“What’s that?”
“A partner who won’t let me fall,” he said simply.
As we unpacked our small overnight bags and explored the contents of the welcome packet, I wondered about the other teams we’d soon meet. Would they be competitors to defeat, or might some become allies? Would they see Ray and me as the fragile couple trying to repair their broken marriage, or as formidable opponents with decades of shared history to draw upon?
In less than twelve hours, we’d be racing across countries, facing challenges designed to test not just our physical abilitiesbut the very fabric of our relationship. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
But whatever happened in the race ahead, we were facing it together.
We donned our magenta T-shirts and when the production assistant came for us, we rode the elevator down to the restaurant level for the welcome dinner. The restaurant had been transformed for the occasion, with production cameras and operators positioned around the perimeter and a long oval table set for twenty-four contestants.
A young man with a professional camera rig approached as we walked on. The camera was a compact but high-end model mounted on a stabilizing harness that distributed the weight across his shoulders and torso—the kind of setup that would allow him to move quickly while keeping the footage smooth.
"Ray and Jeffrey?" he asked, extending his hand. "I'm Cody, your dedicated camera operator for the race."
He looked to be in his mid-twenties, with an easy smile and the kind of wiry build that suggested he could keep up with whatever physical demands lay ahead. His dark hair was pulled back in a small ponytail, and despite the serious-looking equipment, he had a relaxed, friendly demeanor.
"Nice to meet you," Ray said, shaking his hand. "That's some serious gear you've got there."
Cody grinned, adjusting the camera rig slightly. "Sony FX6 with a gimbal stabilizer. Weighs about twelve pounds fully loaded, but this harness makes it manageable for long shoots." He patted the camera affectionately. "I just graduated from USC film school last year, so this is my first season with the show. I'm probably closer to your son's age than yours—I'm twenty-three—but I promise I can keep up."
"You'd have to be in good shape for this job," I observed, noting how the camera setup would require him to move quickly while maintaining steady footage.
"Rock climbing and parkour training," Cody confirmed. "Plus I've been working with the production team for months, learning the technical requirements. At the end of each leg, I'm responsible for uploading all my footage to the editors. They work overnight to cut together the episodes while we're racing."
Ray looked impressed. "You're not just filming—you're part of the whole production process."
"Exactly. The editors rely on us to capture not just the big moments, but the small ones too. The conversations between challenges, the quiet moments when you think no one's watching." Cody's expression grew more serious. "I know this race is about more than just competition for you guys. I've seen your audition video. I want you to know I'll respect what you're going through while still doing my job."
I felt a flutter of anxiety. "So you know about... our situation?"
"The producers brief us on each team's story," Cody said gently. "But my job is to document what happens, not to judge it. You guys seem like good people working through something difficult. I'll try to stay out of your way while making sure we capture your journey authentically."
Ray and I exchanged glances. There was something reassuring about Cody's straightforward approach.
"Any questions about how this works?" Cody asked, checking his camera settings. "I'll be with you pretty much constantly—challenges, travel, meals. The only times I'm not filming are in bathrooms and when you're sleeping in your hotel rooms."
"What about private conversations?" I asked.
"If you need to talk privately, just let me know and I'll give you space. But remember, those authentic moments—even the difficult ones—often make for the most compelling television."
Ray nodded. "We appreciate the honesty.”
Chapter 13
Worth the Effort
We found our seats, which had name tags at each chair. At the head of the table stood a familiar figure from our years of watching the show.
Julie Henderson beamed at us with the practiced warmth that had made her America's sweetheart for over a decade. Her signature blonde bob was perfectly styled, and she wore a crisp white blazer that managed to look both professional and approachable.
"Welcome, racers, to The Big Race!" Julie announced, her voice carrying the enthusiasm that had launched a thousand adventures. "I'm Julie Henderson and I’ve been guiding teams around the world for fifteen seasons, and I couldn't be more excited to have you join our Big Race family."
She smiled. "You're about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime—racing across six continents, facing challenges that will test not just your physical abilities but the strength of your relationships. But before we send you around the world, we want you to get to know your competition. Each team will introduce themselves and tell us a bit about their relationship and why they think they can win this race."
It was a strange feeling to know that every move we made from then on, with the exception of bathroom visits, would be filmed and then possibly shown to a national audience.
Julie gestured to a couple at the far end of the table. The woman sat with military-straight posture, her blonde hair pulled back in a regulation bun, while her fiancé—equally rigid in bearing—wore a crew cut that screamed armed forces.
