Part of the fun of doing this blog (and thanks for CTV for making this happen) is that Gord and Wayne get to talk to teams after they are eliminated. Brian and Cynthia pushed a lot of buttons for fans but we enjoyed their presence on the race. They had a focused attitude but at the same time, they also had a sense of humour that some people didn't get. They also connected with many of the fans on social media, knew who the bloggers were. A sign of that was Brian wondering if we were drinking beer as we interviewed them. Obviously, not everyone can win the race but as with the other more recent eliminations, I believe the race will be that much less without Brian and Cynthia. Please note, we have edited this interview for space and there will be typos.
G & W - Did you think the other teams took you for granted when they saw you were older than most of them?
Cynthia - You know what, we don't feel old, going into it we never even thought of it and then one of the teams early on, they didn't know our names yet so they said something like "that old married couple." And we were in the same room. I was like "Old?" and then told Brian, "Yep, let's just run with that. We'll be the old, fragile married couple." We just embraced it and had fun with it.
G & W - You embraced the old married couple but you didn't embrace being police officers, why did you keep that from the other teams?
Cynthia - Well, yeah, we're still talking about it so it makes for good, entertaining TV, right? But that's a little bit of it, but first and foremost, we're proud to be police officers. But with that comes experienced police officers and we know that as soon as people know, including family members, everyone wants to make reference to us as 'The Cops.' And the other Cop team, everybody made reference to that and we wanted to run this race as Brian and Cynthia first and foremost. Second, strategy, absolutely. It's not a super social game but we were able to obtain information on the other teams more so in the background that I guarantee you they would not have told police officers. And three, reality TV and everybody wants a side storyline and here we are still talking about it so it's entertaining and we provided a little extra entertainment...maybe.
G & W - Can you tell us some of that information from the other teams?
Cynthia - We have some rules, anything that's not shown on TV so we can't discuss that.
G & W - So what happens in the race stays in the race?
Cynthia - There you go. Except for what is shown on TV.
G & W - Based on what you're talking about, it seems you guys came in thinking strategically about the race.
Cynthia - We're always thinkers.
Brian - Maybe we're over strategic. We're very passionate about what we do, we're very mission focused and we were there to win it. So we were always thinking strategy, how to further ourselves into the game.
G & W - Mission was mentioned a lot in the episode...
Cynthia (Laughs) - We're very mission orientated and driven, focused, intense, there are a lot of words used to describe us. But we still like to have fun.
G & W - What was the mission: to win? Or would you be happy with Top Three?
Cynthia - Number 1.
Brian - Every leg we were going for Number 1. Although we were proud to be Number 3 or 4 or second, you're always happy to have made it. But we weren't upset if we were Number 2 but you shoot for the top and you'd be happy with what you get.
G & W - You guys are driven, you want to win, but you were eliminated, and it did happen a couple of months ago, but how are you feeling now?
Cynthia - You can't dwell on it. It was still overall a very positive experience, it was an adventure of a lifetime and nobody can take that away from us. Sometimes there is more in life than winning or coming in first, you can take away from what you want out of it and we're very proud of ourselves. We represented our province and we were the good old prairie dogs.
G & W - So what happened in India for the mission to go all kablooey?
Brian (Laughs) - When we came into the race, we were asked what was going to be our biggest hiccup when competing and we said that which is uncontrollable or circumstances like taxis or airplanes. And sure enough, that's what happened, getting the cab from Point A to Point B. That was the problem.
Cynthia - We were in standstill traffic for what felt like hours but you know, you can't do anything about certain traffic. We couldn't walk to the Pitstop at the National Library but it is what it is. We were thinking positive, when we hit that mat, we didn't even think we were eliminated. Hearing the words coming out of Jon's mouth, it took a few hours to actually comprehend that we were out.
G & W - Did you have a couple of beers or more to help?
(Both laugh)
Cynthia - A shower and a beer at the same time (Laughs). We needed to cool down internally and externally so a beer and a shower was the perfect way to sum that up.
G & W - Did you think the other teams took you for granted when they saw you were older than most of them?
Cynthia - You know what, we don't feel old, going into it we never even thought of it and then one of the teams early on, they didn't know our names yet so they said something like "that old married couple." And we were in the same room. I was like "Old?" and then told Brian, "Yep, let's just run with that. We'll be the old, fragile married couple." We just embraced it and had fun with it.
G & W - You embraced the old married couple but you didn't embrace being police officers, why did you keep that from the other teams?
Cynthia - Well, yeah, we're still talking about it so it makes for good, entertaining TV, right? But that's a little bit of it, but first and foremost, we're proud to be police officers. But with that comes experienced police officers and we know that as soon as people know, including family members, everyone wants to make reference to us as 'The Cops.' And the other Cop team, everybody made reference to that and we wanted to run this race as Brian and Cynthia first and foremost. Second, strategy, absolutely. It's not a super social game but we were able to obtain information on the other teams more so in the background that I guarantee you they would not have told police officers. And three, reality TV and everybody wants a side storyline and here we are still talking about it so it's entertaining and we provided a little extra entertainment...maybe.
