Photo Courtesy of: The Titan Games

The Titan Games

New Dorp resident Frank Sansonetti, a New York City Firefighter of 15 years, is no stranger to reality TV.

In fact, the 40-year-old won $100,000 competing on SyFy's "Opposite Worlds" in 2014.

Now, Sansonetti is once again in the mix for a $100k prize, but this time he is taking orders from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on NBC's "The Titan Games," which premieres Thursday, Jan. 3 at 8 p.m.

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Photo Courtesy of: The Titan Games

What's It All About?

The 10-episode series, which was pre-recorded, is described on NBC.com as "offering everyday people the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in epic head-to-head challenges designed to test the mind, body and heart."

The description goes on to say: "Inspired by [The Rock]'s desire to motivate global audiences to reach their potential for greatness, this unparalleled new athletic competition gives men and women across the country the opportunity to step inside the Titan arena and achieve the impossible."

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Photo Courtesy of: The Titan Games

Through the Wringer

A "titan" of a man at 6-foot-3, 255-pounds, even Sansonetti is willing to admit that the rigorous competition, which featured 64 athletes, ran him through the wringer.

"It was tough competition, they were all great athletes," said Sansonetti. "It was like an NFL combine, they put the body through every test...my hands were really torn up."

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Photo Courtesy of: The Titan Games

@TheRock

Sansonetti applied to be on the show in February after learning of it via The Rock's Instagram page (@TheRock).

He was selected to participate and ultimately reached the final week of tryouts, which was held at ESPN's Sports Science Center in Los Angeles, California.

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Photo Courtesy of: The Titan Games

Golden Ticket

While responding to a fire back home in the city, Sansonetti missed a call from the show's producer.

Luckily, it was good news -- he was one of the 64 men and women chosen to compete on the show, narrowing the pool down from 150 competitors.

He received a personalized golden ticket from The Rock, as well as a number of other items upon being selected.

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Staten Island Advance

CSI Sports Hall of Famer

Though he was the oldest male competitor chosen, Sansonetti boasts an impressive athletic background, to go along with his chiseled physique.

He was elected to the College of Staten Island Hall of Fame in November after a phenomenal baseball career led to him being drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round of the 2000 MLB Draft.

Sansonetti, a New Dorp HS alum, remains the only athlete ever drafted out of CSI, and still holds the school's all-time records for hits, batting average, RBI, and triples.

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Staten Island Advance

Ballplayer

"Being a baseball player, the athletic ability is there," explained Sansonetti. "I keep up my strength in the gym everyday.

"As a bodybuilder and a fireman, it definitely helps you," he added. "Running into a building requires a lot of strength and endurance."

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Staten Island Advance

On the Job

Though it likely doesn't equal the adrenaline rush of running into a burning building, Sansonetti was nevertheless enthralled by the energy of the competition.

"It was electrifying in front of the audiences," he said. "It was unreal, the competition is from all over the world...military, cops, firefighters, crossfitters, body builders, football players."

"Most of them in their 20s and 30s," pointed out Sansonetti.

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Photo Courtesy of: The Titan Games

Thought He'd Be Bigger?

As for what most want to know, yes, it was fun meeting The Rock.

"It was cool meeting him...I expected him to be bigger," said Sansonetti. "He's a lot of fun and just a really charismatic guy."

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Photo Courtesy of: The Titan Games

Follow Along

But, perhaps, even more so than being on TV himself, the father of seven-year-old twins is excited that his kids, Anthony and Madison, will be watching.

"I can't wait [for them to see]," said Sansonetti. "It's gonna be fun for the kids."

You can keep up with Sansonetti every Thursday at 8 p.m. on NBC, and follow his personal exploits on social media:

Instagram: @frank_sansonetti

Facebook/Twitter: FrankSansonetti

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