Who's In The Cast Of Tough As Nails Season 1?

The all-new competition series Tough As Nails celebrates everyday Americans who get their hands dirty while working long, hard hours to keep the country running. The 12 hardworking players competing to be crowned Tough As Nails champion include a welder, firefighter, farmer, roofer, and a Marine Corps Veteran, among others.

Hosted by Phil Keoghan, who also serves as Executive Producer, Tough As Nails premieres on Wednesday, July 8 at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

These competitors, who consider the calluses on their hands a badge of honor, will be tested for their strength, endurance, life skills, and, most importantly, mental toughness in challenges that take place at real-world job sites.

STREAM: Tough As Nails When It Premieres On July 8

One competitor will be crowned champion, but nobody will go home. Even after they "punch out" of the individual competition, they will have the opportunity to win additional prizes in the team competitions that continue throughout the season. 

"I was inspired to create Tough As Nails almost a decade ago because of my working-class family of farmers, gold miners, builders, and coal miners," said Phil Keoghan. "I'm proud of my family and wanted to shine a light on people who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty to do a hard day's work. Now, more than ever, it is important for all of us to recognize this country's essential workers: real people in real life who are real tough."

Read on to meet the everyday folks who will be competing on Season 1 of Tough As Nails!

Then, don't miss the series premiere of Tough As Nails on Wednesday, July 8 at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.

Job: Firefighter
Age: 36
Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia

Three words to describe you: Goofy, laidback, adventurous.

What is a typical day like for you? 
I drink three cups of coffee, clean toilets, and work out. I go grocery shopping, eat lunch, drill/training, and study. I eat dinner, clean up the station (house chores), and sleep as long as no one calls 9-1-1.

What makes you tough as nails?
My parents make me tough as nails. They taught me to go three times harder than the next person. Thinking of what they did to come to America and building a life out of nothing without complaining keeps me motivated. My dad always told me to never complain or blame others for anything.

Read Young's full bio.

Job: Farmer
Age: 27
Hometown: Milford Center, Ohio

Three words to describe you: Bubbly, hardworking, excited.

What is a typical day like for you? 
Every day is different. My day starts anywhere between 3:00 - 4:00 AM. House chores get completed, then depending on weather and the season you will find me in the fields or at the feed mill. We work before the sun comes up and will not stop until after dark or all the work is complete for that day.

What makes you tough as nails?
Getting up every day and putting in the work. We don't do it for the money. We don't do it for anyone but ourselves. I am a tough farmer, a tough female farmer!

Read Melissa's full bio.

Job: Fisherman
Age: 28
Hometown: Bend, Oregon

Three words to describe you: Hilarious, determined, crazy.

What is a typical day like for you? 
Picking fish, which consists of hand pouring salmon out of the very tangled net, driving the boat, and delivering fish. This is 24 hours a day for two and a half months with no toilet, no shower, and crappy food.

What makes you tough as nails?
I know I can push myself mentally and physically. I keep a level head in tough situations. I am competitive and don't lose often.

Read Callie's full bio.

Job: Ironworker 
Age: 30
Hometown: Elk Plain, Washington

Three words to describe you: Motherly, hardworking, determined.

What is a typical day like for you? 
I'm usually up at 3:00 - 3:30 AM getting ready for work. I commute and work for 8 - 12 hour days then commute back home. I get home around 6:00 PM to cook, take kids to sports, help with homework, and I'm in bed between 7:30 - 8:00 PM depending on what sport season it is.

What makes you tough as nails?
I have the heart to not give up even when my body hurts. It just makes me push harder. I'm a mother of four, one with special needs, which is a hard enough job as well, let alone working in iron.

Read Tara's full bio.

Job: Deputy Sheriff 
Age: 29
Hometown: Marion, New York

Three words to describe you: Integrity, loyal, adventurous.

What is a typical day like for you? 
I wake up at 4:00 AM. I work out first thing, chest day is my favorite! I run every day and I stretch in my sauna every day! I will not stretch any other way. I work until the evening. Sometimes I'll pick up extra work at night or spend the evening with my boyfriend, friends, and/or family.

