I’m back at it again, did you miss me?

I know you did,

My first interview of the new year not only holds the title of Dr., but she is a Challenge: USA champion, certified yoga instructor, and Survivor alumni of Season 35.
Lets get into it with the gorgeous, the strong and the badass Desi Williams in this brand-new #TMITuesday interview.

1. Have you been keeping up with this new era of Survivor? If yes, what are your thoughts on it? And if no, why not? 

Honestly, not really. I watched the first few episodes, but 90 minutes a week was too big of a commitment for me.

2. After a gruelling elimination that was of no fault of your own on The Challenge USA 1, you had your redemption arc and won season two. What did you carry over from your first season of The Challenge spin-off to your winning season? (skills, political plays, workouts etc). 

My priority during the off season was to make sure I was a strong enough swimmer that if I had to drag a partner through the water, I could. So I swam 2-3 times per week and really worked on my swimming because I definitely wasn’t going to let that take me out again.

3. Since today is #TMITuesday can you tell fans about you that they may not already know?

Hm… that’s a toughie… I feel like I share quite a bit on my social media, but if people only know me from the show, the wouldn’t know that I’m a small business owner, have a doctorate degree, and am a certified yoga instructor.

4. You’re a fitness baddie, what is your go-to everyday routine? 

I actually am not a fitness trainer  I’m a Doctor of Physical Therapy… so maybe that should have been the thing most people don’t know about me. But as someone who has always been really into fitness and by working in a profession where I constantly observe how choices throughout a person’s life can affect them as they age, variety is super important to me. A combination of cardio, flexibility, and strength are all so important for longevity. So I do a little bit of everything: distance running, sprints, yoga, lifting weights, walking uphill, Pilates, and cycle.


5. Do you watch any other reality TV shows? I’m personally a sucker for Love Island, The Great British Bakeoff and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!

I binge watch Selling Sunset and Love is Blind every season, but am not good at keeping up with a weekly show.

6. If you could choose one song, to be your ‘theme song’ what would it be and why?

Alive by The Green! I’ve heard the song a million times, and it always gives me the feels. I have always been the type of person who wants to live life to the fullest and the song is just a great reminder to be thankful for something as simple as being alive.

7. Have you spoken to Enzo since he ruined your shot at a win during The Challenge: USA 1? 

Haha. I haven’t heard a word from the guy. And obviously I don’t have much [nice] to say to him.

8. How did your participation in the Miss USA pageant help shape who you are today?

Miss America 2013 was actually my first pageant on national television and Miss USA my second. Before pageants, anything television-related was not on my radar at all. A casting director for Survivor initially found me on the Miss USA website and reached out to me about applying for the show. I would have never applied otherwise, so it’s safe to say that the pageant completely transformed my life.

9. If given the opportunity would you compete on Survivor again? Whether it be the US one or an international version like Australia, or South Africa? 

I would absolutely compete on Survivor again. The starvation and lying to my castmates were miserable at the time, but it’s such a unique experience that I know made me more resilient in the long run.

10. What’s next for you? 

I get asked this question all the time, and it’s so interesting to me because after filming The Challenge, I simply go back to my everyday life. I own a home health agency and mobile therapy company in Los Angeles and do some work as an on-camera host. I was doing all of that before leaving for the show, so when I get home, I just get back to work!