Wisconsin firefighters compete for $1 million on 'The Amazing Race'
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two first responders from southeast Wisconsin are competing on the 36th season of "The Amazing Race."
Sunny Pulver and Bizzy Smith are best friends and firefighters. Pulver works for the Madison Fire Department and Smith works for the New Berlin Fire Department.
The two quickly became best friends while receiving their training and are now ready to race into a new challenge. The dynamic duo joined CBS 58's Alex Corradetti in studio to discuss their time on "The Amazing Race." Pulver and Smith started the process by creating an audition video.
"It was all Bizzy's idea of course. She was like, 'Do you want to do this with me? Do you want to be on TV?' I was like, of course I do," said Pulver.
The ladies were away from their loved ones for 30 days, without phones or access to social media. They certainly had new challenges to take on together.
"Neither one of us are very good at maps, which is a struggle when you're racing around the world and trying to read maps in different languages and such," said Smith.
The duo stayed in hotels across different countries, but while in the actual race, there wasn't much time for a sit-down meal.
"You don't know when to eat, you don't know what to eat. Everything you own is in this backpack. On the race, you're racing for 8-12 hours a day. Sometimes there's going to be stuff in my teeth because I just wolfed down a granola bar in the backseat," said Smith.
In the past, bathroom breaks during the race cost a team the million-dollar prize. Pulver and Smith also discussed that aspect of the show.
"You cannot stop and take a million-dollar pee. It's a million-dollar potty break. You have to watch your water intake and plan it. You couldn't get dehydrated. So, we were sweating bullets for eight hours straight and I was getting body cramps because I was so dehydrated, said Smith.
"We really spent 30 days give or take getting to know each other and it's been the best part of our lives," said Pulver.
Cameras captured every candid and competitive moment.
"There are so many cameras. Every team has a camera person and a sound person," said Smith.
We also posed the question of, what was it like making friends during the show?
"I've been in the military for 21 years and I've never been in a collaborative group of such different people that are so nice," said Pulver.
"It was so nice to be nice and then you're like can I take a break? I was ready to throw people under the bus. I was ready to make relationships and ditch them really quick. It's a competition for a million dollars. Of course I am going to throw you under the bus," said Smith.
But to these best friends, this competition is about more than money.
"We're working moms. We are not your average firefighters. We are blonde, thin women and sometimes people underestimate us. That is a mistake. I feel like we can take our flaws and good qualities and get something done and show this world that we have strength in numbers," said Smith.
It's a strength Bizzy found in herself at the age of 35.
"When I was on the show, I was trying to get diagnosed for breast cancer. It actually took me two years to get diagnosed. I knew that there was something wrong with my body. I went through four different doctors. What I needed was an MRI. I got a clean mammogram and ultrasounds, but I knew there was something going on with my body that I wasn't comfortable with," said Smith.
Smith said it's expensive to get an MRI, but she was diagnosed with cancer just hours after receiving that MRI. Now, she hopes to encourage women of all ages to push for MRI's if they feel something is off with their body.
"My message through this platform is if you're uncomfortable with your breast health and if you keep getting denied diagnostic testing from doctors, listen to yourself, listen to your gut. If you're under 40-years-old, don't settle for less than an MRI," explained Smith.
"We had some good moments talking, conversations, just to be with her it was hard to be supportive and not being able to do anything, but I did the best I could. She has a great support system. I am glad I could be there for her," said Pulver.
"Yes, she was definitely there for me. Now, I am cancer free, I am in remission," said Smith.
Pulver and Smith hope Southeast Wisconsin will tune into CBS 58 every Wednesday night to watch their journey on The Amazing Race!
"Kesha's song, "Woman," is our theme song. It's been playing in our heads the entire race. This is going to be such an entertaining show to watch. We are just there for the laughs and having a great time. Watch us win $1 million," said Smith.
