Bachelor Happy Hour - Mario on Receiving Gabby’s First Impression Rose

Episode Date: July 12, 2022

Becca and Michelle kick off Gabby and Rachel’s season premiere with Gabby’s First Impression Rose recipient, Mario! In their conversation, Mario shares how it felt to be one of only two guys to get a rose on night one, how getting the First Impression Rose created pressure on him to stand out, and why he is glad he kept his shirt on as he met the Bachelorettes for the first time. Plus, Michelle and Becca share their thoughts on how Gabby and Rachel did on their first night as the Bachelorettes, and in a game of rapid fire, Mario shares more about himself with Bachelor Nation.Don’t forget to rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode.See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Oh my God, perfect. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble. Yes, yes. Then Emergency Intercom is the podcast for you. open your free iHeartRadio app search emergency intercom and listen now the super secret bestie club podcast season four is here and we're locked in that means more juicy chisement terrible love advice evil spells to cast on your ex no no no we're not doing that this season oh well this season we're leveling up each episode will feature a special bestie and you're not going to want to miss it my name is curly and i'm maya get in here listen to the super Secret Festi Club on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back, Happy Hour listeners. It's good to be back again this week because it's a special one. We are finally able to recap a season again, Michelle, and I'm so happy to be doing this one with you.

It is so nice to be back with you, Becca. I'm incredibly excited because this is like my first time hosting a podcast about the actual show. Since when I came on, we weren't, you know, we weren't in season yet. So I'm really excited. We're going to be talking to Gabby's first impression rose winner, Mario. So I feel like we have a lot of questions to ask him. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I mean, I'm so excited.

It feels like it's been a while. I mean, we were off from a season for 14 weeks. And I have to say that's the longest we've gone in Bachelor Happy Hour history over the past several years that we haven't actually been recapping a season. And so I'm so excited to be here with you to get going. And I don't know about you, but night one is always one of my favorites. There's so much excitement around it. There's obviously you're meeting so many faces and getting to know these men and these leads too. But I'm excited to pick Mario's brain because this is like the first inside scoop from any of the men that we'll have from this season.

So it'll be a good episode. It really will. And like the first night is so, it really is. so magical. And I will say that I was really surprised when I was even in Gabby and Rachel's position because, you know, you watch the show at home and you think about, okay, what would that actually feel like? You kind of do feel it through the screen. And that's exactly what I was feeling up there. So it's really cool to see like Gabby and Rachel, they get to experience this first night as Bachelorette with all these guys approaching and like how they enter and their

nerves and everything. I don't even remember. I think I blacked out when I, when I walked out the limo do you remember what you did or said i well yes because it became my tagline for now years to come but um but yeah that first night i definitely blocked out i did not expect to say half the shit that came out of my mouth but it happened but i will say though and i want to ask you this because you know we've talked at length now about our feelings on having two bachelettes And, you know, it's kind of hit or miss for me. It's like I wanted to see how it played out to get a vibe. And I actually love it.

And I was kind of nervous at first. And I didn't love the idea of having two bad charades because I was like, it's kind of stealing the thunder where there is so much that goes into being a lead. And it's such a special moment for these women. And at first to do it together, I was like, oh, it kind of takes away a little bit. But I'm changing my tune now because after seeing Gabby and Rachel together, I kind of wish I would have had somebody else by my side because there's nothing like having a good girlfriend that you can go to to gossip with, to talk shit with, to like just bounce off

each other's energies. And we saw that throughout this entire first episode, night one. And I love them together. I do too, honestly, because they're, they're so similar and they play off each other so well. And you can tell that they're comfortable with each other. But then their personalities are incredibly different. Like Rachel, Rachel's super sweet, you know, like I would say, not even more on the quiet side,

but then you have Gabby, who's like incredibly witty and just blunt and says, you know, what everybody wants to say or what everybody's thinking. So it is pretty cool. Yeah, throw the Minnesota girls up there. Let's go run it back.

