American Grit Season Finale Recap: Tired Out; Over the Falls

American Grit Season 1 finale on FOX
American Grit finale PhotoL Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX

“All we ask is all you got.”

Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX
American Grit’s John Cena Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX

It’s what John Cena, American Grit host and executive producer, has expected from the competitors of the Fox show. What started with 16 participants headed up by four Cadre ended with Team Noah’s Claire and Mark taking home a combined half a million dollars.

The fisherman and the lumberjack outlasted the rest of the finalists in the last Endurance challenge, which saw them holding a knotted rope on a platform for more than an hour.

Claire’s win is even more impressive knowing she worked with a hamstring injury. The $250,000 will come in hand for Mark, who just became a dad.

Of course, before getting to the nail-biting finish, the finalists had to endure the ultimate Circus. The teams had to run through bigger hurdles, a giant ladder, barbed wire mud pit and other obstacles to gain a bit of an advantage.

After the 15-minute Endurance test, they had to run the Circus a second time and then go back to rope holding. However, the knot was lower on the platform, making it harder to not ring out.

Haze was the first to fall, followed by David, Goldie, Jim and Touchdown Tony. Jim and Tony fought valiantly as the sole survivors of Team Nick and Team Tee respectively. Family joined members of the military and coaches in cheering on the finalists.

Earlier in the episode, the Evolution saw the group go-hand-over hand, crossing a waterfall suspended 125-feet in the air. Team Noah got the important time advantage for the final Circus. Mario had to ring out in the previous Circus. He forgot to hit his button after completing an Endurance rotation climbing a two-story ladder.

American Grit Season 1 finale on FOX
American Grit finale PhotoL Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX

Mark and Goldie secured spots in the finals the week before. Tony earned his way in by winning the Evolution called Tired Out.

The teams had to race off to four obstacles hidden in the forest. They had to work together to finish the tire shuffle before members moved on to freeing a tire from a puzzle. Next was the crawl through a mud pit and solving a puzzle with a tire affixed to a hitching post. Overall the trek was five miles.

American Grit finale
American Grit Season 1 finale Photo: Olugbenro Ogunsemore/FOX

It was inspiring to watch Tony going solo for Team Tee for the second half of the competition and do so well. I think roller girl Goldie also surprised a lot of people with how far she went.

Whether it was learning the backgrounds of the Cadre members and their cohorts or the stories behind the competitors, American Grit really captured the perseverance of the human spirit.

Cena proved the perfect host for the high-octane atmosphere. You can see at the very end what the finals meant to him. I’m sure going into drill sergeant mode helped some of the competitors dig a little deeper.. There was a lot of emotion from not only the finalists but everyone involved. They went through an experience together and walked away with  a lifetime of memories.

American Grit was a worthy competition series that gave viewers a renewed appreciation for the heroes of the United States military.

8 Comments

  1. It’s ironic Clare mentioned a hamstring injury that kept her out of the final circus and propelled her into the finals.

  2. All the athletes showed grit, but I was happy that Green Team made it to the end. Mark is a gentle giant, and promises to be a wonderful dad. Noah was the perfect Cadre.
    He led with knowledge, respect and kindness. No barking. Thanks for a good season.

  3. This show was filmed in my hometown so I enjoyed seeing the local scenery, such as the always beautiful Mt. Rainier. I really enjoyed the show and watching the cadre’s working with their teams, I saw so many contestants change their attitudes. I hope it continues.

  4. An amazing finale to an amazing show! We were rooting for team Noah the whole time, and was so proud of Clare and Mark! But all of those competitors were AWESOME and I loved watching them push themselves and watching the relationships between teammates and their cadres. So much respect for the competitors and our American hero’s. I really hope there is another season. Its nice to watch such an inspiring show on TV.

  5. I was enthralled with the show. Each contestant in the finale had the American Grit to make it to the last round of competition. However, my gut told me that Team Noah is going to be the last team standing for victory. I wished that David made it through with Mark & Claire.
    Team Noah has proven to be the best “cadre.” Loved the show, The American grit hosted by John Cena. He was terrific by the way!

    • It’s called Little Meshall falls. It is an easy hike on a well established trail in the UW pack forest just outside of Eatonville.

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