The Challenge All Stars: Rivals is here! Throughout the season, Parade.com will speak with the challengers who were eliminated from the all-star competition.A year ago, Steve Meinke walked out of The Challenge All Stars distraught. He had made his first final, and was in pole position to take home the entire thing. But one mental lapse had everything crashing down, leaving him devastated. And those feelings were further compounded when he watched back the season and saw how his Road Rules cast member Adam Larson reacted so acrimoniously to taking his star. Suffice it to say, then, it was mixed emotions when Steve was given another chance at the win, but with newfound rival Adam as his partner.
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While Adam and Steve never really got on the same page about the past, their mind was primarily focused on the present. From the beginning, the two were clocked as one of the biggest threats to win the game. And so they were thrown into the first four eliminations of the season. Despite continually being driven into a corner, time and time again, they prevailed, showcasing their strength as individual competitors and partners. After going in five times total (tying a Challenge record), Steve was once again in the final, looking for redemption. And, after a tight back-and-forth, the hand model was able to finally grab that W. In one last twist, Adam and Steve had to individually choose whether they thought their partner would split or steal the $250,000 grand prize. And though Steve allegedly delayed in his decision, he ultimately made the right one, as both rivals chose to split their winnings.
Related: Everything to Know About The Challenge All Stars: Rivals
You had a lot of understandable emotions leaving All Stars 4, given how things ended. Even before you find out about your partnership, what was your headspace going into this season?I was torn. I just knew what the last two challenges were like, of me being the main target over and over again. I was completely accepting my fate. I was just hoping that I wouldn't be in the first elimination. If I was, I knew I would be going in again and again. I'm not happy about it, but I can accept it. I was just a bit apprehensive because, even though I was much lighter than either All Stars, I had a couple of nagging "old man-type" injuries that prevented me from being in decent shape.
What was your initial response to seeing Adam down in the sand with you as your partner after what he said about you on All Stars 4?I think I came from the thought that we have all at one point or another, relatives, co-workers, teammates, that you don't necessarily agree with, aren't friendly with, or outright despise. But there's a job, assignment, task to do, and we all have to put that aside to get it done. I just figured it would be like that. And then when I didn't get a fist bump, I knew this could be more difficult than planned.
Fast-forwarding to the end of the game, TJ said you took a long time answering whether you thought Adam would split or share the money. Talk to me about the thinking behind your decision.Based on my very little experience in The Challenge world, I do know that some Challengers, want to make a name for themselves, wether by drama, eliminations, becoming super friendly with everyone and create alliances. And there are some, whether they are in Challenge mode or not, just want to push buttons and create chaos. Multiple times, I had told Adam that I didn't regret my decision to take his star. I knew I wasn't going to steal the money, and he said he wouldn't steal the money. But it was phrased in such a way, whether you think your rival would steal it. I just let about 50 million different scenarios go through my mind.You and Adam won an astounding five eliminations, tying a record first set by your fellow Road Rules alum Sarah Greyson. What was the journey like for you to go into the sand so many times?It was new for Adam, it was old hat for me. I knew what our fate was going to be the moment the first elimination vote went. Being old and cantankerous that I am, I think it was probably more frustrating to Adam that I was resolute that we were going to be voted in over and over until we win something. And because of our lack of relationships, I wasn't going to force anything or try to even make moves. That probably had to tick Adam off. But for me, it just wasn't the effort, especially seeing out the alliances all played out, the only effort I really put into politically was talking to Leroy and Devin about looking out for each other, because it was obviously that we were going to be put against each other eventually.As the season progresses, we see a moment when Adam asks you for closure regarding what happened in All Stars 4. How much do you feel your relationship changed over the course of your time in Vietnam?We both knew that people would always be gunning for us with our backs against the wall, and surviving was just the most important thing. Another important thing is winning. To win, we had to put our differences aside. And we got along more than most of the other rivals, I would say.The tides certainly turned for you and Adam in the second half of the game. Do you credit that to getting in better strategically? Or did something else change?The momentum stopped. We won a challenge, and that threw the whole gameplay into a loop. Everyone except Katie and V voted us in multiple times, so we didn't have to really deal with anyone. The shift in power given to us threw out the momentum of voting us in, and we had power and currency that we could deal with.What's one thing you wish made the edit about your time on the season (personally, strategically, comedically, etc.)?I had a lot more random moments. I can't be upset or angry I feel on how I was portrayed, especially with the amount of characters in the house. Even though Dario had voted us into elimination all the time, he and I talked a pretty decent amount. We were both college baseball players – or I at least tried. We had a fantastic round of home derby/stickball with a bat I fabricated with a bamboo pole that I took from some fencing. Icut it down to the proper length, taped it up, made tape balls, and also used mangos, dragonfruit and other fruits as balls. We had the caterers, some production folks, and others behind the scenes, cheering and commenting. It was fantastic.
Strategically, I'm an idiot, so no one missed out on anything. There was some time when I hung out with Turbo a decent amount. I wanted to sanction a pillow match against him. I was going to fabricate a ring with the cabana cushions, bamboo poles, and toilet paper. We had various pillows to choose from. I had a different characters for him and I: The Sand Man, Knight E. Night Boogy Man. Catchphrases, finishing moves. It was amazing. He was laughing hysterically. He asked me – rather, I begged him – multiple times if I could be an extra in any of his Turkish TV shows or films, but he wasn't having it. He wanted me to actually have a role, "silent assassin," mob boss, etc. I told him I would learn Turkish. He seemed very into it. The pillow fight never happened, unfortunately. But my dreams of being a hitman in a Turkish movie are still alive and well.How are you and Adam today now that so much time has passed since your win?We wish each other well, and trying to get back into our lives back at home.This was your fourth Challenge season. Does getting a win make you eager to seek out season #5 and beyond?Initially, I was done done after All Stars 2. I didn't enjoy it at all, but I also think I was just pessimistic about it all. Once my competitive juices started flowing and I finally accepted that the gameplay is vastly different and unconventional than normal competitions and sports we are all used to playing, my attitude has changed. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a little bug again. It doesn't seem like it, but I do enjoy the competition of it all. And now that I've kind of gotten a grasp on what it takes to be successful, and I've improved every time I've gone on these last three seasons. Time is obviously a big factor, and at this age, body maintenance as well. It's also pretty gratifying, knowing that I have college friends who are retired from their jobs. And here I am at 47, now 48 being able to compete physically and mentally with people 10-15 years younger than me and in their prime physical condition. I believe I may be the oldest winner in Challenge history, and also I have a pretty good elimination streak as well. I'd like to see how long that streak can go. Not that I want to go into elimination 3-5 times every season. A terrible pun coming, but, as long as the stars are aligned, I think I may have one or two in me.
Related: 'The Challenge All Stars: Rivals' Season 5 Winner Adam Larson Reveals His Postseason Proposal Plan (Exclusive)
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