Brittany Cartwright Says DS Foxy’s Screaming Left Her ‘Triggered’ and Made Her Relive Trauma from Her Toxic Marriage to Jax Taylor!
Brittany Cartwright thought she was ready to take on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test — but the The Valley star admits the grueling reality series hit her harder than she ever expected.
Brittany Cartwright, 36, only lasted one episode before voluntarily withdrawing. She immediately faced her biggest fear — repelling from a helicopter — and broke down in tears but pushed through the jump. The grueling physical challenges that followed, however, left her feeling like she was going to pass out as her team fell behind. Ultimately, Brittany ripped off her armband and quit, admitting she felt embarrassed and revealing that her ex, Jax Taylor, had told her before filming that she was “not gonna make it far.”
Looking back, she says the tough training environment and constant yelling from the Directing Staff (DS Jason Foxy) left her “triggered” after enduring years in what she describes as a “toxic” marriage to estranged husband Jax Taylor.
“I wasn’t prepared like I thought I was, emotionally and mentally, to deal with something like that again,” Brittany told Decider. “I know that’s their job. No hate towards them whatsoever. But men screaming at me, putting me down and just telling me how weak I was — it just wasn’t for me.”
Despite walking away on day one, Brittany Cartwright says she’s still proud of herself for confronting one of her biggest fears: heights. “I’m just so proud of myself that I jumped out of that helicopter,” she shared. “I’m the type of person who doesn’t even want to look over the side of a balcony. Even signing up for the show was showing something.”
Still, the reality of the competition quickly sank in. “Even watching [the show] beforehand didn’t compare,” she explained. “As soon as they put bags over our heads and were yelling at us, it didn’t feel like TV anymore. I was shaking uncontrollably. At one point, I thought I was going to have a panic attack. It was over 100 degrees, we were in regular clothes, and I could barely breathe under that bag.”
Adding to the pressure was being away from her son, Cruz, longer than ever before.
“I’ve never left Cruz for more than one or two days,” she revealed. “Even though I only lasted a day on the show, I was in Morocco for seven days prior. That was extremely hard for me.”
Ultimately, the combination of physical exhaustion and emotional triggers became too much. “Honestly, I thought coming out of such a toxic relationship, having the DS yell at me would motivate me — but it was the opposite. It triggered me,” she said. “At that point, I missed my son, my legs felt like jello, and I just didn’t have anything left to give.”
Brittany admits she’s “disappointed” in herself, but stands by her decision. “I really wanted to prove something. I came in wanting to show people I could do it. But I wasn’t prepared like I thought I was. And honestly? Let me see you try it.”
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