PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX UROSEVIC IPHOTO INCTaylor McPherson and Katie Mulkay recently won the Amazing Race Canada season ten. McPherson is currently pursuing her Master’s in Science and Kinesiology. Mulkay is a recent alumna from the University of Alberta. Both wrestled for the Pandas for about six seasons and are now assistant coaches for the team.
The two best friends traveled the country for the competition, but won in Edmonton at the U of A Butterdome — which is “home,” according to them.
“To have the opportunity to be in the Butterdome, it was unbelievable. We’re pointing over at our wrestling room as we’re running through the Butterdome. It was so nice to be at home. Felt like we had the warmth of our community,” Mulkay said.
McPherson and Mulkay thank wrestling for what it has taught them
The duo was almost eliminated in episode seven, but after receiving a second chance they “left no stone unturned.” They also had wrestling to thank for making them persevere through the race, McPherson said.
“Our skills in wrestling have allowed us to be able to work through those situations and not dwell on the losses or challenges. We just have to continue to persevere,” McPherson said.
The two are also the second all-female team in the Amazing Race Canada to win the competition. Similarly, Mulkay said, in their final year with the Pandas, they won national medals. They led the team to a national title.
“We basically just did it again. It’s just how the stars align and to have done that at our university, and then on reality TV is unforgettable,” Mulkay said.
Mulkay and McPherson have been best friends for over seven years, yet this experience brought them even closer together. They outlined how communication was key in their success.
“We’ve pushed each other past what we thought our limits were, and found ways to support each other in ways that we didn’t know we could. Being able to race this race with your best friend, your other half, it’s been an experience like no other,” Mulkay said.
“There haven’t really been any moments that we got mad at each other or yelled at each other for doing something. We’re always understanding with one another in different roadblocks. We have each other’s backs, no matter what,” McPherson added.
The Amazing Race Canada always presents varying challenges to competitors. However the two said that “focus” was their biggest challenge.
“I think the biggest challenge was just staying level-headed and staying present in the moment. We needed to constantly recollect and talk to one another [and] not think about what’s next. [We had to] focus on the challenge at hand, and then think about what’s next once we completed that challenge,” McPherson said.
The duo want to get the message “strong is beautiful” across
The two made it into the finale after McPherson, who is a member of Miawpukek First Nation, got the chance to speak to an elder in her language.
“Getting the opportunity to learn my language and recite the months of the year to the elder, introduce myself to him, [having] him say ‘you’re my relative’, and him giving us big hugs, it was a really amazing moment. It was the moment that got us into the finale so we felt [we were] exactly where we were meant to be,” McPherson said.
With this win, the two want to ensure the message of “strong is beautiful” gets across to audiences. This is something they hope they reflected throughout the competition.
“Being that role model, being the face of strong is beautiful. Showing these young girls that you can do whatever you put your mind to. We are more than just little Taylor and Katie. We’re more than just female wrestlers. Being an Indigenous woman, being able to represent my people too is so important. We want to make everyone proud — our family, our friends, [everyone],” McPherson said.
“Being on the show, it’s been a place where our voices can be heard. It’s been quite a journey to show our genuine selves, and we’ve been genuine the whole way,” Mulkay added.
The pair hope to serve as examples of what you can do if you put your mind to it.
“I never saw ourselves on reality TV, but you know what? There we are. You gotta seize opportunities. Life’s too short, you know. Take advantage of what you have to offer, and anything is possible,” Mulkay said.
