Nick Viall is hoping for his time Special forces: the toughest test in the world it will help him become a better parent.
While speaking with PEOPLE about his experience on the show, the former Bachelor star (43) revealed the parenting advice he received from the director (DS). Special forces as Viall prepares to welcome his first child with fiancee Natalie Joy, 24.
“They’re all great people and guys who have great character,” Viall tells PEOPLE of Rudy Reyes, Jason “Foxy” Fox, Mark “Billy” Billingham and Jovon “Q” Quarles. “We can talk about parenting advice, but I think they all taught us aspects of life and dealing with challenges.”
“These guys have looked death in the face many times and they are literal heroes and warriors. And if I can teach my child to have some of the characteristics that they have, I’ll be glad I did.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Nick Viall Felt ‘Guilty’ About Leaving Pregnant Fiancée For School – But Wanted To Make His Kid ‘Proud’ (Exclusive)
Viall also commented on leaving Joy alone to film Special forces just weeks after she found out she was expecting the couple’s first child together.
“It was really new,” Viall says of Joy’s pregnancy. “And it was a little nerve-wracking just because Natalie had just started having morning sickness, or for her, it was more like day sickness. So I felt pretty guilty about that.”
“We had our first doctor’s appointment, so it was hard to be away from her. And luckily, I had her support and I knew she really wanted me to be well.”
While Viall knew he could count on Joy’s support at home, he says it actually complicated his feelings about the show.
“But there were moments where it almost made it difficult,” he says. “When you get to the point of breaking, you start thinking about reasons why it’s okay to stop. It’s like, ‘I shouldn’t be here.’ And for me, it was like, ‘Well, I’ve got to be home and I’ve got a doctor’s appointment,’ and stuff like that.”
“I kept thinking about Natalie and I knew I had her support. I knew she wanted me to do well, and these guys kept me going,” Viall continues, referring to friends JoJo Siw and Tyler Cameron.
“But it was definitely a challenge, but at the same time, I kept thinking like, ‘One day my daughter,’ at that point I didn’t know the gender, I just kept thinking like, ‘One day my child will be I can watch this and I want make them proud.'”
“And that definitely helped me get through it.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education