"Extremely lethargic"- Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test star Trista Sutter opens up about her exit from the show

Trista Sutter’s departure from Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test during the January 15 episode appeared sudden to viewers, but the reality TV personality revealed there were significant reasons behind her decision.

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly dated January 15, Sutter shared that she faced severe physical challenges on set, including hypothermic shock after the first day of filming.

“When I got back from the beach on the first day, I was in hypothermic shock. My lips were turning blue in the vehicle on the way back. It was bad. I was extremely lethargic,” she explained.

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Trista Sutter explains why she left Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test early

The initial struggles

Sutter’s time on Special Forces began with a harrowing experience after the first day of physical challenges. She recalled feeling unwell and struggling with her body’s response to the intense conditions. The experience highlighted the harsh realities the contestants face on the show, as the grueling tasks and conditions test their limits.

Although viewers saw Sutter’s exit on television, the full context of her decision was not entirely captured on screen. In her interview, she explained that the moment she realized it was time to leave came after a challenging segment that did not air.

"I wanted to get to the end. I truly did... I wanted to challenge myself as much as I could... I thought that it would be farther along, but because of what happened to me, they pulled me in and I got to really connect on a human level with Billy [Billingham] and Q [Jovon Quarles].”

The Special Forces star's desire to push through the experience and complete the competition was strong, but the physical toll ultimately led to her decision.

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The mirror room and key connections

In the same interview, Sutter spoke about a particular moment that involved a "mirror room," which was significant to her decision-making process. Although this part of the show was not aired, Sutter shared that it was an important turning point.

She felt a deep sense of connection with some of the soldiers, such as Billy Billingham and Jovon Quarles, who supported her through the experience. Additionally, the Special Forces star remembered a moment with soldier Rudy Reyes, who encouraged her after she voiced concerns about fainting.

“I’m really proud of you... You kept going and that’s so important and I am so proud of you.” she recalled Reyes telling her.

While Sutter was ultimately pulled from the competition, she mentioned that the support and validation from the Special Forces soldiers played a crucial role in her journey. She appreciated their recognition of her effort, even though she was not at the same level as some of the more physically fit contestants.

“They saw that I was giving a hundred percent — even though my hundred percent was not as great as the professional athletes... I was trying my best,” she said.

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The decision to leave

Despite the emotional and physical challenges, Sutter’s exit was not a decision she made lightly. After struggling with the cold temperatures and exhaustion, she took a moment to reflect and recharge.

“Before we started filming [again], I saw the number 444 and I believe in angel numbers and guardian angels and God... I went into it knowing or believing that my guardian angels were kind of watching over me,” the Special Forces star explained.

This moment of reflection gave her peace and clarity, helping her accept that she had achieved what she could in the short time she spent on the show. Sutter also shared that she had been warned by the staff about the increasing difficulty of the challenges as the show progressed.

The Special Forces star had already found the experience demanding, especially the physical tasks, like running with heavy packs. She further mentioned that she did not want to be a burden to her teammates, emphasizing that she did not want to rely on others for assistance. She said,

“I wanted to challenge myself but [not] burden other people to help me.”

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Don’t miss the intense challenges and unforgettable moments on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. Tune in every Wednesday at 8 pm ET on Fox.