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| Timothy Sweeney |
Name: Timothy Sweeney
Age: 32
Hometown: Morristown, N.J.
Connection to your teammate: Exes
Current occupation: Sports Marketing
Describe what you do: Work with large brands to extend traditional sports sponsorships online using social and emerging media.
3 words to describe you: Calculated, witty and flirtatious.
Favorite hobbies: Golf, writing and music (I play guitar).
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Was drafted by the Washington Nationals to play professional baseball (2002).
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Jimmy Fallon - funny, talented, lighthearted and he’s not afraid to laugh at himself.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Mix of Jillian Michaels and Paris Hilton – she’s a workout freak, athletic, aggressive, a socialite, likes Chihuahuas, Starbucks and is manipulative.
What scares you most about traveling? Not being able to communicate. Language barriers.
What excites you most about traveling? It makes you smarter, more cultured and getting to experience new places, people, food, etc.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: I would like us to be able to communicate what’s best for each other as an “us.” Sometimes we lose focus on what’s best, to simply be right individually.
Pet peeve about your teammate: Many times she loses perspective, forgets the big picture and becomes obsessed with being right, rather than solving the problem. And she thinks being the loudest makes her right.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Anywhere that I wouldn't normally think to go or want to go. Maybe see the pyramids, drop into a rain forest or secluded island.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? Learn how to work together. When we aren’t dating everything is amazing, but as soon as we commit and decisions have to be made together, TROUBLE!
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| Cousins Leo Temory (left) and Jamal Zadran (right) |
Name: Leo Temory
Age: 26
Hometown: Los Angeles
Connection to your teammate: Cousin
Current occupation: Entrepreneur/Restaurateur
Describe what you do: I own and operate a restaurant and recently opened a bar/lounge..
3 words to describe you: Smart, funny and friendly.
Favorite hobbies: Hiking, traveling, tennis and cooking.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Climbing Mt. Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States, with no prior experience.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Bill Gates
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Kobe Bryant
What scares you most about traveling? Missing my flight or a bad taxi.
What excites you most about traveling? Meeting and interacting with different cultures.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: Sometimes my cousin doesn't listen or take my advice or direction to heart. I want to show him that I mean well and have him listen and be patient with me.
Pet peeve about your teammate: That he is very secretive and sometimes isn't serious enough.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Venezuela, because the women are beautiful in South America.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? I hope to become closer to my cousin and show the entire world that Afghans are great, fun people and not just what we are portrayed in the media.
Name: Jamal Zadran
Age: 26
Hometown: Los Angeles
Connection to your teammate: Cousin
Current occupation: CEO/Owner of Z.I.G. (Zadran Investment Group)
Describe what you do: I manage and operate Zadran Investment Group (Z.I.G.) where we own our own Independent Dealership to sell cars to the public. Z.I.G. also buys and flips homes in the Southern California area and operates as a Reality Firm to the Public. Part of my Investment Group also manages Equity Portfolios with trading of stocks, bonds and forex, and options.
3 words to describe you: Persistent, confident and energetic.
Favorite hobbies: Jet skiing, paintball and boogie boarding.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Working in Afghanistan for two years with the U.S. Military.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Kobe Bryant – competitor and champion.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Albert Einstein – his ideas are efficient and usually right.
What scares you most about traveling? A bird hitting the aircraft and the plane crashing.
What excites you most about traveling? Seeing the different cultural customs people have and being able to try it out with them if allowed. To interact with and actually leave a life-lasting memory to somebody across the world would give me a feeling of making some type of difference in their life even if it’s only for a short time.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: We need to trust one another more often and not be too stubborn. Sometimes we may need to agree to disagree and not bicker a lot.
Pet peeve about your teammate: He’s very sensitive to things I may say to him or when I critique him.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Kenya, because of the natural wildlife. I’m a big cat fanatic and love the characteristics. To see them in the wild would be nice.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? To have more patience with one another and get through all challenges and obstacles with Leo. Though it will be difficult, the ultimate feeling should be worth it.
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| Theater Performers Rowan Joseph (left) and Shane Partlow (right) |
Name: Rowan Joseph
Age: 56
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Connection to your teammate: Best friend and business partner
Current occupation: Actor, Producer, Director and Voiceover Artist
Describe what you do: Tour the U.S and Canada as an actor in the stage comedy “The Queen of Bingo,” the longest-running, Actor's Equity Association (non-musical) touring production in the country; as well as playing small roles on TV and in films. I also work as a voiceover artist, including serving as the imaging voice for WRFK 89.3-fm in Baton Rouge, LA, part of the NPR Digital Network. Along with Shane Partlow, I own and operate two production companies, Theatre A Go-Go, Inc. (Theatre) and Greenwood Hill Productions (Film & TV).
