Sims finished second – but told The Post-Journal he has no regrets.

Inspired and motivated by the love of family and faith, Sims entered and competed in the show’s second season. Despite the pressure of the competition, the experience gave Sims friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

While born in California, Sims moved to Jamestown at a very early age. Sims would attend Lincoln Elementary School, Persell Middle School, and Jamestown High School. Attending Sunday school in the area from a young age, faith has always been of high importance to Sims and family. The various challenges that Sims has faced, including eight months of serving in Iraq, have only strengthened this faith, and connection to God. This extended to the challenges in the show as well, with Sims even taking a knee to pray before each challenge.

Sims initially found out about the show after checking in on the show that his sons were watching. After being instantly drawn in by the visuals and huge crowd of people on the screen, it quickly became a tradition for the family to get together to watch the show. Sims noted that the show exhibits an exaggerated take on real life, allowing people to be a hero or a villain. As a result, Sims jumped at the chance to apply upon the release of the season two applications. At the same time, determined to get onto the show, Sims also began sending mail in entries and applying through the Feastables sweepstakes.

Cory Sims holding a torch during the games.

“Two hours after I submitted my application, I got an email right away saying, ‘Congratulations, we want to move you forward to the next step,’ which was like a zoom meeting,” said Sims. “Then two days after I got the email for ‘Congratulations, you made it to the next Zoom meeting’, I got an email from Feastibiles saying, ‘Congratulations, you made it into the sweepstakes’ as well.”

After an emotional goodbye with family, Sims prepared for a long journey that would completely cut off communication. Sims would not only be unable to contact families, but was also unable to use a cell phone or the internet at all. In the end, Sims would go through this for 42 days.

The games would begin with the Opening Strong Challenge, the challenge which wipes out a significant number of contestants. During this time Sims would almost see elimination. Fortunately, Sims grabbed a rope which prevented him from falling to elimination. Next was the blocks challenge, where Sims would be chosen as a team captain. Throughout all the challenges Sims faced, there was an incredible connection being made amongst the contestants. Sims described such a feeling of sadness and loss that would plague everyone when somebody would be eliminated, having mentioned becoming emotional as well when others would self-eliminate to keep others going.

“You grow so close to the people that are inside this game. It’s just when you take away cell phones, internet, TV, you have nothing to do but talk to the people and get to know them in a very very short amount of time,” said Sims. “So it’s like you become brother and sister with these people.”

Sims would progress until the final episode, where it was down to himself and Tyler Lucas. The previous round had just seen the self-elimination of Sims’ long time companion throughout the games, Brett Stewart. The final game was a briefcase elimination challenge, where the contestants had to correctly select a briefcase that contained a check for the prize. During this time, Lucas would select the briefcase and take home the victory. Despite this, Sims came in second place and showed an incredible amount of joy and support for the fellow competitor.

Cory Sims and fellow contestant Tyler Lucas competing in the final challenge, the briefcase challenge.

“I even said it, I mean if anybody could have won besides myself, I’m happy that Tyler won. I truly am. He’s a great guy, a family guy, a military guy,” said Sims. “Then I finished off the game, I did what I always did during every single challenge. I got down on one knee, I prayed to my Lord. Thank you for this amazing opportunity. Thank you for your grace.”

Since this experience, Sims has written a book to detail the process of overcoming the incredible challenges that were presented during this experience, and how faith has been a continuously motivating factor. The book is titled What Five Million Can’t Buy: Faith, Integrity, and the True Definition of Winning. Sims stated that the book detailed the feelings and emotions of the show, as well as handling the battle of feeling as though he fell short of winning. Sims noted the amazing support from fans of the show since the experience, and gave thanks to all that made this opportunity possible.

Cory Sims and fellow contestants hype themselves up.

Cory Sims talking to fellow contestants.

Sims and contestants stand with Jimmy Donaldson, also known as Mr. Beast.