By Maureen Francisco

We knew him as #5, the professional game show contestant on Solitary 4.0. RealityWanted spoke with Todd Ranck, the fifth person to leave Solitary. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: Thanks for taking the time to speak with RealityWanted.com. How did you learn about the show?

A. Todd: I got a phone call from someone on a previous show I was on and was told to come down for an interview. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: Have you seen Solitary before?

A. Todd: I did research and watched the show on the internet. I understood the concept that there were challenges and treatments. It was a bit scary to see the pod and the tight space. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: Describe your experience.

A. Todd: The experience was so unusual, I couldn't prepare for it. I almost wanted to go in blind and embrace the experience. I knew it was going to be different and a challenge. I knew it was going to wear my body and mind.  And, it did! This is one experience that I'm sure I wouldn't do again. It was "wear and tear" on me mentally. But, overall, I enjoyed it. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: We saw moments of you loopy. Was that real?

A. Todd: Yes. I was physically and mentally worn out ... lack of sleep and lack of food. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: When you learned you were the first one to quit the "monkeying around" treatment, what went through your mind?

A. Todd: I was shocked. For sure, I thought I was safe. What people didn't see, I was constantly doing penalty rounds and my knees popped. So, when I hit the red button, I felt like I maxed at. I was at peace because I went as far as I could go. At the end of the day, I was impressed with how far everyone was still going. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: What was the hardest part about being on Solitary?

A. Todd: For me, honestly, two things. The space. And, the heat. Prior seasons, they made it cold. For us, it was the uncomfortable heat: 90-95 degrees. It was unbearable! I was forever uncomfortable. It was killing me. That was the biggest thing. You have moments where I had the fear that "I'm in a box and I won't be going anywhere for a long time." I had to calm my mind. I had to remind myself that I CHOSE to be here.  I lost sixteen pounds!

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: Did the show portray you accurately? Why or why not?

A. Todd: I think at the end of the day, it portrayed me accurately. I'm pretty much an easy going guy. Overall, I wasn't upset how I came across. I'm a goofball. I have an accent. And, I did kind of lose my mind toward the end. If anything, I had more erratic moments that weren't displayed. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: What did you learn about yourself while you were on Solitary?

A. Todd: I went beyond limits, beyond I thought I would go. I do have a willpower to keep going. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: Who do you think will win Solitary?

A. Todd: It's funny. My heart is rooting for #3, but my mind says it's going to be #6. Val messed with my head, thinking, it's a young male football player and I had no idea it's a female. She seems like a good person. #6 has a different mind set. He felt he was that close to winning in season two so his motivation is different than everyone else. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: What's next for Todd? Any more game shows?

A. Todd: That's the plan always -- game shows. In the perfect world, I want to transition to being a TV host. My ideal thing would be a game show host. 

Q. Maureen, RealityWanted: Any advice for those who want to get on a reality show?

A. Todd: There's a lot of luck. But, bottom line, be yourself. What makes you unique is what you want to use -- the way you look, the way you talk, where you went to school -- bring that to your interview. Bring high energy and enjoy the moment because it's a unique moment. 

Solitary 4.0 airs Saturdays at 10/9c on Fox Reality.