3 words to describe you: Funny, generous, stubborn.
Favorite hobbies: Traveling, camping and hanging out with my dog “Obe” - trust me it’s a hobby.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Producing and directing the anti-war film “Dalton Trumbo’s Johnny Got His Gun” starring Ben McKenzie.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Eric Stonestreet from “Modern Family,” Lou Costello from “Abbott and Costello” and Nathan Lane.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Stan Laurel (from Laurel and Hardy) and Don Knotts (“Barney Fife” from The Andy Griffith Show).
What scares you most about traveling? Snakes and tired stewardesses.
What excites you most about traveling? Seeing new places I never even imagined, learning from and experiencing new things, adventures!
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: Hopefully get him to listen better and think before he speaks! Getting him to admit he made a mistake on camera would be worth the trip!
Pet peeve about your teammate: Chewing with his mouth open, and he is too neat and organized, which could actually be good in this instance.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Vatican City would be amazing! Venice canals, the Coliseum, Pompeii would be awesome, the Amalfi coast – anywhere in Italy really.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? More fun stories and adventures, traveling to new places and meeting people of different cultures, learning ideas, laughing a lot and making other people laugh a lot too.
Name: Shane Partlow
Age: 47
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Connection to your teammate: Best Friend and Business Partner
Current occupation: Actor/ Producer
Describe what you do: I have been touring the USA and Canada as an actor in a show called “The Queen of Bingo” for the last 10 years, playing the senior citizen, “Sis”, the older sister in the play. When not touring, I play small roles on TV and in films. Along with Rowan Joseph, I own and run the production end of Theatre A Go-Go, Inc.
3 words to describe you: Optimistic, loving, funny.
Favorite hobbies: Running (7 miles, 5 days a week), water/snow skiing, Venus flytraps.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Learning to trick rope from my Dad and perfecting the skill.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? A cross between Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) before the accident, Jon Cryer and Keith Carradine.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? A cross between Nathan Lane and Lou Costello.
What scares you most about traveling? Bed bugs and hotel bedspreads.
What excites you most about traveling? People! I just really love people. How boring it would be if we were all the same. I love going to a place I have only heard about or seen pictures of, big or small.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: Listening to me more and not being stubborn. I think this is a Scorpio thing.
Pet peeve about your teammate: Sneezes more than any person I know and is always in the bathroom (I guess getting tissues because he is always sneezing).
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? New Zealand would be great just because I hear how beautiful it is, Russia would be very interesting, and I would really enjoy Australia and seeing wild kangaroos.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? Go to new places and meeting new people in different cultures with different ideas. And even if I don’t speak the language, still having fun trying to make the natives laugh.
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| Hoskote Venkatesh |
Name: Hoskote Venkatesh
Age: 60
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Connection to your teammate: Father
Current occupation: ER Doctor
Describe what you do: I take care of acute medical, surgical and traumatic emergencies. I’m also involved in the teaching of medical residents.
3 words to describe you: Decisive, resourceful and reliable.
Favorite hobbies: Traveling, acting (Shakespearean Theater) and hiking (Naina is training with me to trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro).
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? I’m most proud of my children, who have grown up to be well-educated, cultured, confident young people. Most importantly, they are good, honest citizens who I would love to have as my friends if they were not my children.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Hugh Grant – suave, sophisticated and debonair.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Mila Kunis – cute, vivacious, talented and fun-loving.
What scares you most about traveling? Nothing about traveling really scares me. I do realize, however, that one must be careful and I take sensible precautions for health and safety. The thrill of traveling is in venturing into and exploring unfamiliar places.
What excites you most about traveling? Traveling excites me because it allows me to venture into and explore unfamiliar places and cultures. I gain new perspectives into people, places and things.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: As an ER physician, I am accustomed to making final decisions which must be implemented immediately without questions. Given that temperament, I am not always receptive to others’ thoughts and ideas. It is my hope to change that by being more open to Naina’s thoughts and ideas, which admittedly are sometimes better than mine!
Pet peeve about your teammate: She buys too many clothes, which I think she doesn’t wear. (Although, she says she does!)
