Ever since Jobelle Collier first watched The Amazing Race growing up as a child in the Philippines, she knew she needed to get on the show - at whatever cost.
“I clearly remember saying these words: ‘when I grow up, I am going on that show with my dad’,” she said.
“Last time around I wanted to apply but I was pregnant with my youngest, Ivy and I decided to put it on hold.
“Then when season two was announced I came up to Dad with a camera and said: ‘we're recording now’ and he did all his loose cannon stuff right after trading in the caravan.
“And they somehow liked us.”
Rani Alegre and Ms Collier are best known as two friendly faces behind the Nanna Marce food truck - a family business that tours Shepparton selling their Filipino fare.
It was only fitting, then, that Ms Collier was at work when she received the call advising her and her father to pack their bags.
“I was in the storeroom at work crying like a Kardashian when I found out, it was crazy,” she said with a laugh.
“I was like: ‘ahhh I'm going to miss my kids so much'.
“When I came out I couldn't tell anyone so I had to be like - ‘I'm okay, they're tears of joy'.”
Mr Alegre and Ms Collier had since then grown used to keeping the big secret under wraps - until now.
“Dad's been struggling, but I've been okay - I've enjoyed playing mind games,” Ms Collier said with a laugh.
Their travels took them a long way from home, but Ms Collier said the pair had, in many ways, brought Shepparton with them on their journey.
“Life in Shepparton has prepared us for this race,” Ms Collier said.
“In the beginning they told us - ‘there are going to be a lot of long drives up to one and a half hours’ and I was like, ‘excuse me?'
“I do that twice a day, it's no problem.”
Though they couldn't reveal any spoilers, Ms Collier said their "food truck skills" would be on full display in season two.
“From the food truck, you get to be smart at how you do things with strategy, determination and hard work,” she said.
While COVID-19 prevented the show from following its usual race-across-the-globe format, this time around, contestants sprinted across the nation to try and win the $250,000 prize.
“We went to places I've never seen before . . . and I just fell in love with them,” Mr Alegre said.
“But we still missed Shepparton, we love this place,” Ms Collier said.
“Shepp life,” Mr Alegre added with a laugh.
As for the possible prize money?
“In the beginning we were just focused on getting into the race, and when they asked us what we'd spend money on I was like . . . I don't know, an electric scooter?" Ms Collier said with a laugh.
“But in all seriousness we agreed to help a charity close to our hearts, and set up our families planning for the future.
“Family is a big thing for us, we like to share the love of family in our food truck.”
“Certainly not a Mustang,” her father added.
Ms Collier thanked the Shepparton community for its ongoing support since the news was revealed.
“Already we've had people coming up to us in the food truck wishing us the best,” she said.
“The inspiration and the encouragement from the community has been amazing . . . we're very grateful for that.
“I hope people enjoy our journey and we make Shepparton proud.”
The Amazing Race premieres on February 1 on WIN TV.
