The competition is still on, and Alexia Umansky is ready to talk about it. In this exclusive Q&A, she reflects on her “Special Forces” experience—from the bonds formed with her fellow recruits to how she really felt about the “Directing Staff,” a formidable team of Marines, U.S. Navy professionals, and British soldiers.
Tune in to “Special Forces” every Thursday at 9 PM EST & PST on Fox (streaming live on YouTube TV. You can also stream episodes the next day on Hulu and Disney+).
In real estate, being able to read the room and stay calm under pressure is essential. Did those instincts kick in out there?
Absolutely. As an agent, when showing homes with a client, social awareness is essential. When to speak, when to stay back, when to step up, etc. All of that can be applied to how we acted and behaved in the jungle. Real estate is a service business, and I was ready to be of service to my castmates and the Directing Staff.
As members of The Umansky Team, you and Mauricio deal with challenges together for a living. Did your work dynamic show up in this competition? Or your family dynamic?
Both! Whether it’s for work or for family, we always have a team mentality. We checked on each other, helped each other, looked out for each other, strategized, and kept each other calm.
Did this competition reveal new strengths that might translate to your “work life”?
This competition demanded great discipline, real mental strength, and a lot of flexibility. The Directing Staff would repeatedly tell us to “Get up and get ready to go again,” which essentially meant that anything could happen at any minute and we always had to be prepared. That’s an approach that translates directly to real estate, where the market and your clients can surprise you at any moment.
What’s one word to describe your “competition personality”?
I’m not very competitive at all!
What’s one word to describe Mauricio’s “competition personality”?
My dad is very competitive. He’s always been an athlete and loves to be “best in show.” It’s part of what drives him and has contributed to his success.
What did you enjoy most about your time on the show?
The camaraderie between all of the recruits. Being a part of a team, feeling the support and encouragement from one another, was incredibly special. It’s a very bonding experience. Whether you were there for one day or the whole time, we all held each other up.
The competition is still going strong —what are you most excited for audiences to see?
All the crazy challenges the Directing Staff came up with! Hopefully people will see how much passion these men have for what they do — they are real military men who put their whole hearts into this. I hope the audience gains an even deeper respect for the people who defend and serve their countries.
See Alexia compete on “Special Forces,” airing Thursdays at 9 PM EST and PST on Fox
and streaming live on YouTube TV. Episodes are available the next day on Hulu and Disney+).