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? I would love to visit China. A country previously closed to the West is now opening its doors. I would love to learn about and explore its rich culture, tradition and people.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? Both of us are headstrong and highly opinionated. The Race will help us, if not force us, to learn how to compromise and work with one another as we strive towards a mutual goal of winning the Race.
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| Childhood Friends Brandon Squyres (left) and Adam Switzer (right) |
Name: Brandon Squyres
Age: 34
Hometown: Chico, Calif.
Connection to your teammate: Beard lovers and childhood friends
Current occupation: Contractor
Describe what you do: I install fire sprinkler systems.
3 words to describe you: Funny, boisterous and outgoing.
Favorite hobbies: Playing music, swimming and traveling.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Touring the entire U.S. and Europe with my bands, Cold Blue Mountain, Amarok, and The Makai.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Jason Lee
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Sacha Baron Cohen – He doesn't mind wearing skimpy clothes and I’ve seen him naked more than I’d like to admit.
What scares you most about traveling? Maybe I’ve seen too many movies, but the possibility of abductions.
What excites you most about traveling? Seeing new places.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: We both get excited easily and like to talk a lot which may cause some communication issues when under high pressure obstacles.
Pet peeve about your teammate: He grows a better mustache than me. It really grinds my gears.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Antarctica, because it’s so extreme and desolate. I can’t imagine what it would be like to see in person.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? I want to show America how awesome Adam and I are and spend time with my friend who I don’t see as often as I’d like.
Name: Adam Switzer
Age: 34
Hometown: Chico, Calif.
Connection to your teammate: Childhood friend
Current occupation: Eco-friendly farmer
Describe what you do: I am a U.S.F.S. seasonal wildlife firefighter currently working full time on a 22 acre farm in the woods that I own to create an international hostel based on organic permaculture, sustainable living and alternative construction techniques.
3 words to describe you: Adventurous, outgoing and hurley-burley (constant state of chaos, flux and clamor).
Favorite hobbies: Mountain biking, back-packing and building (bikes, houses, inventions, etc.).
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Being able to fight fires in the summers, travel the world in the winters and still save enough over the years to buy my 22 acre farm in the woods.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Mad Max with a sprinkle of Robin William’s stand up.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Abe Lincoln or Henry Rollins.
What scares you most about traveling? Nothing really. Maybe it eventually ending. I often end up staying in sketchy quarters to stay on the cheap but you just have to be more aware, not scared.
What excites you most about traveling? Food! I love almost all food and love trying even the most freakish grub. I also really enjoy meeting new people and seeing new cultures. It usually restores my faith in humanity. Lastly, animals! I’m an animal freak. I studied zoology a little in college and usually head for the jungle.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: It will be hard to listen to each other when we are amped up and screaming.
Pet peeve about your teammate: His straight edge and when I’m on a tear he provokes any possible trouble for me to get into. Not really a pet peeve because he is always there to get me out of whatever jam he gets me into!
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Madagascar – unique bio diversity that evolved separate than almost any other, or Mongolia to buy a horse, travel the plains and experience nomadic culture.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? Having a riot and traveling with my great buddy who I don’t get to see enough in our current situations. I want to make people laugh, cry, love and hate us. See how we stack up in the end… are we really the best
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| Travis Jasper |
Name: Travis Jasper
Age: 43
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Connection to your teammate: Married
Current occupation: ER Physician
Describe what you do: I care for sick patients in urgent and emergency situations. I’m also a comforter in times of family tragedy.
3 words to describe you: Friendly, caring and giving.
Favorite hobbies: Coaching track and basketball, doing home improvement projects and playing with my kids.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Being the husband of a beautiful, smart wife and the father of five healthy children.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Denzel Washington, because he’s cool and private.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Vanessa Williams, because her talent outlasts and outshines her beauty.
What scares you most about traveling? The risk of illness scares me the most.
What excites you most about traveling? I’m most excited about seeing new sights and learning about different cultures.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: She hears me when I talk but doesn't seem to listen to what I’m saying.
Pet peeve about your teammate: When she stays late at work and constantly receives texts and emails on her mobile phone.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? South Africa, because of its rich and controversial history and its vast cultural diversity.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? I’m hoping to experience the world in a different way and to grow closer to my wife by fighting through conflicts together.
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| Best Friends Tim Wiyninger (left) and Danny Merkey (right) |
Name: Tim Wiyninger
Age: 26
Hometown: Cordell, Okla.
