Adam Vassallo, a 22-year-old Emu Plains local and contestant on the Australian travel adventure series ‘Rush’, has described his experience on the show as “a combination of both challenging and rewarding.”

The 9-episode travel series features 12 contestants, divided into three teams who must race to complete tasks in various countries around the world. The last team to complete each episode’s task must vote to eliminate a team member until the last individual standing wins a grand prize of $100,000 and two first-class tickets for a trip around the world. The show premiered on Nine on July 2, 2023.

After making a phone call to a radio station, Adam Vassallo was contacted by scouters, asking if he would like to appear on the show. “Who would have thought that a random phone call to a radio station at 5pm on a Friday would have led to this amazing experience,” said Adam. Adam was motivated to win the show and use the prize money to buy his mum a house. “The chance to jump out of my comfort zone was also a deciding factor when taking up the opportunity,” he added.

Travelling to Brazil, Turkey, Jordan, India, Thailand, Ireland, France, and Kenya, Adam had to complete a series of challenges to avoid elimination, including a hike across the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan, and rendering a wall of a Maasai village hut using cow dung in Kenya. “Walking through the desert in Jordan for hours was mentally and physically hard. I’ve always been someone that enjoys my creature comforts,” he explained.

Adam’s journey ended in Episode 8, where he and his remaining teammate, Hamish Collins, were last to complete the challenges. His teammate Hamish was safe after choosing the green lit flare in the ‘Rush Roulette’ and went on to win the entire show. “In the end, out of 12 people I placed 4th and made it to the finale,” said Adam.

Despite being eliminated, Adam feels the show has given him amazing life experiences and has changed his outlook on life. “I got to see how people from different cultures around the world live. It made me appreciate how good we have it here,” he explained.

During his journey, Adam received strong support from the local community. “I’d like to give a big thank you to everyone. I’m a big motivator of team sport, so to hear that the community got behind me was amazing,” he concluded.

If you missed out on watching Adam’s journey on Rush, visit www.9now.com.au to view all episodes.