
The CBS competition series 'Tough As Nails' was filmed in and around Los Angeles, California, in various real-world job sites, including farms, factories, and workplaces. The show's first season was filmed in the first few months of 2020, specifically from late January to mid-February, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Hollywood production. The show's creator and host, Phil Keoghan, conducted a nationwide casting search in the fall of 2019, and filming commenced shortly after the new year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Episodes | 10 |
| Host | Phil Keoghan |
| Contestants | 12 |
| Location | California, in and around Los Angeles |
| Filming Duration | Late-January to mid-March |
| Year | 2020 |
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What You'll Learn

Tough as Nails was filmed in California
The CBS competition series 'Tough as Nails' was filmed in California, with the first season taking place in late January/early February 2020 over 20 days, and the second season in October-November 2020. The show is primarily shot in and around Los Angeles, with its casting taking place in numerous areas spanning a variety of locations across America. The host and executive producer, Phil Keoghan, travelled across the country to find the 12 toughest Americans who would compete for a grand prize of $200,000.
Filming for season 1 took place at real-world job locations in and around Los Angeles, including highways, railways, and the Los Angeles Long Beach port area. The Fillmore & Western Railway Co. in Fillmore, a small city in Ventura County, was also featured. The Banc of California Stadium, home of Los Angeles FC, was another filming location where contestants performed a soccer-related activity.
The show's unique format pits blue-collar workers against each other in back-breaking, laborious challenges. Contestants compete in individual challenges to stay in the running for the grand prize. The lowest performers in each individual challenge are sent to 'Overtime', with the loser of that challenge eliminated from the individual competition, referred to as 'punching out'.
The second season of 'Tough as Nails' continued to showcase the diverse landscapes of California, with one episode featuring the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex, a congested area that handles a significant share of American imports. The contestants performed a water-based task in this episode, highlighting the show's creative use of real-world job sites as challenging environments.
The filming of 'Tough as Nails' in California captures the state's year-round sunshine and diverse scenery, from the metropolitan areas of Los Angeles to the natural landscapes of Ventura County. The show's producers and host, Phil Keoghan, emphasised the authenticity of the filming locations, stating that "none of the contestants were scared of anything we put in front of them. They were competing at real job sites - farms, factories, workplaces - and there was no obstacle course or reality set. This was not a game but real life."
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Filming took place in 2 months
The filming of CBS's reality competition series "Tough as Nails" took place in the first two months of 2020, from late January to mid-February, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Hollywood productions. The show's host and executive producer, Phil Keoghan, scouted contestants in a nationwide casting search in cities like St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Cincinnati, and Las Vegas.
The filming of the show's 10 episodes wrapped up just in time, as productions in and around Los Angeles were halted soon after in mid-March 2020 due to the pandemic. The quick turnaround for the show's filming was fortunate, as it allowed the series to air on television less than five months later, in July 2020.
"Tough as Nails" is known for its unique competition format, where 12 contestants compete in challenges at real-world job sites, testing their strength, endurance, agility, and mental toughness. These job sites include farms, factories, and workplaces, with no obstacle courses or reality sets. The show's first season was filmed on location in and around Los Angeles, California, including a rail yard and the Filmore & Western railway in Filmore.
The competition is structured with both individual and team challenges. In the individual competition, contestants compete to stay in the running for the grand prize of $200,000 and a Ford Super Duty truck. The lowest performers are sent to Overtime, and the loser of that challenge is eliminated from the individual competition, referred to as "punching out." However, even after being eliminated from the individual competition, contestants can still win additional prizes during the team competitions that continue throughout the season.
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The show was filmed before the pandemic
The American reality competition television series "Tough as Nails" was filmed in its entirety before the COVID-19 pandemic. The show, which aired on CBS from July 8, 2020, to July 30, 2023, follows blue-collar workers as they compete in challenges at real job sites that test their strength, endurance, agility, and mental toughness.
The filming of "Tough as Nails" took place in various locations in and around Los Angeles, California, including farms, factories, and other workplaces. The first season was filmed over the course of approximately two months, from late January to mid-March 2020, just before the pandemic-related shutdowns began. This quick turnaround allowed the show to be filmed without interruption and ensured that all 10 episodes of the first season were completed before the pandemic halted Hollywood production.