But Becca's engaged, so we can't do that. Well, just have time to score in the limo. But no, yeah, I totally understand what you mean with that. And I think also, going to be really interesting to kind of talk about how the guys handle it because it is a bit

of an uncomfortable situation because you're approaching two women, right? And so I think it's easier to, I don't even know the correct words, not be respectful, right? Like, it's an uncomfortable situation. And so I think the guys who have the emotional intelligence are going to stand out because they're going to be able to handle this situation with more ease, if that makes sense. Right. Right. and and I kind of like it I mean I don't remember his name but the first guy that came out of the limo fresh out the gates he like they started on such

and I don't want to paint this in a negative way but it started off on kind of such an awkward foot where he was like do we hug like who do I go to first you know like how do I do this which I feel like it's probably so accurate to what everyone was feeling that night it's like and I kind of like that for the most part

You know, there were some guys that I can't say this about. But for the most part, it seems like most men were very open to meeting both women. Like, they didn't have their site set on just one. They weren't all in at that point for just one person. Because, like, realistically, you don't know if you're going to hit it off with somebody you've never met. And so, you know, you're going into this already very uncomfortable, very unique situation. And so I like that both men were excited to have two women and to get to know them both. And I got to say, though, these women have a lot of. dudes they have their work cut out for them 32 right 32 and i think jesse said this at the beginning but it's the most i mean michel i feel like you had a lot of dudes too you had like what 30 i had 30 i had 30 i don't know if i had more than 30 i'd have to like honestly truly go back and count but i do remember that first night having this moment of how is it possible that another limo is pulling up like i felt like i was standing out there like there's more there's more there's more but but yeah i'm excited they have they have a lot of weeding out to do oh yeah definitely but but they do seem decisive i want to and i think it helps too that again they have each other

so they can kind of be like oh that guy's my type i'm into that like i had this first kiss with this guy and i'm vibing him and it's it literally is like a friend's slumber party where you're talking about the boys uh did anyone really really stand out to you out of the limo or just throughout the first night honestly okay so i'm trying to remember all of their names because they're not going to there's so many but i think you like avin he's obviously a good looking dude right but it's like i thought he was going to walk out of the limo significantly more like cocky than he did and so i was like okay like he didn't you know what i mean he didn't come off like overpowering um but i do like i do like i do look at the contestants but sometimes

I kind of like try to figure out okay like who's going to be the issue here right right which one of your trouble well I'm so glad you just said that because I want to talk about two guys the first the first two and we don't even

need to get into it but I feel like when you say the word issue I feel like after seeing how Eric was with both women night one I feel like he's going to be a quote unquote issue at some point this season. Okay, wait, remind me, do you remember what his entrance was?

I don't remember his entrance, but he was the one who, after both girls gave out their first impression rows, he got kind of, not heated, but he got upset. It was basically like, I thought one of them was going to give it to me. But he just rubbed me the wrong way because it seemed like he got off on a great start with both women. He kissed, I don't even know if he kissed Rachel, actually. But anyways, like he talks to Gabby. they were talking about her extensions.

Oh, yeah. Okay, he just kissed Gabby. But then he was showing Rachel on his hand where he was living in New York and like, he just thought that he had it in the bag with, I think, both of these women. And he got a little bit upset that he didn't get a first impression rose,

which I'm like, dude, it's night one. There's a thousand of you calm down. But I feel like that might be foresh for a little bit. Does he spells his name, E-R-I-C-H? Eric. Have you ever seen that done before? I don't know.

I don't think so, but, you know, kudos to you for being different, standing out. Unique. But Michelle, we've got to talk about one more guy. And that is, it's actually somebody that I have met before. Huh? So, Ethan from Seattle is a guy that we actually had on, as our Bachelor on Bachelor, on Bachelor Live on stage a couple years ago. What?

In Seattle? He's from Seattle. He was our bachelor at the Seattle show years ago. And when I saw him come out of the limo, I was like, you've got to be shitting me. Anyways, before we bring Mario on, what were your thoughts? This is the first time, I think, ever in Bachelor Nation history

that a night one row ceremony was canceled. What did you think about that? Honestly, I mean, like if you were like a loyal bachelor watcher, you're going to know that through the season, there's going to be at least like one or two rose ceremony is canceled. I don't think anyone expected it on the first night, but I actually really respect that just because you do not get to talk to everybody. And that's like when you were going through this yourself.

So imagine having two bachelorets and like trying to talk to both of them, just like the amount of time and everything. And that takes place. So I totally understand not wanting to like really send a large portion of the men home, right? And so, yeah, I applaud them on that. Yeah. And testing the three men outside, what did you think about that? Um, honestly, I actually kind of appreciated that. I thought it, it was a kinder way to send them home where they didn't have to stand in front of the remaining 29 men. I mean, I'm sure to them, they weren't expecting it. And it probably was a bummer to them.

