Female players smash the competition as Canada is turned into an obstacle course
On the second leg of Canada’s Ultimate Challenge, all teams choose women to lead as coaches.
In the second leg of Canada's Ultimate Challenge teams voted in a new crop of coaches and we're so thrilled that all of them chose fierce women as their leaders.
Courtney Copoc, Sandra Wendland, Jac Le and Whitney Beers took over the reins of their winning (and at times, not so winning) teams.
"I think the women stepped up and were absolute stars, absolute leaders and big-time competitors," says showrunner Erin Brock. "It was like it wasn't about gender anymore. It was just about a bunch of amazing athletes competing together."
In the show, now streaming free on CBC Gem, 20 fit players (10 men and 10 women) are placed into teams and together they travel across Canada to complete in spectacular physical and mental challenges.
Women bring home early victories in the competition
The women have been smashing their male counterparts during the jaw-dropping challenges.
In the first episode, martial artist Dan Ginnane says he's happy with his team because he didn't want to be paired with any smaller female players. But in head-to-head competition, the most diminutive player, Jac, beat him — twice. "I love that I was able to represent women and small athletes and beat him in some gruelling challenges to show that women can do anything that men can," says Jac. "Don't underestimate a book by its cover!"
Watch | Women win big on Canada's Ultimate Challenge
Women push back against male teammates
"The women this season don't back down," says Courtney, coach for Team Red. "Not only do we dominate physically in the challenges, but we hold it down mentally when faced with arrogance, egos and obstinate male competitors."
Adam Pike, one of her team members, is now infamous for not listening to advice from her advice in a scene that has gone viral on social media.
"It's tough going up against big, tall, bold personalities," remembers Courtney. "I had to warrior up 'cause it felt like my biggest battle wasn't opposing teams, it was against my own teammate at times."
Women key in bringing teams together during the competition
"I do believe women make better leaders," says Sandra, who was chosen as coach for the struggling Team Green. "Women tend to have more empathy, which is just as important as making great decisions. Female perspective and communication skills are crucial for strategy and winning."
In Canada's Ultimate Challenge, problem-solving and teamwork were just as key to winning as physical fitness and strength. Teams that had trouble working together were eliminated early on. At the end of Episode 4, Team Green with three dominant male players was sent home after losing back-to-back challenges.
"It can be difficult to take four strangers and turn them into a cohesive team," says Team Blue coach Whitney Beer. "I had to learn about each person, what motivates them, how they like to communicate, how they like getting feedback and have open communication about it all."
"It's important to make everyone feel seen and heard so that they feel valued and competent," agrees Jac, who led for Team Orange. "A great leader can set their ego aside to do what's best for the team as a whole."
"I think that the men on the show felt the power of the women," says showrunner Erin. After the player swap, Dominic Kehoe remained on Team Orange with three formidable female players, Jac, Jenny Laviolette and Shasily Matowe. "They're fantastic women and they bring so many strengths," he says in the show. "I have three daughters, so being in this position is like being at home, except they're getting along better than my daughters do."
Working together in such a high-stakes competition was a valuable experience for everyone. "The male teammates taught me a lot of lessons. I was reminded countlessly that I don't need to fight every battle and get the last word," says Courtney, who tried to step back and observe her teammates before deciding on a strategy.
"Of course, leadership qualities are not determined by gender. However, it's so important that we empower each other as women," she says, "so that women and young girls across the nation feel that they too can stand up as the strong, unstoppable, bold, beautiful, fearless leaders that we are!"
