Newlyweds Matt and Megan Turner share candid details about their exit from The Amazing Race 38 and a challenge no one saw on screen.

The Amazing Race 38 saw newlyweds Matt and Megan Turner exit the competition in its third week, after consistently struggling to keep pace with other teams. The Big Brother alums recently appeared on the "RHAP: We Know Reality TV" podcast and spoke with Parade to reveal the true story behind their elimination and an injury Megan suffered. Their departure shook up the race dynamics and offered insight into the pressures of the global competition.

Fans watched as the couple, married just six months prior, faced elimination for the third time during a demanding leg in the Czech Republic. Now, freed from the constraints of the competition, Matt and Megan are opening up about their journey, the pivotal moments that led to their downfall, and a significant physical challenge Megan faced that remained hidden from viewers.

The Consistent Challenges Leading to Their Amazing Race 38 Elimination

Matt and Megan's journey on The Amazing Race 38 was an uphill battle from the start. They admitted to struggling with the relentless demands of the race, consistently finding themselves at the back of the pack from the very first week. This immediate disadvantage meant they were constantly fighting to avoid elimination, turning every leg into a high-stakes struggle for survival.

Despite their consistent trailing position, Matt believed they were developing a unique strategy for staying in the game. He reflected on their performance, stating, "There's a certain art form to just like surviving as the last team to not be out every single time. And I really do think that we were mastering that." This perspective highlights their resilience and determination, even when facing overwhelming odds.

Megan echoed these sentiments, explaining that continually starting from last place created a "slippery slope." She noted that small slip-ups could quickly compound, making it incredibly difficult to regain lost ground against the frontrunners. This constant pressure tested their teamwork and resolve throughout their time on the show.

Critical Misdirections and the Costly IKEA Debacle in the Czech Republic

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The turning point for Matt and Megan ultimately came down to navigation, a common pitfall on The Amazing Race. During the third leg in the Czech Republic, where teams tackled challenges involving beer, barley, straw, and hockey in locations like Ka Hora and Nové Dvory, a crucial error in directions proved catastrophic. The couple recounted this pivotal misstep on the "RHAP: We Know Reality TV" podcast.

Megan explained to host Jessica Liese that not receiving the correct directions severely complicated their race, especially given their already last-place starting position. Matt dramatically illustrated the gap between them and other teams, jokingly recalling, "Guys, you're like 14 hours ahead of us. You really don't need to be stressing right now." This vast lead meant they had no other teams to follow or ask for guidance when they got lost.

Their ultimate downfall involved being misdirected to an IKEA store, which was an hour and a half in the complete opposite direction of their actual destination. Matt explained the devastating impact, saying, "When we finished the competition, we just asked for directions and got sent to an IKEA an hour and a half away in the complete opposite direction." This blunder cost them a staggering three hours in travel alone, effectively ending their race.

Megan summarized the entire ordeal by stating that their series of wrong turns led to time simply slipping away. She concluded, "I think we honestly just did not have enough time to finish." This highlights how a single navigational mistake can cascade into an insurmountable deficit in a fast-paced competition like The Amazing Race.

Megan Turner Reveals a Painful Hidden Injury After The Amazing Race

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In a surprising post-elimination revelation to Parade, Megan Turner disclosed a serious injury she sustained that never made it to air. It turns out the physical demands of the race had a lasting impact, as Megan suffered a cracked rib after her elimination. This unexpected incident highlights the intense physical toll the competition takes on its participants, even when the cameras stop rolling.

Megan explained, "When I walked away, I tripped and fell at the last very second. I actually cracked a rib there. And I was bedridden for like a month." This candid detail shows the unseen struggles contestants face, beyond what viewers witness on screen. The injury would have made it impossible for her to continue if their elimination had been a non-elimination leg of the race, adding another layer of challenge to their already arduous journey.

This revelation offers a poignant reminder that while The Amazing Race delivers thrilling entertainment, it also pushes individuals to their physical and mental limits. Megan's determination to push through the initial pain and not let it show during the recorded parts of the European leg underscores the fierce competitive spirit of the show's participants.

Positive Reflections and Unexpected Life Lessons from the Race

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Despite the challenges and ultimate elimination, Matt and Megan looked back on their Amazing Race experience with fondness and few regrets. For Megan, the journey was especially significant as it marked her first time traveling outside the United States. She described the entire experience as a "blast," finding happiness in exploring new cultures and landscapes.

