Interview with Lana Neiman

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

Bryan: What are you doing and where are you living now?

Lana: I am a freelance photographer shooting urban cityscapes, lifestyle and street photography / videography.

Bryan: Throwing it back - what was the Endurance audition process like? How did you find out about the show?

Lana: I remember my sisters and I seeing the ad for auditions in the news paper. No joke, wow that makes me feel so old. But word got out around school and a group of us went in to audition at the NBC studios in downtown Chicago. I remember getting that first call back and feeling as if my dreams had come true! But on that call I was told I had to create a video about my life and why I would be the right content for the show. So I made the most ridiculous video of my sisters and I “testing out endurance” doing silly activities around my parents house. Like racing cellphones on vibrate mode and various pool ball tricks… from there I believe there was one more phone interview and that was it!

Bryan: Was being on a televised competition more difficult or different than you expected?

Lana: Physically I dont believe it was, but I never anticipated the challenge that would be personal interactions and just managing different relationships at such a young age. If only I knew then what I know now!

Bryan: Who were you closest to while on the show? Who did you keep in contact with most after the show?

Lana: I was closest with Jenna, although she was eliminated pretty quickly. I never really got close with anyone else and she is still one of my best friends!

Bryan: Do you STILL keep in contact with anyone? Lastly, is there anyone you WISH you still kept in touch with?

Lana: I am still in touch with Jenna and no one else aside from her. Honestly I feel there is a rhythm to our lives and when we sync we sync, when we don’t we don’t.

Bryan: How has Endurance affected you and/or your life? What is the most important lesson you learned from Endurance?

Lana: Being on the show at 14 years old going into my first year of high school tremendously affected my confidence. It felt like an achievement I could be proud of, and that confidence has had an everlasting impact on my life.

Bryan: If you could do Endurance again, would you? Is there anything you would change if you did it again?

Lana: If you had asked me this 10 years ago I would have said yes and given you a list of strategies, ha! But now I am quite at peace with my past on the Endurance and it is a sparkle in my past that shines bright!

Bryan: How did you feel about the way you were portrayed on the show? Was it accurate or not?

Lana: I never felt my portrayal was unaligned with who I am as a person in real life, I think it was accurate.

Bryan: Though it's been a long time since the show, are there any moments from your Endurance experience that stand out in your mind? What was your best memory or experience from the show? Do you have a worst one?

Lana: It has definitely been a long time but I do have wonderful memories of us watching the sun set over the ocean every night and we always made a wish right as it disappeared beneath the horizon. Those were beautiful moments. As far as least favorite, I don’t have one. Being on the show was a positive experience for me.

Bryan: Are there any non-invasive ways for fans of the show to contact you?

Lana: Instagram is the platform I used most frequently. As you likely know already I never pursued any type of career in the public light so I don’t get much fan mail, it is quite flattering to me. When I have the time I will always respond!

Thanks to Lana for taking the time out of her day for this interview! It was great speaking with her after so long since her Endurance experience! If you want to get in touch with her, her Instagram is @lanzabananza. Remember to be polite and understanding that she has a life outside of Endurance!

[amplify26]

Wow, it's impressive you've gotten an interview with her! I had expected to have a more muted response, or even a more hostile one, due to what she was like.
But thanks again! It' s interesting to see what she has been up to.

[kwdrewfan]

Great interview! And this makes me want to rewatch E1 too, haha

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

And just cause I asked...

Bryan: We know from the show that you're a triplet. Did your sisters audition too or was it a way for you to kind of distinguish yourself from them?

Lana: They did audition as well! And I can’t say it didn’t feel good when I was chosen for the show without them.

Bryan: Can you elaborate a little bit on your partnership/relationship with Trevor, if possible?

Lana: I went into the show with a pretty competitive attitude, I’m not so sure Trevor had the same drive for competition. This, I’d say was definitely a challenge in our partnership but I think we ultimately did the best we could to overcome conflict.

Bryan: What was post-Endurance life like? Did you get recognized for the show, like among peers? And did you keep up with seasons after yours?

Lana: At first, I did have a few encounters where I was recognized on the street or in the grocery store. As time passed it would happen less frequently. But even still today I get messages and inquiries like yours from long time fans which I think is really awesome! I watched a few seasons after ours, but eventually stopped around season 3 or 4.

[andherecomestherain]

Omg! How did you get to interview all these cast members??

[fanofe2]

Aug 8, 2018 13:18:28 GMT -5 Cruise meerkat Youssy said:

Bryan: Who were you closest to while on the show? Who did you keep in contact with most after the show?

Lana: I was closest with Jenna, although she was eliminated pretty quickly. I never really got close with anyone else and she is still one of my best friends!

Bryan: Do you STILL keep in contact with anyone? Lastly, is there anyone you WISH you still kept in touch with?

Lana: I am still in touch with Jenna and no one else aside from her. Honestly I feel there is a rhythm to our lives and when we sync we sync, when we don’t we don’t.

"Cause we're both from Chicago?"

[multiyapples]

Its cool too see each players perspective of Endurance and how they played the game as time goes by. Its hard to believe that its been 17 years since Endurance premiered.