Springboro gym owner on Steve Austin’s show: “It was intense, but we knew it was going to be intense”

“It was intense, but we knew it was going to be intense,” Battiston, the owner of

 Crossfit Skyfall gym in Springboro, said. "If you saw the show, you know there is nothing relaxed about it."

As we first reported last week, the 29-year-old Troy resident competes on an episode of “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge” set to air Tuesday, Nov. 21.

An average of 2 million people watched the show weekly during its fourth season. The most recent season started Sept. 26.

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Broken Skull Challenge brings a group of eight contestants — men or all women —  to the "Broken Skull Ranch" to compete in a series of physical challenges.

Athletes are selected from a range of backgrounds, including CrossFit, mixed martial arts, wrestling, Spartan racers and Tough Mudders.

The show was right up Battiston’s alley.

“It is probably something I would do even if it wasn’t on TV,”  he said. “I like competing. I like seeing what you are made of.”

An athlete since childhood, Battiston hails from West Milton and played baseball at

Eastern Michigan University. He got into Crossfit after graduating in 2011 and never looked back.

“It can challenge you, but it changes your life,” he said of the sport. “You are going to do things you never thought you would do.”

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He applied to be on the show in in the summer of 2016 after watching an episode with his wife, Danielle.

Battiston called meeting Austin — one of his childhood heroes  — amazing.

“It was refreshing to see he is geniune,” the professional Grid League Athlete said. “He said, ‘I am here for you guys, the athletes’”

The son of Ed and Pat Battiston, Battiston said his love of competing stems from his childhood. His dad encouraged him to play sports.

“I want to compete,” he said. “I want to win. I don’t want to be in second.” 

That said, Balliston said being a father to his 11-month-old daughter Ernesta has helped him put things in perspective.

“It helps me focus on what’s really important,” he said.