American Grit

Season 1 of American Grit places sixteen everyday Americans into rugged terrain where mental toughness, physical strength and teamwork are pushed to the limit. Hosted by John Cena, the competition is guided by four elite military veterans, the “Cadre”, each leading a team of four. 

The structure begins with four teams facing a series of intense “Evolution” challenges, combining large-scale obstacle courses, survival tasks and strategic decision-making. The winning team in each round is safe. The other teams must send one member into an elimination round known as “The Circus,” a brutal endurance test where contestants drop out one by one when they cannot continue. 

Filmed in the forests near Mount Rainier, Washington, the environment itself becomes an adversary: cold water, muddy terrain, high obstacles and extreme fatigue shape many of the trials. Dare-to-compare tasks include swimming under ice-cold lakes, climbing narrow stilts, carrying heavy logs while solving puzzles, and navigating blindfolded with compasses. 

Beyond the physical, the show emphasizes grit, resilience and how ordinary people respond under extraordinary pressure. Teams must work together but also make tough choices about who competes in elimination, raising tension around loyalty, leadership and strategy. In the grand finale, the remaining team members face a final extended endurance challenge: the last team standing wins the US$250,000 prize. 

Season 1 of American Grit delivers both the thrill of physical challenge and a portrait of character under strain. It’s set apart by its militaristic tone, elite veterans as mentors and the harsh, immersive environment. Viewers see how doing more than just having strength counts, mindset, and teamwork become the true measuring sticks of success.