"Gave my mind a rest": The Challenge All Stars: Rivals' Nany González reveals why she was not a part of Season 40

The Challenge All Stars: Rivals Season 5 released its latest episode on February 5, 2025. The second episode of the reality show featured the first elimination, which included participants Beth Stolarczyk and Jonna Mannion.

One of the participants on the show, Nany González, in her February 4, 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, reflected on her participation. She also talked about why she didn't join The Challenge Season 40.

Sharing more on why she chose to participate in The Challenge All Stars: Rivals Season 5 and not Season 40, she stated:

"Honestly, when I had taken the three years off, I gave my body a rest. I gave my mind a rest. I spent three years with my family and my friends, and just working, and doing a lot of self-care, self-love, and just getting my mind right. I think that was what I needed in order to come back. Doing so many seasons back-to-back, it takes a toll on your body and your mind — it does for me, anyways."

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The Challenge All Stars: Rivals' Nany González recalls her decision not to participate in Season 40

The Challenge fans must have noticed that Nany González, last seen on Ride or Dies, was not among The Challenge Season 40 participants. Rather than participating in Battle of the Eras, the female participant wanted to prioritize her mental health and spend time with her friends and family.

Also, while stating the reasons behind not joining Season 40, she stated that her body and mind needed to "rest." Viewers who follow the franchise must have noticed that Nany González took a three-year break from the reality shows.

However, she is part of The Challenge All Stars: Rivals Season 5. The show aired its latest second episode on February 5, 2025.

"I'm super excited to be back on All Stars. I was asked to do season 40 and I just wasn't ready to come back yet. Hearing about the season though, and seeing all of the amazing competitors that were there, I'm not sad that I didn't do it," shared Nany.

When asked about how she has reached the finals during the last three seasons in which she participated, the female cast member stated:

"To be honest, having gone to so many finals, I would be a target if I had won those finals. But because I've lost all the finals I've been to, I sometimes think that helps me when it comes to the game because people are like, "This girl goes to the final, but she can never win, so whatever."

She mentioned that "anything" can happen in The Challenge. Hence, she didn't want to get "too comfortable." Nany added that every season of the franchise was "different" and that reaching until the end was a "task."

Fans witnessed The Challenge All Stars: Rivals' participant winning the second position on Ride or Dies. Since then, she took a break, and now she's back with the All Stars: Rivals' fifth season.

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Fans can stream The Challenge All Stars: Rivals Season 5's latest episodes on MTV.