Don & Mary Jean

Don & Mary Jean have been married for 20 years and live in Portola Valley, California. Between them they have six children and 16 grandchildren, all from previous marriages. They met almost 27 years ago through mutual friends while they were both married to other people. Donald is a physician, and Mary Jean is an interior designer.

Donald & Mary Jean live for adventure and travel. They have already traveled to six continents and believe that their combined travel experience will make them successful contenders in the Race. They are looking forward to all of the challenges that the Race may bring their way, especially the extreme tasks.

They have been through a lot together, including a near-death experience when their boat of eight people capsized in the South Pacific, throwing Donald onto a coral reef and Mary Jean into the water. The locals later told them that they held a memorial service for them, thinking that there was no way they could survive the treacherous water. The couple survived this horrific experience and emerged with a greater zest for life.

Before being selected for the Race, Mary Jean's most recent accomplishment is losing 23 pounds on Dr. Phil's diet, and Donald's is being an award-winning winemaker.

Although they are the oldest couple on this Race, Donald, 69, and Mary Jean, 65, believe that their life experience and appetite for adventure will be a key asset in winning THE AMAZING RACE.^[1]

How would you describe your previous travel experience?

• Don: Very extensive and to all six continents. Always exciting to be exposed to new and different cultures.
• Mary Jean: When I'm traveling, I make every attempt to blend into the culture of the country I'm visiting. Why do I know that this will be impossible on the Race? Staying in bed-and-breakfasts or small hotels gives me the opportunity to spend time with and get to know the local people. Being surrounded by a bunch of other tourists is not my idea of how to experience another country. I'm partial to France and Italy, probably because I've spent more time there. I'm lucky to have had the opportunity to visit all of the continents.

What is the most stressful aspect of traveling?

• Don: Lost baggage and documents.
• Mary Jean: Mosquito bites.

Why did you want to be on THE AMAZING RACE?

• Don: Primarily for the competition and the opportunity to interact with other countries and cultures and to prove that age should not be a factor in accepting challenges.
• Mary Jean: As I sat at home and watched the Race on TV, I realized that I could compete as well as anyone else and, at age 65, if I didn't get out there now, I probably wouldn't have too many more opportunities. I like the idea of showing the world that even though I'm 65, it's possible to continue to face new challenges and to be open to new experiences. I've spent much of my life being limited by my fear of heights and know that I'll have to confront this on the Race. What an opportunity for adventure!

Have you and your partner traveled together before? If so, what was it like?

• Don: In 27 years, we have traveled extensively on all six continents. It is always exciting and stimulating.
• Mary Jean: Don and I share a love of travel and are fortunate to enjoy many of the same things. We travel very well together. I'm looking forward to when we'll have more time to travel. When we win the $1,000,000, maybe then he'll consider retiring and we can go play.

What do you fear most about competing in THE AMAZING RACE?

• Don: A Race-ending injury.
• Mary Jean: Looking like a raging bitch on TV. Don always comes across as the good guy, and I have a tendency to say pretty much whatever is on my mind.

What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the Team?

• Don: Strengths are competitiveness, extensive travel experience, intellect and a "never quit" attitude. Weakness would only be perceived by others because of my age.
• Mary Jean: I tend to be more analytical about the decisions I make and take more time to think things through. My biggest weakness is that often I don't have the courage to stand up for those decisions. I am also very impatient.

What strengths and weaknesses does your teammate bring to the Team?

• Don: My teammate brings the same attitude of competitiveness, a "never quit" attitude, and we have always traveled well as a couple. I perceive no weaknesses in my teammate other than insomnia when traveling.
• Mary Jean: Don is physically very strong and will do whatever it takes to accomplish a task. His biggest weakness is that he is very stubborn (also a strength) and always wants to do things himself. He is also very impatient.

What will you miss the most from home (besides your bed)?

• Don: My dogs.
• Mary Jean: Make-up, lotion and my two Bichons.

What languages do you speak?

• Don: A little French, Italian and Spanish.
• Mary Jean: A smattering of French, Italian, Spanish and German. Barely enough to get by in any of them.

What destination are you hoping to visit?

• Don: Nepal and Mongolia.
• Mary Jean: I hope to visit countries that I haven't been to before, even though that would be a disadvantage on the Race. Any Third World country would be fascinating.

What country do you feel best prepared for?

• Don: France.
• Mary Jean: Probably France, as I've spent the most time there, and French is my best second language.^[2]