Interview with Michelle Durand
Jul 17, 2019 19:19:50 GMT -5
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Post by Cruise meerkat Youssy on Jul 17, 2019 19:19:50 GMT -5
Bryan: What are you doing and where are you living now?
Michelle: I’m currently a currently working as a claims adjuster for a great auto insurance company. I resolve injury claims that are not attorney represented and I work with body shops and write estimates. It sounds simple but it’s a very hard role. Oh and I now live in sunny Florida... I’m very over the cold.
Bryan: Throwing it back - what was the Endurance audition process like? How did you find out about the show?
Michelle: The audition process was pretty simple...well for me anyway. I bought a blank VHS tape (I hope people still know what they’re used for) and asked the AV teacher if I could use their equipment to make my audition video. I just sat on a desk and talked about my likes and interests for a few minutes and mailed in the tape. I found out about the show from watching the first season. On the final episode they said they were casting, so I figured I’d take a shot.
Bryan: Was being on a televised competition more difficult or different than you expected?
Michelle: Actually it really wasn’t. It’s a small camera crew with big cameras and microphones. We got used to it pretty quickly and became easy. It’s just like having your parents video tape you hanging out or playing sports. The hugeness of it being in national television was pretty far back in my head.
It was different than I expected because everyone made a pact to keep things amongst ourselves and keep secrets. Well after watching the season I realized I was the only one that kept with the pact. There was so much more I wish I could’ve shared.
Bryan: Who were you closest to while on the show? Who did you keep in contact with most after the show?
Michelle: It's weird but I instantly bonded with Maryelle but unfortunately she was eliminated very early on in the show. During the show I was equally friends with everyone. But that also meant that I wasn’t their #1 and they won’t vote on for me before their closer friends. On top of everything, I had a partner that wanted to go from the beginning. So there were times that were very lonely for me. On the show Mike, Annie, and I were fairly close.
After the show, we all kept in touch. We’d meet for thanksgiving. Go to NYC. Or spend a long weekend at Mike’s house. I chat with a few people every now on Facebook. Some of the cast members have gone on to do very amazing things and I’ve been super proud of their hard work.
Bryan: Do you STILL keep in contact with anyone? Lastly, is there anyone you WISH you still kept in touch with?
Michelle: Well, there isn’t anyone I couldn’t message on Facebook to say hi and they wouldn’t reply back. So we all have the autonomy to reach out to one another. The people I wish I could stay in touch more would be Mike, Annie, Shep, Glen, Keetin, Maryelle and Jenna.
Bryan: How has Endurance affected you and/or your life? What is the most important lesson you learned from Endurance?
Michelle: Being on Endurance was actually a dream come true given that I’ve grown up in a small city. It helped me with confidence and also taught me you should always try or go out in a limb to do something you love, even if you think you don’t have a shot.
Bryan: If you could do Endurance again, would you? Is there anything you would change if you did it again?
Michelle: If I could do Endurance again I TOTALLY WOULD!!! And I had a second shot I wouldn’t be afraid to be completely myself and say more of what’s really on my mind.
Bryan: How did you feel about the way you were portrayed on the show? Was it accurate or not?
Michelle: I don’t remember how I was portrayed on the show but I remember it being spot on. I was still myself, just a bit more shy and reserved than what I’ve grown up to be. So the show was fairly accurate when it came to me.
Bryan: Were you a fan of the show prior to auditioning? Did you watch any of the seasons after yours?
Michelle: I was definitely a big fan of the show. I watched the season after mine and I couldn’t bare to what more when I thought they would give someone a chance to return.
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?
Michelle: Absolutely, I remember the first time our team was given a samadhi to crash. I was so angry, I wailed it. Afterwards they told us..cough cough me, not to throw it so hard for safety reasons. Haha
The whole experience was amazing. It was like summer camp without tv and parents (our guardians were located off site but close). We got to sleep on the beach and under the stars listening to the waves crash. The place had roosters so they were always loud at the crack of dawn. I learned so many cool games and I learned that you’re never too young to be cool. And you’re never to young to start finding yourself, who you are, and where you want to be. I was around some very smart and very ambitious individuals and I learned something from every one of them.
Worst pet was the heat (Mexico in July) and no a/c..
Bryan: What was your relationship like with your partner Tyler?
Michelle: We pretty much kept our distance when we weren’t doing a challenge. The only time we really talked was before we had to do something as a team. Once it was game time we actually did try to win. Eventually we learned how to communicate a little quicker.
The one thing I really do like Tyler for was when we were in the elimination rounds he let me choose the element every time. That last one I kept second guessing myself and we lost.
Bryan: Are there any non-invasive ways for fans of the show to contact you?
Michelle: Feel free to contact me in Facebook. Unfortunately I’m not an avid visitor because I honestly don’t like social media to run my life (that’s ridiculous) but I’m honored and flattered if anyone wanted to reach out like you have.
Thanks to Michelle for taking the time out of her day for this interview! Speaking with a fan favorite such as her is always an awesome experience and we're very grateful for her sharing these answers with us. If you want to get in touch with her, her Facebook is Michelle Brooklyn. Remember to be polite and understanding that she has a life outside of Endurance!
