SAS Australia chief instructor Ant Middleton reveals the REAL reason Schapelle Corby quit the show after just two days
She broke down in tears after quitting SAS Australia, just two days into the gruelling Channel Seven challenge show.
And on Tuesday, chief instructor Ant Middleton revealed why he believes convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby, 43, quit so suddenly – despite her going through much worse trauma in her life after spending nine years in a Balinese jail.
Speaking on Sunrise, Ant confirmed that while the former inmate was prepared for the challenge mentally, it was her physical ability that ultimately ‘let her down’.
Speaking out: On Tuesday, chief instructor Ant Middleton revealed why he believes convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby, 43, quit the show so suddenly – despite her going through much worse trauma in her life after spending nine years in a Bali jail
‘I could tell straight away just by sitting her down and looking her in the eye – I knew she had that mental fortitude about her,’ he said.
‘But physically, your game needs to be up there with your mental fortitude. One cannot lack. If one lacks, the other will take over and you’ll trip up.’
He continued: ‘There’s no letting up on anything, so unfortunately it was her physical side that let her down.’
Schapelle quit the show during the first week, after Firass Dirani’s antics forced the team to run a series of laps as part of a punishment.
All over: Schapelle burst into tears after quitting SAS Australia, just two days into the gruelling Channel Seven challenge show
Schapelle struggled to keep up during the punishing exercise, turning in her armband and consequently quitting the show.
As the other recruits continued to run, a defeated Schapelle slowed to a walk as she made her way back to the DS (directing staff).
‘I feel like I have good mind control, but on an endurance level, I don’t think I’ve been pushed that far,’ she admitted.
Approaching the DS, a resolute Schapelle informed them that her ‘time has come’, before ripping off her armband.
‘I’ve had enough. I can’t run this far one second longer. I cannot,’ she said, before breaking down in tears.
She’s out! Schapelle struggled to keep up with a punishing running exercise, turning in her armband and consequently quitting the show
The DS told Schapelle to ‘pull herself together’, before holding up her armband for Ant to see that she was out.
Speaking about her short-lived experience on the show, Schapelle said it had taught her to trust people again following her drug trafficking conviction back in 2005.
‘This is the reason I came to join this, to open doors for myself and to start to live in society better than I have been. So it’s time to create a new life for myself,’ she added.
SAS Australia continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Seven
Out of the running: Schapelle was then seen turning in her armband and consequently quitting the show