Csabay ready for Amazing Race Canada
Nancy Csabay is a hero to anyone who knows her. Now, literally, she will show the rest of Canada how amazing she truly is as she is on The Amazing Race Canada starting July 3 when racers leave from a destination in B.C.
Along with husband Tony and daughter Kate, Nancy is co-owner of TNK Farms — a horse breeding, selling and training facility just north of Taber.
Her exploits in women’s barrel racing are legendary having being a two-time Canadian Professional Rodeo Association champion and won the Calgary Stampede’s barrel racing event in 2015.
Csabay survived cancer four years ago and rebounded to not only enjoy rodeo success but her family business is doing well and she does some motivational retreats which incorporates horses.
Having an opportunity to go on the show was something she couldn’t pass up for a number of reasons.
“I’m a huge fan of the Amazing Race and The Amazing Race Canada, so when a friend posted on Facebook in October that casting was open, shared it with my friends and asked who wanted to do this with me! I had so many friends say, ‘yes’. It was incredible,” Csabay said. “I have always wanted to be on The Amazing Race Canada ... I love to travel, I love adventure, and thought it would be a blast. I turn 50 this year and really want to celebrate this year by doing things I normally wouldn’t do — deciding to step out of my comfort zone, if you will.”
Her partner is an impressive athlete in her own right. Csabay teamed up with Mellisa Hollingsworth, a bronze medallist at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics in the skeleton event. Hollingsworth is a three-time Olympian. Hollingsworth had done some sports commentary at a recent Calgary Stampede. The two had met and got along.
“Before the show, I did not know Mellisa well at all. You could say we were acquaintances. She had interviewed me at the Calgary Stampede one year and that’s the only conversation, up until the show, that we had had,” explains Csabay. “She had seen my post on Facebook. Mellisa sent me a picture of her and Jon with an Amazing Race envelope, saying we should do this together. I knew she had a great story with her being an Olympian and since it’s the heroes edition, Mellisa was a perfect choice. The cool part of this whole experience is that I gained a great friend. How lucky am I?”
Csabay had support right away from her husband, Tony, and she says she thought daughter Kate may have mixed emotions like any soon-to-be 13 year old would in this situation: “(Kate) thought it would be cool and embarrassing at the same time.”
“Tony has always been my biggest fan, but I think he was a bit stressed a week before I left about me going on this journey,” said Csabay. “I had never been away from my family for more than four days, plus, I was doubting my decision to be on the show. Not knowing if I could be away from them for so long.”
Csabay says she watched The Amazing Race Canada previously and was positive she could do it and really wanted to try. Interestingly enough, with all that Csabay has accomplished with rodeo, overcoming cancer and her own family, she still felt a little nervous.
“When watching The Amazing Race Canada, there are times I have thought, ‘Yes! I can do that!’ Like the time the teams had to get express passes on a ‘monkey gym,’” said Csabay. “I’ve also thought, ‘Man, that would be so fun to try!’ Like the time the teams had to ride the bike across the beam in between two buildings. When it came to the memory challenges, for example, when the teams had to memorize Chinese when they were on the Great Wall of China, I questioned whether I could do that or not. So I was a bit nervous of anything that had to do with memory.
“The television experience was great! I enjoyed every moment. This was a bit different from Calgary Stampede and the other coverage I have been involved in because I am in my comfort zone when it comes to barrel racing. It seems natural to me.
“I was a bit out of my element when we were doing the photo shoots, that’s for sure. The best part about The Amazing Race Canada is the people. I loved every racer; they had so much to offer. The production crew were incredible and so good at making us comfortable and not out of our element. The camera and sound crew were amazing at what they do. It was so fun getting to know them all and I am blessed that they are in my life.”
The fact it is being described as the hero’s edition is not surprising considering all the contestants they have: from RCMP officers (sister/brother); philanthropists and pilots — all the contestants have accomplished some impressive milestones.
Csabay has never sought out accolades during her incredible life: ask those who know her and everything she does is all about helping, teaching and inspiring others which she does through some popular motivational speaking retreats as well.
However, who she really wants to inspire and teach is her daughter Kate — one of the main reasons she is competing.
“I also wanted to show my daughter, Kate, who’s turning 13 this year, that no matter what age she is, that she is capable of anything,” said Csabay. “I want to show her that there is nothing to fear, never give up, and run without reserve. And I wanted other middle-aged women to know that life isn’t over after 40; it’s really just beginning. With age comes wisdom from all of the life changing moments that have occurred in our lives. Don’t waste another moment, live large.”