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Amy DeJong and Maya Warren are a team of Food Scientists and the Official Winners of The Amazing Race 25.

Amy & Maya were dismissed by their competitors early on as non-threats due to their profession and lack of physicality, particularly with Amy being hobbled throughout the race due to an injury she suffered before the race began. The scientists also tended to get lost while searching for locations, often leaving them near the back of the pack. However, they made up for it with Amy's grit, Maya's unbridled enthusiasm, and using their intelligence to make up for their lack of physicality, allowing them to make it to the final four. Though they came in last and expected to be eliminated in a physical penultimate leg, an unprecedented twist allowed four teams to make it to the final leg, giving the scientists new life. They made the most of this opportunity in the final leg, leading for the first half before a small mistake saw them surrender their lead. Despite this, Amy was able to ace the mental final Roadblock, shocking the teams who immediately dismissed them and earning them the win.

Profile[]

Retrieved from CBS.com[1]

Amy[]

Age: 24
Hometown: Madison, Wisc.
Connection to your teammate: Lab Mate and friend
Current occupation: Ph.D. Student (Food Science) at The University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Describe what you do: I am a Ph.D. student in food science studying polyol (sugar-free sweetener) crystallization in confectionery products.
3 words to describe you: Logical, sarcastic and curious.
Favorite hobbies: Exploring new restaurants, food science, running and volleyball.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? I had an "experiment gone wrong" incident during one of my internships that surprisingly turned into something really interesting that the company wanted to pursue further. It was one of those moments that made me realize why I love science.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Leonard from "The Big Bang Theory" (obviously a female version and into food science, not physics).
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Kerry Washington.
What scares you most about traveling? Getting lost. I don't always have the best sense of direction (don't tell Maya!).
What excites you most about traveling? Seeing the rest of the world. I really have not done much international travel and cannot wait to see what else is out there and try all of the delicious foods!
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: We will have to rely on each other in ways that we haven't before. Our most important responsibilities (research) are independent from each other; this will not be the case on the Race!
Pet peeve about your teammate: She can be SO picky. She yells at me when I drink coffee or open the refrigerator in our office. She says that the smells bother her which is ridiculous. It's like living with a crazy person.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? The Galapagos Islands. There are so many unique landforms, animals and plants. Plus, it is a tropical place with gorgeous beaches and a rich scientific history.
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? I want to prove to myself and the world that scientists are more than beakers and lab coats. I also hope to grow our relationship outside of lab, most of what we do centers around food science and our research.

Maya[]

Age: 29
Hometown: Madison, Wisc.
Connection to your teammate: Lab Mate and friend
Current occupation: Ph.D. Student (Food Science) at The University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Describe what you do: I research the microstructure, behavioral and sensorial properties of ice cream and other frozen-aerated treats.
3 words to describe you: Highly motivated, spiritual and energetic.
Favorite hobbies: Traveling, exploring new cultures, meeting new people, anything involving ice cream and working out/running!
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of? Discovering my passion in life (anything involving ice cream) and being able to do what I love and love what I do every day. It's a beautiful thing.
What famous person reminds you of yourself? Kerry Washington (Olivia Pope) gets down to business and commands a room with ease. Great sense of style, knows how to have fun, intuitive, graceful and self-confident.
What famous person reminds you of your teammate? Mayim Bialik, both on and off of "The Big Bang Theory." Number one, Mayim (yes, we are on a first name basis) and Amy resemble each other and have many similar mannerisms and personality traits. Both are smart, goofy, curious, intelligent, driven and knowledgeable of random things.
What scares you most about traveling? Having to get one too many shots. I believe pain is weakness leaving the body but shots just don't do it for me!
What excites you most about traveling? Being introduced to new cultures, people, experiences and opportunities beyond what I can imagine. I also enjoy learning, growing, building memories and trying new ice creams/frozen desserts!
Biggest challenge you and your teammate will face on The Race together: The biggest challenge we will face on the Race will most likely be over-thinking situations and challenges. As scientists we have learned to be very analytical.
Pet peeve about your teammate: Amy talks a lot. So do I, but sometimes she talks at times when we need to focus on the task at hand and/or about something totally unrelated, getting us off task.
What country and place would you most like to visit and why? Pretty much any place I have not been! I love to travel and will visit anyplace if given the opportunity to do so!
What do you hope to accomplish by running The Race (other than winning one million bucks)? I hope to grow our bond outside of the lab. I also hope to show the world that scientists are more than just lab coats, beakers and goggles. Lastly, I hope to inspire others to pursue something they have always wanted to do… that is what the Race is for me!

