Sting- you hit that one on the head. Ultimate Fighter is done that way, it is pretty much done and over with by the time it hits the air. The only thing left undone is the finale fights- that give it the "live" feel.
She is dealing with adrenaline dump, and probably has never experienced it before. Most people in our society have never experienced it, and have no more ability to deal with it than an adolescent going thru puberty. I have had dumps that leave me aching for days afterwards, many people think that is injuries, it is just sore muscles from the overdrive of the dump.
Crafty talks about Adrenal State, and he is right to make a point of requireing risk during the Gatherings with minimal protection. After all in reality there is going to be minimal protection and a similar adrenal dump. Walking as a warrior means you have a Ph. D. in how to live and thrive in this state.