Reality TV Stars Outwit, Outplay and Outlast To Raise Funds For Youth

photos c/o Justin Yoder


The 2nd Annual “It’s A Jungle Out There” benefit kicked off with the Warriors Games, a NEW family-friendly event which was held on the grounds of the Embassy Suites Love Field Hotel. Despite a soggy start to the day, participates were fired up to compete and attendees were able to watch teams comprised of former players from Survivor, The Amazing Race and Big Brother and young adults from Cheer 4 Your Life’s teen Warrior program compete in challenges similar to those seen on the hit CBS show, Survivor. The teams were hit with twists and turns as the games progressed. In true Survivor tradition, the final challenge to determine who would be crowned the Sole Survivor was a fire-making challenge. Congrats to Baylor Wilson from Survivor, Season 29 for using a flint and creating a fire big enough to burn through the twine to raise her flag, making her victorious!! Proceeds from this event raised funds for Cheer 4 Your Life, a non profit organization 501(C)3 that helps empower youth by providing supportive funding as needed for individual participation in various clubs and school programs including but not limited to athletic programs, performance based programs and service projects. “The most touching part of the Cheer 4 Your Life journey (for me) so far has been the Warriors project, which is a leadership program for teens encompassing community outreach and personal growth while raising money through healthy competition in monthly challenges,” said Missy Payne. “To see these kids meet today – the Teen Warriors who have raised money all year to help teens they didn’t even know pursue their dreams – it’s just so rewarding!” That evening, Event Co-Chairs Leslie Madden and Laura Powell gathered with supporters at the Frontiers of Flight Museum for an adult only benefit, which included a concert, dinner, silent and live auction. Guests began the evening with dinner and live entertainment from talented teens from area Performing Arts High Schools, Competitive Club Cheerleading and Dance programs, and Acrobatic troupes illustrating what Cheer 4 Your Life is all about – helping teens pursue their passions and talents. The evening culminated with a rousing performance from rising Country music star, Hudson Moore.

Survive This: Warriors Games on September 10

If you are a fan of the hit TV shows Survivor or Amazing Race, then you have just hit the competition/reality TV lottery because you will be able to meet many of your favorite former players in Dallas at a charity benefit hosted by Cheer 4 Your Life next weekend. The 2nd Annual “It’s A Jungle Out There” benefit will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2016. This year, the event is being expanded to add the Warriors Games, a NEW family-friendly aspect which held on the grounds of the Embassy Suites Love Field Hotel. Attendees will be able to watch teams comprised of former players from Survivor (other reality TV shows) and young adults from Cheer 4 Your Life’s teen Warrior program compete in challenges similar to those seen on the show. Get ready for twists and turns (and maybe a merger) as the games progress until the last player is left standing and is crowned the sole Survivor. Tickets are $10-$20. That evening, Event Chairs Leslie Madden and Laura Powell will gather with adult supporters at the Frontiers of Flight Museum for the 2nd Annual “It’s A Jungle Out There” benefit which will include a concert, dinner, silent and live auction. The doors to the Frontiers of Flight Museum will open to the public at 6:30pm. A private VIP Red Carpet cocktail party for upper level sponsors will take place from 6:30-7:30pm in the upper mezzanine of the Museum. Guests will begin the evening with dinner and live entertainment from talented teens from area Performing Arts High Schools, Competitive Club Cheerleading and Dance programs, and Acrobatic troupes. The evening will culminate with a performance from rising Country music star, Hudson Moore. Leave the stilettos at home and wear anything from a sundress to dressy shorts and a fancy camo top with sandals or sneakers. Anything that screams “jungle chic” will help you to look the part at this benefit.Tickets start at $150. https://igivehere.org/cheer4yl

Dallas Realtor Alecia Holden Stars In Survivor: Kaôh Rōng' Debuting February 17

One of the amazing things about living in Dallas is that we are a virtual HOTBED for reality TV casting. Any major reality show worth its salt makes a casting stop in Big D when looking for interesting or talented characters with big personalities. We've seen our citizens cast as contestants and "stars" on shows like The Bachelor, Dancing With The Stars, Top Chef, Biggest Loser, The Voice, American Idol, Fast & Loud, and we are about to be able to add the much anticipated Real Housewives of Dallas to the list. Alecia Holden (age 24) who works with broker Mark Anthony Rodriquez at Uptown Realty will take her turn at trying to be the ultimate Survivor when the show returns with a special 90-minute premiere on Feb. 17.