But realistically, like, it was faster. It was already light outside. So they were probably freaking exhausted yeah um so i i didn't mind the fact that they removed those men and took them away and had a separate conversation i felt like they actually gave them enough time to explain why they were making that decision the rose ceremony being canceled listen i'm all about canceling rose ceremonies but i will say like going into this experience the night one like that first rose ceremony is pretty special and so i feel like a part of that was kind of taken away from the men like it is it's kind of like a right of passage. And so I kind of wish the first one wasn't canceled. All the other ones like

go ahead. Do what you're going to do. So would you wish that like they handed out roses still and then just didn't hand those roses to those three men that they walked outside? You know, I kind of, I would want a combo. I like how they removed the three men first and said their goodbyes.

And then I wish they kind of still went in and they're like, we didn't get to talk to a lot of you. We still want to keep you around and bring you into next week. But like let's still do this quickly just as like I said that right of passage to make those men feel special. I wish it would have been a combo of that. But again, like, it was already laid outside.

Everyone's exhausted by that point, so I can't fault anyone. And also at the same time, I was like, I have no input because I actually was not a part of that first night because I was sent in late. Yeah. So, like, I wasn't even in the group picture. Like, you know, like the typical, like, oh, you. Group picture that's right. Like, everyone looks like shit because they've been up all night. They're tired.

They're stressed. Like, they want to go to bed. Like, it's been overwhelming. Yeah, I wasn't in that. I guess I got my own season so I eventually had my own picture You had one better You had one better

I know I know Well if it makes you feel better I think the one that they picked For Ari season Becca M and I were standing in the background laughing the entire time And like my facial expression In that photo that they chose

I look like such a brat I'm just like mean mugging So you know I would try I would try no They're all so bad Don't look up anything but I'm so excited for the rest of the season to unfold to actually get to know these guys

because again there's so many we I feel like we didn't even get to see half of them but we did get to see the one guy who did get Gabby's first impression he obviously stood out to her and so we're going to have him on right now so everyone please welcome Mario to Bachelor Happy Hour. Welcome to Bachelor Happy Hour Mario we're so excited to have you we're so excited that this is like your first podcast. This is my first podcast. It makes like kickoff the premiere of the show. So yeah. Well, so Marro, this is like Michelle said, the not only your first podcast, but the first podcast that we have been able to recap a season now because when Michelle started, we didn't have a season. And so I feel like we're kind of all doing this together

and I'm so excited. I want to know from you though, what originally made you join the show? Did you get recruited. Did you sign up? Were you fan of the show? How did that all happen? Yeah. So I'm a personal trainer here in the Chicagoland area. And I was wrapping up my day. I think I had like four or five clients that day. I was on my last client. I go to Instagram and I have like a request DM. And so as a business owner, I check those just because, you know, oftentimes they'll get like new clients reaching out. You know, we're wanting to train with you, et cetera.

So it was a DM from, you know, one of the producers from the show. And, you know, I read He was like, hey, I think you could be good for the show. So automatically, I'm like, you know, this guy's going to ask me for like my social security number. It's his fan. Like, no way is like the bachelor reaching out to me. So I went back and forth with him. And he gave me his number. And I called him and it was actually, actually after we got off the phone, I still was like, I don't know about this.

But I did some research and I saw that he was a producer for the show. So it was real. And that's kind of how my journey started. I was coming from a place prior to being reached out where I was. was in, because they reached out at the beginning of January. So it was in 2021 where I was like kind of in a situation ship. And so that had just ended. And it was like the timing was perfect.

And I was ready for something like new. And so I'm very organic in a sense of like I'm not on any dating apps. I've never been on a dating app. I'm very like, I want to meet my person in real time. And so it doesn't get any more organic than someone reaching out to you to be on a dating show. a little out of the box for me, but at the same time, it was, uh, it was something that was different and that I was willing to jump into. So how do you watch the show before? Like, you knew what the show was. Were you a fan of it or, um, you know, prior I had caught glimpses

of Matt James season. I know that that was a big season with him being the first black bachelor. And so I caught glimpses of that season. And, uh, I just remember like watching like a sporting event and then turning back to that to kind of see what was going on. But I, never, like, followed a season all the way through. But I can, like, pull it. I think I saw, like, Wednesdays of the Katie season at one point. So I can pull, like, little gibets and be like, all right. So I was there ever a point where you're like, yeah, I totally could do that?

