The Only Two: Inside The Grueling Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 3 Finale And The Shocking Winners
The third installment of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test has already concluded, delivering a season packed with shocking quits, brutal injuries, and a dramatic finale that saw only two recruits successfully pass the most grueling celebrity Selection course in television history. The series, which premiered on January 8, 2025, and wrapped up its intense run on February 5, 2025, pushed 16 celebrity recruits to their absolute breaking point under the watchful, unforgiving eyes of the Directing Staff (DS). This season relocated the training to a new, unforgiving environment, making the challenges even more intense and the ultimate success of the two passing recruits a testament to their incredible physical and mental fortitude. The journey from civilian celebrity to a Special Forces recruit is a psychological and physical gauntlet, and Season 3 proved to be the most demanding yet.
As the show has aired and the results are final, the discussion has shifted from speculation to analysis: who had the mental toughness to endure the Welsh mountains, who cracked under the pressure of interrogation, and which two celebrities earned the respect of the elite DS team by completing the entire Selection process? The answer lies in the journey of two unexpected contenders who demonstrated the rare qualities required to survive the world’s toughest military training.
The Complete Roster: All 16 Celebrity Recruits of Special Forces Season 3
The third season introduced a diverse and high-profile group of 16 celebrities, ranging from Super Bowl champions to Olympic gold medalists, all looking to test their limits. The following recruits were put through the grinder of military-grade training, with each profile representing a unique battle against their own celebrity status and physical limitations:
- Denise Richards (Actress/Model): Known for her roles in films like Wild Things and her reality TV presence.
- Stephen Baldwin (Actor): Member of the famous Baldwin acting family.
- Brody Jenner (TV Personality): Star of The Hills and a key figure in the Kardashian-Jenner family.
- Cam Newton (NFL Quarterback): Former NFL MVP and Super Bowl contender.
- Kyla Pratt (Actress): Known for her roles in Dr. Dolittle and The Proud Family.
- Christy Carlson Romano (Actress): Star of Disney Channel’s Even Stevens and Kim Possible.
- Carey Hart (Motocross Legend): Professional freestyle motocross competitor and husband of Pink.
- Nathan Adrian (Olympic Swimmer): Five-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming.
- Alana Blanchard (Pro Surfer): Professional surfer and model.
- Landon Donovan (Soccer Star): Legendary American professional soccer player.
- Trista Sutter (Reality TV Star): The original star of The Bachelorette.
- Ali Manno (Reality TV Star): Former contestant on The Bachelor and reality TV personality.
- Golden Tate (NFL Wide Receiver): Former NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver.
- Kayla Nicole (Model/Influencer): Sports reporter and social media personality.
- JoJo Siwa (Dancer/Pop Star): Dancer, singer, and highly popular YouTube personality.
- Nick Viall (Reality TV Star): Known for his multiple appearances on The Bachelor franchise.
The star power of this lineup ensured high drama, especially as athletes like Cam Newton and Landon Donovan were tested in ways their professional careers never prepared them for. Their initial eliminations proved that elite physical fitness is secondary to the psychological resolve required for Special Forces Selection.
The New Battleground: Wales and the DS Staff
For Season 3, the production moved from the deserts of Jordan and the mountains of New Zealand (Season 2) to the rugged, unforgiving terrain of Wales, UK. This location is significant as it is the actual home of the British Special Forces Selection, lending an unparalleled level of authenticity and difficulty to the course. The harsh, wet, and mountainous environment of Wales presented a completely different set of challenges, including extreme cold, relentless rain, and steep climbs, pushing the recruits’ endurance beyond anything seen in previous seasons.
Overseeing the brutal training was the elite team of Directing Staff (DS), all decorated former Special Forces operatives, who maintained their notorious high standards and zero-tolerance policy:
- Rudy Reyes (Chief DS): Former US Recon Marine.
- Mark “Billy” Billingham: Former SAS Operator.
- Jason “Foxy” Fox: Former SAS Operator.
- Remi Adeleke: Former US Navy SEAL.
The DS staff’s objective was not to train the celebrities, but to observe them and break them down to see who possessed the inherent mental fortitude to survive. Their relentless pressure, especially during the notorious *interrogation* and *extraction* challenges, was the true test of character.
The Ultimate Test: Who Passed Special Forces Season 3 Selection?
Of the 16 celebrities who started the course, the vast majority either withdrew (VW), were medically withdrawn (MW), or were "culled" (eliminated) by the DS. High-profile eliminations included Cam Newton, who was culled early on, and Golden Tate, who was eliminated late in the process, showing that even professional athletes can fail to meet the psychological demands.
The final phase of the course—the Interrogation and Resistance to Interrogation—is the ultimate psychological gauntlet. After days of extreme physical exertion, sleep deprivation, and relentless mental stress, only a handful of recruits made it to the final stage. The season finale, which aired in early February 2025, revealed the two individuals who successfully passed the entire Special Forces Selection course.
The Two Recruits Who Passed Selection:
In a stunning display of grit, determination, and mental toughness, only two recruits were deemed worthy of passing the Selection process by the DS staff:
- Brody Jenner (Recruit #12)
- Kayla Nicole (Recruit #16)
Brody Jenner, who had initially been an underdog, emerged as a dark horse, demonstrating a quiet resilience and a capacity to endure pain and pressure far beyond his reality TV persona. His success was a major talking point, proving that mental strength often trumps physical size in the Special Forces environment.
Kayla Nicole’s success was equally impressive. As one of the youngest and least expected to survive, she displayed incredible emotional control and physical endurance, particularly during the torturous *resistance to interrogation* phase. Her ability to maintain her composure and follow instructions under extreme duress ultimately secured her position as one of the two successful recruits of Season 3.
Topical Authority and Key Takeaways from the Season
Season 3 solidified the show’s reputation for authenticity and brutality. The move to Wales and the focus on the psychological aspects of the course—including the *Isolation* and *Interrogation* phases—provided a deeper look into the realities of Special Forces training. Key takeaways and LSI keywords that define the season include:
- Mental Fortitude Over Physicality: The early exits of elite athletes like Cam Newton highlighted the fact that the Selection process is primarily a test of the mind, not just the body.
- The DS Staff’s Unyielding Standard: Rudy Reyes and his team maintained that passing Selection is not about "winning" a reality show, but about meeting an uncompromising military standard, which is why only two recruits were allowed to pass.
- The Wales Factor: The harsh, cold, and wet climate of the Welsh mountains acted as an extra layer of psychological torture, a stark contrast to the previous season’s desert heat.
- The Power of Underdogs: Brody Jenner and Kayla Nicole, neither of whom were the most physically imposing, proved that quiet determination and a willingness to be completely vulnerable to the *Directing Staff* are the true keys to survival.
With only two recruits passing Selection, Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 3 has set a new benchmark for celebrity reality competition, proving that the test is truly the world’s toughest. The season is a masterclass in the human spirit, showcasing how even the most privileged individuals can be stripped bare and rebuilt under the most extreme conditions.
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