What's It Like on The Bachelor?
08/09/16
Waiting for Robby to call, I found myself getting those butterflies I had as a ten-year-old girl when my crush walked into the classroom. I had seen Robby on the last season of The Bachelorette, finding him intriguing since he was a competitive swimmer, and I also swam in college.
I had watched him fall in love with JoJo - the star of the show. I viewed as he asked her father for her hand in marriage, and I even watched him pick out the gorgeous ring he'd be proposing with. I also, unfortunately, watched him accept the fact that she'd heart-wrenchingly chosen Jordan Rodgers in the finale over himself.
Robby, although hurt, did not let the heart-break break him. He's found a ray of comfort through trusting that God has a different path for him - one he knows will be more than he could imagine.
I was impressed by Robby's character every Monday night on ABC. He was a stand-up guy; very open, honest, grateful, chivalrous, and a total gentleman. As the phone rang and he bubbly exclaimed, "Paige, hey!" I knew his character wasn't just an act. Diving into some fun, light questions for the next twenty minutes, Robby was personable, happy-go-lucky, and as friendly as can be.
Let's get to know our favorite (ever) bachelor!
Would you do it all again?
100%. My relationship with Jo and with the guys I got to know, as well as the incredible places I got to go... there's nothing about it I would take back! Everything I did, I tried to be 110%. It looked like it should have worked out in the end, but unfortunately, it didn't go as planned. But I'm grateful I got to fall in love and travel to crazy places!
Are you looking for Mrs. Right?
I have not exactly closed myself off to dating. Maybe the next girl who comes along will be the one, who knows? They say the best way to get over someone is finding someone new. I fell in love with Jo, and ended up with a heartbreak. How often does someone get told they love them, as Jo told me in the finale, and then never see them again? I feel like I'm the only guy in the world! So, to answer the question, I am not actively searching for someone, but I'm not closed off to the idea that it may fall in my lap when I least expect it!
Your plans now?
Well, I'm currently back in my home state of Florida living in Jacksonville, my hometown. There are certain things between filming and the finale that I wasn't allowed to do, such as certain interviews and things of that nature. There were appearances and photoshoots I couldn't do since the show was being aired. This month has been consumed with a lot of those things - lots of press. In September, I plan to look for my next landing spot! I'd like to be in a bigger city since there's more opportunity, so we'll see what happens with that!
Advice for single women looking for someone like you?
I get so many tweets asking this question! They'll say, "you have restored my faith that there are good guys out there!" It's flattering. I once heard that we are the average of the top five people we surround ourselves with, so I do my best to surround myself with great people. My family, my friends... they're wonderful, and they have really been here for me these last couples months of getting my feet back underneath me. So, in terms of advice, there are definitely a lot of true gentlemen out there. I personally am the oldest of five in my family, and there was pressure on me growing up to be a good role model, and it helped shape me into the man I am today. I advise single women to keep looking because good men are out there and they are worth waiting for.
How do you stay in such good shape?
I've always been pretty focused on my health! In college, as a swimmer at FSU, we swam two hours in the morning and three hours at night (editors note: Robby is crazy fast...). Since I'm no longer swimming miles and miles every day, I realized I couldn't keep eating like a swimmer! I put myself on the paleo diet and try to follow it as much as possible. Except for sushi, that's my weakness! That and chicken wings! I also started crossfit a while back and did that for awhile, and I try to workout every single day. It's therapeutic for me!
10 years down the road?
I started my own finance firm right before the show with a buddy of mine, and it's kind of come to a standstill because of the show. But, I hope we can start where we left off with that. I like the idea of making my own hours. I'd also like to be married and have a couple kids. I need some little Robby's running around! (insert chuckle) I'd also like a house in the south! I love Nashville, Jacksonville, Charleston... so we'll see where I end up!
Biggest dream in life?
I like making people happy, so any way I can do that is great! The fact that (after filming the show) I can be walking through public and take pictures with someone who asks, knowing I can make someones day by being myself, is priceless. Back in the day, I used to want to open my own gym, but now I want to focus more on the finance firm. I want to build something that's my own! I've got some people who have offered to help with my firm, so I think we can make some special things happen in the future. I feel really blessed!
Do you believe God has His hand in matchmaking?
I do. I was raised Roman Catholic and have always been a Christian my whole life, going to Christian schools, and I do believe God has His hand in bringing the right couples together. I was in love with Jo, but I was able to accept that I wasn't the one she chose. I was able to walk away, still in love, just wanting her to be happy. That's real love. I think some of the other guys may have taken it a little harder because they didn't have faith to encourage them. Jo was on her journey to find love, and although it wasn't me, I'm obviously happy for her and know it'll be my time some day.
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