G & W - Can you tell us some of that information from the other teams?
Cynthia - We have some rules, anything that's not shown on TV so we can't discuss that.
G & W - So what happens in the race stays in the race?
Cynthia - There you go. Except for what is shown on TV.
G & W - Based on what you're talking about, it seems you guys came in thinking strategically about the race.
Cynthia - We're always thinkers.
Brian - Maybe we're over strategic. We're very passionate about what we do, we're very mission focused and we were there to win it. So we were always thinking strategy, how to further ourselves into the game.
G & W - Mission was mentioned a lot in the episode...
Cynthia (Laughs) - We're very mission orientated and driven, focused, intense, there are a lot of words used to describe us. But we still like to have fun.
G & W - What was the mission: to win? Or would you be happy with Top Three?
Cynthia - Number 1.
Brian - Every leg we were going for Number 1. Although we were proud to be Number 3 or 4 or second, you're always happy to have made it. But we weren't upset if we were Number 2 but you shoot for the top and you'd be happy with what you get.
G & W - You guys are driven, you want to win, but you were eliminated, and it did happen a couple of months ago, but how are you feeling now?
Cynthia - You can't dwell on it. It was still overall a very positive experience, it was an adventure of a lifetime and nobody can take that away from us. Sometimes there is more in life than winning or coming in first, you can take away from what you want out of it and we're very proud of ourselves. We represented our province and we were the good old prairie dogs.
G & W - So what happened in India for the mission to go all kablooey?
Brian (Laughs) - When we came into the race, we were asked what was going to be our biggest hiccup when competing and we said that which is uncontrollable or circumstances like taxis or airplanes. And sure enough, that's what happened, getting the cab from Point A to Point B. That was the problem.
Cynthia - We were in standstill traffic for what felt like hours but you know, you can't do anything about certain traffic. We couldn't walk to the Pitstop at the National Library but it is what it is. We were thinking positive, when we hit that mat, we didn't even think we were eliminated. Hearing the words coming out of Jon's mouth, it took a few hours to actually comprehend that we were out.
G & W - Did you have a couple of beers or more to help?
(Both laugh)
Cynthia - A shower and a beer at the same time (Laughs). We needed to cool down internally and externally so a beer and a shower was the perfect way to sum that up.
G & W - You went from relatively mellow Saskatoon and in a space of about 30 hours, you ended up in one of most populated cities in the world, what was it like to be thrown into that kind of chaos, especially since you both mentioned you like quiet spaces?
Brian (chuckle) - Yeah... we've been in chaos before whether it's been a police officers or Canadian Armed Forces soldiers, but to be on the race as a civilian, for lack of a better word, and land after 30 hours of flight and then run and get a cab, hear the horns honking, the chaotic way of driving and the lack of English, it was their country so I can't blame them for not speaking English, there was a lot of motion, there was a lot of moving parts. So my personal senses were in overload trying just to keep on top of all the movement.
Cynthia - And the heat. It was a wall. I mean, we like heat, we get out of our Manitoba winters and try to go somewhere warm for a week or two, but when we hit that, it was 50+ degrees, it was crazy high humidity, that's in itself is draining. There was just multiple factors...
Brian - A lot of pushing and bumping, personal space issues where in Canada, if someone bumps into you apologize or say "Excuse me." But there, I don't if it's the way of life or there is just nothing you can do about bumping into people, definitely, we were out of comfort zone there for a little bit.
G & W - Did you military and police training help with that? Or with any other part of the race?
Cynthia - I think a multitude of training and just life experience. Our powers of observations are very high, we know how to problem solve, I think just overall life experience served us well during the race.
Brian - Yeah, not giving up. Not taking penalties. That's the motto of the Canadian Armed Forces, not giving up, just push and press on and as police officers, you can't give up, you have to keep going... but yeah some of our training help but I think it's more of the Canadian way of not giving up.
G & W - Speaking of giving up, at the idol task, Brian you kept telling the judge the idols were identical, were you expecting her to give up, give you the clue and let you go?
Brian (laughs) - Oh boy, I was trying a couple different techniques to get through that one, and yep, it was obvious and I'm not going to BS you but you try one avenue of "they're all the same" maybe she'll bite and say "Yeah you're right" and then we're outta there. But that one where I had to observe, the lines in the neck, that was hard one. There was no colour there, the lines in the neck were grey so I don't think I did a bad job finding the lines in the neck. But yeah, you caught me on that one, I was trying a bit of Interrogation 101 to see if she would go for it.
G & W - How about yoga? You did talk about it during the race, have you gone to a class yet?
Brian - Honestly and even before the race, we talked about yoga. In India, they've been doing yoga for thousands of years and it seems to be working with a lot of different people. Maybe I should take it up but I just don't have any time.
G & W - Beside being eliminated by Jon was there worse time in the race for you.
Cynthia - Having the race come to an end, there can't be anything that tops that, I don't think. I mean you're eliminated so there is disappointment and we've gotten over it now and seen the positives about how lucky we were to be chosen in the first place. But that was the lowest part of the race.
G & W - Yeah, why did you apply for the race?