Survivor's Jeff Probst To Host Organ Donation Fundraiser Benefiting Taylor's Gift

Jeff Probst 

Taylor’s Gift Foundation will be holding their inaugural “Outlive Yourself” Awards and fundraising event on November 5, 2015, at 3015 at Trinity Groves. The event will be held to honor those who are making a lasting difference in their community and the lives of others. Taylor’s Gift is a non-profit organization dedicated to the life-saving effort of increasing organ donor registrations and financially assist families touched by organ donation.

The foundation has consistently encouraged supporters to “Outlive Yourself” ever since they were founded in 2010. What does it mean to “Outlive Yourself?” It’s a spirit of giving and a mindset of going above and beyond for others and living selflessly. Taylor’s Gift encourages being an organ donor to be part of how you can Outlive Yourself. The Outlive Yourself awards will be hosted by Celebrity and Taylor’s Gift spokesperson, Jeff Probst, host of the CBS reality TV show, Survivor.

Probst will also serve as Honorary Chair alongside event chair, Kate Dorff. Dorff is a passionate supporter of organ donation; her sister, Abbye, received a heart transplant in April 2013, at the age of 26. Dorff’s grandmother was also a liver transplant recipient in 1994, and because of the selfless act of an organ donor, she was given another 17 years of life. Dorff has vowed to honor these two donors, their families and their selfless acts through supporting organizations like Taylor’s Gift. Karen Borta, CBS DFW News Anchor will be in attendance as the media host. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://blog.taylorsgift.org/event/2015awards

“It’s A Jungle Out There” Benefit Gave Fans a Chance to Meet and Compete Alongside Former Survivor Players and Reality Stars

Stars of competition and reality TV gathered on August 29 for the first annual It's A Jungle Out There benefit.  (back row) Carolyn “Mama C” Rivera, Tyler Fredrickson, Max Dawson, Jake Pavelka, Cory Shivar, Uchenna Agu, Alex Stein, Keith Nale, Joe Anglim, Mike Holloay, April Lewis (front row) Jenn Brown, Kelly Shinn, Missy Payne, Baylor Wilson, Sierra Dawn Thomas, Brandy Goddard, Natalie Anderson, Jodi Wincheski

Missy Payne, Cynthia Smoot. Thanks to Level 3 Active 
for providing me the perfect dress to wear to this event!

Highland Park native, Missy Payne, star of Survivor San Juan del Sur/Season 29, hosted the inaugural “It’s A Jungle Out There” benefit on Saturday, August 29 at Lofty Spaces. The evening began with a VIP/Sponsor reception with all of the celebrities and lots of creepy crawly things and furry animals brought in by CritterMan.

Everyone then moved into the main space for dinner, several rowdy performances from talented teens from area Performing Arts High Schools, competitive club cheerleading and dance programs, and acrobatic troupes and finally a live auction. Among the items up for grabs were tickets to attend the live finale where the next winner of Survivor, Season 31 will be named.

This event was a competition/reality TV fan's fantasy come true with players from Survivor, The Amazing Race, Big Brother, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Dancing With The Stars, and more in attendance. Following the dinner and main stage entertainment, the party moved outside where celebrities competed in challenges (similar to the challenges seen on Survivor) while party patrons place bets on teams to win. Guests had a chance to buy into these challenges and compete alongside the celebrities. Those who thought this was light-hearted fun were in for a surprise. These celebs meant business. When bragging rights are on the line, competition and reality TV stars stop up! Participating in the challenges were:

“It’s A Jungle Out There” Benefit Will Give Fans a Chance to Meet andCompete Alongside Former Survivor Players and Reality Stars

Readers of this blog know that I am a HUGE fan of reality and competition TV shows. My family has watched every season of Survivor so I am thrilled to see Highland Park native Missy Payne, star of Survivor: San Juan del Sur, Season 29, create the inaugural “It’s A Jungle Out There” benefit that will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2015 from 7pm to 10pm at Lofty Spaces. If you are a fan of the hit TV show Survivor, here’s your chance to not only mix and mingle with former Survivor-stars but compete alongside them to test your endurance and puzzle IQ. Guests will begin the evening with dinner and live entertainment from rising Nashville star, Baylor Wilson, who also happens to be Missy’s daughter and fellow Survivor contestant. Other performers will include talented teens from area Performing Arts High Schools, Competitive Club Cheerleading and Dance programs, and Acrobatic troupes. Among the items that will up for grabs during the live auction will be tickets to attend the live finale in Los Angeles where the next winner of Survivor, Season 31 will be named. Following the dinner and main stage entertainment, the party will move outside where Survivor celebrities will compete in challenges (similar to the challenges seen on the show) while party patrons place bets on teams to win. Guests will have a chance to buy into these challenges and compete alongside the celebrities to see who can become the Ultimate Survivor.

