Chosen Family

By Da'Vontae Randolph

“Just go for it.” Those were my immediate thoughts when I got the confirmation from KC Winnecke that I had been cast for Surviving Bloomington season three. Watching Survivor was one of my favorite pastimes, and so the chance to play a version of the game and test myself was an opportunity I couldn’t let pass. But as the date of playing grew closer, the more nervous I felt. I had always enjoyed Survivor alone and sharing this with a group of total strangers was going to be very new for me. Long story short, I lost by a couple of votes. But little did I know that when the flame on my torch was snuffed, the brightest light was right around the corner.

Community. It’s the one thing most new LRG players walk out of their games not expecting, but it’s usually the one thing most are ultimately grateful for. The game ends. You say your goodbyes. You exchange contact information and social media. And you get put into a group chat with your cast. And from there the relationships continue forming. You start chatting daily and sharing your lives. You start congratulating each other on successes and being there for one another during hardships. And you usually start planning the details for coming back out next year and helping with production.

To outsiders that may seem confusing. You pay to play a game one year and then you voluntarily come out the next year just to assist. That’s because the LRG community is filled with incredible people from various walks of life. We come from different backgrounds, different occupations, different mindsets. We learn from each other. We grow alongside each other. These people become your best friends, your partners, your chosen family. There’s even been marriages and babies that have all stemmed from meeting the wonderful people that make up the amazing community we have today.

For some it’s simply joy. For others it’s exactly what they have been looking for. But for all it’s a coterie where we can all come together and bond over our love for reality competition shows and competing. No matter where you start or what game you play or if it's even just assisting production, the LRG community can be a home away from home for everyone.

And so, my hope is that through this LRG Documentary, companion blog posts, and the future works to follow that the love shared within our ever-growing community is evident -- and who knows it may even become your why.

Happy Holidays from the LRG Documentary team.