As a speed skater, Apolo Anton Ohno won a gold medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics for finishing a race within 42 seconds. The contestants on this game show hosted by Ohno have 18 seconds longer than that to complete each task in order to win a quarter of a million dollars as the grand prize. Contestants compete in as many as 10 challenges of increasing difficulty, each with a one-minute time limit, and which utilize everyday household items. Throughout the game contestants have the chance to walk away with any money earned to that point but risk losing the cash if they fail to complete a challenge within the time limit. A competitor who goes all the way and completes all 10 challenges in time, receives the $250,000.

Sisters Jessica and Traci are girls raised in the South, hoping to win money allowing them to reconnect with family in Paris; Eric and Ray are surfing brothers, looking to expand their business of teaching children how to surf.

Jeff and Roy are best friends who together survived a near fatal car crash; Chris and Ryan are roommates playing to win money for Father's House, a foundation that helps find homes for orphans.

Couple Brashaad and Tsion are looking to the quarter million to help them start their custom bra company; these two support each other and keep their chests high as they move through the games and closer to the grand prize.

Jared and Jennifer try to honor their brother by creating an athletic scholarship in his name; beach bum couple Ryan and Julia are playing their hearts out for their relationship and the opportunity to put a ring on Julia's finger.