See How Dallas Celebrities Spent New Years Eve

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that you had a fun-filled evening last night and are ready for an exiting New Year! I scoured the web to see how Dallas celebs spent their last night of 2014. Some had a low-key family evening, while others boozed it up in grand style. Here's a snapshot of how some of Dallas' famous faces brought in 2015.

Survivor Blood vs. Water: San Juan del Sur contestants Baylor Wilson and her Mother Missy Payne hosted a party at Cucina Neighborhood Italian in Preston Center. Baylor posted "Shine bright like a diamond". And yes, that's me toasting with Missy. You know it's a good party when you end up on the bar... That was stop one of three for me. Just a day in the life...

(photo of Baylor via Instagram)

A Look Back and What's Next for Survivor's Missy Payne & Baylor Wilson

Survivor is a reality TV show that pits city dwellers against country farmers, old against young - and in the just completed 29th season - Mothers against daughters. Dallas' Missy Payne and her daughter, Baylor Wilson, were contestants on this season of "Survivor: San Juan del Sur - Blood vs. Water". Missy grew up in Highland Park and still resides in The Bubble. She has coached the Highland Park 8th grade and freshman cheerleading squads at HP Middle School, was the Cheerleading and Dance Team Coach/ Choreographer at ESD and is currently the owner of Express Cheer, a competitive cheerleading gym. Her daughter, Baylor, attended HPISD for a time but embraced "her artsy side" at Booker T. Washington. She is currently a student at Belmont University in Nashville where she hopes to be the next country/pop music sensation (Watch out Taylor Swift).

Baylor and Missy at the Survivor Finale on
Dec. 18. Photo credit: FayesVision / WENN

If you watched this season of Survivor, you know that one of the most dramatic moments of the show occurred when Missy incurred a Level III ankle sprain in a late-season Reward Challenge. She resisted Jeff Probst's insinuations that she might want to leave the game and plowed ahead despite considerable pain (and no drugs). Her perseverance paid off, getting her to the final three where she ended up coming in third place.

Baylor did almost as well, hanging on until the final five before getting voted out. I met up with the duo at DRIP on Lovers Lane the day after Christmas (just 8 days after the finale) to see how they were adjusting to their new "normal" life after 30+ days of living in the jungles of Nicaragua.

The motto of the game in Survivor is "Outwit. Outlast. Outplay." What Survivor reminds us of is that often, it’s doesn’t matter how great your strategy is or how physically strong you are, but how well you can get along with your tribe that keeps you in the game. Social skills are crucial to your success in life. Whether you are a student in a college fraternity or an employee in an office, how you can get along in a group will determine if you end up President or just a member of the team. Learning how to interact, engage and endear yourself to others can pay off big. Pair that skill with a solid education and the world’s your oyster.

Two Dallas Women Might Actually Outwit, Outplay and Outlast To Win a Million Dollars This Wednesday On Survivor

All season long, fans of Survivor have rooted on Dallas-based contestants Missy Payne and her daughter, Baylor Wilson in The Blood vs. Water, family-themed season filmed in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. This Wednesday, you can join their family and friends at Cucina Italian Restaurant in Preston Center to watch the finale and live reunion show. Will one of our girls will a million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor?!?! It's a very real possibility! Cucina will be serving dinner during the show. You can order off the regular menu or graze the buffet.  Cucina will be donating 5% of the evenings food sales and $5 from each $50 gift card purchased that during the event to Missy's charity Cheer 4 Your Life. Click here for more details. Cucina is located at 8411 Preston Road at Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75225. Reservations can be made by calling 214-468-4674.

Josh Henderson talks about Duracell Quantum, Survivor and taking it all off

Josh Henderson plays the evil John Ross Ewing III in the hit TV series DALLAS but in real life, this cutie patootie is a Dallas-native with a heart of gold.  Henderson joined Duracell at the Trinity Audubon Center today to present a donation of more than 150,000 new Duracell Quantum batteries to the Texas A&M Forest Service and Dallas Fire Rescue at Trinity River Audubon Center.

