'Amazing Race' star Ian Todd travels the world but calls Cincinnati home

Traveling is at the center of Joe Moskowitz and Ian Todd's relationship.

"I would say it's probably right at our ethos," Todd, a Cincinnati native, said.

The two, who strive to challenge themselves while traveling together, got engaged during a visit to Thailand last year. But they have since embarked on another life-changing journey: "The Amazing Race."

"We've always been fans of the show, even before we met each other. And then during COVID, we just doubled down on the 'Race' and on 'Survivor,' and found ourselves on the couch either yelling at other racers to do certain things or strategizing about how we would handle it," Moskowitz said.

Once Todd and Moskowitz returned from Thailand last year, they put together footage from their trip and made an audition reel. The rest is history.

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'It is way harder than it looks'

Season 35 of "The Amazing Race" premiered Sept. 27, as Todd and Moskowitz starred on TVs throughout the country.

"It is way harder than it looks," Todd said. "I'm sure every contestant says that about every reality show, but man there is nothing really that prepares you for running in 105-degree heat in Thailand, 100% humidity, with a 30-pound backpack on."

Like most "Amazing Race" duos, Todd and Moskowitz have had highs and lows throughout the first two episodes, during which they have raced through the streets of Los Angeles and rivers of Thailand.

And they're the first to admit they could improve on one area as a team: communication.

"I think communication's probably something we're still working on," Todd said with a smile.

"Not our strong suit," Moskowitz added while chuckling.

"But we know each other incredibly well," Todd continued. "We kind of know what each other is thinking before we even have a chance to talk about it, so I think that helped us excel in certain aspects of the race."

Understanding their individual strengths was also important. They listed types of competitions they watched on previous seasons before going on the show and assigned them to each other: Moskowitz would do eating challenges and puzzles. Todd, on the other hand, would do what Moskowitz calls "Ohio things."

"Ohio-esque things, meaning operate farm equipment," Moskowitz joked.

Todd's Cincinnati roots

Todd – who lives in New York City and met Moskowitz at the gym in 2018 while on his lunch break – has traveled the world. Cincy, though, has his heart.

He was born and raised in the Queen City and attended the University of Cincinnati. He has fond memories of Bearcats basketball games and is a Skyline Chili enthusiast. Even if Moskowitz isn't.

"It just looks like a giant mess," Moskowitz said, to which Todd replied, "It tastes delicious." (Moskowitz, originally from a New York City suburb, still enjoys other parts of the city, including Over-the-Rhine, even if the chili isn't his favorite.)

"Cincinnati's home," Todd added.

The couple's fate on the show is unknown for now. We have to watch it play out Wednesdays from 9:30-11 p.m. ET. But it was the experience of a lifetime.

"The show does a really good job of bringing all the local cultures into the activities and into all the detours and roadblocks that we do. It's a different way to see a city," Todd said. "'The Amazing Race' really gets off the beaten track. They go to some really cool places. You do some very local things. I'll remember those things forever."

"The Amazing Race" airs on CBS and Paramount+. It can also be streamed on Paramount+ the next day.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Getting to know 'Amazing Race' stars Ian Todd and Joe Moskowitz