Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Network television has two new "cool moms" from the Beehive State.
Elite ultra runners Rhandi Orme and Ashley Pauslon have been given the name of the "cool moms" as the only female team on USA Network's "Race to Survive: New Zealand." The five-episode series first aired May 20 and has nine teams racing across 100 miles of some of the most challenging terrain in New Zealand for the chance to win $500,000.
Orme, of Kaysville, is a wife and a mother to five children and a running/endurance coach who says she grew up having mountain adventures like the one in which she is now competing. She has run several 50- and 100-mile races, often finishing near the top.
Paulson is from St. George and is a wife and a mother to four. She is a professional athlete, coach and fitness trainer who found running and adventuring later in life. She has qualified and raced at the Olympic Trials Marathon, and has many ultra-marathon wins and records spanning several states.
"Ashely and I met on Instagram!" Orme said. "We're a unique breed, to be full-time mommas and endurance athletes out there competing, pushing our limits. I love Ashley's vibe. … I want to surround myself with people who are positive — who make you feel better about yourself and your potential as a human being. When we connected on Instagram, we were fast friends."
Paulson agreed, saying, "You can get a certain feeling from the type of people who you want in your circle. ... Rhandi is that type of person."
When the opportunity to be on the show came about, it was a "no-brainer" because it combined all of their passions while presenting new challenges.
"I have not had much experience in the outdoor stuff, but I always wanted to," Paulson said. "I always wanted to go out on wild adventures and this checked all the boxes. Learning how to do rope courses and rafting — these are things I wanted to dabble in. (Being on the show) excited me and also scared me, and that's what I got excited about because when something makes me nervous, that means it's going to challenge and change me."
We're a unique breed, to be full-time mommas and endurance athletes out there competing pushing our limits.
–Rhandi Orme
The reality-TV race has competitors "navigate 100 miles of New Zealand's harshest terrain. From the depths of ancient caves to frigid alpine summits," according to the network. Additionally, teams must earn and find food along the way in "caches" placed along the course.
Hard things are short-lived
One of the hardest parts of the experience, the two said, was competing without a lot of calories — this particular challenge really brought out the "moms" in them.
"One of the tricky parts was the lack of calories because we missed some of our food caches," Orme explained. "I think the lack of calories and, strategically, not knowing how long we needed to stretch it made it such a challenge because the other issue was we needed to have enough energy to race well."
In the third and most recent episode, the two are seen dividing almonds between them, each wanting to give the other the bigger piece. Orme said that particular moment showed their motherly instincts, as they wanted to ensure the other was taken care of. Thinking about it brought tears to her eyes.
"I think, as moms, we didn't have our children to serve (like we normally do), so all that energy went into serving each other," Orme explained. "It was a beautiful thing to watch Ashley saying, 'You get the bigger half,' because we truly meant it. It kind of gave purpose to the suffering because I was looking out for Ashley and Ashley was looking out for me."
Paulson said taking care of each other was something that got them through the tough times, but leaning on difficult experiences they've had as mothers helped keep things in perspective.
"We've both gone without certain things that we love and know that there are better rewards waiting for us," Pauslon said. "It made it easier to handle the hard times because we knew this was short-lived. We've had the endless nights of babies waking us up. We know it's short-lived — it's going to pass. We can get through it.
"We both have really positive attitudes. I don't think I saw Rhandi get angry. Even though we were both suffering, we were just grateful to be there to stretch ourselves and see what we can do."
Inspiring others
Orme and Paulson said they have gotten a lot of positive feedback saying they are an inspiration to women, as well as great examples of staying positive when things get tough.
"I got a message from my cousin, thanking us for teaching his daughters that they can go do hard things, and that really meant a lot," Orme said.
"People seeing us not bicker with the other teams, but cheering them on has been one I've heard several times," Paulson added. "I've had people wonder why we were cheering on the teams, but that's what we do.
"I want them to have their best race; I just want to have a slightly better race than them. … I'm always going to cheer for someone even if they're out there wanting that same goal that I want. I want an amazing day for them, too."
The episode for that "amazing day" where one team will take home the $500,000 grand prize, is yet to be seen. The fourth episode airs tonight. But, grand prize or not, both agreed they are grateful for the experience and the support they had from family and friends.
"I would do this 10 times over again — I could not be more grateful for the opportunity," Orme said. "I don't take lightly the support we had from our spouses, children and circles. Ashley will forever be a part of my special circle because of what we shared in New Zealand."
"I had all the support and love from my family," Paulson said. "Even though I missed them like crazy, this was the adventure of a lifetime with an amazing girl that I will just always love, and she will always be my 'wilderness wife.' I'm forever grateful for this opportunity.
There are still seven teams in the race, including two other teams from Utah in the running. Episode four airs on USA Network Monday at 11 p.m.