Duracell has just launched Quantum, the world’s most advanced and long lasting alkaline battery, and is donating one million of these powerful batteries to first responders across the country who need it most for their life-saving equipment.Supporting first responders hits close to home for Henderson, whose grandfather proudly served with the Dallas Fire Rescue and lost his life in service to our community.

The PR firm hosting today's breakfast gave me 7 minutes (which I referred to as "seven minutes in heaven") all to myself with Henderson to talk about the promotion. Having already seen him chat with Tim Ryan on Fox 4's Good Day earlier that morning, I had already heard his stock answers to the obvious questions, so I decided to spend my time chatting about fun stuff.

Lisa Whelchel proves she is a Survivor

Spunky, tenacious, vulnerable, likable and real... these are all words you could use to describe Flower Mound's Lisa Whelchel.  A child star, she first hit the national spotlight as a Mouseketeer on The New Mickey Mouse Club but it was her nine-year role as the preppy and wealthy Blair Warner on The Facts of Life that catapulted her to stardom in the 1980's. When that show ended, Whelchel left Hollywood, got married and spent the next 20 years raising a family in North Texas.

A contestant on the 25th season of the hit TV show Survivor, fans were reacquainted with Whelchel and fell in love with her all over again as she took us along on her very personal journey of self-discovery. While she wasn't named the "Sole Survivor" or awarded a million dollars last night (that honor went to Denise Stapley), she was awarded Sprint's Fan Favorite award and took home $100,000. Not a bad consolation prize.

On last night's finale show, Whelchel revealed that she had recently read a book from Erwin McManus called "The Barbarian Way," which talks about making decisions from your center. She contacted the author and took him to lunch to pick his brain.  She asked, "How do I get out of my own head and learn to go with my gut?" McManus said, "Put yourself in situations where you're not in control and it'll happen." Whelchel said she thought, "Well, "Survivor" sounds like a perfect way to do that..."  The rest is history.

North Texas’ Lisa Whelchel (Blair from The Facts of Life) to Compete on Survivor: Philippines

Well, shut the front door!  

Survivor just released the names of the new cast who will appear in the show's 25th (can you believe it!!) season in the Philippines.

Among them, 1980s sitcom star Lisa Whelchel and major league baseball MVP Jeff Kent will join 13 other new players — as well as three returning ones — when Survivor: Philippines premieres on CBS with a special 90-minute episode at 8 p.m. ET on Sept. 19.

Who knew that Lisa Whelchel (aka Blair Warner from The Facts of Life) was living among us all this time? As a child of the 80's I watched Facts of Life and like millions of other gawky teenage girls, totally wished I could be the spoiled and sassy Blair Underwood and attend Eastland boarding school.



Kudos to D Magazine's Jason Heid who totally scooped me on this bit of reality TV news:

"With the announcement of the new cast of TV’s reality-game show Survivor, we learn that Lisa Whelchel, who played the prissy Blair on ’80s sitcom The Facts of Life, will be among those trying to manipulate their way to the $1 million prize in the Phillipines-set season beginning Sept. 19.

Whelchel is listed by CBS as living in Dallas, though my sister-in-law’s family used to live down the street from hers in the Lantana community up in Denton County, and the actress/author/speaker’s website lists her mailing address as a P.O. box in Flower Mound.

In the video above, you’ll get a chance to hear how the 49-year-old is a big fan of Survivor, who campaigned to make the cast, doesn’t plan to lie or cheat her way to the title. I haven’t watched this show since its first season back in 2000, but that doesn’t seem like the soundest strategy. Unless her strategy is to pretend like she’s going to employ a dumb strategy, and then maybe it’s brilliant."

Survivor: South Pacific Debuts Tonight on CBS

Stacey Powell

A mortician from Grand Prairie is among the latest group of castaways to hit the beach on the CBS reality television show “Survivor: South Pacific” debuting TONIGHT at 8 PM.

Stacey Powell will represent North Texas during the show’s latest season. The mortician from Grand Prairie said that she has no tolerance for pessimism. “I don’t like negativity. I do not like any negative vibes coming in my area,” the 44-year-old said. “If you do, gotta shut you down. Gotta go. Get out of here. Can’t be here with me.”

The 23rd season of “Survivor” takes the hit show back to the South Pacific, where 16 new players will be joined by two returning players: Benjamin "Coach" Wade and Ozzy Lusth, who was previously seen on Survivor: Cook Islands and Survivor: Micronesia.  The group will be split into two tribes – Savaii and Upolu – named for two islands in Samoa, where the series was filmed earlier this summer.

Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc.

North Texan, Stacey Powell, Joins the Cast of Survivor: South Pacific

Stacey Powell

A mortician from Grand Prairie is among the latest group of castaways to hit the beach on the CBS reality television show “Survivor: South Pacific” this fall. The new cast members were officially announced on Monday, with two more to be named later in the week.

Stacey Powell will represent North Texas during the show’s latest season. The mortician from Grand Prairie said that she has no tolerance for pessimism. “I don’t like negativity. I do not like any negative vibes coming in my area,” the 44-year-old said. “If you do, gotta shut you down. Gotta go. Get out of here. Can’t be here with me.”

The 23rd season of “Survivor” takes the hit show back to the South Pacific, where 16 new players will be joined by two unnamed returning players. The group will be split into two tribes – Savaii and Upolu – named for two islands in Samoa, where the series was filmed earlier this summer.

Cast of Survivor: South Pacific

The Redemption Island twist also returns, giving players who are voted out of the game a chance to come back, if they can defeat their fellow competitors in a duel. This new game element made its debut last season, where castaway Matt won nearly every Redemption Island challenge before returning cast member ‘Boston Rob’ Mariano ultimately won the $1 million prize.

The new season of Survivor: South Pacific will premiere on CBS this September 14.


Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc.
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4 Lessons Your Child Can Learn From Watching Reality TV

As a Mother, I am always looking for fun activities our family can do together that also provide teachable moments. A favorite activity in almost any household, regardless of age, is watching television.

I have a personal obsession with reality television shows. I have always loved biographies. I think it’s utterly fascinating to learn how a person started as an average Joe and wound up a movie star or an inventor or President. The choices they made, the hardships they endured and the adversity they overcame to achieve their dreams and become a success.

Reality shows can get a bad rap and Jersey Shore and The Bachelor may deserve the criticism. But there are many reality TV shows that can give your kids real insight into how to solve life issues, address problems and reiterate good old family values. Being the Mommy Blogger that I am... I felt i should point out some observations...

Lesson #1: Your Health is Everything

On NBC’s hit show, The Biggest Loser, 12 overweight contestants attempt to lose weight and fight for a $250,000 cash prize. Over a 12-week season, trainers show them how to lose weight and take control of their life.

They do not condone fad diets or surgery. Instead they show obese people how to achieve their goals through hard physical work in the gym and learning how to prepare and eat healthy foods. This show provides crucial information on health and nutrition that my child can carry with him for life. You can also clearly see what a lifetime of bad decisions gets you.



Lesson #2: Life is an adventure. Take risks and chances.

The Amazing Race has contestants racing in pairs around the globe on all kinds of crazy adventures. Yak races in China, cliff diving in Hawaii, selling fish in a Japanese market, and scaling castle walls in Germany.

The world is a big place full of mystery, excitement and adventure. Even if you can’t speak the same language, people are the same no matter where you go. And you’d be surprised how easy it is to communicate if you just try to understand each other. There are so many wondrous places and amazing sights on our fantastic planet. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone.

Lesson #3: It’s hard to get to the top and even harder to stay there

HBO’s Hard Knocks follows a different NFL football team each season as they go through training camp and prepare for the upcoming season. This reality show is peppered with spicy language, but if you can overlook that, you really see how dedicated these players are to their craft.

They spend hours in the gym getting their bodies in top physical condition. But beyond that, they have a playbook the size of a dictionary to memorize with their team’s secret plays and they watch hours upon hours of game tape studying their opponents. Only the smartest and best make the cut. Slack off even the slightest bit and you are out. Much like life, you have to be dedicated, resilient and relentless in your pursuit to not only achieve your position but to stay on top.

Lesson 4: Social skills are as important as book smarts

Survivor pits the smart against those who just think they are smart. City dwellers against country farmers. Old against young. The motto of the game? Outwit. Outlast. Outplay.

What Survivor allows your child to observe if that often, it’s doesn’t matter how great your strategy is or how physically strong you are, but how well you can get along with your tribe that keeps you in the game. Social skills are crucial to your success in life. Whether you are a student in a college fraternity or an employee in an office, how you can get along in a group will determine if you end up President or just a member of the team. Learning how to interact, engage and endear yourself to others can pay off big.

Pair that skill with a college education and the world’s your oyster.