Connection to your teammate: Best Friend
Current occupation: Oilfield Plant Operator
Describe what you do: As a bulk plant operator, I load bulk chemicals onto trucks that go out to location. Also, with as many crews that we run, I have to forecast on how much chemicals need to be ordered to start and finish a job.
3 words to describe you: Happy, funny and outgoing.
Favorite hobbies: Golf, attending sporting events and road trips.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? The birth of my son and being able to provide for my family.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Will Ferrell, because he’s funny, kind-hearted and loves everyone.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Owen Wilson, because he’s funny and a ladies man.
What scares you most about traveling? Seeing people in other countries who are less fortunate and not being able to help.
What excites you most about traveling? Going to places I have never been before and making new memories with people I love.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: We always believe that neither of us are wrong. Instead of listening to his argument, I just tell him my points. I hope I can be a better listener so I can respond to his points rather than hearing what I want to hear.
Pet peeve about your teammate: He spends too much time in front of the mirror.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? I would like to go to Australia. It would be amazing to visit the outback and see animals in their natural habitats.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? I have never been overseas. Being able to travel the world and to see new things that I never thought would be possible.
Name: Daniel “Danny” Merkey
Age: 25
Hometown: Cordell, Okla.
Connection to your teammate: Best Friend
Current occupation: Oil Field Operator
Describe what you do: In the bulk plant my job is to blend various cements for oil rigs in the field. I also have to keep track and maintain any and all cements and additives used in the blending.
3 words to describe you: Cute, funny and brave.
Favorite hobbies: Fishing, golfing and Thunder Basketball.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? The birth of my daughter. A close second is taking 3rd in state in wrestling with a torn ACL.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Mark Wahlberg - tough and gritty but also hilarious.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Vince Vaughan – he is a fast talking ladies’ man but has a big heart.
What scares you most about traveling? I love traveling for the most part. I’m not a big fan of the ocean. Just something about not knowing what’s out there makes me nervous.
What excites you most about traveling? Seeing new cultures, sites and learning about different ways of life.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: Tim and I are both very headstrong and sometimes argue about the simplest things to prove the other wrong. To win we will have to put that aside at times and trust each other.
Pet peeve about your teammate: His dirty car. When we go to lunch we never take his car because I can’t fit in the passenger seat with all the junk.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? I have always wanted to see Rome with all the history and culture it has to offer.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? This is a once in a lifetime chance to see the world and make new friends.
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| Former Football Teammates Chester Pitts (left) and Ephraim Salaam (right) |
Name: Chester Pitts II
Age: 33
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas
Connection to your teammate: Friend and NFL teammate
Current occupation: Sports Anchor/Analyst for “Texans Insider,” Executive Consultant for ZT Wealth and Altus HMS. Played for the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks, totaling nine seasons over 10 years in the NFL.
Describe what you do: I anchor and report mainly sports, but occasionally do some feel-good stories. I educate others on how to live within their means. I help people achieve their goals, one person at a time.
3 words to describe you: Genuine, passionate and hard-working.
Favorite hobbies: Reading, autocross and watching movies.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? I am proud of having the most awesome family ever!
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Shaquille O’Neal but far more handsome.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? No one. Ephraim is truly a unique individual. But, if I have to pick one, Forrest Whittaker.
What scares you most about traveling? Germs!
What excites you most about traveling? New experiences, people and cultures.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: He is impulsive, but also "smells the roses."
Pet peeve about your teammate: He struggles with the truth on occasion.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? London. I would like to have tea with the Queen.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? Winning is enough for me.
Name: Ephraim Salaam
Age: 36
Hometown: Studio City, Calif.
Connection to your teammate: Friend and NFL Teammate
Current occupation: Co-host of “Fox Sports Live.” Played for the Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons totaling 13 years in the NFL.
Describe what you do: I guest host for a few shows across different networks, as well as do football analysis.
3 words to describe you: Obstinate, competitive (ultra) and proud.
Favorite hobbies: Movies, video games and traveling.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Being a great father.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Shaquille O’Neal
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Michael Clarke Duncan
What scares you most about traveling? Leg room on the planes, trams and buses
What excites you most about traveling? Exploring new places and experiencing different cultures.
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: He doesn't listen very much. He thinks he’s smarter than everyone else. I would like to see him in a situation where he had to listen.
Pet peeve about your teammate: He never wants to do anything new and exciting and he’s cheap as hell.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Africa. I would love to see the motherland. My mother travels there a lot and she says it’s glorious.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? I would like to experience the race with Chester because he never wants to do anything adventurous. He loves to play it safe.
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