The Amazing Race 25[]

Race History[]

Amy & Maya's Race History
Episode Leg Destination(s) Detour Choice
(underlined)
Roadblock
Performer
Placement Notes
1 1 United States → U.S. Virgin Islands No Detour Amy 6 of 11
2 2 U.S. Virgin Islands → United Kingdom About Face / Pancake Race No Roadblock 8 of 10
3 3 United Kingdom Pony Up / Light My Fire No Roadblock 5 of 9
4 4 United Kingdom → Denmark → Sweden → Denmark Parking Space / Wedding Cake Maya 4 of 8
5 5 Denmark → Morocco Twirl Time / Tea Time Amy 7 of 8
6 6 Morocco Camp / Cream Maya 6 of 7
7 7 Morocco → Italy Painters / Posers Maya 3 of 6
8 8 Italy → Malta Flag / Shine Amy 4 of 6
9 9 Malta → Singapore China Cups / Chilli Crabs Maya 4 of 5 [1]
10 10 Singapore → Philippines Catch / Coach No Roadblock 2 of 4
11 11 Philippines This / That Amy 4 of 4
12 12 Philippines → United States No Detour Maya 1 of 4 [2][3]
Amy
Average 4.50
Legend:
     The team finished in first place
     The team finished in last place and was eliminated from the race
     The team finished in last place in a non-elimination leg
     The team finished in last and was initially to be eliminated, but were saved by the Salvage Pass, Resurrection Card, or The Save
     The team that won The Amazing Race
     The team that crossed the Finish Line second
     The team that crossed the Finish Line third
The team used the Fast Forward pass
ϵ The team used the Express Pass somewhere during the leg
The team used the U-Turn
Recipient of the U-Turn
The team that used the second slot of the "Double U-Turn"
Recipient of a second U-Turn due to the "Double U-Turn" twist

Notes:
1: Amy & Maya used their U-Turn power on Adam & Bethany. However, Adam & Bethany had already checked-in after winning the Fast Forward, thus having no effect.
2: Leg 11 had no mandatory rest period between legs, and all teams were ordered to continue racing. Amy & Maya did not have to face a Speed Bump during Leg 12, despite coming in last during Leg 11.
3: The final leg featured two Roadblocks and no Detour. The team member who sat out the first Roadblock was required to perform the second one.

Post Race[]

Trivia[]

Franchise Records[]

  • Amy & Maya are the first team to finish fourth on the penultimate leg and be allowed to compete on the final leg.
  • Lowest racing average of an all-female team who won the race, 4.50.

U.S. Records[]

  • First team to finish last on a non-elimination No-Rest Leg and go on to win the race.
  • Youngest all-female team to win the race, with an average age of 26.5 while racing.
  • They are the most recent all-female team to win the race.


External links[]

Interviews[]

  • Christy Gutowski at Chicago Tribune (12/18/2014): "Amazing Race finale features Barrington woman"
  • Gordon Holmes at More What Not (12/22/2014): "(Jim) Didn't Think We Were Worth Much"
  • Joyce Eng at TV Guide Online (12/22/2010): "We're a Great Underdog Story"
  • Jodi Walker at EW (12/22/2014): "How the Scientists became TAR top dogs"
  • Rob Cesternino at RHAP (12/22/2014): "Amazing Race 25 | Finale Exit Interviews"
  • Elizabeth Kwiatkowski at Reality TV World (12/22/2014): "Exclusive: The Amazing Race winners Amy DeJong and Maya Warren talk Season 25" [Parts 1 and 2]
  • Rob Thomas at The Capital Times (12/23/2014): "UW grad students Amy DeJong and Maya Warren talk about their Amazing million-dollar win"
  • James Wellington & Justin Nichols on AfterBuzz TV (04/27/2015): "The Amazing Race After Show w/ Amy DeJong & Maya Warren, Season 25 Episode 12"
  • Daniel Fienberg at HitFix.com (12/25/2014): "They seemed like underdogs to us, but why were they so confident?"
  • Sheri Block at CTV.ca (01/06/2015): "Underdogs Maya and Amy say they always believed they could win"
  • Amelia Chen at ScienceMeetsFood.org (02/11/2015): "The Amazing…Interview"
  • Rob Cesternino & Jessica Liese at RHAP (04/20/2015): "Amazing Race 2015: Amy & Maya on Season 26"
  • Sylvia Woods at Delux Magainze (06/06/2016): "Maya Warren – Amazing Race Winner"

Social Media Profiles[]


References[]

