durrell's I love Darrell. Darrell's my boy, who's

on All the All Stars with me? Um. Durella and I are very similar in the sense of, like, you know, when it comes to making decisions, we're just like, I don't want to upset anybody. Yeah yeah, Keki and Darrell, Um, they could be the leaders. They could be the leaders of the Kangaroo Court. Oh okay, okay. Rodrigo and Nia, Um, let's just say um so. Nia is my girl, right Uh. Nia loves to travel. She loves food, all the stuff rodri So in his country, like he is like a

famous chef. Like right away. Oh, these two were like, no matter what happens, if we get eliminated, if we don't, like, we're going on a food tour of South Africa. Wow. They were very um in the house. They were the people that were like, let me make you, um this fancy drink. I'm gonna make you at Miami Vice. I'm gonna blend this. And I was like, yes, I will take all the orders and all the the drinks you

guys were making me. I loved it. So resourceful I'm just trying your words the word no, all right Emily and yes, um Emily and yes, very strong team I can't say strong. Yeah I'm strong. We were intermidated by Emily. I mean, come on, let's be real, an Olympic swimmer. Come on, she is tall. She's I would say her and Laurel are very like. She's tall. Yeah, I mean she's taller than yes. Yeah. Well no, no, I don't mean it like that. I mean like, I mean, no,

you met it like that. So that's that's that's team tall. Team Troy and Amber. Uh, this is my first time meeting Amber doing a season with her, and um, they they were all about it. They were team team spirit. I see that. I could see that when through in the puzzle there were no when she ran off and she was like let's go and like or when they got there, oh yeah, like there was a very positive attitude between both of them. You could see it. Yes,

so teams team spirit. Troy is so smart. I mean, between like Troy and Dio, they would do these like chess competitions in the house. I can't even I can't even hang And they go for game after game after game after game I'm like, somebody's got to get bored. I would watch it for hours. Great. They were like

Cheese's they get are you? They're like he played chests and I was like not, not like they taught me, but I would sit there and watch game after game, trying to find moves you have to be and Logan was like, and I am. And Logan was like cheese chess. Cheese's the game of life. And I'm like, just say that again, and I swear to got to learn it. So I would just sit there and watch him and dev and play and Logan so good. I mean, Logan had beat him like thirty five games to something. Yeah,

and he was teaching me like how to start. He made me download the apptor in Quarantine. I lost a few games and he was like that wasn't a good try, because that's that's my chest skills. I'm like I can't. All right, we got three more. I'll do the last name because you may fuck that one up. So I

got it. Um. Sarah and THEO. Uh they were, like I said before, they were the most interesting pair to watch, like the two of them, like THEO as like comedic, how funny he is like when I tell you, he's like Brad to me, like he's like one of those people that it doesn't translate on the show. But he is so funny. And Sarah's just that she's a very um She's funny as well, but it's like a very

dry sense of humor. So watching them as a team come to decisions together, like you know, usually you'd have like one dominant person and the other person's like, Okay, I see how we can work this out. The two of them were like, this is what I think, this is what I think, and they did not mesh well. They had very different games in mind, I think. But team opposite yea, the word we got team opposite, John Christ Johnny. If they ever had this on the challenge,

this is the one game that you may lose. I would lose a going straight. It's it's gonna be called sum it up. And She'll be like, Nope, I can't do it. I'll be still there, like but I love all of them and this is the great thing, and this is the bad thing. But seeing as I see all sides of every person personality. So that's an active brain. Girl, that's an active that makes for great interviews and great confessionals. How about Tristan and Kelly Anne. Oh hilarious? Umm, Kelly

Anne and Tristan. Uh m hmmm. I don't know who was more annoyed by the other person. Yes, they, I mean they got along great, but so Tristan. Tristan's a very like He's a scorpio too, so he's very like you know, Keta's bad like whatever. Kelly Ann's like one of those. Okay, if we have a problem, we're talking about it right now. This is very upfront. So seeing their dynamic as well was hilarious. My name say, like the last team annoyed and last but not least Whoie

and Nelson. Okay, listen, no, I will take back Whoever I said before was team Spirit like Whooie is the most energetic, most positive vibes, Like craziest person I've ever met in the best way possible. Like we we love Whoie so tam crazy team crazy spirit. Team like team energy, crazy Spirit. I want to say, like team loves life. They loved life. Oh okay, okay, well I have crowned you and Grant as team parent. How did I feel

playing How does it feel? Sorry playing this game with someone who shares the same goal is your children, who shares the same goal as you? How did that feel?