What makes you tough as nails?
What makes me tough as nails is the fact that I've never stopped persevering and moving forward. I've never stopped standing up for what's right.  Sometimes the toughest obstacles aren't physical, sometimes they are emotional and mental. I've gotten back up and never stopped. I am tough as nails.

Read Linda's full bio.

Job: Welder
Age: 34
Hometown: Lecanto, Florida

Three words to describe you: Passionate, resilient, motivated.

What is a typical day like for you? 
I wake up at 4:00 AM, drive one and a half hours to work, work from 6:00 AM until 5:30 PM, and then I drive 45 minutes to my second job. I make it home around 10:00 PM after going to the grocery store. Then cook dinner, eat by 11:00 PM, bed by 11:30 PM and then I do it all again the next day.

What makes you tough as nails? 
I am a single mom of four working two jobs, 16 hour days, and working in an environment that takes a lot of physical and mental strength daily.

Read Linnett's full bio.

Job: Gate Agent
Age: 62
Hometown: Alexandria, Kentucky

Three words to describe you: Gutsy, energetic, high-spirited.

What is a typical day like for you? 
Starting at 4:00 AM, I help check-in passengers, tag bags, and collect fees. When the counter closes, I head to the gate to check the plane, maybe clean the plane, verify crew, verify paperwork, board passengers, and when everything is good to go, I close the door and pull back the jet bridge. Then, back to the counter for more passenger check-in. 

What makes you tough as nails?
I'm the one others ask to do the job nobody wants. A coworker said I could win this because "she is like a ferret, once she gets a hold of something, she doesn't let go." I've worked to pay the bills and done a lot of different things. I'm proud of a home rehab job. I've taught 7th grade science. That takes guts!

Read Michelle's full bio.

Job: Roofer 
Age: 61
Hometown: St. Louis

Three words to describe you: Tall, tough, smart.

What is a typical day like for you? 
I work from sun up to sundown.

What makes you tough as nails? 
I don't make excuses.

Read Lee's full bio.

Job: Drywaller
Age: 33
Hometown: Spokane, Washington

Three words to describe you: Competitive, confident, outgoing.

What is a typical day like for you? 
A typical day hanging with a partner is 100+ sheets and by myself is 60 sheets. When finishing drywall, I put a coat on 100+ sheets. I leave at 6:00 AM and get home typically around 6:00 PM.

What makes you tough as nails? 
I have no quit! I go until I can't anymore and no pain will stop me.

Read Danny's full bio.

Job: Marine Corps Veteran
Age: 47
Hometown: Paragon, Indiana

Three words to describe you: Quiet, determined, dedicated.

What is a typical day like for you? 
Most of my day is spent talking to veterans and ensuring they have everything they need to be successful at the university.

What makes you tough as nails?
My experience as a U.S. Marine.

Read Murph's full bio.

Job: Forestry Tech
Age: 28
Hometown: Tuskegee, Alabama

Three words to describe you: Humorous, adventurous, creative.

What is a typical day like for you? 
It depends on the day/season. One day I could be suppressing a wildland fire, the next day I could be taking surveys of the plants, trees, animals, and soil conditions in a certain area, and I could be cleaning and maintaining a hiking trail the day after that.

What makes you tough as nails?
My mental toughness and character make me tough. Yes, I consider myself strong physically, but I wouldn't be able to do anything without a strong mind and character. When I want something, I don't give up.

Read Myles' full bio.

Job: Scaffolder
Age: 35
Hometown: The Bronx, New York

Three words to describe you: Determined, strong-minded, motivated.

What is a typical day like for you? 
I am usually up at 5:30 AM. After that, I head over to the shop to pick up the truck with all the materials. After that, I head over to the work site and start my day. My day consists of carrying heavy metal and putting together the scaffold.

What makes you tough as nails?
I have been through a lot since a young age like growing up without a father and mother until the age of 8. I grew up in The Bronx in a very poor household with six siblings on public assistance. Now, I work 60 hours a week no matter the weather to provide for my kids.

Read Luis' full bio.

Don't miss the series premiere of Tough As Nails on Wednesday, July 8 at 8/7c on CBS and CBS All Access.