The Amazing Race 25 Teams
 Adam & Bethany
Married Surfers
S25 AdamBethany
 Amy & Maya
Food Scientists
S25 AmyMaya
 Brooke & Robbie
Dating Pro Wrestlers
S25 BrookeRobbie
 Dennis & Isabelle
Newly Dating
S25 DennisIsabelle
S25 KeithWhitney
 Kym & Alli
Urban Bike Racers
S25 KymAlli
 Lisa & Michelle
Realtor Sisters
S25 LisaMichelle
 Michael & Scott
Firefighters
S25 MichaelScott
 Misti & Jim
Married Dentists
S25 MistiJim
 Shelley & Nici
Mother/Daughter
S25 ShelleyNici
 Tim & Te Jay
College Sweethearts
S25 TimTeJay
The Amazing Race Winners
United States
(flagship)
 Rob & Brennan
Best Friends/Lawyers
S1 RobBrennan
 Chris & Alex
Lifelong Friends
S2 ChrisAlex
 Flo & Zach
Friends
S3 FloZach
S4 ReichenChip
 Chip & Kim
Married Parents
S5 ChipKim
 Freddy & Kendra
Engaged Models
S6 FreddyKendra
S7 UchennaJoyce
 Linz Family
Siblings
S8 LinzFamily
 BJ & Tyler
Best Friends
S9 BJTyler
S10 TylerJames
S11 EricDanielle
 TK & Rachel
Newly Dating
S12 TKRachel
 Nick & Starr
Brother/Sister
S13 NickStarr
 Tammy & Victor
Siblings/Lawyers
S14 TammyVictor
S15 MeghanCheyne
 Dan & Jordan
Brothers
S16 DanJordan
 Nat & Kat
Doctors
S17 NatKat
 Kisha & Jen
Sisters
S18 KishaJen
 Ernie & Cindy
Engaged
S19 ErnieCindy
 Rachel & Dave
Army Wife & Combat Pilot
S20 RachelDave
 Josh & Brent
Goat Farmers
S21 JoshBrent
 Bates & Anthony
Hockey Brothers
S22 BatesAnthony
 Jason & Amy
Dating
S23 JasonAmy
 Dave & Connor
Father/Son
S24 DaveConnor
 Amy & Maya
Food Scientists
S25 AmyMaya
 Laura & Tyler
Blind Dating
S26 LauraTyler
 Kelsey & Joey
Dating News Anchors
S27 KelseyJoey
 Dana & Matt
Engaged
S28 DanaMatt
 Brooke & Scott
#TeamBrooke andScott
S29 BrookeScott
S30 CodyJessica
 Colin & Christie
Life Partners
S31 ColinChristie
 Will & James
Dating
S32 WillJames
 Kim & Penn
Internet Personalities
S33 KimPenn
 Derek & Claire
Reality Romance
S34 DerekClaire
 Greg & John
Brothers/Computer Scientists
S35 GregJohn
Asia
 Joe Jer & Zabrina
Co-Workers
ASS1 JoeJerZabrina
 Adrian & Collin
Gym Buddies
ASS2 AdrianCollin
 Vince & Sam
Best Buddies
ASS3 VinceSam
 Parul & Maggie
Beauty Queens
ASS5 ParulMaggie
Australia
AUS1 TylerNathan
 Daniel & Ryan
Intensive Care Nurses
AUS3 DanielRyan
 Tim & Rod
Newlyweds
AUS4 TimRod
 Heath & Toni
Memory Makers
AUS6 HeathToni
 Alli & Angie
Mother/Daughter
AUS7 AlliAngie
 Darren & Tristan
Uncle/Nephew
AUS7 DarrenTristan
 Emma & Hayley
Sisters
AUS7 EmmaHayley
Brazil
BRS1 PatríciaSane
Canada
 Tim & Tim
Father & Son
CAS1 TimTim
 Mickey & Pete
Best Friends
CAS2 MickeyPete
 Gino & Jesse
Brothers
CAS3 GinoJesse
CAS4 StephKristen
 Sam & Paul
Dating Couple
CAS5 SamPaul
 Courtney & Adam
Engaged First Responders
CAS6 CourtneyAdam
CAS7 AnthonyJames
 Catherine & Craig
Best Friends
CAS8 CatherineCraig
 Ty & Kat
Dating
CAS9 TyKat
China
CNS1 ZhongHanliangJackie
 Geng & Xin
Friends
CNS2 HanGengWuXin
CNS4 JiaJingwenXiuJiekai
China Rush
 Charlie & Rachel
Flirtatious Friends
CRS1 CharlieRachel
 Lily & Jan
Dating Couple
CRS2 LilyJan
France
 Anthony & Sonja
Cyber Friends
FRS1 AnthonySonja
Israel
 Shay & Guy
Business Partners
ILS1 ShayGuy
 Bar & Inna
Painter & Saleswoman
ILS2 BarInna
 Talia & Koby
Newlyweds
ILS3 TaliaKoby
 Shay & Shani
Friends
ILS4 ShayShani
 Amit & Raz
Father/Son
ILS5 AmitRaz
ILS6 EvelinTohar
 Tia & Fay
Models
ILS7 TiaFay
 Yael & Yosiel
Cousins
ILS8 YaelYosiel
Latin America
LAS1 TamaraMatías
LAS2 CarlosMauricio
LAS4 DanielCésar
 Giovanni & Juan Carlos
Brothers-in-Law
LAS6 GiovanniJuanCarlos
Norway
 Morten & Truls
Brothers
NOS1 MortenTruls
 Omar & Bilal
Brothers
NOS2 OmarBilal
The Philippines
 LJ & CJ
Celebrity Best Friends
PHS1 LJCJ
 Matt & Phoebe
Dating Couple
PHS2 MattPhoebe
Ukraine
 Valeria & Bohdana
Beauty Queens
UAS1 ValeriaBohdana
Vietnam
 Hương Giang & Criss
Singer/Athlete
VNS3 HươngGiangCriss
 Ngọc Anh & Nhật Anh
Diving Coaches
VNS4 NgọcAnhNhậtAnh
 Lincoln & Tiến Đạt
Hotel Manager/Rapper
VNS5 LincolnTiếnĐạt
LeHangHHenNie
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