You know? That's something that like I said, we're still getting to know each other's partners, but like still the biggest change for me as a person, like you know, I've said it time and time again, was becoming a mother and somehow finding this inner strength of if I can do this, then I can literally do anything like challenge what you know, Like I got this and Grant told me that you know, he had a two year old daughter and that he had a baby on the way,

and I that was the thing that we we found in common that I was like, Okay, so you get it. You get that we're here for a bigger purpose. We're not just playing to make friends with people. We're not just playing to better ourselves the next season like this is do or die. You know, we're here for our families and that's what we're representing. So is that your advice that maybe I should go and get pregnant? So okay, I can come back and be like, you know what,

I found this inner state. No, I respect moms all the time, Like that shit is hard. You literally worry for the minute you get pregnant till for the rest of your life. May you literally have to push a baby out, carry something and then push it out and then feed it. And I mean someone is depending on you. It lives because they can't take care of themselves. Ten months, six hours of labor, Yeah, it's such an amazing, amazing

ten months in one week. Damn, you're about to pop. Yeah, you're normally pregnant for ten months anyway, wouldn't it be eleven months in one week? Or were you? No, it was ten months and we had one extra week. They

were gonna induce me. And then at one twenty two in the morning, and I only remember because it was my grandmother's One twenty two is my grandmother's birthday, and so my water broke and I was like, well, let's go do this, and I remember they the nurse came in and she was like, oh, your first time mom. You're gonna be here for three or four hours pushing, So just just lay back and take your time. And I felt like that was a challenge. I pushed kat

in South in twenty minutes. Don't play with me, happidoral or no, Like I said, Jesus Christ, you can do anything. You can do anything. I got that girl, I got induced. I was like month eight. I was like, get this baby out of me. But I that mom, that mommy stuff is serious, that parents stuff is serious. That could change my view and my perspective of you know, this isn't This is no longer a game about you know, friends the same. If I can handle this, I can

handle anything. You have too, little ways I look up to you one and two. You got to take care of them, and you're doing it all on your own. So period, I'm saying, not going to let you know what I'm saying. Yes, I know you said that this game is not about friendships, and I agree, when you

have a bigger purpose, it's not about friendships. However, let's get him say it, Kelly in west situation, do you think that it was right for him to vote for her being that's her ex like they ain't got no kids and but you know they was saying each other so at that point, so I wasn't in that nomination. And that's the weird thing about this season is that you know, if you win or if you lose, you

can't be a part of all that. And here all the dark but you know, I think it probably was pretty smart of West at that point if the entire house is going one way. And I'm not one to like waterfall the votes, but yeah, if already you know, everybody is just you know, doing the easy thing, or everybody's already doing the same thing, Like, you don't want to put that target on your back of rail going against what everybody else is doing, especially not with you know,

people like bananas in the house. So he's like, He's like, this is what we're doing. Why ruffle any feathers, this is how it's gonna go. So don't want to piss anybody off. Right, Wow, if you were down there, do you think you also would have put with the flow or do you think you would have said something different? I mean yes, because so this is what's hard. It's like at that point, you know, TJ always has surprises.

This is the first World Championship. We don't know, like what decisions do we make, how they're necessarily going to affect us? We don't. I mean I just watch USA before coming to this one, right, and so I thought like, hey, yeah, we're gonna be partnered, But like what if at the end of it we'll have to switch again, you know. Yeah, um, we just you know, we got to be the test deummies of you know, you just got to make a

decision and ride with it and rock with it. Right so right, So, um, we're at the end of this cliffhanger of an episode. Okay, I mean they cut it off. It was like a hard cut too. It wasn't like like, oh it was a hard yet next on, next on the challenge. It was like a slap in the face, likes like I had something. You're talking about the sea elimination, but we were kidding. They don't us. Yes, do you

have anything that you can tease any anything crumbs more. Um, Let's just say I know at this point, at this point in time, um, coming out, you know, being the first round draft pick, looking at the Australian team, I'm like, listen, Grant and I are the team to be and we're going to have a lot of heat coming our way no matter what decision we make, no matter what we do, it's no matter what, this is going to be one