Cynthia - A big thing was last year, obviously being Canadian Forces soldiers, when we saw the race go to Juno Beach... that was something. We saw that they were trying to do something more besides just do a reality TV show. That was one of the big reasons. There was so much integrity in the show, showing Canada in such a positive light so we knew it was almost meant to be.
Brian - The Amazing Race Canada representing veterans in Normandy and this year with the aboriginal people, the connection between the people of India and those in Canada, it proves that there is some substance in this production. And the link between the aboriginal people in BC and the aboriginal people in Chile with the totem people, just blows my mind.
G & W - You have been married for awhile and we've heard that Hamilton and Michaelia will get married next year so advice to new couples, what keeps your marriage strong?
Cynthia - First and foremost, I found my best friend. So if you can start you relationship off becoming best friends and turning that into a solid partnership for the rest of your life, you can only be so lucky. Two of my best role models are my parents who celebrated their 50th Anniversary in this day and age. Brian and I are going into our 18th year and he's my best friend.
Brian - In short, it's being able to listen and understand. I know it's kind of ironic I looked frustrated on the race because I wasn't listening and understanding and that was under extreme circumstances. But being there for your spouse and listen when they need you, and support them and provide guidance when required. And just love them for whatever they do and whatever they are.
Brian (chuckle) - Yeah... we've been in chaos before whether it's been a police officers or Canadian Armed Forces soldiers, but to be on the race as a civilian, for lack of a better word, and land after 30 hours of flight and then run and get a cab, hear the horns honking, the chaotic way of driving and the lack of English, it was their country so I can't blame them for not speaking English, there was a lot of motion, there was a lot of moving parts. So my personal senses were in overload trying just to keep on top of all the movement.
Cynthia - And the heat. It was a wall. I mean, we like heat, we get out of our Manitoba winters and try to go somewhere warm for a week or two, but when we hit that, it was 50+ degrees, it was crazy high humidity, that's in itself is draining. There was just multiple factors...
Brian - A lot of pushing and bumping, personal space issues where in Canada, if someone bumps into you apologize or say "Excuse me." But there, I don't if it's the way of life or there is just nothing you can do about bumping into people, definitely, we were out of comfort zone there for a little bit.
G & W - Did you military and police training help with that? Or with any other part of the race?
Cynthia - I think a multitude of training and just life experience. Our powers of observations are very high, we know how to problem solve, I think just overall life experience served us well during the race.
Brian - Yeah, not giving up. Not taking penalties. That's the motto of the Canadian Armed Forces, not giving up, just push and press on and as police officers, you can't give up, you have to keep going... but yeah some of our training help but I think it's more of the Canadian way of not giving up.
G & W - Speaking of giving up, at the idol task, Brian you kept telling the judge the idols were identical, were you expecting her to give up, give you the clue and let you go?
Brian (laughs) - Oh boy, I was trying a couple different techniques to get through that one, and yep, it was obvious and I'm not going to BS you but you try one avenue of "they're all the same" maybe she'll bite and say "Yeah you're right" and then we're outta there. But that one where I had to observe, the lines in the neck, that was hard one. There was no colour there, the lines in the neck were grey so I don't think I did a bad job finding the lines in the neck. But yeah, you caught me on that one, I was trying a bit of Interrogation 101 to see if she would go for it.
G & W - How about yoga? You did talk about it during the race, have you gone to a class yet?
Brian - Honestly and even before the race, we talked about yoga. In India, they've been doing yoga for thousands of years and it seems to be working with a lot of different people. Maybe I should take it up but I just don't have any time.
G & W - Beside being eliminated by Jon was there worse time in the race for you.
Cynthia - Having the race come to an end, there can't be anything that tops that, I don't think. I mean you're eliminated so there is disappointment and we've gotten over it now and seen the positives about how lucky we were to be chosen in the first place. But that was the lowest part of the race.
G & W - Yeah, why did you apply for the race?
Cynthia - A big thing was last year, obviously being Canadian Forces soldiers, when we saw the race go to Juno Beach... that was something. We saw that they were trying to do something more besides just do a reality TV show. That was one of the big reasons. There was so much integrity in the show, showing Canada in such a positive light so we knew it was almost meant to be.
Brian - The Amazing Race Canada representing veterans in Normandy and this year with the aboriginal people, the connection between the people of India and those in Canada, it proves that there is some substance in this production. And the link between the aboriginal people in BC and the aboriginal people in Chile with the totem people, just blows my mind.
G & W - You have been married for awhile and we've heard that Hamilton and Michaelia will get married next year so advice to new couples, what keeps your marriage strong?
Cynthia - First and foremost, I found my best friend. So if you can start you relationship off becoming best friends and turning that into a solid partnership for the rest of your life, you can only be so lucky. Two of my best role models are my parents who celebrated their 50th Anniversary in this day and age. Brian and I are going into our 18th year and he's my best friend.
Brian - In short, it's being able to listen and understand. I know it's kind of ironic I looked frustrated on the race because I wasn't listening and understanding and that was under extreme circumstances. But being there for your spouse and listen when they need you, and support them and provide guidance when required. And just love them for whatever they do and whatever they are.