by Gina Scarpa

It seemed like we had seen the last of Mark Long on MTV in 2009 on The Duel II but when the network came a knockin' for another challenge, he couldn't help but say yes. The now 40 year old (yes, it's been that long since the first season of Road Rules) will compete on The Challenge: Battle of the Exes, along with his partner and short lived ex-flame, Robin Hibbard. Before the show premieres next week, we got a little time with the challenge vet to get a look at what's to come and what brought him back.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Alright, so how did MTV convince you to come back and compete on another Challenge? I thought you retired!
A. Mark: Well, I just turned 40 and thought to myself, "Hey, what a great storyline it would be if I came back one final time at that age." A lot of the cast members are in their early 20s, so we all had a lot of fun realizing that I could possibly be the same age as some of their parents... which is weird and AWESOME all at the same time. Plus I think BMP productions (and MTV) wanted to broaden their demographic so they thought, "Who is the sexiest 40 year old dude we know?" and boom! My phone rang! This will be my 17th year with MTV, so it definitely has become a huge part of my life.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you found out that you were all paired with someone from your past, what was your reaction?
A. Mark: I usually like to do individual challenges where I only really have to rely on myself, competitively and socially in the house. The team or partner challenges puts a bit more pressure on you because you have to not only think for yourself, but you have to think, "What is the most beneficial scenario for myself and someone else?" It definitely is a competition, but I have never let these challenges define my life, so in the end, you wanna have some fun and great memories when you look back.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Which is worse: being paired with your ex or being paired with your enemy, a la last season?
A. Mark: I think both scenarios make great television. Some of the enemies from last season really still hate each other and with the exes scenario, some couples still have really bitter tastes in their mouths. You throw in a little alcohol and a cash prize and you get a nice slice of the Jerry Springer Show with fights, yelling, backstabbing, and mayhem, which again, is really, really great television. I am in a committed relationship with my girlfriend so for me it was easy. I showed up to compete and didn't let any of the social drama affect me but I did have a front row seat to some of the greatest drama and challenge fighting ever... and you all soon will see on January 25th on MTV!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Now that you're older and wiser (you like how I phrased that?), how did you handle all of the drama that goes on in the house?
A. Mark: Well as many of you might or might not know, we are not allowed any contact with the outside world while filming. which means: no television, no cell phones, no internet, no tabloid magazines, no contact with locals, etc. Pretty much, the house becomes a powder keg of dynamite and every day you wonder who is gonna be the person to light the match and watch the fireworks ensue. So for me, it was like having LIVE theater but in this case, the actors weren't acting, and the fights/arguments were REAL. Plus, I have a really great group of guys that I room with that you will see, so we spent a lot of time in our bunks (yes we sleep in bunk beds) telling stories and hanging out.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Despite being the oldest player, you look like you're in the best shape! Which guy(s) did you feel stacked up against you or did you feel were your biggest physical competition?
A. Mark: Well thank you for that compliment! I always show up to these competitions ready to rock! I am not one to start training once I get the phone call. I love physical fitness and keep a really tight workout plan all year round courtesy of my girlfriend and awesome trainer @missaliburgess. I never would show up being looked at as the old, out-of-shape guy that is dying for some cheap minutes of television. I show up ready to compete, in tip top shape, and my age at first might surprise people, but then after a few days, they forget about me being 40 and maybe start to think, "Damn, this dude might be for real." There are a few guys on the show that are a pretty descent size and seem athletic (Johnny Bananas, CT, Dunbar) but the beauty of the challenge is you never know what the day will have in store. One day, you could be fighting lions in the jungle, and the next day, you could be eating cow brains.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Okay, I'm done bringing up your age. How was it to film in the Dominican Republic?
A. Mark: I will use one word to describe our location in the DR... and that would be "remote". I have heard of a lot of awesome things about some of the vacation resort places and five star hotels and country clubs. Well, we were not around any of those. Don't get me wrong, our house is a huge mansion with a pool and endless front yard. But when you really think about it, 26 people can really make a house like that very messy within days. But the DR reminded me a lot of Jamaica when I shot Battle Of The Sexes for the first time. Very green, lots of beaches, and lots of locals buzzing around on scooters. Every day, our drive to the challenges ranged from about one to two hours so it was a constant game of Frogger trying to avoid all of the scooters and people along the way!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Can you give us a little preview of what's to come on Battle of the Exes?
A. Mark: I can say this: we invent a new battleground for the eliminations, like past challenges that had Gauntlets, Infernos, etc. If you are unlucky enough to face elimination, the competitors get sent to THE DOME! That is all I will say about that, you must watch to find out. Oh, and yes there is going to be fighting, backstabbing, lots of laughing, hooking up, arguing, everything that makes these challenges popular amongst its fans. Battle of the Exes will not disappoint so tune in!

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: What else do you have going on right now? Anything you wanna mention?
A. Mark: I just shot a pilot for History Channel and wanna keep hosting as many projects as possible. If you read this and need a HOST, check out my reel!  And my partner (David Graham) and I still represent YouTube sensation Keenan Cahill.  And lastly, I was late in the game with TWITTER but love it now so follow me @themarklong!  And double lastly, ENJOY THE SHOW!

The Challenge: Battle of the Exes premieres Wednesday, January 25, at 10/9c on MTV.

(Image courtesy of MTV)

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