Polly Pearson is a Nebraska-based educator and adventurer who gained national attention in 2026 as a contestant on Fox’s survival reality series Extracted (Season 2). A longtime mathematics teacher from Holdrege, Nebraska, she is also known for her adventurous spirit – having climbed peaks in Peru and across the world – and for surviving a serious cancer diagnosis. Key points about Pearson’s background and career include:
- Holdrege High School Math Teacher: Pearson teaches mathematics at Holdrege High School in central Nebraska. In local media, she is referred to simply as “a Holdrege math teacher” taking on a TV challenge.
- Experienced Adventurer: She’s an adrenaline enthusiast and experienced mountaineer. For her 25th wedding anniversary, she climbed Machu Picchu in Peru. She’s also “conquered peaks” in Switzerland, Tanzania and Bolivia. As one article noted, “the 59-year-old math teacher is no stranger to mountains”.
- Licensed Pilot and Educator: In addition to teaching math, Pearson is a licensed pilot and has taught calculus as well as other math subjects. Friends describe her as a “survivalist on many levels” – a mountain climber, pilot, and teacher.
- Cancer Survivor: In late 2022 (or early 2023, as reported), Pearson was diagnosed with stage III uterine cancer and given only a few months to live. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, then went into remission. Doctors’ bleak prognosis did not stop her – she has said “Cancer didn’t take everything from me — and it didn’t win” and that she refused to “live scared”.
- Reality TV Contestant: In 2025 Pearson applied on a whim to be on Fox’s new survival series Extracted. To her surprise, she was selected from ~40,000 applicants to be one of the 12 contestants for Season 2 (premiering Jan. 26, 2026). The show drops survivalists alone into remote parts of northern Canada, testing their wilderness skills.
- Team Pearson on “Extracted”: On Extracted, each survivalist competes with the help of a personal “support team” at headquarters. Pearson’s team – nicknamed “Team Polly” – consists of her identical twin sister, Molly, and her niece, Bailey. Together they advocate for supplies and share in her journey on the show.
Fox Reality Show “Extracted” (Season 2, 2026)
Contestants on the Fox series Extracted must rely on survival skills in the remote Canadian wilderness. The show airdrops 12 “survivalists” into northern Canada with almost no shelter or supplies. Over about three weeks, each person must build shelter, find food and water, and endure harsh conditions on their own. For example, Pearson was filmed collecting firewood, catching water, and keeping a lookout for wildlife like black bears. Meanwhile, her family team stayed at a basecamp studio and competed in challenges to win her extra resources. This format – a solo survivalist in the wild paired with a team of loved ones back home – is central to the show.
Extracted, each survivalist is dropped into the wilderness while their family team remains at headquarters to compete for supplies. Episodes often cut between the isolated contestant in the field and interviews with their family members in the studio. In the segment shown above, one contestant is seated with two relatives as they discuss strategy for the challenges. This dual setup – the lone survivalist versus the supportive team – defines the show’s format. Pearson’s appearance on the series has highlighted her determination; after filming, she noted that surviving solo in the wild was “another successful accomplishment” for someone who had beaten cancer. Extracted airs on Fox (Mondays at 7pm) and is also available for streaming on Hulu.
Personal Life and Background
Polly Pearson keeps her personal life relatively private. Local reports describe her as a married woman and a grandmother. In interviews she mentioned celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary by climbing Machu Picchu with her husband. She has an identical twin sister, Molly, and a niece, Bailey – both joined her as “Team Polly” on Extracted. By early 2026 she was 59 years old, implying a birth year around 1966–1967; no exact birthdate is publicly given. Aside from her role as a teacher and TV contestant, other personal details (such as her height, private family matters, or net worth) have not been publicly disclosed.
Social Media: Pearson is active on social media, where she has posted about her adventures and TV appearance. (Her accounts can be found on platforms like Instagram and X/Twitter under her name.) She uses these channels to share updates from the show and her outdoor activities, although follower counts and private details are not emphasized in the news coverage.
Public Interest and Community Support
Pearson’s story has attracted enthusiastic support in her hometown and beyond. Friends, family and fans packed a local theater in Holdrege to watch Extracted together, complete with donated popcorn and custom “Team Polly” T-shirts. News articles focus on how her journey inspires others, especially cancer survivors and women facing challenges. Reporters quote her encouraging message: “Cancer didn’t take everything from me — and it didn’t win,” she said, adding that “you can still push yourself” and “you don’t have to take a back seat in life”. Her community projects (like a rally and coordinated viewing events) show that viewers are keen to follow her progress on TV and online.
FAQ
- Who is Polly Pearson? Polly Pearson is a math teacher from Holdrege, Nebraska, and an amateur survivalist. In early 2026 she became known as a contestant on Fox’s reality show Extracted Season 2. She’s also recognized for being a cancer survivor and mountain climber.
- How old is she? In January 2026 she was reported to be 59 years old, which suggests she was born around 1966–1967. (Her exact birthdate is not publicly documented.)
- What TV show is she on? Pearson competes on Extracted, a Fox reality series. Extracted drops survivalists into remote wilderness; Season 2 premiered in January 2026. The show airs Monday nights on Fox and is available on Hulu.
- What happened with her cancer diagnosis? She was diagnosed with stage III uterine cancer (around late 2022) and given only months to live. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, she recovered and went into remission. Pearson says her cancer experience motivates her to embrace challenges: “It didn’t win,” she told reporters.
- Is she married? Does she have family? Yes, Pearson is married (her husband’s name is not public) and is a grandmother. She has an identical twin sister, Molly, and a niece, Bailey. The three of them formed “Team Polly” on the show. Detailed personal information beyond this (such as her husband’s identity or her children’s names) has not been shared publicly.
- What is her height or net worth? No verified information is available about her height, weight or net worth. Such personal details have not been reported in the media.
- How can I follow her journey? Fans can watch Extracted on Fox or via the Hulu streaming service. Pearson herself has public social media profiles (e.g. on Instagram and X/Twitter) where she posts updates about her life and adventures. Local news sites and her school’s website may also share news about her appearances and projects.
Conclusion: Polly Pearson’s blend of small-town teaching and big-league adventure makes her story compelling. As she continues to compete on Extracted and share her experiences, interested readers can follow her journey on the show and through media updates. Her example shows how determination and community support can carry a person through even the toughest challenges. For the latest news, viewers can tune into Fox, check streaming platforms for Extracted, and look for interviews or posts from Pearson on social media.