Or it never crossed your mind before they reached out. What's funny is so prior to, obviously, all this happening, I worked at a daycare. And I was the only male staff member. I worked with 40 women. I was noticed Mr. Mario. Uh-huh. side note they're all pumped to um you know watch and experience the show but uh you know they would always come in on tuesday and they would always like break down the show and they would be

like man and then they would always be like Mario you should apply to be on that show and i would always always be like yeah for sure and kind of just like walk away uh so it's just funny how things kind of come full circle a little bit but um what i have pursued it on my own probably not but you know it took a producer reaching out and then me going through the process and getting chosen and here we are right so things kind of happen for a reason they play out a certain way well it seems like it was kind of meant to be just timing wise and having somebody give you that little nudge that maybe you needed

I want to ask you this and we'll get into everything that you were kind of experience in that night one but I mean you're here because you not only got gabby's first impression rose but you were only one of two guys to get a rose that night because they obviously canceled the rose ceremony so what did that feel like for you? Did you kind of expect that you would get it from Gabby? I mean, obviously we saw the kiss,

but what was going through your mind in that moment when she grabbed that rose and pulled you aside? So, you know, when I got off the limo and I did my first impression, Rachel and Gabby, okay, all that. You know, I actually felt like I had made a connection with Rachel initially because she kind of grabbed my hands and, you know, she's from Chicago's,

but she was like, Cubs are socks. And I was like, Cubs, got to play it safe. And so I walked in the mansion and then, you know, I saw Gabby out front. And at this point, I'm just looking to kind of get to know the both of them because I don't really know them. Went to the front, had a great conversation with Gabby. We connected and that eventually led to the kiss and to the first impression rose. And so, you know, it was one of those things where I felt a connection with her initially. And so, you know, that first night you're looking to kind of talk to who you can.

and I did not expect that at all. You know, I knew that I was, I mean, I didn't know if she had kissed other guys. So I was kind of just in a place where I was like, man, we really connected. But there's a bunch of other men here, so I'm not sure if I really stood out. But then, you know, later that night, when Jesse came and put the first impression roses on the table, she pulled me to the side, and that made me feel really good. You know, it is, it might be surprising, Mario, but there definitely will be. be nights ahead where you will kiss cabbie or rachel the same time after they're kissing

other guys it's a weird situation but okay so going back to how you came out of the limo though one thing that i noticed is that you looked instantly comfortable like the moment you stepped out of the limo and you were like doing your little dance twirl whatever up there do you remember that like were you obviously like were you nervous were you panicking before you got out of the limo because you have this perception of how it's going to go, especially like the days leading up to it. And then that moment before you step out of the limo, so many people black out and you're like,

I don't even know what came out of my mouth. Yeah, it was definitely a surreal moment just because a week prior, you know, they were announced as the two leads, right? And so it was this moment where like I pulled up. I had the limo crew that I was with, you know, a few guys. And then I was looking through the tenant windows. They can see us. We can see them.

And I just had this moment where I was like, man, this is literally like I am here right now. Like, this is actually why I just saw them sitting on the couch with Jesse like a week before. They were announced now I'm here. I found out the same time as the rest of America. And so when I got out, I think in the limo, I was like, heart was beating. I was like, this is crazy. This is my first impression. Like, I cannot drop the ball.

I want to make it pass tonight. You know, I had a lot of different thoughts. But when I got out the limo, I had this like piece come over me. and I was like, just be yourself. And I know that sounds like cliche and kind of just like, all right. But like really, I was just like, be like show your personality, be funny, be goofy, try to be charismatic and then bring it back in. So I did my dance, but then I just didn't want to be like there for entertainment.

I wanted to like bring it back in and just be like, hey, my name is Mario. I'm 31 in the Chicagoland area. Both of you guys look beautiful. I'm excited to be here. Look forward to connecting with you more inside. keep it moving right so i wanted that to be like a fun element but then uh not really serious but just hey this is who i am and so it ended up working out well yeah i feel like you i mean you nailed it wouldn't you say you nailed it becca for the most oh i mean well yeah obviously

you got the rose and you remembered your name so you know what i mean i want to ask you this because i i feel like michelle and i have talked about this a little bit on the podcast but like night one obviously you truly have no idea really what to expect other than the fact that you're going to be meeting the bachelorette's right so when you pull up in that limo no one watching the tv show will ever know this but when you pull up there's a thousand lights all around there's a thousand people there's so many cameras it obviously is a huge production to make the show but like that that moment is what actually really took me off guard like when we pulled up and i stepped out and it wasn't just like the person's

in front of me it was like hundreds of people that's when it like really hit me where I was like holy shit like I'm not only just like meeting a person to potentially date like I'm here for a TV show what was that like did anything like really stand out to you catch you off guard free you the F out yeah it was actually the limo driver that kind of came out and he was like gave us the said instructions who um actually it was Paulie That's the one of guys. I realized it was. Yeah,

