TAMPA - Bachelorette contestant, Nick Peterson is back to "reality" as a personal trainer.
We met with him at Body Shapers, a South Tampa studio where he runs his personal training business.
His stint on reality tv ended last week as America watched this Bay area man get his heart broken.
But despite not winning Ashley Hebert's heart and being exposed on national TV, Nick wouldn't trade his experience on the show.
"I have no regrets no regrets. I would do it again if i had the opportunity," Nick said.
The relationship reality program has drawn in millions. From magazines to TV talk shows, many viewers can't get enough.
But many contestants in recent episodes have come under fire.
Nick wanted to set things straight.
"You know there are a lot of people that say you are out there trying to promote ourselves. But, I will be the first to tell you none of us are looking to promote ourselves by submitting an application to The Bachelorette, that was not the first thing I thought of when I thought of, oh I want to promote my business to try out for The Bachelorette."
In fact, Nick said he truly wanted to find love.
'You go on the show keeping an open mind that you could get married you know," he said.
But, he admitted to us, like the rest of America, he was stunned by another who was supposedly vying for Ashley's heart -- Bentley Williams. Bentley also happens to be from Tampa, although he now lives in Utah.
Bentley showed one side to Ashley and another to the world. As he was interviewed, Bentley said he was not attracted to Ashley Hebert at all and was hoping Emily Maynard would be The Bachelorette. Emily who won Bachelor Brad Womack's heart last season.
"Well sure we were all shocked by the way he acted sure," Nick said.
"As far as we knew he was a nice guy missed his daughter and wanted to leave."
Bentley's antics have had some questioning the ethics of the show-and the editing.
Nick can't speak for what Bentley was thinking -- but as far as what you are watching?
"It's a bunch of guys sitting around talking about Ashley and that is really all we did, sit around and talk about Ashley -- so it's no different than what you saw on tv," Nick said.
"I think my personality was portrayed fairly, I was not a controversial character, alot of times those guys will get more air time. My goal is to make the most of this opportunity. Now I am back working as a personal trainer now it's time to promote my business and move on from there and grow what I started before I went on the show."
In case you are wondering, Nick is 26-years-old and still looking for love!
Entire Interview with Nick Peterson
Q: What was Ashley Hebert really like?
Nick: Ashley is a ball of energy she is a lot of fun. She is a sweetheart, what time I did spend with her was great I really liked spending time with her I was interested in her. She is very emotional though, which I think also makes her a great candidate for The Bachelorette, that is what they (producers) want.
Q: Why do you think she let you go home?
Nick: We weren't able to get to far in our relationship just because I didn't ge a one on one date. I had all group dates with her. That one on one date is really key you know to move forward on that show. You only have a certain time limit to get things done. So if you are only getting group dates it's really tough to move forward.
I was a little surprised when she let me go. I think i could see myself falling behind a little bit because most of the other guys had one on one dates and I could see their relationships developing a little quicker. I was hoping for that one-on-one date and when that did not come, I started getting a little worried.
Q: What was it like to be on The Bachelorette?
Nick: It was an incredible experience. I had a great time obviously traveling is a lot of fun. I had never been out of the country so it was nice to go overseas. I have no regrets no regrets going on the show. I would do it again if i had the opportunity. Obviously you go there in hopes of finding a wife but I didn't find a wife. But I did make some great friends and great connections. I got to travel so I have no regrets.
Q: What about the show's image? Some say people are just trying to get publicity and are not on it for the right reason?
Nick: No, I think you go on the show keeping an open mind that you could get married you know. All of us go one there initially in hopes of finding love and finding a wife You know there are a lot of people that say you are out there, trying to promote ourselves but I will be the first to tell you none of us are looking to promote ourselves by submitting an application to The Bachelorette that was not the first thing I thought of.
Q: We have to ask you about Bentley! Were you stunned when you saw what he was saying about Ashley?
Nick: Well sure, we were all shocked by the way he acted sure, But, I liked all the guys in the house I had no problems with the guys in the house including Bentley. As far as we knew
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