Meet The ‘Tough As Nails’ Cast 2020: Contestant Refresher Before Series Premiere

CBS reality show fans may be used to seeing Phil Keoghan as he guides teams around the world on “The Amazing Race,” but they’re about to see him take on a whole new group of challengers on his new series, ‘Tough As Nails.”

The new show, according to a press release, showcases 12 everyday Americans who work on the frontlines that keep America running as they tackle real-life challenges that will test their endurance and strength. Though no one goes home (like what happens on “TAR” and other shows), only one will be crowned the ultimate champion, as their fellow competitors stay on to compete in team exercises as well. Keoghan serves not only as a host for the show but also as an executive producer.

So who are the 12 competitors putting it all on the line and testing themselves in new and unexpected ways? Get reacquainted with them before the series premiere below.

Young An

An, 36, is a firefighter from Alexandria, Virginia. In an interview with CBS, he revealed that his parents, who were immigrants to the United States, are who he credits with making him “tough as nails.”

Melissa Burns

Burns, 27, is a farmer from Milford Center, Ohio. What qualifies her for the competition is the dedication and hard work she puts in every day at her job, which sees her working from early AM hours to after sunset.

Callie Cattell

Cattell, 28, is a fisherman from Bend, Oregon. As a fisherman, she works hard 24 hours a day for two and a half months to do what she needs to get the job done—and with less than ideal circumstances.

Tara Davis

Davis, 30, is an ironworker from Elk Plain, Washington. While she is physically tough because of her line of work, she is also mentally tough as well, as a mother of four, including one child who is special needs.

Linda Goodridge

Goodridge, 29, is a Deputy Sheriff from Marion, New York. She says she’s tough as nails because she never stops persevering.

Linnett Key

Key, 34 is a welder from Lecanto, Florida. She finds her strength by being a single mother of four who works two jobs and 16-hour days to provide for her family.

Michelle S. Kiddy

Kiddy. 62, is a Gate Agent from Alexandria, Kentucky. She wants to prove that you can’t judge a book by its cover because she will surprise everyone with her tendency to be, as a friend puts it, “like a ferret.”

Lee Marshall

Marshall, 61, is a roofer from St. Louis. In his CBS bio, he keeps it simple-he's tough as nails because he doesn’t make excuses.

Danny Moody

Moody, 33, is a drywaller from Spokane, Washington. He’s tough as nails because he never quits, even when he feels pain.

Kelly “Murph” Murphy

Murphy, 47, is a Marine Corps veteran from Paragon, Indiana. His experiences as a Marine are the thing that gives him what it takes to win the competition.

Myles V. Polk

Polk, 28, works in Forestry Tech in Tuskegee, Alabama. He says he never gives up when he wants something, which is what makes him someone to reckon with.

Luis Yuli

Yuli, 35, is a Scaffolder from The Bronx, New York. His physical ability to be tough is also there, but he says his mental toughness comes from his childhood, which saw him growing up without his parents until he was eight and also surviving off of public assistance. He now works as hard as he can to provide for his own children.

“Tough As Nails” airs tonight at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS.