Nicole W.

OH. MY. GOODNESS--this can't be real Wheel, right? RIGHT?!!!?!!!! was pretty close to my response when I got the initial email about being a potential contestant.  I was standing in my kitchen on a Friday night when the email came in (because of course that's where a person of my age with two littles would be standing on a Friday night) and I started jumping up and down and screeching at my husband in excitement.  

And let me tell you about my husband.....he's actually the one who told me to apply to be on the show, but he's also a contemplator...and not one to make a rash decision without weighing almost every possible scenario. So, as I'm like, "WAHOOOO, WE'RE GOIIIIINNG!", he's a little frozen trying to scenario himself into a flight in five days to the West Coast from Iowa. I think I was literally using his shoulders to catapult myself into the air as he sat there, likely swimming in all of the thoughts (or maybe he was just trying to be a secure structure for me so I didn't hurt myself--lol). 

To prepare for my game show debut on America's Game, I continued doing what I have been for as long as I can remember--I watched the Wheel. BUT this time I also imagined what witty things I might say as I bantered with Pat and Vanna on set (spoiler alert--all of those things just woosh right out of your head when you are actually IN the moment).   I also downloaded the game app which was SUPER FUN to play and helped prepare my brain for puzzle solving at a more rapid rate (you can solve several puzzles in a few minutes).

The experience on the Wheel was surreal and emotional and exciting and fun---SO MUCH FUN!  Each and every person that works on/with/for that show is AMAZING and kind and SO HELPFUL.  It really felt like I got this amazing opportunity to be part of this really cool, supportive family for a day and I just smile as I reflect back on everyone I met, from the other contestants (WHO ARE INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS and puzzle solvers) to the talented, professional (and also very funny and engaging) personnel.  It makes sense that this show has been on the air as long as it has--they have the formula figure out.  

On that note, I want to reflect on what the Wheel means to me, which, in a word, it means 'home'.  The Wheel of Fortune has been a backdrop to what feels like my entire life--whether I was actively engaged in playing along, or distracted by life events  with it playing in the background, the Wheel has always been a constant.  I can't count how many times I or my family members have turned a show into a competition, or called/texted each other after an airing commenting on a puzzle, or the number of times my husband has developed his own 'before and after' puzzles.  We just really love our Wheel of Fortune and I couldn't be more grateful for this amazing opportunity.  

When 'my' episode of the Wheel of Fortune airs, I hope to be on zoom with family and friends while watching and celebrating with friends and family at a local sports bar.  I want my mug on every one of their TVs for the airing of 'my' episode.  And I want dip...lots of lots of dips.  ;-)