Interview with Yasmin Evans – Recruit #12
Category: InterviewCelebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is a massive challenge, why did you want to take it on?
It was such an easy decision for me to make. I really love my fitness. I feel like with this show, it's not a stereotypical celebrity show. I have two friends who have been in the show before and to see their emotional growth from it was everything that I needed to see for me to say yes.
So who did you know that's done the course before?
I knew AJ and Dev from last series. I spoke to AJ about the show, we actually went out to New York together for some work after she had finished on SAS. I had no clue then that I was doing it but we spoke in-depth, and I was just in awe of her, of the things that she was saying. She asked me, "Would you do it?" And I was like, "Yeah, I absolutely would." She was like, "Honestly, it was the best thing”. When I found out I was doing it I talked to Dev about it. He phoned me and said, "This is going to be one of the best things you'll ever do.” I asked him, "Would you do it again?" He said, "I would do it in a heartbeat. But it's taken me a while to get over it.” It took him a while to come down from the experience but said it made his life better, and that's just really the kind of vibe that I want, in terms of everything, with any situation. I just think, take me on a spiritual, mental journey, I'm ready for it!
How did you find being screamed at by Ant and the DS?
Strangely enough, I enjoyed it! I think what this journey made me realise that I need to have way more faith in myself. They saw something in us and knew how to push us, so I just got so much faith from that, and that when they were shouting, I was like, "Okay, let’s go. You know what you're doing”. I had total trust in them so whatever they screamed, I just did it!
The challenges look tough this series…
They were brutal! I hated anything involving running. The challenge that I enjoyed the most was probably jumping out the helicopter. I got into the helicopter with Ant and he’s screaming at me "Keep your eyes open. Keep stiff. Do this, do that”. And inside I was thinking, "Oh my God! This is so much fun!" I went to do it, and got really excited, but I think my emotions got a hold of me and I closed my eyes again. Ant screamed, "What are you f*cking doing? Don't close your eyes." I replied, "Sorry. I'm just really excited."
How was the camaraderie with everybody in camp?
I honestly have made bonds for life with these people. I could not have asked for a more perfect group of people to do this with, if I'm honest. It's so crazy because no one else will understand other than the people that went through it with you, it's really quite emotional. I'm tight with them, and I can call them my mates now, and I can talk about it. For me, it was the emotional journey that I will cherish forever. It's just changed the way that I see myself, I believe in myself, and I have these bonds with people that I never thought I'd ever connect with. Lockie was my rock in there, and I don't think he realised that. He’s just an amazing person, he was my support system, and I knew that I was lucky to have him. Whatever I asked of him, he would do it with no problem. He got me through so many dark, cold nights. Brendan too, there was one day my feet were so sore and he literally scooped me up. I've never been scooped up in my entire life, but he scooped me up and carried me into camp one day. It was so dramatic. I was so dramatic!
How did you cope with the toilet and shower situation?
Well, I'm not a prude. So if I got to go, I've got to go, honestly! But the thing is, I had to reign in my toilet chat, because Fash was very traditional in terms of, "Ladies, if you need to go to the toilet, just say you need to go to the toilet”. I would say, "I really need to pee, so I'm going to do that." And he would be like, "Just say you need the toilet!" And I'd be like, "Oh, Fash. I'm sorry. Sorry, I'm sorry." And it got to the point where we had to pee next to each other, and it absolutely stinks! At first we showered with our soap, and then afterwards we were like, "Forget that." Also, you had to go to the toilet in pairs, which was really annoying when you’re trying to grab as much sleep as possible. You'd be lying in bed and you'd hear people farting! But I just didn't care because I needed to sleep! It was worse if someone came over and asked, "Are you awake? Can you come to the toilet with me?" We all got pretty personal very quickly!
If anybody else is thinking about doing the show, what would you say?
Jump at the chance, 100%. But I would say this, “chop down your toenails and make sure your mind is focused”. I would urge anyone to do it. It's been an amazing experience.