The show's creator and host, Phil Keoghan, conducted a nationwide casting search in late 2019, with stops in cities like St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Cincinnati, and Las Vegas. The selected contestants then gathered to film the show in early 2020. The first season of "Tough as Nails" featured 12 contestants competing for a grand prize of $200,000 and a Ford Super Duty truck.
The success of the first season led to the subsequent filming and airing of additional seasons of "Tough as Nails." The show's unique format, which allowed all contestants to remain in the competition even after being eliminated from the running for the grand prize, created a dynamic and engaging viewing experience. The show's celebration of everyday Americans and their strength and grit resonated with audiences, solidifying its place in the highly competitive reality television landscape.
The efficient filming schedule of "Tough as Nails" was a significant contributing factor to its success. By completing filming before the pandemic, the show avoided the challenges and delays that many other productions faced during that time. This allowed "Tough as Nails" to build a dedicated audience and establish itself as a popular and enduring reality competition series.
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Contestants compete in real-world challenges
The CBS competition series *Tough As Nails* was filmed in late January to mid-March 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down productions in Los Angeles. The show's 12 contestants, who work in physically demanding professions, compete in challenges at real-world job sites.
Host and creator Phil Keoghan described how the show differs from other reality TV competitions:
> "They were competing at real job sites — farms, factories, workplaces — and there was no obstacle course or reality set. This was not a game but real life."
Each episode of *Tough As Nails* features three challenges that give contestants a chance to earn cash as a team and advance in the individual competition. Contestants compete in 6-on-6 team challenges, individual competitions, and elimination battles, referred to as 'Overtime'.
In its third season, the show stepped up its challenge game, creating competitions that highlighted the difficulty of certain kinds of work. For example, in one episode, teams had to construct a lighting grid and hoist it above the stage at The Wiltern theatre in Los Angeles. For the individual competition, they had to set up DJ stations on the stage, and for the elimination challenge, the two contestants had to place letters on the marquee outside.
Other challenges in season three included running a pit stop on a race course, replacing tires and filling up a gas tank, and a *Tough As Nails* version of Top Chef’s mise en place challenge, with a series of head-to-head trade-focused tasks.
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Phil Keoghan is the host and executive producer
Phil Keoghan is a well-known television personality from New Zealand. He is the creator and host of 'No Opportunity Wasted', which has been produced in the United States, New Zealand, and Canada. Keoghan also co-created and hosts the American reality competition programme 'Tough as Nails'. The show is an American reality TV series that aired on CBS from 8 July 2020, to 30 July 2023. The show was filmed in and around Los Angeles, with contestants competing in challenges at real-world job sites, such as farms, factories, and workplaces.
Phil Keoghan is also an executive producer on the show 'Tough as Nails'. Keoghan has had a long career in television, working in more than seventy countries as a television host, producer, writer, and cameraman. He has been the host of 'The Amazing Race' since its debut in 2001 and has been involved with winning 10 Primetime Emmy Awards for the show. In 2009, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.
In addition to his work on 'The Amazing Race', Keoghan has also hosted other shows such as National Geographic Explorer and Big Brother. He has also written a book called 'No Opportunity Wasted' and produced a TV show with the same title. Keoghan has also directed several projects, including Flying High with Phil Keoghan and Aerial New Zealand.
Keoghan's wife, Louise, is also a television producer and director and the co-creator of 'No Opportunity Wasted' and 'Tough as Nails'. They work together on many projects, including the award-winning documentary 'Le Ride', which they shot while riding bicycles from LA to New York.
Phil Keoghan's role as host and executive producer on 'Tough as Nails' showcases his versatility and experience in the television industry. His involvement in the show's creation, development, and presentation highlights his dedication and contribution to its success.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around a month to film 'Tough as Nails'.
The first season of 'Tough as Nails' was filmed in late January to mid-March 2020.
'Tough as Nails' was filmed in and around Los Angeles, California.
Phil Keoghan is the host of 'Tough as Nails'.
'Tough as Nails' is a reality TV show that follows 12 contestants who compete in challenges at real-world job sites that test their strength, endurance, agility and mental toughness.

















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