Squid Game: The Challenge: What did the winner Mai spend her winnings on?

Squid Game: The Challenge is back on Netflix, and lo and behold, this time, 456 new hopefuls are once again risking it all for a shot at $4.56 million. But while season two kicks off with chaos and confetti, last year’s winner, Mai Whelan, is proving that victory doesn’t have to end in yachts and shopping sprees. The 55-year-old retired from the games with the biggest bag in reality TV history after conquering Red Light, Green Light, Marbles, Warships, and a final round of Rock, Paper, Scissors that was way too intense for a playground game.

It took nearly two years before Mai could actually touch her winnings from Squid Game: The Challenge, but when she finally did, she didn’t go full billionaire mode. Instead, she used her money to fund causes that actually make the world a little less scary: mental health, community work, and the environment. In short, she played the long game.

Now, as Squid Game: The Challenge season two heats up and season three casting kicks off, future players might want to take notes; kindness might just be the real endgame.

Squid Game: The Challenge winner donates winnings to two charities

Mai shared details about her spending decisions in an interview with Cosmopolitan UK. She directed her prize money toward two significant charitable projects rather than personal expenses.

"With the money, I did a lot of good things. We bought 15 acres for wildlife and also brought two nonprofits onto the property," Mai explained.

The land purchase serves multiple purposes beyond conservation. Mai wanted to provide operational space for organizations that previously lacked proper facilities.

She brought in Ricky's Retreat, which focuses on mental health services, and Paws of War, an organization that trains service dogs for individuals with PTSD. These groups now operate from the property Mai purchased. Mai's charitable choices weren't random decisions. She follows a personal philosophy that shapes how she approaches giving back.

"My three pillars are humans, animals and the Earth and so everything that I encompass is on this 15 acres," she stated.

Her property now serves as a hub addressing all three priorities. The mental health organization helps people, the dog training program supports both animals and humans dealing with trauma, and the land itself promotes environmental conservation.

Squid Game: The Challenge's Mai revealed her intentions to use the money charitably existed before she even won the competition.

"I always want to give back, because knowing where I came from, it's hard. It's a hard struggle, because you don't know where your future lies when you don't have the resources," Mai shared.

Her personal experience with limited resources motivated her commitment to helping others.

"Once you gain the resources you want to give back," she added.

Squid Game: The Challenge winners cannot share prize money with fellow contestants due to the show's rules. The season two champion will face the same restriction.

Mai’s advice for future contestants

With Squid Game: The Challenge season three now hunting for fresh players, Mai dropped some hard-earned advice for anyone dreaming of victory, and the big spoiler here is that it’s not about being the lone wolf. She says the biggest mistake people make is thinking they can outsmart hundreds of competitors on their own. According to her, that’s basically social suicide in game form.

Her top tip? Check the ego at the door. In her words, players who act like they’re auditioning for Villain of the Year usually get voted out faster than they can say “strategy.” Instead, she swears the secret sauce is teamwork mixed with sincerity. The players who last are the ones who actually mean it when they say “we’ve got this.” So, if you want to win, play with heart and not daggers.

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Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix worldwide.

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