Michelle: I’m currently a currently working as a claims adjuster for a great auto insurance company. I resolve injury claims that are not attorney represented and I work with body shops and write estimates. It sounds simple but it’s a very hard role. Oh and I now live in sunny Florida... I’m very over the cold.
Bryan: Throwing it back - what was the Endurance audition process like? How did you find out about the show?
Michelle: The audition process was pretty simple...well for me anyway. I bought a blank VHS tape (I hope people still know what they’re used for) and asked the AV teacher if I could use their equipment to make my audition video. I just sat on a desk and talked about my likes and interests for a few minutes and mailed in the tape. I found out about the show from watching the first season. On the final episode they said they were casting, so I figured I’d take a shot.
Bryan: Was being on a televised competition more difficult or different than you expected?
Michelle: Actually it really wasn’t. It’s a small camera crew with big cameras and microphones. We got used to it pretty quickly and became easy. It’s just like having your parents video tape you hanging out or playing sports. The hugeness of it being in national television was pretty far back in my head.
It was different than I expected because everyone made a pact to keep things amongst ourselves and keep secrets. Well after watching the season I realized I was the only one that kept with the pact. There was so much more I wish I could’ve shared.
Bryan: Who were you closest to while on the show? Who did you keep in contact with most after the show?
Michelle: It's weird but I instantly bonded with Maryelle but unfortunately she was eliminated very early on in the show. During the show I was equally friends with everyone. But that also meant that I wasn’t their #1 and they won’t vote on for me before their closer friends. On top of everything, I had a partner that wanted to go from the beginning. So there were times that were very lonely for me. On the show Mike, Annie, and I were fairly close.
After the show, we all kept in touch. We’d meet for thanksgiving. Go to NYC. Or spend a long weekend at Mike’s house. I chat with a few people every now on Facebook. Some of the cast members have gone on to do very amazing things and I’ve been super proud of their hard work.
Bryan: Do you STILL keep in contact with anyone? Lastly, is there anyone you WISH you still kept in touch with?
Michelle: Well, there isn’t anyone I couldn’t message on Facebook to say hi and they wouldn’t reply back. So we all have the autonomy to reach out to one another. The people I wish I could stay in touch more would be Mike, Annie, Shep, Glen, Keetin, Maryelle and Jenna.
Bryan: How has Endurance affected you and/or your life? What is the most important lesson you learned from Endurance?
Michelle: Being on Endurance was actually a dream come true given that I’ve grown up in a small city. It helped me with confidence and also taught me you should always try or go out in a limb to do something you love, even if you think you don’t have a shot.
Bryan: If you could do Endurance again, would you? Is there anything you would change if you did it again?
Michelle: If I could do Endurance again I TOTALLY WOULD!!! And I had a second shot I wouldn’t be afraid to be completely myself and say more of what’s really on my mind.
Bryan: How did you feel about the way you were portrayed on the show? Was it accurate or not?
Michelle: I don’t remember how I was portrayed on the show but I remember it being spot on. I was still myself, just a bit more shy and reserved than what I’ve grown up to be. So the show was fairly accurate when it came to me.
Bryan: Were you a fan of the show prior to auditioning? Did you watch any of the seasons after yours?
Michelle: I was definitely a big fan of the show. I watched the season after mine and I couldn’t bare to what more when I thought they would give someone a chance to return.
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?
Michelle: Absolutely, I remember the first time our team was given a samadhi to crash. I was so angry, I wailed it. Afterwards they told us..cough cough me, not to throw it so hard for safety reasons. Haha
The whole experience was amazing. It was like summer camp without tv and parents (our guardians were located off site but close). We got to sleep on the beach and under the stars listening to the waves crash. The place had roosters so they were always loud at the crack of dawn. I learned so many cool games and I learned that you’re never too young to be cool. And you’re never to young to start finding yourself, who you are, and where you want to be. I was around some very smart and very ambitious individuals and I learned something from every one of them.
Worst pet was the heat (Mexico in July) and no a/c..
Bryan: What was your relationship like with your partner Tyler?
Michelle: We pretty much kept our distance when we weren’t doing a challenge. The only time we really talked was before we had to do something as a team. Once it was game time we actually did try to win. Eventually we learned how to communicate a little quicker.
The one thing I really do like Tyler for was when we were in the elimination rounds he let me choose the element every time. That last one I kept second guessing myself and we lost.
Bryan: Are there any non-invasive ways for fans of the show to contact you?
Michelle: Feel free to contact me in Facebook. Unfortunately I’m not an avid visitor because I honestly don’t like social media to run my life (that’s ridiculous) but I’m honored and flattered if anyone wanted to reach out like you have.
Thanks to Michelle for taking the time out of her day for this interview! Speaking with a fan favorite such as her is always an awesome experience and we're very grateful for her sharing these answers with us. If you want to get in touch with her, her Facebook is Michelle Brooklyn. Remember to be polite and understanding that she has a life outside of Endurance!
