His own dedication to the franchise he joined in 2005 is unparalleled because it comes from personal experience.
“The no-quitting passion comes from my BMX days,” the former pro rider tells EW.
“When I rode BMX bikes, there was no quitting, there was no doubt.
Credit: MTV
That’s ingrained in my mind, I don’t quit anything.
I’m going to keep going until I succeed, and that way you never fail.
If you don’t quit, you’re just on your way to success.”
MTV
That’s going and doing the responsible thing.
Or if there’s a medical issue, that’s a very big difference."
Because he practices what he preaches.
MTV
“My dad passed away when we were in South Africa [filmingFinal Reckoning],” Lavin reveals.
It would have been just a huge cluster.
“It pushes people further than they ever could have imagined they could go,” he says.
Or I could get through it, but I wouldn’t be happy.
That’s why he’s shocked to seeThe Challengego so long without getting awards recognition.
It’s never been nominated for an Emmy in any category, despite predating all other reality competition series.
I look at it as imitation is the highest form of flattery.
And it’s constantly evolving.
“Helicopters, huge tanks in the field, all kinds of craziness you could’t even imagine.
I’ve had the best time of my life filming it.”
But as the franchise has leveled up in recent seasons, the physical challenges have also become increasingly difficult.
As a result,players are getting injured more than ever.
“It’s definitely not free, you know?
At the end of the day, some of these things are life and death,” he says.
“The stunt guys we have are no joke.
There is nothing to play with, it’s all serious.
When Lavin joinedThe ChallengeforGauntlet II, he was deep into his career as a decorated pro BMX rider.
He had no hosting experience and no idea what to expect from the potential new gig.
“I met [executive producer Justin Booth] once at the casting,” he recalls.
“When I got there, he handed me a sheet and was like, ‘Learn this.’
That turned out to be the secret that changed not onlyThe Challenge, but also Lavin’s life.
“They all loved it.
It came out so natural,” he says.
Now it’s 15 years later and they don’t even hand me a script anymore.
[Laughs] A lot of it is coming off the tip of my tongue.”
“I was like, ‘Really?'”
Lavin says with a laugh.
And now here we are, I’ve been the host for 25 seasons.
It’s insane to me to say that out loud.
I was so unsure back then.
It’s so crazy!”
Just asThe Challengehas changed over those 25 seasons, so has Lavin’s life.
He since made a full recovery, but has since stopped riding BMX professionally.
That family extends to the cast as well.
“It’s like a huge family or a traveling circus,” he says.
Sometimes things get heated between contestants, but they very rarely lash out at me.
It’s pretty cool."
Having personal relationships with the players is one of Lavin’s favorite parts about hostingThe Challenge.
But he also makes sure to “keep a professional distance” from them in the off-season.
“And if I ever see anyone outside of the show, it’s friendly no matter what.
But no real visits or dinners or anything like that.
“I helped with the design of it.
ThisChallengefinal is by far the coolest that I’ve ever seen.”
I hope to be withThe Challengeforever.”
He did say he doesn’t quit anything.