Polly's the best. Shout out to Polly. He will see much more of him. And he kind of gave like the layout of the land. He's like, are you going to do this? There's going to be lights over here. Just do what you need to do.

And so it definitely was, you know, a moment where I was like, this is happening. But actually, I was still pretty focused because it was two women in front of me. and I knew that this was like a part of it. And yes, I'm in a TV show, but I was so focused on Rachel and Gabby

and trying to do my best to give a good impression that I think I blacked all that out, right? Like, I knew it was good lighting. I knew that there was a cameraman right here. But I was just thinking, yo, don't embarrass yourself. It's so hard to do that, though. I'll say, like, I feel like the average person, it's one thing to think and kind of like,

not brainstorm, but visualize how it's going to go. But when you get out there, like, the only way this is going to be successful is if you can block that out in it, it's hard. Like, it is hard because they're, I mean, yes, you have the lights, right? But you have all these people around you, producers, camera, you know, everything, audio. And it's like, you can't acknowledge them. You can't talk to them, right? But everyone's just staring at you. It's like this really weird fishbowl concept.

Yeah, to your point, Michelle, like you can't do that at all. And so that's why I was like, all right, just focus. Don't do too much. Do your dance and just let them know they look nice and you'll see them inside. Was there ever a point where you're like, okay, like I should have thought of that. Or like I, that was really good or that was really cringy? Yeah, you know, there was a lot of creativity our season. Like a lot of people.

And for me, seeing some of the other ones, I think I'm like, man, did you like not do enough? Right? Because my thing was like, be who you are. show your personality and then bring it in. There was a lot that happened that first night, right? You know, we had some guys coming in on a horse. We had some guys come in with chicks, a whole choir, right? Like, there was just a lot that took place.

And so for me, naturally, yeah, the first night, I'm going to compare myself and be like, yo, did I, should I have done more? Should I? But I think initially I, like, put myself on, like, the lower spectrum based on what I saw. But then throughout the night, you know, hearing about some of the different interests is I was like okay everyone kind of pooled something not

everyone was like a huge spectacle um I felt a little more comfortable in that and then eventually I had my time with Gabby and then I was feeling a little more confident and so um that first impression is huge though and um you know the road ceremony comes up quick so I was like if I don't get time tonight let me at least try to show showcase as much as I can right so um naturally I think there was some comparison components there Well, so once you were in finally talking with the guys, spending the entire night with them, what were your first impressions on some of the guys? Like, did you really hit it off with some of them? Yeah.

You know, I am a very sociable person. And so I'm like the hype man. You know, like if you post a pic on IG and we met one time, I'm going to hype you up. Let's say I met you on like a trip and I followed you. I'm going to hype you up in a country. Everyone needs Mario in their life. Hey, I'm going to have. And so, Mr. Mario, and so when I got there, I was, I was just excited to be able to, like, meet the guys that were going to go through this experience with me.

And, you know, just kind of hearing where they were from, seeing what guys were wearing. I was wearing a base, and I noticed that no one else had on a base suit, right? So I felt good in that sense. But just hearing what city guys are from, what they did for their first impression, you know, talking about sports, talking about past experience. how we got on the show. It's something that brings life to me, meeting new people and kind of going through a shared experience together.