The couple approached the competition with a positive mindset, often viewing the entire journey as their "fun honeymoon." While they certainly faced moments of stress and emotion, they affirmed they tried their hardest within their capabilities. Megan jokingly admitted, "We definitely did try our hardest but yeah our skills were limited," showcasing their good humor about their performance.

The race also provided unique learning opportunities. When asked about the biggest lesson from their time on the show, Matt pointed out a small but memorable cultural difference: "In Europe, the water bottle caps, they attach to the bottle so you're not littering caps." This observation reveals the subtle ways international travel can broaden one's perspective.

Megan was particularly touched by the kindness of the locals they encountered. She noted, "I think people are just very happy to have people I don't know just communicate with them and it was a really cool experience just interacting with the different cultures and seeing all the different um buildings and churches and bridges and Prague." She also praised Matt's calm demeanor under pressure, recalling his five-hour effort during a challenging flower task.

Matt Turner's Post-Race Fitness Journey Inspired by The Amazing Race 38

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Beyond the cultural insights and memorable moments, The Amazing Race proved to be a significant catalyst for personal change for Matt Turner. He candidly shared that his time on the show served as a "reality check" regarding his physical fitness. Matt revealed to Parade, "When I ran the race, I was 200 pounds. I'm not a 200-pound guy. I was huge for me."

He admitted that during filming, he was in the least in-shape he had ever been in his life. This realization post-race spurred him into action, leading to an impressive fitness transformation. Matt enthusiastically reported, "So I've lost 36 pounds, I think, now. But I think that was the best thing I got from the race was the training after it ended."

This personal journey highlights how reality competitions can have profound impacts on contestants' lives long after the cameras stop rolling. For Matt, the physical demands of The Amazing Race 38 not only challenged him during the competition but also motivated him to prioritize his health and well-being in the months following his elimination.

What Comes Next on The Amazing Race Season 38 for Remaining Teams

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With Matt and Megan's elimination, the race intensifies for the remaining teams as The Amazing Race 38 moves forward. The competition is set to leave the Czech Republic and head to Budapest, Hungary, for its next thrilling leg. Viewers can anticipate exciting new challenges, including circus tasks, acrobatics, and a strategic Rubik's Cube Fast Forward, pushing the teams to new limits.

The episodes of The Amazing Race season 38 stream every Wednesday on CBS at 9:30 p.m. ET, offering fans their weekly dose of global adventure. The previous leg saw Natalie Negrotti and Stephanie Negrotti securing first place, continuing their strong performance. They were closely followed by brothers Jag and Jas Bains, and Tucker and Eric Des Lauriers, showcasing the tight competition at the top.

At the bottom of the pack in the third leg, Kat Dunn and Alex Romo narrowly escaped elimination once again, while Kyland Young and Taylor Hale maintained a steady, if not leading, ninth-place finish for the third consecutive time. The departure of Matt and Megan means the pressure is on for every remaining duo, as the stakes continue to rise with each passing week.

The remaining teams still vying for the grand prize are:

  • Hannah Chaddha and Simone Chaddha, Sisters
  • Izzy Gleicher and Paige Seber, Engaged couple
  • Jack Baham and Chelsie Baham, Father and daughter
  • Jas Bains and Jag Bains, Brothers/entrepreneurs
  • Joseph Abdin and Adam Abdin, Brothers
  • Kat Dunn and Alex Romo, Dating
  • Kristine Bernabe and Rubina Bernabe, Sisters
  • Kyland Young and Taylor Hale, Dating
  • Natalie Negrotti and Stephanie Negrotti, Sisters
  • Tucker Des Lauriers and Eric Des Lauriers, Brothers

Final Thoughts on Matt and Megan's Amazing Race Journey and Impact

Matt and Megan Turner's time on The Amazing Race 38, though cut short, left a memorable mark. Their journey highlighted the intense pressure, unexpected challenges, and even unseen personal struggles that define the competition. From battling consistent last-place finishes to a critical misdirection that led them to an IKEA, their experience was a testament to the unpredictable nature of the race.

Their candid interviews provided fans with a deeper understanding of what it truly takes to compete, revealing Megan's hidden cracked rib injury and Matt's inspiring post-race fitness transformation. Ultimately, their story is one of resilience, personal growth, and finding joy in an extraordinary adventure, even when the desired outcome is not achieved. As The Amazing Race 38 continues, their reflections offer valuable insight into the human element at the heart of this thrilling global challenge.