Scott and Lori Thompson Bring Family, Faith, and Brotherhood to The Amazing Race
When Scott Thompson (Missouri S&T) and his wife, Lori, lined up on the starting mat for Season 37 of The Amazing Race, they were immediately struck by the competition.
“Two middle-aged married people against all these super-fit teams—what have we gotten ourselves into?” Scott recalled with a laugh.
Despite their doubts, the Thompsons quickly proved they belonged. Across five episodes, the couple notched an impressive track record: second place in Leg 2, winners of Leg 3, and third place in Leg 4. Their journey ended in Episode 5 after the couple was eliminated, having fallen victim to a controversial “Double U-Turn” twist. Though their time on the show was cut short, the pair left a lasting mark—not just on fans of The Amazing Race, but also on Scott’s Sigma Nu brothers.
Brotherhood at the Starting Line
Scott’s journey with Sigma Nu began at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, previously known as the University of Missouri–Rolla. A high-achieving student, he initially dismissed fraternity life. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he didn’t drink alcohol and assumed fraternities revolved around it. But after meeting the Gamma Xi Chapter’s Recruitment Chairman, he reconsidered.
“I realized I was moving away from home, and I wanted a support network,” Scott explained. “Sigma Nu offered that, and it’s stayed with me ever since.”
Though his undergraduate years were cut short by a church mission and a transfer to another school, Sigma Nu left a permanent impression. To this day, Scott uses the username “SigmaNuElder” online, a nod to both his fraternity and his faith.
Even decades later, his brothers remember him well. “I had pledge brothers reaching out saying, ‘It’s so crazy to see a familiar face on TV,’” Scott said. “That brotherhood is always there.”
“We Do Hard Things”
For Lori, the dream of competing on a reality show began with Survivor. She auditioned six times before turning her attention to The Amazing Race.
“As parents of eight sons, adventure is part of our lives,” she said. “One of our family mottos is, ‘We do hard things.’ After 15 years of pregnancy and nursing, I wanted to do something way out of my comfort zone.”
One day, she convinced Scott to record a race audition tape on the spot. “We filmed it in the car and sent it in,” Lori said. “A couple of months later, we got the call.”
Scott admits he was worried their tape wasn’t polished enough, but Lori believed in their chemistry. “I think it was our natural banter that sold them,” he said.
Strategy Meets Spontaneity
In the competition, the Thompsons’ complementary strengths made them a formidable team. Scott, who works in emergency medicine, brought strategic thinking and calm under pressure. Lori, who has spent decades managing a bustling household, brought energy, positivity, and resilience.
“Lori comes up with the ideas, and I handle the logistics,” Scott said. “That balance helped us succeed.”
Even when they found themselves trailing at the start of legs, they didn’t panic. “We’re not fast runners,” Lori admitted. “But we focused on what we could control—how we worked together, managed time, and made good decisions.”
That steady approach paid off. In fact, according to show statistics, the Thompsons had the highest average performance of any team eliminated in ninth place across the show’s 37 seasons.
Lessons from the Race
Although their journey ended earlier than they hoped, Scott and Lori look back on the experience with gratitude.
“What you saw on TV is who we are—family, faith, positivity,” Lori reflected. “Our kids weren’t embarrassed of us, and neither were we. That meant a lot.”
For Scott, the greatest lesson was about connection. “There’s more that connects us than divides us,” he said. “Some of my closest friendships came from people I never expected to connect with.”
Among them was Jeff, a lumberjack from Missouri. “We couldn’t be more different, but we talk every day,” Scott said. The couple also bonded with Carson and Jack, the season’s winners, whom they affectionately call their “ninth and tenth sons.”
These friendships reinforced the Thompsons’ belief that authenticity and openness create lasting bonds. “Sometimes we judge a book by its cover and miss out,” Scott noted. “If you take the time to learn someone’s story, you’ll often find more common ground than you expected.”
Faith, Family, and Fraternal Principles
The Thompsons are quick to point out that their experience on The Amazing Race was not a departure from their real life but an extension of it.
“We’re authentically us,” Lori said. “We love to include everyone, we love to have fun, and we love to share our faith and our family.”
That authenticity resonated with fans. “The Amazing Race fandom has been amazing,” Scott said. “People reached out saying they appreciated our story and our support of one another. That’s been awesome.”
For Scott, it was also a reminder of the principles he learned as a Sigma Nu. “Staying calm under pressure, working together, supporting each other—that’s brotherhood,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Would they race again? Without hesitation, both say yes.
“We’d do The Amazing Race again in a heartbeat,” Lori said. “And if Survivor called, I’d go too.”
Scott added that he’d be intrigued by more strategic shows like The Mole or The Traitors.
Until then, they’re sharing their adventures through Lori’s Fab Vlog on YouTube and on Instagram at @lorisfablife, where they post recaps, family travel content, and updates.
Listen to the Interview on The Gavel Podcast
In June, Scott and Lori were interviewed for The Gavel Podcast. Listen to the episode here.