Shane Bilek Shares How ‘The Amazing Race’ Strengthened His and Juan’s Marriages: A Tribute to Their Wives

Shane Bilek Says ‘The Amazing Race’ Made Him and Juan ‘Better Husbands’: ‘God Bless the Wives’

Juan Villa and Shane Bilek. Yuri Hasegawa/CBS

Shane Bilek and Juan Jose Villa Naranjo, contestants on season 36 of The Amazing Race, believe that the competition helped them become better partners to their wives. "It made us better husbands...because Juan and I are identical," Shane shared exclusively with We on Thursday, May 16. This revelation came just one day after the duo finished in second place on the CBS reality series.

"We're like the same person," he said. "We know exactly what will upset the other because we know what upsets ourselves. So, even during tough times, we'll talk things out in our hotel room after a flight and think, 'Wow, my wife has to deal with this? Maybe I need to make some changes at home.' ... Wives are truly a blessing. They have infinite patience."

Juan and Shane have both become dads since they first met in Air Force flight school. Juan now has a 3-year-old daughter named Sophia, while Shane's son, Beckham, is just 7 months old.

Juan mentioned that now, as fathers and husbands, they have the opportunity to share their wisdom and growth with each other. This is a shift from their previous focus on pilot training where their conversations revolved around planes. Juan believes that this change has allowed them to support each other in their journey as family men.

Shane Bilek Says ‘The Amazing Race’ Made Him and Juan ‘Better Husbands’: ‘God Bless the Wives’

Shane Bilek and Juan Villa. CBS

Although Juan and Shane’s kids haven’t met each other yet, they have high hopes for their future bond.

“Hopefully we can have a wedding here in about 20 years,” Juan joked.

“They’re a match made in heaven. They just don’t know it,” Shane added.

Juan and Shane may not have won the $1 million grand prize in the Amazing Race finale, but they did manage to secure first place during one leg, earning $5,000. Despite Ricky Rotandi and Cesar Aldrete ultimately winning the season, Juan and Shane were thrilled with their accomplishment. Shane mentioned that they immediately decided to use the prize money to treat their wives to a nice trip.

"We were so eager to win a leg, and when we found out about the cash prize, we knew it was going straight into our vacation fund," Shane shared with Us.

Shane Bilek Says ‘The Amazing Race’ Made Him and Juan ‘Better Husbands’: ‘God Bless the Wives’

Shane Bilek and Juan Villa. CBS

Juan mentioned that he had just one week at home with his family after the race before being deployed for a month. He shared, "As soon as I returned, we decided to spend time at the beach."

During their time on the show, the pair frequently talked about their families, highlighting that their motivation for competing was their loved ones.

Shane mentioned that he and Juan had decided from the start that any winnings would go to their wives. When they won five thousand dollars, they were thrilled because it meant they could treat their wives to something special. The wives were always on their minds throughout the entire experience.

Even though it was tough being away from their families during the race, Juan and Shane would do it all over again if they had the opportunity. They jokingly promised not to make the same mistake of driving to the wrong state during the final leg.

Shane expressed his hope for another chance to participate in the show, with the intention of making better decisions this time. He mentioned that they would be grateful for the opportunity to try again and avoid going to New Jersey.

Editor's P/S:

The Amazing Race has proven to be a transformative experience for Shane Bilek and Juan Villa, not only as competitors but also as husbands and fathers. The intense challenges and shared experiences have fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation for their wives, leading to a commitment to personal growth and improved partnership. Their journey on the show has reinforced the importance of open communication, empathy, and the unwavering support that spouses provide.

Beyond their personal growth, Shane and Juan also envision a future where their children will share the same close bond they have forged. They hope to create opportunities for their families to connect and build lasting memories. The prize money they earned during the race has become a symbol of their dedication to providing their loved ones with enriching experiences. Their story serves as an inspiration to prioritize relationships, embrace challenges, and strive for a life filled with love, adventure, and unwavering support.