Her passion to perform is just one reason why Mooresville’s Jessica Smith-McLeod traveled to Los Angeles to compete in the national spotlight.
Smith-McLeod headed west last summer to compete in “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge.” The episode featuring her will air at 8 p.m. Feb. 14 on CMT.
“Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge” is a competitive reality show hosted by former professional wrestler Steve Austin. The show features eight athletes each week from across the U.S. pushing the limits of their endurance, stamina and strength.
“Contestants go head-to-head until the last man or woman standing earns the right to take on the toughest obstacle course in America, the Skullbuster, for a chance to win $10,000 in cold, hard cash,” according to a CMT press release.
Smith-McLeod, co-owner of BJ McLeod Motorsports in Mooresville, has been in love with athletics since her youth. She began her bodybuilding career in 2006, and recently qualified for the second time to compete in the NPC Junior U.S.A. Bodybuilding Championship, which will be held in May in Charleston, South Carolina.
“I love pushing my body to the limits and seeing how far I can go, and that’s what I love about bodybuilding” she said. “I’ve always been competitive and always loved the ‘Broken Skull Challenge,’ so one day I decided to apply.”
That was October 2014. After hearing no news from the show’s producers for six months, Smith-McLeod thought she had been turned down.
“But I received a call one day and they wanted me to come out to shoot the show,” she said.
Husband BJ McLeod, who races in NASCAR’S Xfinity series, said he was ecstatic when he heard the news.
“I’m so proud of my wife,” McLeod said. “She trains extremely hard, and I commend her on her endless dedication to what she does.”
In June 2015, Smith-McLeod and several other female athletes traveled to southern California to film the episode over the course of three days.
Shooting was intense, and competitors had to be ready to go and prepared at all times, according to Smith-McLeod.
“It wears you down mentally,” she said. “Most of the competition took place in the middle of the day, coupled with high elevations … it really pushed you out of your comfort zone.”
Though shooting for the show has ended, Smith-McLeod looks forward to the next opportunity to push her boundaries.
“If something that comes up that pushes me both physically and mentally, I would definitely like to do it again,” she said.
“Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge” is one of CMT’s highest-rated series, reaching more than 4 million weekly viewers in season two, according to the show’s website.
WHEN TO WATCH
“Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge” airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on CMT. The episode featuring Jessica Smith-McLeod will air Feb. 14.
Courtesy of: Statesville Record & Landmark