What is it like to be cast on reality TV? Hotchkiss resident Ira Houseweart knows the answer to that question.
The two-time champion of Forged in Fire gave an exclusive interview about his experience on the show. “It was a fun experience to be on a reality show,” Houseweart said. “I didn’t think I’d ever do anything quite like that.”
Many people may wonder how to get on a reality show in the first place. For Houseweart, he had to go through a process just to be selected. “I think the first time, it was maybe a couple of months of emails and background checks to make sure that I was okay and suitable for TV,” Houseweart said. The entire process is stressful, too. “It was a little hectic getting lined up, getting on airplane flights, getting over there, meeting the judges, and getting all the cameras in my face. It was exciting, but it was also really nerve-wracking.”
Being on a TV show helped with many things, even with Houseweart’s social media presence. “After the show, my social media presence definitely blew up. I have a lot of people around the world [who] know who I am now and look at my stuff.” He can be found on Instagram at @irahouseweart.
Winning the show also means winning ten thousand dollars in prize money. “The first time I was on, I got ten thousand dollars I put towards a hydraulic press in my shop to smash metal, and this last time, I bought a really big power hammer,” Houseweart said.
Along with the benefits, however, comes the stress of being on something that people all over the world will see. Houseweart explained that being on the show was very stressful for many reasons, including the cameras that record every second you work. “There is always two to three cameras focused on you in case you mess up. They want to make sure they get it,” Houseweart said.
The cameras were stressful in many different ways, but they didn’t make the time limit seem shorter. “There’s always a clock running on the show, so then at that time that there are cameras in there you’re looking at it, so you only have a certain amount of time, so you’re always worried about it, making a mistake,” Houseweart said.
Houseweart commented on his family’s excitement after the win. “I think my girls were kind of having a hard time admitting that their dad might have done something kind of cool,” Houseweart said.
Being on a reality show, there will always be something to remember. For Houseweart, it was the moment he won against the main judge, Ben Abbott, during a Forged in Fire special. “I think when they revealed my blade, and then Ben comes running up to me to give me a hug and congratulate me for the win,” Houseweart said.