of the hardest challenges that I've done. So um, let's just say things get really interesting because at this point, you don't know are you playing for your team, are you playing for your country? Are you playing as individuals and the only person who matters is your partner. At that point, you still don't know what TJ has in store for us. So that's the thing. As a Challenger, you have to be able to be a chameleon. You have to be able to adapt as things are throwing

your way. So yeah, yeah, it'll be interesting for all of you to see what happens. I'm excited. I'm excited if you're taking ass again and things you like, like how like so they have like the book and like after All Stars three, the back to back when I'm literally like all right, guys, and how I'm done, gonna go be a mom now? And then then you were like, psych,

you're just qualified for the World Championship. I'm like, oh, you know, for me, it was like my in my head, I'm like, this is my one chance of my opportunity, Like I would love to come back as like this new Challenger and go back to the Flagship show and you know, test myself and test my abilities. But to be honest as a mom, you know, filming for the twelve weeks, I can't do that, So For me, the

Global Championship was about too. It is about upping the level of competition, you know, up from All Stars, but still having that shorter experience. Yeah, because definitely it might be harder than the Flagship. I mean that's whole thing, like All Stars Flagship, like they're all hard, yeah, Dart, none of them are easy. I don't understand why both

Art and go to All Stars. I'm like, because that's it's hard, too, dummy, rum and why not challenge yourself on all of those levels, you know what I mean? Like you you now are an incredible challenger, so like you might as well do what you want. The biggest difference is time. We could shoot that shit in a month, five weeks like we used to. I would be I would love it. I'd do a million a year and we would only do one a year then, So I mean, kudos back out the bigger now though. Yeah, no, we

had thirty people. We just did Challenge from the gate. We did it four challenges a week though in four eliminations. Oh oh gosh, yes you too, challenge Elimination challenge, elimination challenge and back to that. That's baby. There wasn't as big of a setup. You didn't have to do walk ups. Not everybody had a match, you didn't have to do oh shit. So then once a bitch pissed you off, you were like, I'm gonna see you when THEO gone, bitch tonight, Come on, TJ. Let me go spin the wheel.

I know I have four chances of getting something the same, four chances every week, not a contraption with lights, not a soord like with you know, season thirty eight, just wrapping and now actually watching out. It was like, damn, um girl, it was one. It was one for the books for sure. I'm so happy that book is fucking closed and welcome to the Global Champion Shop. Okay, now, John A, before you leave us, and I really appreciate you coming on because of face and I love it. Um.

What are your socials? Where can people follow you support you? Well? As we all know, I'm terrible at social media, but my Instagram handle is at John A. Mannion so j O N N A m A N N island um and that's pretty much the only social media I have. I have Twitter, but I just read what other people say. That makes that makes two out of three of us that are loved on Twitter. I am not deleted off my phone and I forget my password, So talk to

your shit because I can't see it. All right, all right, well, Johnny, I'm sure that you and Grant are going to have a lovely season. I cannot wait to see what you guys do, and hopefully we're not having a cliffhanger every week. Yeah, it seems like this that's the direction it because I'm going to need tea with every episode. I'm stressed, right. Thank you for coming to hang with a Johnny. I'm so glad I finally got an opportunity to meet you. Thank you guys so much for Yeah, nic you me.

You hopefully meet in person. Hopefully I see you soon. I don't know. Yes, I miss you. Miss you guys. Have a good day. Thank you. That was an incredible interview with john A. She always delivers. She has such a great spirit. I'm so glad that she could take time out of her busy vacation talk to us. Yes,

littlo us, it was a great episode. Anissa, tell the people where they can find you on the social media's only on Instagram because like I said before, I don't know my Twitter password, So effort you can find me at Anissa MTV. That's a n E s A MTV on Instagram and Davon where can they find you? Follow you, show you some love sleep That's where I like to be. Outside of that, you can find me on Twitter at

Dave Davon Underscore or Instagram at Davon Diane Underscore. And if you liked this episode, make sure you rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and tell a friend to come and check us out. Yes and then cash you episodes of The Challenge World Championship Wednesdays on Paramount Plush, and we will see you back here next week for a brand new episode of MTV's official Challenge podcast,