Synopsis: Every possible fitness trend has been exploited, and exhausted, in gyms across the world. But are these fitness fads the key to a healthy lifestyle? Stand-up comedian Joel Dommett and his friend, comic Nish Kumar, visit six diverse communities who live highly active lifestyles based on ancient forms of exercise. Joel wants to see if he can keep up. Nish is just in it for the culture and the cooking. The friends visit Maasai warriors in Africa, Tagbanua in the Philippines, the Xavante tribe in the Brazilian rainforest, Shaolin monks and more. Finally, Joel takes on a specially devised challenge. Is Joel fitter than a Maasai warrior? We’re about to find out. 

Episode Highlights

Episode 1 – 23 May 2025

(Shaolin Monks, Chin)

Fitness-mad comedian Joel Dommett is travelling the world, accompanied by his friend Nish Kumar, seeing if Joel’s paid-for gym body is able to cope when he lives alongside some of the toughest tribes of people in the world. This time, they’re in China to learn the way of the Shaolin. Joel will have a crash course in Kung Fu training, while Nish tries to find a way to replace Joel’s vanity with Zen. The pressure is on for Joel at the end of just one week of training, when he’s challenged to a head-tohead fight

Episode 2 – 30 May 2025

(Tagbanua, Philippines)

Comedian Nish Kumar takes his fitness-freak friend Joel Dommett to the most remote islands of the Philippines, home to the hunter gatherer Tagbanua tribe. Joel will see if his hipster fitness regimes help him cope with Tagbanua life while Nish watches, guides, and occasionally mocks him. Joel will have to learn the skill of free-diving to catch fish and conquer his biggest fear – heights – as he scales precarious cliffs searching for the precious commodity of abandoned birds’ nests.

Episode 3 – 6 June 2025

(Maasai Warriors, Kenya)

Comedian Nish Kumar accompanies his friend and fellow comedian Joel Dommett on a mission to see whether Joel’s obsession with fitness and workouts stands him in good stead for life as a Maasai Warrior. They will have to live alongside the Kenyan Maasai, helping out with daily work routines, all while Joel is subjected to a series of Maasai trials and sports. Joel will try to learn the Maasai way of showing no pain, before attempting to represent his village in a Warrior competition, but an unexpected injury thrusts Nish into the combat spotlight for once.

Episode 4 – 13 June 2025

(Tarahumara, Mexico)

Mexico’s Sierra Madre mountains are home to the legendary long-distance running tribe called the Tarahumara. This shy and humble tribe host Joel Dommett and Nish Kumar, as the pair of comedians see whether Joel’s paid-for fitness regime helps him measure up against a tribe who have daily life and mother nature as a personal trainer. Nish digs into the local culture to see if there are any traditional remedies to help Joel through an extreme marathon, while Joel’s fitness is pushed to the absolute limit.

Episode 5 – 20 June 2025

(Nomads, Mongolia)

Comedians and best friends Joel Dommett and Nish Kumar travel to the sub-zero Steppe of Mongolia to find out if Joel’s expensive western workout regime has in any way prepared him for the hard life of a Nomad. As they live amongst the people, Joel is tested in the three traditional ‘manly skills’ of Mongolia, to see if he can compete against his hosts who are amongst the toughest people on the planet.

Episode 6 – 27 June 2025

(Xavante, Brazil)

Comedian and fitness enthusiast Joel Dommett heads to the Mato Grosso region of Brazil with his friend and fellow comedian, Nish Kumar. They stay with a remote tribe, called the Xavante, who train intensely to cope with the hardships of everyday life. Joel and Nish will live alongside them and experience the harsh world of a tribe who place a high value on strength and masculinity. Under Nish’s watchful eye, Joel will train with them, learn the Xavante way of working through the pain barrier, and take part in a punishing relay race like no other.

Catch Tribal Bootcamp every Friday at 21:00 on S3, Starts 23 May 2025.

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za