In a first for The Amazing Race Australia, when Brendan Fevola‘s team partner and daughter Leni fell ill, Fev was allowed to complete solo. But, as he told his Fox FM on air colleagues Fifi Box and Nick Cody, the experience nearly broke him.
Fevola described the emotional toll of carrying on alone in gruelling conditions, including a water challenge that forced him to confront one of his biggest fears: jumping into the ocean. Despite pushing through and finishing second in the leg, Fevola made the heartbreaking decision to withdraw from the competition to prioritise Leni’s health.
Fev: “We left Uzbekistan and got to Sri Lanka; the edit shows us walking out of the airport, but we got there the day before, and Leni got really sick. She was in bed, really crook, and we had to start the race the next day. I was like, ‘I don’t know if we’re going to be able to race, ‘ and the doctor came to see her. The little munchkin was really crook, and the doctor said that [Leni] wasn’t able to race.”
Fifi: “Does that ever happen?”
Fev: “I think [Grant] Denyer got really crook. I said to the producers, ‘Well, we’re here, can I just do it by myself?’ It would be hard because you’ve got to do everything double. They came back and said, ‘This hasn’t happened in the world before, we’ve had to ring some people, but you can do it by yourself.’ So, I did it solo. It was already hard, but I didn’t realise how hard it would be to complete the task in 40-degree heat, and the humidity was at 100.
I had to also juggle one of my biggest fears in life: to jump in the ocean. I had to jump from a boat, swim, and dive under, and I didn’t want to do it. I thought, ‘this is my chance to quit’, but [we were playing for] a great charity (Small Steps 4 Hannah). I don’t want to look like I can’t jump in the ocean, because I’m scared of sharks. Anyway, I jumped in and did really well. I completed the [task], finishing in second. But from the last challenge to finding [host] Beau took about 30 minutes, and if it took five minutes, I would have been okay. I was dehydrated; I was delirious. I thought, ‘I’ve got to take my kid home, I’m leaving the race.'”
Fifi: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you cry… is that a first?”
Fev: “My whole family said the same thing. I didn’t cry at the birth of the babies, but I was just at the point where just the whole experience… I was cooked. I don’t think I’ve ever been so exhausted. That sun was so hot, and I was there for two hours, sitting in the heat. It’s hard when you’re in that situation and competing, but my charity – Small Steps for Hannah – and I started thinking about what they would have gone through, and I was like, ‘I’m just on a beach in Sri Lanka, I’ve got to push through.’ We flew home that night, and Leni was really sick on the plane and was in bed for a week and a half. So, I made the right decision, but I’m really sad to leave the show. It was a great experience.”
Fev also reunited with Luke and Sassy Scott on air and addressed the The Amazing Race Australia homophobic incidents that involved them and led to another contestant’s removal from the show:
Fev: “I witnessed what one particular contestant did to you boys, and he said it to me and said it to you previously. I just want to say to you boys that I’m sorry for what happened to you. I wasn’t privy to it [early], and you guys were getting homophobic slurs thrown your way… it’s just not on. I confronted the person, and then whatever happened, happened after that… but I went back to my room, and I was rattled. I don’t get rattled; it’s very hard [to rattle me].
I was shaking, and Leni was like, ‘What’s wrong, Dad?’ I said, ‘This is what’s happening; we’re leaving the show tomorrow if that person is still on the show, we’re done.’ So, we said the same thing to the producers. But then I spoke to you guys and went to your room. You’re not allowed to go to anyone else’s room. I went to their room to check on them because I was shaken, and for you guys to experience what you did… I was worried about you. There were like 400 people in there: production, producers, security. I think these were the words you said: “This is what happens to me every day.” For you to have to go through that is crap.
I apologise that you had to go through that. I’m glad that I met you guys and have become really good mates with you, because you boys are beautiful. You did nothing wrong. You go on [the show] to have fun, you don’t expect to go on there and be berated. It wasn’t fun. It made the experience for those couple of days really tough.”
Luke: “I think the biggest thing to say here is that we have to thank you so much. Without you, we have no idea where that could have gone. There were multiple incidents, over six times, and it kept happening. You did what so many people just don’t do today, which is stand up for what they know is right. Luke and I are very, very grateful for you being there because there weren’t many people around. You saved the day. You are a huge important person in our life now because you showed up when so many people chose to turn a blind eye. We’re very grateful for you.”
You can listen to Fifi, Fev & Nick on Melbourne’s 101.9 The Fox from 6-9am weekdays and also on LiSTNR.