Santina Carlson | Canada's Ultimate Challenge Bio
NAME: Santina Carlson
OCCUPATION: Construction worker
AGE: 31
HOMETOWN: Edmonton, Alta
Santina is a construction worker from Edmonton, Alberta. She describes herself as an "average Joe" who thrives through grit and determination rather than raw athleticism. After raising herself since she was a teenager, Santina developed the resilience to face life's toughest challenges head-on.
Reality TV fans might recognize Santina from Season 11 of Big Brother Canada, where she wasn't afraid to stir the pot. Now, she's bringing that same tenacity to Canada's Ultimate Challenge to show what she can accomplish with a little conviction and a lot of courage.
What's driving you to take on Canada's Ultimate Challenge?
The entire time I was waiting to hear back from production, I had doubts. I kept thinking I wasn't good enough or that I wasn't qualified enough because I've never played sports or been part of a team outside of work situations.
But when the producers finally told me I'd be leaving in a month, I knew that if I didn't believe in myself, I wasn't going to go. That spark inside of me said, "Believe in yourself, and everything is going to be okay." From that moment on, I held onto that feeling, and everything turned out to be far more than okay — it was truly the best experience EVER!
What unique skills will set you apart from the competition?
I would say my superpowers are my resilience and persistence. Together, they make me an unstoppable woman. When I want something, I will do anything and everything to make it happen — giving up is simply not an option for me. And if you throw in 19 other strangers who might doubt me? Oh boy, watch out!
How did you gear up for Canada's Ultimate Challenge?
Canada's Ultimate Challenge is incredibly physical, but I truly believe that being mentally strong and having the ability to trust and believe in yourself, will get you much further than just having big muscles.
What do you fear the most in the competition?
I was so locked in during the competition that I never allowed myself to feel fear. I knew that if I let fear in, it would hold me back from performing at my highest potential.
What's the toughest thing life has thrown you and how did it prepare you for this challenge?
Life has thrown many challenges my way, that I thought would prepare me for the moment I knew would be the most hard for me, losing my brother to addiction. I thought all my past experiences would somehow prepare me for that moment, but nothing could have.
What I learned, though, is that nothing in life fully prepares you for what's to come, because every experience is different. The only thing you can do is be present. And that's exactly how I'm approaching Canada's Ultimate Challenge, being present, staying locked in, giving my all and never giving up!
Who is your favourite player from past seasons?
Anyone from the Wild Card Team. Who would EVER sacrifice their game for their team? I honestly don't know if I could. And then they came back and won the whole game! That just shows so much resilience and passion and I'm all for it!
What's a random fact that people would be shocked to learn about you?
I'm low key scared of the ocean and deep parts of water. And jumping from anything high! Totally freaks me out!
Canada's Ultimate Challenge comes to CBC Gem on Thursday, March 6.