Washington State University senior Bridger Buckley will compete in the final round of a new NBC fitness reality show on Thursday night.
"The Titan Games," hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, debuted Jan. 3.
People from around the U.S. compete in an arena against each other in physical and mental challenges. Those who win the challenges have a chance to become a "Titan" and win $100,000.
Johnson tweeted about Buckley's semi-finals performance last Thursday.
He said, “Our #HERCULEANPULL is a game of speed and strength, and a whole lot of bad a-- mental toughness. My guy Bridger Buckley had the perfect storm of all three tonight – see you back in the arena next week!”
The official "Titan Games" Twitter page also sent a message about Buckley: "Look up 'beast mode' and you’ll probably find Bridger Buckley's performance today."
The show began with 64 competitors and is now left with eight, including Buckley.
Buckley told WSU Insider in January that the competition was a chance to show the world how far he has come since his struggles with self-esteem during childhood and a bike accident that fractured his neck while attending WSU.
He said he has always been a big fan of “The Rock” and one of the star’s social media posts about the show inspired him to try out.
Buckley said while growing up he was a “fat kid” but he changed his life by making better food choices and hitting the gym. He finally got in good enough shape by his sophomore year in college to try out for the WSU football team. But he was hit by a car while riding his bike on campus, fracturing two vertebrae in his neck and another in his lower back. He withdrew from his classes and went home to Snohomish to recover.
Months later, he re-enrolled in classes, got back into football shape and made the team. A badly sprained ankle and pain from his previous injuries lead to his decision to end his football career.
Buckley then started training in CrossFit.
Local lumberjill world champion Erin LaVoie also took her fitness skills to "The Titan Games." She did not advance to the show's finale.