CALEDONIA—Eddie Brahimir, a Caledonia-based fence-building business owner, is no stranger to the spotlight when it comes to extreme competitions.
Already well-known as a competitor on Power Slap, a slap-fighting competition show owned by Ultimate Fighting Championship, viewers can now catch him on the currently airing third season of popular CBC show Canada’s Ultimate Challenge as a member of Team Yellow.
Brahimir has lived in Caledonia his entire life.
“Growing up here was a blessing,” he shared. “In a small town everyone knows each other. I have great friends that I’ve known almost my whole life. Now that I have seen other parts of the world and how big cities operate, I’m very grateful to have been raised in a beautiful town like this.”
He said it was tuning into season two of Canada’s Ultimate Challenge (streaming for free on CBC Gem) that motivated him to try out, excited to take part in the competition and the “harsh challenges” he saw while watching.
He added, “Growing up I always watched Fear Factor and it’s been a dream of mine to be able to compete on a show like this!”
The show is described as a “reality competition series which turns Canada into a giant obstacle course,” where five teams compete in “spectacular challenges that put their physical and mental skills to the test.”
Brahimir said the “on-the-spot decisions you would have to make with your team that could potentially cost you the win” are the most challenging aspects of participating. “We did not know what the challenge was until the day of and we had a short period of time to figure out a strategy and game plan.”
Asked how he maintained stamina as the show went on, Brahimir replied, “I think I have always had a strong mind, somewhat of an iron will, and have always trained a lot in martial arts or in the gym. I’ve never really had the best cardio, so I really focused on that, running 5 kilometres every morning in the months before the competition.”
Brahimir joined Power Slap at the end of 2023 because of his sports background.
“It is somewhat of a brutal sport, but I have been fighting and competing in martial arts since I was young, so it’s nothing new to me. This sport has opened so many new doors for me and helped me out in so many different ways. I am very grateful for the opportunity they have given me. I can’t wait to get back on that stage!”
Of course, with Canada’s Ultimate Challenge being a team competition, social dynamics are an additional part of this show.
“Friendships are always good in team competitions and sometimes alliances with other teams can be beneficial for both parties. But I like to draw a fine line where the alliance stands. I live by my morals and my word,” said Brahimir. “The only alliance Team Yellow had was with Team Red, but it was only for the first region. The social game is definitely part of the challenge, but it seems some people were more focused on that than the actual competition.”
Despite those struggles, Brahimir praised the show for teaching him how to be a good leader.
“I think to be a good leader you really need to lead by example. No one will want to follow someone who cannot complete the task they are asking you to do. But most of all I think stepping back and looking at the bigger picture, making sure your team is working together, and listening to everyone’s opinions is the most important. One small adjustment to the strategy or some words of encouragement to someone falling behind could make or break the end result.”
Looking ahead, he’s ready for more stages to shine on.
“I enjoyed Canada’s Ultimate Challenge so much I would really like to get on something similar in the future. I’m currently looking into MTV’s The Challenge,” he shared.
New episodes of Canada’s Ultimate Challenge are available every Thursday; stream anytime on the free CBC Gem streaming service beginning at 9 a.m. and watch on CBC TV at 8 p.m.
