As moms, we’re great at cheering others on, but we don’t always push ourselves to do the hard, scary things. I want to share a story that might inspire you to do exactly that.
This January, I packed a camping bag and drove to a farm in Illinois to compete in Midwest Survivor Mayhem, a live reality game inspired by the TV show Survivor. There were 40 contestants, one of the largest casts ever for this Live Reality Game (LRG).
It was really FUN, really cool, and REALLY HARD! And yes, I was scared.
I’m a huge Survivor fan. My family does a draft every season and we play a Survivor board game. I love how the game blends physical challenges, social strategy, and mental toughness. But, watching from the couch and living it are two very different things.
Each of the 40 contestants that drove in late at night, in the rain, pulling up to a dark farm were scared. I know that because the production leader (who we affectionately called “Jeff”), asked everyone who was scared to raise their hands.
The Highs, the Lows, and the Fire
The experience was incredible. I made it halfway through the game, which I’m genuinely proud of considering the obstacles thrown our way. My biggest win? Making fire for my first tribe.
The lowest point came later when I was cold, hungry, exhausted, running on no sleep and no food after nearly 18 hours, stacked on top of four physical challenges. It pushed me past what I thought I could handle.
And I made it through.
That’s the part I want other moms to hear.
Why This Matters (Especially for Moms)
So often, we put our own challenges, dreams, and adventures on hold. We support everyone else. We cheer from the sidelines. We convince ourselves that doing something hard or scary is selfish, unrealistic, or “not for this season of life.”
But here’s the truth: doing hard things makes us better, stronger, more confident, more ourselves.
Every single competitor admitted they were nervous that first night. And every single one of us walked away saying how much fun we had.
The Live Reality Game Community Is Bigger Than You Think
What surprised me most was discovering how huge and welcoming the Live Reality Game community is. Games like Survivor, Big Brother, and The Traitors exist in real life and they’re happening all over the Midwest.
These games attract people of all ages and backgrounds who want to challenge themselves, connect with others, and step outside their comfort zones. I met incredible people and walked away already searching for my next game.
If you’re interested in an LRG game, I recommend you follow LRG on Instagram and join the casting Facebook group.
A Challenge for 2026
So here’s my encouragement to you—especially if you’re a mom reading this:
Do something that scares you.
Do something hard.
Do something unapologetically just for you.
Whether that’s signing up for a live reality game, training for something physical, traveling solo, or saying yes to an opportunity you’ve been talking yourself out of—the reward is so worth it.
Push yourself this year. I promise, it will be worth it!
