For Matt Patterson, growing up in Rockaway meant spending countless hours in the ocean, learning to navigate the A train and in true Rockaway fashion, developing the ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone.
As it turns out, those skills can come in handy when racing around the world for $1 million.
Patterson, a Rockaway native now living in Rutherford, N.J., and his wife, Michelle Patterson, are among the 13 teams competing on Season 39 of CBS’ “The Amazing Race,” which premieres Wednesday, September 30 at 9:30 p.m. And while Matt may now have a New Jersey address, he says during filming in September 2025, he made it clear where he comes from.
“I’m proud to be from Rockaway,” he said. “Rockaway’s a one-of-a-kind place and that attitude, humor, warmth that comes with it translates across the globe. I know that now for a fact.”
Matt Patterson left Rockaway in 2018 and now works in construction project management. Michelle Patterson, originally from Jersey City, runs her parents’ auto body shop and works in real estate. The couple has been together for nearly 11 years, married for five, and are proud parents of Liam, almost 4, and Kendall, almost 3.
When he met Michelle at Pico more than a decade ago, Matt didn’t know that he had met his future wife and that he would be a future contestant on “The Amazing Race.”
Michelle says she grew up watching the show with her mother and aunt, when she was about seven years old, listening as the two critiqued contestants and insisted they could perform the challenges better. Neither ever applied, but Michelle never forgot about it.
“I always thought ‘I’m gonna do this when I get older,’” she said. As she got older, she spent years trying to convince her mom and sisters to team up with her for the show. “What are you, crazy?” was a common reply. That was until she married Matt, but it took some convincing. “He was not with it at first,” Michelle Patterson said. First, he had to see the show.
After a few years of watching, Michelle says it took their son getting sick over Christmas 2024 and family plans getting cancelled, for Matt to finally agree to film an audition tape. “Michelle’s like, ‘Let’s send in this video. Let’s just apply for ‘The Amazing Race.’ And I’m like, all right, screw it, let’s go,” Matt Patterson said.
But he had conditions. “One take, no editing,” Matt Patterson said. Rather than produce a polished audition, Matt wanted casting directors to see their natural dynamic: Michelle, the planner, and Matt, more willing to embrace the chaos.
They sent it in. “There’s no chance we’re getting on,” Michelle Patterson thought. The next day, a casting director called.
That kicked off an approximately eight-month process involving interviews, background checks, psychological evaluations and social media screenings. By June 2025, they got the green light.
In mid-September 2025, filming began. The Pattersons flew to Los Angeles and had no contact with home. “The duration of the filming, you are totally off grid, no nothing,” Matt Patterson said. That meant no cell phones, no internet, no TV, no money, nothing. Just a knock on the door telling them to be ready by 2 a.m. Next thing they knew, the Pattersons landed in Vancouver, Canada, and were ready to take on their first challenge.
The Pattersons are limited in what they can reveal before the episodes air. But they can say everything was raw and unscripted. “There’s no second takes,” Michelle Patterson said.
Knowing they were heading into the unknown, the Pattersons tried to prepare. Matt studied maps, geography, capitals, flags and navigation and learned how to use a compass. They practiced languages and underwent physical training, including carrying heavy weights up and down their driveway, and other exercises meant to mimic the unpredictable tasks they might face.
And Matt said somehow, growing up in Rockaway, prepared him for the challenges he never knew he’d face in front of a camera. For instance, he didn’t know that when he dragged a kayak from his friend Greg’s house on Beach 119th St. to the ocean to kayak for miles, it would prepare him for a challenge on “The Amazing Race.”
“As anyone from Rockaway knows, like, the amount of time you spend in the ocean, you’re good, you’re strong in the water no matter what,” he said.
Then there was navigating the A train to get to Xavier High School. When the race required the couple to figure out unfamiliar mass transit systems, that experience proved valuable. “Having all that experience getting around on the A train, I felt comfortable doing that,” he said.
And then there are the people skills. Patterson credits Rockaway’s close-knit nature with teaching him how to approach strangers, start conversations and make connections. That became especially valuable when the couple needed directions or assistance along the way.
“I attribute my people skills and my love for people, to growing up in Rockaway,” he said. It was something Michelle got to see through dating Matt.
“Before we were married, I would go to Rockaway and would literally say to Matt, like, can you just not talk to people and not be the mayor for once? But that’s just so him,” Michelle Patterson said. “It didn’t matter what country we were in, he was like the mayor of the block.”
Matt said that tendency comes naturally when you grow up in Rockaway. “We all know each other,” he said. “If I don’t know you, like, I know your cousin, I know your mom teaches CCD, and she taught my nephew.”
That Rockaway mentality followed him around the world. “That’s a Rockaway thing,” he said. “Like, we’re good anywhere, we’re gonna figure it out.”
Viewers may even hear some Rockaway shoutouts this season. Matt says he mentioned his hometown while tackling everything from transportation to kayaking, though he doesn’t know what will make the final cut.
One thing is clear—The Pattersons entered the race with a goal. While some teams focused on forming friendships and alliances, they were there to compete. “We left our two kids at home, like, to win a million dollars,” Michelle Patterson said.
“We played the game within the rules, with respect, honor, and integrity,” Matt Patterson added. “But we were there to win.”
That made for some intense moments. “There was one crash out where I was like, ‘the socks are in my f***ing bag!’ And she said, ‘Don’t speak to me like that!’” Matt Patterson recalled. “I’m like, just take my socks, we’re in the middle of chaos,” Michelle Patterson said.
But they got past it. “It was rocky for a second,” Michelle said, “Yeah, leg two got a little tense, but we figured it out,” Matt Patterson said.
The intense competition taught them a few things—or reinforced what they already knew. Matt discovered just how much Michelle hates losing. Michelle got to see Matt’s patience, navigation skills and ability to connect with others shine through.
Matt and Michelle say they’d encourage anyone to audition for the show as the experience was “priceless,” according to Matt. “Just do it.” Michelle added, “You gotta live your life, and this was such a live your life moment.”
They’re happy that Liam and Kendall will someday be able to watch their parents take on the adventure together. And they know friends and family, including Matt’s parents in Rockaway, Walter and Kate, will be watching at home. Go Team Yellow!
Season 39 of “The Amazing Race” premieres Wednesday, September 30 at 9:30 p.m. on CBS and Paramount+, followed by a second episode on Thursday, October 1. The show will then air Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m.
