The fourth week on the ranch is so crucial. It’s do or die. It’s the time you know you can physically make it through this process but have to ask yourself, do you have it deep within to tell the truth? To be on the ranch and under such physical and emotional strain, it shows through. It is when you have to know you are there for the right reasons and willing to get to the end--the “end” being your goal--your perfect you.
That’s why I think it is so important that Jillian took the time to have a one-on-one with Coleen so that she could be clear why she is on ranch. It’s funny, ‘cause with your parent on the ranch, it can distract you (and I do believe Jerry being on ranch was good and bad for Colleen), and they also get to be your excuse on some level.
Coleen will miss the comforts of having her dad be there for her and her for him, but she has an amazing opportunity to really come into her own. She has it in her to be and create whatever it is in her life she wants. The ranch will be the springboard to finding out what she really wants.
Stepping Up
I think you will start to see who will be there in the end; it’s those who step up even when it’s uncomfortable. It took a lot for Vicky to pull Bob aside and admit that she feels as if Brady sometimes holds her back. It’s hard to admit that and then address it because you don’t want to invalidate your relationship. I know that probably 9 out of the 10 times Vicky thinks Brady is holding her back when he is probably feeling like he’s helping her or protecting her or whatever the case might be. That’s why these tough conversations are crucial when going through a process like this together on the ranch and at home.
Challenges always leave opportunities and awards. I wonder, especially considering it being week 4 and the fact that the contestants have expressed their concerns about the weigh-in, whether or not they really were interested in redeeming their first week challenge prizes. I know our season was so competitive that we would think redeeming the award sometimes was a disadvantage in regards to competing in the weigh-in that week. But usually no matter what, we were always thankful--like Amy and Phillip.
To be able to see their kids after 4 weeks without any communication except for the call that was given to them after the challenge that Heba and Ed won. I suppose it was bittersweet to then have to leave home after 24 hours. I think in the long run it will be exactly what they need to keep going, especially after actually feeling comfortable taking the family hiking. That truly is what all this is about, to be able to live life with our family and friends.
Challenge: Mind Over Matter
The challenge this week looked kind of scary when they first walked up to it. You could see everyone thought so just based on the facial expressions. I personally thought it looked like fun. Definitely better then the balancing beam we did during our fourth week. I will admit though that the balancing beam seemed like it was easier then this particular challenge. I know that I would be sore if I had to hold on like Amy and Vicky for 2 hours. It is mind over matter; there is a place you can go if you really want something that takes everything you have physically, that allows you to withstand the pain. And I could tell that they both went there. Then it’s just a matter of who wants it more.
I’m sure Amy realized on some level that Vicky was not going give up because she was determined to hear from her kids. Well done ladies :) I think it was right for Vicky to choose the purple team to share the packages with, although I must admit I wasn’t certain that’s who she was going to choose.
Jillian Exercises Her Lungs
I know first hand the depths to which Jillian will go to get her players to realize this is the opportunity of a lifetime, and they’d better give it everything or go home. As a contestant, you realize this woman is not going to cut your hands off, but you also know that if you don’t do what she says, she will make you pay. And if that doesn’t work she will make everyone around you pay.
I know that you guys sitting at home probably haven’t ever thought that Jill was being overly nice or kind to the contestants, but I have to admit watching the season so far I was like “why hasn’t she….. (fill in the blank)” on a number of occasions. I think she has had it with her team, and it isn’t working for her to let certain attitudes slide--not because she particularly likes being mean or yelling at the contestants (ok maybe she likes it a little :)) but because she is willing to take herself and her need to be liked out of the equation to help her team get the results they say they want.
But you can only take people so far. They have to want it for themselves. It’s not easy breaking down the walls that have protected so much in life—those walls have protected the contestants but have also prevented them from truly having all they desire. I’m glad Jillian went off on them. If she did, it’s because it needed to be done. She only gets like that because she cares. (But I will say it’s scary when she yells like that, even if it’s not directed at you!)
Twists and turns. Can’t wait till we see who will fall below the line and how they will determine who stays, I’m so glad mom and I never had to experience that.
--Ali
