“This affected us throughout the race” — The Amazing Race’s Jonathan reflects upon health issues

Jonathan Towns, a contestant on Season 37 of The Amazing Race, has been the target of increasing public outrage because of his actions on the show, particularly how he treated his wife and teammate, Anna. He received backlash online when many viewers characterized his exchanges as rude and contemptuous. Still, the pair talked candidly about the underlying problems that led to these heated situations in a recent edition of their YouTube podcast.

Jonathan disclosed that he had just received a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) after seeking expert assistance. He clarified the emotional toll of competing under pressure by saying,

"We're on a race, we don't really have time to like do a whole therapy session here." He added, "This affected us throughout the race guys," alluding to the ways in which his neurodivergence contributed to the difficulties they encountered as a group.

Anna, meanwhile, offered her own perspective, stating that she is still processing Jonathan's need for her to accept and comprehend his condition. Their candid conversation helped audiences understand the emotional complexity of their on-screen conflicts and served as a reminder that reality TV frequently only presents a portion of a couple's complete narrative.

The Amazing Race duo Jonathan and Ana breaks silence about his diagnosis

The married couple that competed in Season 37 of The Amazing Race, Jonathan and Ana, have finally responded to the fan-reported conduct. Jonathan's frequent outbursts and perceived rudeness toward Ana, particularly during high-stress situations on the show, drew criticism from viewers. The pair disclosed Jonathan's new diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in a very intimate podcast episode, which has helped them understand a lot of their previous difficulties.

The two talked candidly about how their performance was impacted by autism rumination, which is a propensity to obsess over unpleasant thoughts, during the podcast video.

Jonathan clarified, "You saw me in the car… just going on and on… that's me ruminating," he recalled, recalling how losing out on an Express Pass descended into crippling anguish.

Ana further acknowledged that she found it difficult to react in certain situations. They disclosed that Jonathan's extreme concentration occasionally prevented him from navigating or finishing activities, necessitating Ana's intervention.

The Amazing Race star further expressed, "This was something that was probably one of our biggest liabilities on the race. We see now looking back how much this affected us throughout the race and gosh it affected our race. This kind of negative rumination just really killed us throughout the race."

Now that they have a better grasp of how ASD affected their relationship, they are focusing on improving their self-awareness and communication skills both on and off the racetrack.

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Follow Jonathan and Ana's journey on The Amazing Race Season 37 on CBS.

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