MEET THE FIERCE COMPETITORS OF "AMERICAN GRIT," WHO WILL BE PUT THROUGH THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGES BEGINNING THURSDAY, APRIL 14, ON FOX

Sixteen of the country's toughest men and women will face a variety of military-grade and survival-themed challenges set in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, on the series premiere of AMERICAN GRIT, airing Thursday, April 14 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. WWE(R) Superstar John Cena(TM) and an elite group of mentors from the nation's most exclusive military units - Navy Seal Commander Rorke Denver, Army Sergeant Noah Galloway, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tawanda "Tee" Hanible and Army Ranger Nick "The Reaper" Irving - will push these fierce contestants beyond their limits while instilling in them the ethos of leaving no teammate behind. The diverse group of civilians will be divided into four teams, hand-picked by the military mentors, known as "the cadre." With up to a million dollars of prize money at stake, this is the ultimate competition and test of courage, determination and, most importantly, teamwork. As these competitors work together, they will only have two options: to persevere and win or give up and "ring out."

Throughout the season, "the cadre," who represent top branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and real-life heroes, will impart their first-hand knowledge and experience to help their team work together to surmount near-impossible mental and physical challenges. No test these competitors have ever faced will prepare them for the extreme military-inspired training they will undergo. Each week, the teams will compete in survival-themed challenges, incorporating basic needs, as well as communication, mental prowess, physical strength and adaptability, in some of America's harshest conditions. The team that wins the challenge each week is safe from elimination, and "the cadre" leaders from the remaining teams must select one contestant to face "The Circus," a grueling obstacle course built into the wilderness that tests both strength and endurance. The only way for a contestant to lose is to "ring out," at which point they must leave the competition and forfeit their chance to take home the grand prize.

Meet the AMERICAN GRIT competitors and watch/share this first look:

Mark Bouquin - "The Lumberjack"
Age: 26
Hometown: Colden, NY
Occupation: Timbersports Athlete

Tabatha Chandler - "The Roller Girl"
Age: 39
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Occupation: Registered Nurse

Ashley Hazlett - "The Marine's Daughter"
Age: 31
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Occupation: Event Coordinator

Maria Kang - "The No Excuses Mom"
Age: 35
Hometown: Elk Grove, CA
Occupation: Nonprofit Founder and Author

Chris Krueger - "The Hollywood Trainer"
Age: 32
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Strength and Performance Coach

Kimberly Joy "KJoy" Lipson - "The Yogi"
Age: 38
Hometown: Houston, TX
Occupation: Yoga Instructor

Marc Lobliner - "The Machine"
Age: 35
Hometown: Elgin, IL
Occupation: CEO of Nutrition Company

David Neville - "The Olympian"
Age: 31
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Occupation: College Track and Field Head Coach

Clare Painter - "The Fisherman"
Age: 47
Hometown: Omak, WA
Occupation: Horse Trainer and Fisherman

Mario Robinson - "The Triathlete"
Age: 25
Hometown: Queens, NY
Occupation: Personal Trainer

Ivette Saucedo - "The Equestrian"
Age: 35
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Model

Tony Simmons - "Touchdown Tony"
Age: 41
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Sports Performance Coach and Former NFL Player

Lisa Traugott - "The Bikini Bodybuilder"
Age: 42
Hometown: Austin, TX
Occupation: Trainer and Author

Jim Vaglica - "The Boston Cop"
Age: 54
Hometown: Billerica, MA
Occupation: Police Officer

Brooke Van Paris - "The Obstacle Course Junkie"
Age: 25
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Occupation: Sales Rep

Cameron Zagami - "The Wrestler"
Age: 22
Hometown: Salem, NH
Occupation: Professional Wrestler

AMERICAN GRIT is produced by Leftfield Pictures and executive-produced by Brent Montgomery, David George, Adam Sher, Will Nothacker, Simon Thomas, Anthony Carbone and Jon Kroll. John Cena also serves as executive producer. "Like" AMERICAN GRIT on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanGritFOX/. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanGritFOX and join the conversation using #AmericanGrit. See photos and videos on Instagram @instagram.com/americangritfox/.