Brandi Glanville, known for her role as a reality star, faced a shocking turn of events during the premiere of season five of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.” The episode, which aired on 24th September, saw Glanville medically withdrawn from the competition following a hazardous helicopter dive that left her with severe injuries.
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The incident occurred during the show’s opening exercise, where contestants were required to leap backwards from a helicopter into a jungle river. Glanville vividly recalled the moment she hit the water: “As soon as my head hit the surface, I instantly thought, ‘Oh no, I just hit my head really hard.’ Then my body slammed into the water, and the pain hit me immediately. It was excruciating,” she told PEOPLE. The impact caused her left breast implant to become dislodged, resulting in intense pain and limiting her mobility.
Further assessment of her injuries revealed that she also sustained a concussion, a cracked rib, a perforated eardrum, and a bruised sternum. Consequently, Glanville had to leave the competition and make a challenging journey to the nearest hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where she required urgent medical attention as she was not cleared to fly.
After several days of recuperation at home, she described her experiences with the concussion as debilitating, leaving her unable to engage with her phone or her usual activities due to a persistent headache. However, despite the adversity, Glanville found value in her experience on the show. “I overcame my two biggest fears, and I feel like a total badass in my kids’ eyes, so despite everything, it was worth it,” she expressed, referring to her two sons, Mason and Jake.
Initially hesitant to join the show, Glanville felt underprepared and worried about her capabilities. “When my manager suggested it, I was sort of in disbelief about my own toughness,” she admitted. Eventually, motivated by financial concerns and supportive encouragement, she took the plunge and participated in the show, despite her apprehensions.
Glanville has been candid about her health struggles over the past three years, detailing the financial strain of her medical treatments. In a recent episode of her podcast, she revealed her monthly expenses soared to £13,000 (approximately $16,000) to manage her condition, which includes a variety of complex diagnoses. These include highly resistant ESBL Klebsiella, Valley Fever, Demodex dermatitis, and Mononucleosis.
The former star of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” has been transparent about her health issues, noting that she believes silicone poisoning from her old breast implants contributed to her overall decline. “I’ve been very sick for the past three years, and I’m fortunate to be here,” she added, highlighting her optimism about recovery despite extensive treatment ahead.
Reflecting on her experience, Glanville remarked that “Special Forces” reinforced some life lessons, particularly about taking care of oneself. She humorously acknowledged, “I learned that I should never dye my own hair again,” illustrating the often unexpected personal insights gained from her time on the programme.
As she moves forward from her time on “Special Forces,” Glanville is focused on healing and re-engaging with her social life. “I want to get out, start living again, and enjoy dinners with friends. I’ve been quite isolated trying to manage my health, but I’m excited about new projects on the horizon,” she stated, signalling her readiness to embrace a renewed phase in her life.
The upcoming episodes of “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” are set to air on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on FOX, ensuring that while Glanville’s journey may have ended with the premiere, her story is still very much alive in the public eye.