Chuck Mowery joined the cast of The Challenge: The Final Reckoning for the chance to prove himself amongst Challenge veterans and fellow rookies. Fresh off a stint on MTV’s Are You The One?, Chuck reunited with ex-girlfriend Britni Thornton to put aside their drama and battle it out for a grand prize of $1 million.

We spoke with Chuck about what it was like joining the hit MTV series at the end of a trilogy, working together with his partner Britni, competing with Challenge vets he grew up idolizing, and what he wished MTV would have shown.

Read on for our exclusive interview with Chuck Mowery below:

Can you talk a little about what originally inspired you to participate in The Challenge?

Chuck Mowery: Being a young kid in Northern Michigan, I remember watching the Real World/Road Rules challenges. I remember thinking, “Man, I would love to do this. I could do that competition, I could eat that (insert craziness).” But I never really thought I would get the opportunity. Then I got the phone call one day for Are You The One? and while on set, one of our producers was saying what opportunities there are for kids on the show and I immediately thought [of] The Challenge. So I have been training and working to prepare myself ever since.

How did it feel to join a series that has been running for 32 seasons? Were you a fan of the show yourself before you joined to compete?

Man, coming into the last part of a three-season series was really tough. Not to mention trying to compete for a word in with people who have been around each other for years. I was totally out of my element. No one wanted to talk to me at first because no one knew me, and those that did had heard some half-truths and lies so had decided they didn’t like me. As far as being a fan, I was a huge fan when I was younger. The relics like CT, Derrick, Wes, and Bananas, I idolized as a kid. I kind of teetered off on following in my later years after I got on the water and out into the islands.

When The Challenge began, it was all about cast members from The Real World and Road Rules competing with each other. In recent years, cast members from different series have been included. Do you think this is a good change of pace for the series?

Yeah, I think that The Challenge including other cast members from other series is a great change of pace for the series. I think it really gets things shaken up for vets who think they have a tight hold on former alliances. Gives newcomers, like myself, opportunities to take down big vets and make a name for ourselves.

Your time on this season of The Challenge: The Final Reckoning was cut short when you and your partner Britni Thornton were eliminated. What are your thoughts on the elimination process this time around with the added twist of the Redemption House?

Honestly, after we were eliminated after the first competition with being buried, I was completely devastated. All that training and prepping, all for nothing, because my partner can’t listen to some simple damn directions. And for the record, if you look at the graveyard, I told her I was on the right side of the middle aisle, the last row, and the second or third one in. I then told her to come there and listen to my voice through the PVC pipes we had to breathe through.

She then decided to completely ignore my directions. She actually threw her walkie-talkie and buried it, and then proceeded to dig a random grave not even near me. But back to the topic at hand – devastated. Then to find out there was a Redemption House?! I was through the roof. I also knew I was stronger than any other competitor in that house, so my chances were good. Then TJ kills my vibe and shows us the double-cross. The rest is history. Devastation all over again and training wasted.

What would you say your strategy was going into this season?

My strategy going into this season was to align with my Are You The One? kids, win challenges, and be my best that I could be. Now, if given another opportunity, that strategy will be entirely different.

Are there certain challenge games that you dread? On that same path, are there challenge games you feel you excel at? What would you say your strengths and weaknesses are going into a challenge?

I think I dread, as every sane man should, going head-to-head in a physical battle with someone like CT. Fuck. That. I feel like I would excel in anything water-related being that I am a dive instructor and [an] experienced free-diver. My strengths definitely lie in aquatics, ability to eat gross and weird shit, and my sheer stubborn will to never give up.

Fans on social media have been very outspoken following your elimination. Is there anything you wish the viewers could have seen that didn’t air?

I really appreciate all of the love from the fans who finally got to see the true side of me and realize I am not a monster. I appreciate all of the support from those that want me back on another season. I really wish, though, that the show would have shown my side of what happened with Britni and I. There are two sides of every story. Hopefully I can find an appropriate platform to explain my side once more.

What are you hoping the viewers will take away from the upcoming reunion?

Man, I don’t even know what to expect. I have never done any kind of reunion so I can’t say what I will even take away. I’m hoping for a Chuck-and-Big D reunion. Let’s all just keep our fingers crossed that we get some good shit though ;).

Finally, would you come back for another season of The Challenge?

If given the opportunity to come back and compete on another Challenge, I would. I intend to train hard and push myself to the maxes of my ability to bring the best version of me possible back to the game.

Thank you so much to Chuck Mowery for taking the time to answer some questions for us!

Keep up to date with Chuck by following him on Twitter and Instagram.

Be sure to follow our coverage and interviews for this season of The Challenge, and don’t forget to watch Tuesdays at 9/8c on MTV!

Connect with Pop City Life on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.