So I was pumped, you know, seeing Jacob with no shirt on. I was like, you know, hey, it's funny because as a trainer, I really was thinking about doing that. And I'm happy I kept on my base shoe. But that was something that I was thinking about, seeing Justin with no shoes, right? These are things that stand up. out and you're like all right like what's your vibe this is my vibe okay so who walked in that

you like vibe with you're like yep we're going to be friends Tyler Tyler was actually in my limo and so we connected in the limo and then he came in after me we were just talking throughout the night but um him and I connected right off rip Nate and I also connected um who did you not connect with was there one dude where you were like oh he's rubbing me the wrong one way you know what i think when you walk into the mansion because this is another season you do look for like the guy who standoffish um but honestly like truth be told our cast was just great that first night there was there was no drama everyone was super cool with each other um you know guys are just laughing hanging out uh we're at the bar we're eating the appetizers we're just all

trying to spend time with rachel and gabby we're still trying to figure out the setup so honestly there was no one that rubbed me wrong that that first night um i vibe with everyone i would think everyone would give the same response as well becca who do you think like did your alarms go off with anybody when you're watching it well when i was watching it the only guy that kind of set off alarms right away was um i'm blinking on his name the guy that kind of got upset when he didn't get a rose eric yeah eric he had this like entitlement that i didn't necessarily like But it's interesting that you say that there's no drama because I actually didn't think about it. But it truly felt like there was no issues really at all, night one.

And I feel like I've never watched a premiere where there hasn't at least been something, like something, some beef between two guys, like whether it's big or small. And this is the first time that we didn't get that. Yeah. And I think, you know, you go in with this anticipation of like, okay, hey, Rachel and Gabby are here. I'm trying to get time with them. but, you know, this is the first night in the mansion. Some stuff is going to pop off for sure.

But then throughout the night, the vibe was just, like, smooth. And the road ceremony came. We did our toast, and, like, that was a wrap. And so I'm in the same boat as you, Becker, where I'm like, you know, nothing popped off. I was waiting for something to happen, someone to, like, jump in the pool and no shirt on, somebody to just, like, get super drunk and just, like, confess their love together, right? Like, none of that happened.

wait okay can we get into the kiss yes let's go let's get into the good safari yo so okay in a lot of her interview she's like these guys aren't kissing me like I thought that there was going to be more kissing more makeouts like she wanted she like really wanted that and so when you finally went for the kiss I think she I mean she was excited to begin with but I feel like it was so special because it was with you obviously it worked out because you got that first

impression rose what did you think of about it. So, um, was it? You were assertive. Yeah. Went for it. There is no hesitation. Like you like, be lined it. I just straightforward. Uh, when we were, you know, talking on the, the bench that we were sitting down on, um, you know, I was just trying to look for a starting point.

You know, anytime you talk with Gabby, um, or, you know, Rachel, the first night in my mind, I'm like, all right, I'm going to pull back from their previous experience. Don't reach back too far, but just kind of like asking questions on, you know, how they're feeling first night, coming off Clayton season, you're a lead, how do I fit in this? And it's trying to spark your conversation with them. And so we were kind of having a back and forth. And I kind of put it like this. There's two moments of silence, right? There's the awkward moment of silence where it's like, hey, do we have anything else to talk about? It's kind of awkward. But then there's the second one where it's like so

vibed and looking around eye contact you go in and then you give the kiss right so mine was the second one yes and it was it was how was it it was a great moment

it was a great experience Gabby has great lips I was like I need someone was coming how do I say this politely Right, right. And so for me, yeah, for me, it was a moment where I was like, I just had to ask myself a lot of questions, right? Because this is night one, right? And me, I'm like, you know, I'm high energy. I got a lot of personality. But I have like this privacy to me as well. And so to be able to do that the first night, did it feel natural? A thousand percent. It did. When I walked away, did I think about what I did, that I have to process it? Yes. I think that that was my moment. It was a great moment and I'm happy that I went in for the case. I'm happy that I'm happy that I'm going to think.

What do you think the ladies back at the daycare are going to say when they see you getting one of the first. They are going to be proud? They are going to scream. Yes, Mr. Mario. They're going to scream and the kids are going to close their eyes. Right. I want to know, though, going back to that first impression, do you understand the weight that that carries?

because historically over the past several years, for the most part, the guy that that rose goes to because the bachelors have pretty good pickers usually ends up being the final dude. Did you want to know that? Yeah, I did. And so, you know, it was, it was funny, like, prior to being on this season, I would just kind of think about, like, or I would look at other seasons and I would see the significance of this. that or I would see like a group day rose, you know, just kind of watching back other seasons just to know what I'm getting myself into, right? And so when I got it, you know, I came back in and guys were like, let's go, right? We have a super supportive dad, everyone hyping each other up. And so I knew that it was a big deal. I was excited to get it from Gabby. I feel like she's

got a lot of personality and, you know, she's not playing game. So to get it from her meant something too. And I think it hit me like the next day. And I was just like, man, I just got this first impression rose. Like, what is my journey going to look like? You know, everyone else kind of just got a rose to or they saw a pass to their money. But, like, I stood out to her. So that ran a lot to me.

