Tom Sandoval was nearing his peak Special forces: the toughest test in the world until he got some special words of encouragement from someone always in his corner.
The Vanderpump Rules star, 41, talks exclusively to PEOPLE about the ordeal he faced on the boot-camp reality show.
While on a training mission for military operatives, Sandoval received a video message from his mother, Terri Green. Her words of support allowed him to break through the mental and physical blocks that arose during his participation in the series.
“It’s been so great,” the reality star says of her mother’s support. “Those were such incredibly hard days. I mean, we were pushed and pushed and pushed. And especially that day, when I got that text from my mom, I was so close to giving up.”
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Tom Sandoval with his parents Tony Sandoval and Terri Green.
Amanda Edwards/Getty
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Sandoval says that actors on Special forces they get the “same” compensation “whether you go out on the first day or the last day.” Since money was not a motivating factor, he wanted to pass the selection so that “the people who support you at home would be proud, and so would you.”
“I was thinking a lot about my family and my friends, and when I saw my mom, I was like… I didn’t even watch that video for at least a few minutes. I was so emotional, especially from earlier that day,” he says, talking about the particularly difficult test he faced. “The floodgates just opened.”
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Tom Sandoval on ‘Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test’.
Pete Dadds / FOX
Fans got a chance to see Sandoval get emotional in last week’s episode Special forces: the toughest test in the world when his mother shared her encouraging words.
“Hi Tom! I miss you like crazy, but I’m so looking forward to seeing you and hearing all about it,” she said as he burst into tears. “Take care of yourself and just do it, Tom. Okay, I love you. See you soon, not soon enough, but soon.”
Sandoval started filming Special forces in the wake of the public backlash he faced after his months-long relationship with his VPR actress Rachel “Raquel” Leviss. Their relationship ended his nine-year partnership with Ariana Madix.
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In a previous episode, Sandoval described the affair as a “pretty juicy fucking scandal” before elaborating on what he called a “long story.”
“I had an affair and it just blew up,” he told his wife Special forces costars. “People were sending me messages like mean, so instinctive, like, hate.”
The Bravo star shared more in a confessional interview about how the secret relationship – later dubbed “Scandoval” by fans – affected him and his reputation.
Tom Sandoval admits he was surprised by ‘visceral hatred’ after his affair: ‘I’m a stupid reality star’
“Before this whole scandal, I met people who probably saw me Vanderpump Rules, and they’d be like, ‘Oh my God, he’s so cool,'” he said. “And now, people think I’m a total narcissist, creep.”
On his decision to join the survival show, he explained: “I’m definitely not here to run away. I want to punish myself. I think I deserve it.”
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2nd season Special forces: the toughest test in the world can be streamed in full on Hulu.
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Source: HIS Education