Since I am reading the comics which are 10000 times better and the show is following the comics if you want I can answer and spoil all your questions because I already know what happens.
I am 38 and have competed in 2 shows over past 2 years and plan on doing another in 2013. I feel better now than I ever did. I keep waiting to feel "old".
Read the comics they are 10000000000 times better. But I will admit this season has started out good, and if it goes like the comics well I wish I could tell you but I do not want to spoil it for anyone.
Go on over to imdb and read some of the threads about it. I cannot remember but I think it was something like they were content with dying so they did not have to go to "limbo" like everyone else.