Steve Vetsavong | Canada's Ultimate Challenge Bio
CBC Gem | Posted: January 23, 2025 4:30 PM | Last Updated: January 29
NAME: Steve Vetsavong
OCCUPATION: Correctional officer
AGE: 40
HOMETOWN: Beamsville, Ont.
OCCUPATION: Correctional officer
AGE: 40
HOMETOWN: Beamsville, Ont.
Steve is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and professor from Beamsville, Ontario, who thrives under pressure. As a correctional officer, he's known for staying calm and building respect with those around him, a skill he's bringing to Canada's Ultimate Challenge. A devoted husband and father of two, Steve is entering the competition with his mind set on making his family proud of his performance.
What's driving you to take on Canada's Ultimate Challenge?
My coworker Harvin was on Season 2. My family and I watched the show avidly. When the show ended, there was an ad to apply for Season 3. I joked around about applying.
As time went by, there was a week's deadline for the application. My wife asked me if I had applied for the show yet. My wife has never been this supportive in any decision that I've ever made. So I applied for the show.
What unique skills will set you apart from the competition?
I'm very stubborn and very relentless. I have lots of life experience and have done some pretty extreme things. I am willing to sacrifice my body to win a competition. Pain is temporary and failure is forever.
How did you gear up for Canada's Ultimate Challenge?
I am always prepared. I just watched Season 2 over and studied the techniques and tried to predict the potential challenges. I was already working out two to three times a day and decided to focus more on cardio. I ran every day.
What do you fear the most in the competition?
What I fear the most is losing. I'm a very competitive person and I train all of the time. I mentally and physically sacrifice my body to win. I hate losing.
What's the toughest thing life has thrown you and how did it prepare you for this challenge?
Making weight for fights is one of the toughest things I have ever faced. You are literally starving and dehydrated. You're torturously trying to get your body to sweat so you can weigh as little as possible.
I've worn sauna suits underneath sweaters in a sauna while exercising so I could lose water weight. It is comparable to a near-death experience. Cutting weight is harder than the fight.
Who is your favourite player from past seasons?
Whitney. Whenever she was captain, they would always win. She was a good leader that had a good strategy.
What's a random fact that people would be shocked to learn about you?
I have a KFC tattoo on my calf.
Canada's Ultimate Challenge comes to CBC Gem on Thursday, March 6.