Adam Larson on redemption, rivalry, and winning The Challenge: All Stars Rivals with Steve Meinke

Before dueling up on The Challenge: All Stars Rivals, Larson and Meinke go way back to their Road Rules: The Quest days in 2001. Back then, they were constantly clashing—two competitive, loud, and opinionated guys who couldn’t seem to get along. So, when they found out they'd be partnering up on Rivals, you can imagine the surprise (and maybe a little dread).

But instead of dragging old drama into the new game, they decided to leave the past behind, at least for the sake of the competition. And to everyone’s surprise, they actually made a great team. They pushed each other, had each other’s backs, and slowly started to rebuild a kind of respect that hadn’t really been there before.

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The final showdown of The Challenge: All Stars Rivals tested endurance and resilience

The finale of The Challenge was nothing short of grueling. Adam Larson and Steve Meinke, despite starting in last place, managed to outpace their competitors, including runners-up Shane Landrum and Da'Vonne Rogers. Meinke’s physical challenges were significant, including a strained quad, severe foot issues due to peripheral neuropathy, a disintegrated disc, and temporary loss of feeling in his leg. Yet, their determination saw them through.

Both players chose to split the prize money, highlighting their partnership's strength. Larson used the finale as a heartfelt moment, signaling a marriage proposal to fellow Challenge alum Averey Tressler, with whom he shares a blended family.

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Finding Common Ground

As the challenges stacked up, so did their respect for one another. At first, they were just trying to survive without arguing. But as the weeks passed, they started remembering the good moments from their Road Rules days—like the time Steve helped Adam face a fear of snakes. That memory stuck with Adam and softened how he saw his former rival. Little things like that became stepping stones to rebuilding their bond.

By the time they hit their fourth elimination, the team wasn’t just functioning—they were thriving. There were genuine moments of connection and support between them, not just strategic gameplay. Their partnership grew from “let’s get through this” to “we actually make a great team,” and it was heartwarming to watch it unfold.

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Drama, Broken Promises, and Moving On

No season of The Challenge is complete without some personal drama, and for Adam, that came in the form of a broken promise from fellow contestant Frank Fox. Toward the end of the season, Frank went back on a deal they had, and it hit Adam hard. The betrayal was personal and made it tough to trust again.

For a while, Adam even admitted he was okay with anyone winning, as long as it wasn’t Frank. The tension between them added emotional weight to the final stretch of the competition. But to Frank’s credit, he owned up to the mistake and apologized. Adam accepted it, which helped both of them find closure before the season wrapped up. It didn’t erase what happened, but it helped them move on.

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That Final Push—and the Big Win

Heading into the final challenge, Adam and Steve were locked in. They knew they had the strength and the mindset to finish strong. And while the finale was a brutal mix of physical endurance, puzzles, and teamwork, they stayed focused the entire way through. On-screen, the race looked neck-and-neck, but in reality, they pulled ahead and beat Mel Reeves and Nicole Zanatta by about five minutes.

It was a satisfying end to their rollercoaster partnership. What really sealed the deal, though, was how they split the prize money, right down the middle. No ego, no power plays—just respect. After everything they’d been through, that even split said a lot. It wasn’t just a victory in the game—it was a victory in their friendship.

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More Than Just a Win

Looking back at the whole journey—from Road Rules to The Challenge—Adam sees the experience as a complete reset. It wasn’t just about coming back to win; it was about facing the past, owning his growth, and stepping into a new chapter with purpose.

Reconnecting with Steve, finding real love with Avery, and showing his kids what resilience looks like—it all came together in a way that felt full-circle. He’s no longer the hot-headed young guy from back in the day. He’s a dad, a partner, a teammate, and a man who’s proud of the life he’s built. Winning the Challenge was great. But winning at life? That’s the real prize.