Mark Estes Says He Went on ‘Special Forces’ to Prove He’s Not Just a ‘Thirst Trapper on TikTok’  (Exclusive)

Mark Estes had his reasons for trading in his “Montana Boyz” lifestyle for a more rugged challenge on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.

“[I want to show fans] that I’m more than just a thirst trapper on TikTok,” Mark 25, exclusively told Us Weekly while discussing season 4 of Fox’s reality competition. “I’m excited for people to show that side. I hope it does show people that I’m not just a dancer on TikTok, or whatever they think of me.”

He added, “I’m excited for people to see the background I do come from being Montana, so I’m excited to show off all the skills I grew up doing.”

Mark, who fans first got to know from his “Montana Boyz” TikTok videos in 2021, admits that preparing for the show was different from his online presence.

“I don’t think it prepared me at all for it, if I’m being honest,” Mark explained, referring to his social media experience before joining Special Forces. “I’m excited for people to be able to see it and another side of me than TikTok and all the content [I’m] creating.”

Mark has already proved himself to his Special Forces costars, which include Kody Brown, Teresa Giudice, Shawn Johnson East and Johnny Manziel.

“I think there’s a lot more to Mark than meets the eye or what his Internet persona and personality is,” former football star Manziel, 32, told Us in a separate interview this month. “I think we had a great bond and we’ll be friends for a long time in life. I’m thankful to have had the times we had breakfast, lunch, dinner [and] times in the car together.”

Manziel continued, “I think [Mark] is an unbelievable person, and one that I didn’t know how he was going to be going into it, but I had heard good things. It was above and beyond what I expected as a friend, as a human being.”

Long before tackling the Special Forces courses, Mark grew up in the country and played football for both Montana State University and Montana Tech. After graduating in 2023, Mark started making social media videos with friends Kaleb Campbell Winterburn and Kade Cutter Wilcox that have since gone viral.

Now, Mark, who also briefly dated Kristin Cavallari for seven months in 2024, is stepping out of his social media career to join his fellow Special Forces recruits for their grueling reality TV challenge.

“I needed the family that I made on the show and I needed the family that I have on that crew,” Manziel added to Us. “The love and support of people reminding me who I am and what I’ve done in this life and what I continue to do … I’m extremely, extremely happy.”

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test season 4 premieres on Fox Thursday, September 25, at 9 p.m. ET.