EVANSTON — A former Evanston resident and graduate of Evanston High School is competing on the reality competition show “The Amazing Race” in its 37th season that’s set to air today, Wednesday, March 5, on CBS. Thirty-one-year-old Bernie Gutierrez, who now lives in Dallas and works as a personal trainer and coach, was selected to compete with her best friend, Carrigain Scadden, of Denver.
The show consists of 14 teams of two people who race around the world in scavenger-hunt fashion to compete for a grand prize of $1 million.
Gutierrez, originally from El Paso, Texas, moved to Evanston in the middle of fifth grade. Her dad worked in the oil and gas industry, which brought them here. She later graduated from EHS and was awarded the Daniels Fund Scholarship.
A first-generation college student, Guittierez chose to use the scholarship at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.
“Because I’m first-generation, I didn’t know what I was doing and I didn’t want to be too far from home,” she told the Herald. She also said she wanted more diversity. “I found that home a little bit in Colrado,” she said.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business with an emphasis on finance, Gutiuerrez said she bet on herself to do what she loved and moved back to Texas.
“It was a little rocky at the beginning,” she said, “but I’m super glad I did.”
Gutierrez said she loves to travel and try new things, especially things that push her to grow.
“I am an adventure seeker,” she said. “I train to do hybrid races; I play professional women’s football; I do dragon boating; I do marathons, half-marathons, 10Ks — you name it.”
“Testing my body, testing my mind, testing my grit — I got to do a whole lot of things that I wasn’t able to do before,” she said. “I also got to enjoy doing it with my best friend, so I didn’t have to do it alone.”
Gutierrez said she had a nontraditional route to earning a spot on the show.
“I actually applied for ‘The Amazing Race’ three or four years ago with someone else,” she said. She wasn’t selected then, and she applied to be on several different reality competition shows. But CBS eventually reached out to her.
“They asked if I want to do it, but with someone else,” she said.
So she applied separately with both her brother, Miguel Gutierrez — also an EHS graduate — and Scadden.
Producers felt like Scadden was a better fit for the show, so they moved forward together. Her brother didn’t take it hard when he wasn’t selected, she said. He has a wife and kids and was more than happy to stay home with them.
“He just wanted to be there for me and support me,” Bernie Gutierrez said. “So he was up for it. But he wasn’t disappointed … He stayed behind with his family — and now I’ve got a new nephew coming along.”
Gutierrez stays prepared for competitions, so she didn’t do much out of the ordinary to train for the show.
“I’m very ready,” she said. “I stay ready. I truly believe I’m an absolute athlete. If you want me to run, I can run. If you want me to swim, I can swim. Want me to lift something heavy, I got you.”
She said more people should take a risk and reach for things they want or think would be fun.
“It was just a great experience, a great time, and I encourage everyone to ... if you see something on TV that looks fun … do it!” she said.
She’s now part of a circle of competitors who shows look to when they need to fill some spots. So, what’s next?
“I have my backpack packed already, ready to go. I stay ready. If I’m being honest, my dream show is ‘The Challenge’ on MTV.”
Episode one of season 37 of “The Amazing Race” airs at 7:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, March 5. Each of the 12 episodes is 90 minutes long.
