O’Fallon gym owner is one of 18 competitors on ‘Survivor’ season 45

Always willing to test himself, Nicholas “Sifu” Alsup said he was eager to be challenged physically and mentally on the reality TV series “Survivor.”

Alsup, who lives in O’Fallon and owns the gym, 5 Elements Fitness, is among the 18 contestants who will compete for the million-dollar prize given to the Sole Survivor on Season 45.

Viewers will find out if he could outwit, outplay, and outlast the others starting with the first episode, which premiered on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. CST on CBS. Moving to a 90-minute format, the premiere is titled “We Can Do Hard Things.”

Tackling hard things is second nature to Alsup, 30, who is recognized as a Tai Chi master. He was taught at age 6 by his father LeRoy Alsup, a Vietnam War veteran, and they still train together. In fact, his nickname “Sifu” means “master instructor.” He is an undefeated world champion in Push Hands, a two-person exercise.

Describing “Survivor” as an unforgettable journey, Alsup said he is excited to be able to finally share this “ride of a lifetime.” In a phone interview arranged through CBS, while he couldn’t talk about Tribal Council or any twists yet, he explained why he wanted to push himself.

Alsup said his mindset went from “Can I do this?” to “I can do this!” by thinking of the example he was setting for his clients at the gym, and the youngsters he works with in mentoring programs.

“How could I motivate people to do better, to work hard, if I wasn’t willing to do it myself? Oh, sure, you’re thinking ‘suffering and starving to test myself?’, to see what I’m fully capable of,” he said with a laugh.

“I have always seen myself as a go-getter. I had to dig down deep, reach inside and figure it out,” he said. “I was willing to do whatever it took.”

Throughout his life, as a musician, fitness trainer and entrepreneur, he has accomplished many of the goals he set for himself. And now, he can add being one of 680 contestants to compete on “Survivor” since 2000.

Alsup hadn’t been familiar with the show until he and his fiancé, Courtney Johnson, were looking for something to binge-watch during the early days of the pandemic, and came across Season 40’s all-stars, “Winners at War,” where two tribes of 20 past winners competed. Immediately hooked, they went back to the beginning.

After being selected through an extensive application process, Alsup decided to be even more rigorous in training, waking up early (3 or 4 a.m.) and working out longer, running 4-5 miles, and fasting for a couple days in a row.

He had never traveled outside the U.S. before when he arrived in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, where “Survivor” has been set since 2016. The show is now filmed over 26 days, and the fall and spring seasons include 13-14 episodes.

The castaways were divided into three teams of six, and he is part of the Reba tribe. The contestants, strangers from different walks of life and cities, must build society with bare necessities. As competitors, they battle each other strategically, physically, and socially for rewards, immunity, and supremacy.

One of the most enduring reality series, “Survivor” was among the 10 most-watched shows in the U.S. for its first 11 seasons. It has amassed 63 Emmy nominations, and Jeff Probst has won four consecutive Emmys as outstanding host.

With his outgoing personality and his desire to be empowering, Alsup said he hopes to come across as a genuine person “without a façade,” someone with positive energy who understands the human condition.

“Pushing yourself to be better is something we all can relate to, and through our journey, we can reflect on who we are. Just do it if you want to change your life. I’m a walking testament to that,” he said.

A 2011 graduate of O’Fallon Township High School, he said he was a class clown – “I think people would remember me as somebody who was always laughing.”

A guitar player, he was in two bands starting with his “wolfpack” from Fulton Junior High, Fatal Estates and The Unfinished Story. He said he honors the memory of his bandmates and best buddies, Dustin Graves, who died in a car accident in 2020, and Doug Landers, who died in an accident in 2016, through his music.

“They’re my right and my left-side guys,” he said.

Post-“Survivor,” he has a full slate of to-dos. His new album, “Heal Now,” is available Friday on Apple Music. He said it’s a more vibrant and upbeat sound than his previous work.

“This project holds a special place in my heart as it was born out of my own journey towards healing, and I hope it resonates. These tracks are not just songs, they are a powerful tool for growth and self-reflection. I poured my heart and soul into creating an album that would uplift and inspire, and I couldn’t be prouder of the result.”

As for a “Survivor” viewing watch party, he said family and close friends will gather, including his parents, whom he considers his biggest inspirations.

“My father was brave enough to fight for our country in the Vietnam War. He is such a wonderful human being and the best dad ever,” he said. “As well as my mother, Margo Alsup – loving, supportive, and just truly a marvelous woman who has taught me many valuable lessons.”

Alsup has a large presence on social media, and links to his accounts are at: https://linktr.ee/5elementsfit.

His websites are www.5elementsfitness.com and www.Sifumusic.com.

This story was originally published September 27, 2023 at 7:00 AM.