In Race to Survive: New Zealand, situations can change in a minute in New York.
on The race for survival: New ZealandAttitudes can change in a minute in New York. Michael Martin And Steven Jean-Pierre I learned that the hard way. In Episode 3, the Brooklyn Climbers are eliminated from the competition after a bad leak down a rocky hill jeopardizes their ability to continue.
The duo spent ten days without food, trekking nearly 50 miles through the New Zealand wilderness, eager to bring home the $500,000 prize. Throwing in the towel was not a decision they took lightly.
In the wake of Race to Survive’s elimination, Reality Tea spoke with Brooklyn Climbers about their difficult decision to leave the competition, Mikhail’s knee, and what’s next for the Big Apple duo now that their Race to Survive journey is over.
Update on Michael’s knee injury
Near the end of Episode 3, Mikhail and Steven were doing their best to get to the 10-day food and breakfast bunker when a loose rock caused Mikhail to fall and injure his knee. They tried to get ahead of the race course, but realized it was out of the question. In the trailer, we saw a helicopter taking them away. Mikhail shared what happened next after the cameras stopped rolling.
“The first thing we did was see a field nurse,” Mikhail recalls. “They took a look at it, and then we also went to a local hospital and checked things out.”
Fortunately, Michael did not suffer any permanent injuries. Today, his knee is in good condition, and he is currently training to participate in an ultramarathon. It’s proof that you can’t keep a New Yorker down for long.
Know when to stop
Clearly, being out of the race was not what Michael and Stephen had in mind for their Race to Survive journey. They watched the entire first season, studied every detail, and felt confident going into the race. When Michael fell, it put everything in jeopardy. However, it took some time for them to decide to abandon this idea.
In the show, we saw Brooklynites continuing to move forward on the racetrack. They were determined to reach a much-needed food cache. There was no way they were going to go down without a fight, but according to Steven, there was another scary moment that seemed like the breaking point.
“He was climbing something that should have been pretty routine, and a big rock started falling on him,” Stephen recalls. “He almost hit him the second time, so I saw it happen, and I knew he wasn’t moving the way he was supposed to be moving.”
Ultimately, getting back to Brooklyn in one piece was the first priority. They realized that Mikhail’s uncomfortable knee injury could turn into something much worse if they kept trying to navigate the racetrack. It’s hard enough even with good knees.
“It was not an ideal situation to continue racing, but the best competitors know when to quit and live to fight another day,” Mikhail added.
Will the Brooklyn Mountaineers take another shot in the survival race?
Since Stephen and Mikhail had to exit the competition earlier than they planned, it shouldn’t be too surprising to learn that they are both hungry to get back into racing. If USA Network contacted them for Season 3, they would say they wouldn’t have to think twice about it. They’ll get back on the track quickly, even if it means having to live the nightmare of going days and days without eating.
“Sign me up now. Put me back in the fire. I’m very ready,” said Mikhail. “Coming out of the race like that will definitely make you want to come back and prove what you can really do,” he added.
Stephen added: “If we do this again, Mikhail and I won’t leave anything on the table. I’ll bet on us.”
Outdoor calling
Even without Race to Survive, Michael and Stephen plan to continue the marathon, create visibility for Black climbers, and advocate for outdoor enthusiasts of color. Representation is important, and Mikhail shared some solid advice for anyone looking to get a taste of Race to Survive in real life. Here’s a hint: You don’t have to come all the way to New Zealand and spend ten days on an empty stomach.
“The most important thing is just showing up and showing people what you can do and what they can do. I’m sure everyone at home thinks they can’t go out and have an adventure, but the truth is you can,” Mikhail explained.
Of course, an adventure like Race to Survive: New Zealand probably shouldn’t be your first step. Michael suggested that you can start by simply getting out and exploring a state park or looking for community organizations that can help you get started.
“Even if you don’t see someone who looks like you doing it, you can do it,” he continued. You just have to believe that you belong there, because you do.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
New episodes of Race to Survive: New Zealand air Monday nights at 11/10c on USA Network.
TELL US – Were you surprised to see the Brooklyn Climbers eliminated from the competition? Do you think skipping food caches might endanger their race? Would you like to see them return for another run?
