Today I'm talking with 2x Challenge Champ and OG Legend of the game, Dan Setzler! We cover it all, going over all the biggest moments from each of his three seasons (Challenge 2000, Battle of the Seasons, Battle of the Sexes 2), his life inside and outside of the show, thoughts on all the Challenge legends he crossed paths with, his current work in music, and so much more. It was an absolute pleasure to speak with Dan, make sure to give him a follow on all social platforms!
Dan's https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Q2g8wdGYCKu7R2b1TceZQ (YouTube Page), https://www.instagram.com/dannysetz/ (Instagram), and https://www.tiktok.com/@dannysetz (TikTok)
Timestamps:
03:38 Welcoming Dan to the podcast
04:28 How Dan ended up on Road Rules and what that experience was like
12:33 The Challenge 2000 was rockstar and why live audiences was awesome
18:25 Why Teck is an amazing guy and a true one of one
20:21 Theo, Timmy and Teck all have IT
21:53 The Redneck Games daily challenge and grading Dan's Mud Pit Belly Flop
28:33 Celeb cameos and hanging out with the Tampa Bay Bucs
31:00 Real World convinces the Road Rules team to do a fake challenge
34:53 Dealing with inter-team drama and bringing Los back from the hotel
41:14 Dan explains just how sketchy that Challenge 2000 final skydiving mission actually was
50:14 That time he nearly got super hurt wrestling a WWF star on Road Rules
52:18 Expectations coming into Battle of the Seasons and those first three nights in Cabo
53:48 Hurricane Juliet's impact on the season and that infamous toga party
59:26 Playing the political game for the first time and having to vote people out
01:02:02 The Hands on Saturn Daily Challenge win and why Dan was doing pratfalls all season
01:06:45 Memories from the Newlywed Game daily challenge, Mark Long being the best, and the birth of trivia on The Challenge
01:10:07 The plan to split the money and did Dan actually get paid by Sean after losing
01:13:33 Did production play favorites and maybe help a specific team win
01:15:23 Can Dan solve the Tower of Hanoi puzzle today
01:17:01 Were there expectations of a new Challenge game going into Battle of the Sexes 2
01:19:56 The men's team comradery was legendary and how fun it was to be a part of
01:24:22 The alliance with Theo/Mark/Eric, a perfect thrown challenge, and Mark's sacrifice
01:30:24 Getting kidnapped mid-final dinner and the first ever overnight final challenge
01:34:13 Fighting, fucking, or not getting called back. How Dan never received a call to do another show
01:37:07 The difficulties of who should be cast and how to walk that moral line within reality tv
01:43:40 What Dan learned about himself from his time on reality tv
01:47:51 One word and story to describe the different legends Dan crossed paths with, including: Veronica, Coral, The Miz, Mark, Timmy and Theo Von
01:55:57 Going to the grocery store with Timmy Beggy
01:59:18 Music coming into Dan's life and becoming his passion
02:03:46 The music he is making today and how he gained the confidence to do impromptu street performances
02:09:40 Where Dan draws his musical inspiration from and what he is listening to when he isn't making his own music
02:12:38 Has he been called for All Stars and would he do it in the future
02:14:08 What would his preparation be if he did get that call for All Stars 4
02:16:54 The sport-ification of the show and how fierce the recent All Stars men's casts have been physically
02:21:30 Where to follow Danny and saying our goodbyes
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