Another break: Bobby Bones talks ‘Idol,’ ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and that new show that tested him

While filming an episode of “Breaking Bobby Bones,” the “American Idol” mentor and radio host climbed to the top of a wind turbine near Estherville and experienced two of his least favorite things – heights and cold weather.

“I’m not a fan of freezing to death,” Bones says during a phone interview. But the turbine visit fit nicely in his new show’s wheelhouse – showcasing people and the adversity they’ve been through.

“These are unsung heroes,” he says. “They’ve got real middle American jobs that aren’t getting the respect they deserve.” In the course of the series, Bones hangs over the Grand Canyon, learns the nuances of stunt work, goes kayaking with an expert who lost his vision and climbs that turbine.

“I’m not an adventure guy,” Bones admits. “If I started to enjoy it, the show wouldn’t have the impact it does. You’ve got to have a bit of uncomfortableness to grow.”

That turbine climb, though, involved minus-22-degree weather and heights hundreds of feet in the air. “When you get to the top, you crawl out of a hatch and find a clip so the wind doesn’t blow you off.”

Because the climb occurred in winter, Bones didn’t see much from the vantage point. “It was all snow. It’s not like you’re doing a lot of sightseeing, but you could see for miles. Cars looked like ants.”