Sixteen of the country’s toughest men and women will face a variety of military-grade and survival-themed challenges set in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, on the series premiere of AMERICAN GRIT, airing Thursday, April 14 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. WWE® Superstar John Cena™ and an elite group of mentors from the nation’s most exclusive military units – Navy Seal Commander Rorke Denver, Army Sergeant Noah Galloway, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tawanda “Tee” Hanible and Army Ranger Nick “The Reaper” Irving – will push these fierce contestants beyond their limits while instilling in them the ethos of leaving no teammate behind. The diverse group of civilians will be divided into four teams, hand-picked by the military mentors, known as “the cadre.” With up to a million dollars of prize money at stake, this is the ultimate competition and test of courage, determination and, most importantly, teamwork. As these competitors work together, they will only have two options: to persevere and win or give up and “ring out.”
Throughout the season, “the cadre,” who represent top branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and real-life heroes, will impart their first-hand knowledge and experience to help their team work together to surmount near-impossible mental and physical challenges. No test these competitors have ever faced will prepare them for the extreme military-inspired training they will undergo. Each week, the teams will compete in survival-themed challenges, incorporating basic needs, as well as communication, mental prowess, physical strength and adaptability, in some of America’s harshest conditions. The team that wins the challenge each week is safe from elimination, and “the cadre” leaders from the remaining teams must select one contestant to face “The Circus,” a grueling obstacle course built into the wilderness that tests both strength and endurance. The only way for a contestant to lose is to “ring out,” at which point they must leave the competition and forfeit their chance to take home the grand prize.
Meet the AMERICAN GRIT competitors and watch/share this first look: https://youtu.be/vrpOqBtuPic
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| Mark Bouquin – “The Lumberjack” Age: 26 Hometown: Colden, NY Occupation: Timbersports Athlete
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Tabatha Chandler – “The Roller Girl” Age: 39 Hometown: Chattanooga, TN Occupation: Registered Nurse
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“AMERICAN GRIT” COMPETITORS – Page 2
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Ashley Hazlett – “The Marine’s Daughter” Age: 31 Hometown: Cincinnati, OH Occupation: Event Coordinator
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| Maria Kang – “The No Excuses Mom” Age: 35 Hometown: Elk Grove, CA Occupation: Nonprofit Founder and Author
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| Chris Krueger – “The Hollywood Trainer” Age: 32 Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Occupation: Strength and Performance Coach
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| Kimberly Joy “KJoy” Lipson – “The Yogi” Age: 38 Hometown: Houston, TX Occupation: Yoga Instructor
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| Marc Lobliner – “The Machine” Age: 35 Hometown: Elgin, IL Occupation: CEO of Nutrition Company
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David Neville – “The Olympian” Age: 31 Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN Occupation: College Track and Field Head Coach
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“AMERICAN GRIT” COMPETITORS – Page 3
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Clare Painter – “The Fisherman” Age: 47 Hometown: Omak, WA Occupation: Horse Trainer and Fisherman
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| Mario Robinson – “The Triathlete” Age: 25 Hometown: Queens, NY Occupation: Personal Trainer
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| Ivette Saucedo – “The Equestrian” Age: 35 Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Occupation: Model
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| Tony Simmons – “Touchdown Tony” Age: 41 Hometown: Chicago, IL Occupation: Sports Performance Coach and Former NFL Player
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Lisa Traugott – “The Bikini Bodybuilder” Age: 42 Hometown: Austin, TX Occupation: Trainer and Author
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| Jim Vaglica – “The Boston Cop” Age: 54 Hometown: Billerica, MA Occupation: Police Officer
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“AMERICAN GRIT” COMPETITORS – Page 4
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| Brooke Van Paris – “The Obstacle Course Junkie” Age: 25 Hometown: Indianapolis, IN Occupation: Sales Rep
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| Cameron Zagami – “The Wrestler” Age: 22 Hometown: Salem, NH Occupation: Professional Wrestler
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AMERICAN GRIT is produced by Leftfield Pictures and executive-produced by Brent Montgomery, David George, Adam Sher, Will Nothacker, Simon Thomas, Anthony Carbone and Jon Kroll. John Cena also serves as executive producer. “Like” AMERICAN GRIT on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanGritFOX/. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanGritFOX and join the conversation using #AmericanGrit. See photos and videos on Instagram @instagram.com/americangritfox/.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: For information on AMERICAN GRIT, please visit www.foxflash.com.]
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