Brittany Cartwright quits Special Forces on day one to prove ex-Jax Taylor wrong

Brittany Cartwright quit Season 4 of Special Forces on day one, dropping out halfway through after her team failed a grueling challenge that included rappelling from a helicopter and hauling sacks of grain in Marrakesh.

Cartwright told Directing Staff trainer Jovon 'Q' Quarles that she couldn’t move and feared she would pass out. 'I can't move,' she said, before adding, 'I'm really sorry. I feel like s**t.' She removed her armband and retreated to a waiting car, later admitting she was mortified to be the first to leave.

The exit came after Brittany’s team was punished for losing the challenge, forcing them to run home as the others pressed ahead. She later described the moment as a turning point, noting that she had pushed herself to prove her ex-partner wrong despite not feeling at her peak.

Earlier, Cartwright acknowledged she wasn’t at peak physical condition, saying in a confessional that chasing around her four-year-old son Cruz had helped keep her active, but that day’s demands still proved overwhelming. 'I’m not the fittest I’ve ever been in my life, that’s for sure, but chasing around my four-year-old has been very helpful,' she said.

The decision to withdraw follows a year of personal upheaval. Cartwright filed divorce papers in August 2024 to end her five-year marriage to Jax Taylor, citing irreconcilable differences after months of living apart. She has said she was determined to move forward and has since been linked to dating Brandon Hanson.

The season is Padres-like in its roster, with 18 celebrity contestants competing in Marrakesh, including reality personalities from across the Real Housewives and sports worlds. The mix of talent and celebrity drama provided a backdrop to Cartwright’s decision, though her exit marked a clear departure from a day that she described as both physically punishing and emotionally challenging. Cartwright discussed the split and the mental health considerations accompanying it on a February 2024 joint podcast, where she explained that taking space helped her focus on her well-being.

As the show continues, viewers will see how the rest of the celebrity lineup handles the demanding environment and whether any other participants choose to persevere beyond initial setbacks. The day’s events underscored the program’s high bar for endurance and the personal stakes that accompany participation in a competition built around extreme physical tests.