Why The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras Winners Are Taking a Break

But for her and West, the true happy ending was getting to win season 40 together after they each struggled in the earlier team format. While West saw herself frequently voted into elimination rounds by her fellow Era Four competitors, Robinson watched as her Era One comrades were picked off one by one. 

And so, when they got the chance to dominate as individuals and then race—and win—a final together, “You couldn’t have dreamt for a better outcome,” insisted West. “Storybook from start to end.” 

Because once upon a time, she met Robinson while training at Barry’s Bootcamp in Miami. “And I thought, ‘Yeah, this is my kind of woman,'” recalled West. “And then to find out we’re going to be in the season together just a few months later was awesome.” 

Having then battled together in the arena trenches, West gained “Such a deep respect for her as a competitor and as a person,” she continued. “For me, there are friendships I know I will have for life.”