Yeah. Did you feel like it put, because as wonderful as it can be, did you feel like it put a target on your back at all? I think, initially I was, like, kind of comfortable. But then after a while, I was like, okay, there is this. there's this like pressure to perform now right because like I just got and maybe perform is not the best word but like there's this pressure to like stand out I'll say and you know I just wanted to be in a place where I was like still myself and comfortable but I did feel this need to like step it up

even more because that first impression rose is a big deal and I stood out and I was like okay How can I continue to stay in the Mario Lane, but also continue to build that relationship with Gabby? So one thing that I actually wanted to ask you. I thought about this at the top of the episode, but I'm like, I'll wait more towards the end because it's kind of a heavy question. And I want to word it makes sense. But so night one, you obviously went in very open-minded to meeting both women. you ended up getting that first impression rose with Gabby and having this instant connection,

obviously the chemistry between you everyone saw. Moving forward, do you feel like after that starting point you were all in on Gabby or were you still open and maybe wanting to test the waters with Rachel a bit to see what that could be? Yeah, I was still open to test waters with Rachel. You know, after we got the rose, or after I got the first impression rose,

you know, I was standing in a rose ceremony and we did our toast and Gabby goes, you know, there's still so many of you that I haven't connected with. And that was something that like, you know, I think when you get a rose, you once, even me during the toast, I was like trying to stand by or I was like, yeah, that's right.

I got the first person. Yeah, that's my rose. Right, right. But I think that, you know, when she said that I was like, okay, it's still early. This rose is huge. I'm still trying to see.

how things are going to play out. Gabby and I had a great connection, but I am open to having a conversation, right, with Rachel. And so I wasn't necessarily like 100% locked in on Gabby. I still wanted to get to know Rachel, but that was as a result of what she said, right? I think that, you know, there were still a lot of guys that didn't get time that night that, you know, kind of bypassed that rose ceremony. And so for me, I stood out, but at the same, time. I know that I still had a target on my back, right? That there were still guys. I wanted to kind of spend time with Gabby and Rachel. And so for me, I was like, well, I should be open and available too. Definitely leaning more toward Gabby naturally because I just got the pressure

rose from her. But being open to Rachel was something that I was. Wow. This is like just starting to set in of how complicated this could be just naturally, like as humans, right? Because it's like you think about your choice maria and like the the emotions of what you're feeling right but then you also have to like take in the other person's emotions as well so like gabby obviously was into you gave you her first impression rose right and you you have the opportunity to also get to know rachel but like you talking to rachel it could also feel like you're doing the other relationship as a disservice right because it's just it's unnatural in this this type of world and then also the guys see you talking to Rachel and assume well why are you talking to Rachel because

Gabby gave you your first oppression road so like wow the complicated like nature of this all just naturally but you know what it's I actually the more that I think about it now I actually kind of like it because and Michelle you know because when you're the lead you have so many men all vastly different and so you're trying to compartmentalize each relationship each conversation that you have with everyone that now I mean maybe maybe you felt this Mario, but now it kind of puts you guys in a somewhat similar situation where you have to compartmentalize each relationship and each conversation with both women. So you get more of a feel for what the leads go through and perhaps you can empathize with them a little bit. Yeah,

it really kind of puts you in a place where you have to like process your feelings and actually think, right? And like I say that specifically because, you know, if there was one lead, you would just be kind of locked in on them, right? But because there's two, you really process your interaction with Gabby, right? And you really process your interaction with Rachel. And you sit there and you think about, okay, like, who did I connect with more, right? Like, you know, what did I like about my time with Gabby? What did I like about my time? And they're processing that too, right? But they're the lead. So ultimately, they're kind of choosing your faith in a sense. But yeah, absolutely. I think you learn about yourself, right? Like, I think that that's like the

biggest takeaway is that you learn about yourself. You learn about how you compartmentalize things, how you process your feelings, what you like, what stood out. Did you like laughing or Gabby, right? Did you like the deep questions that Rachel was asking you, right? Like being able to process these things, I think is a benefit to learn about yourself, but also to get a better understanding of who they are individually. I love this. I mean, emotional intelligence. I feel like it's going be much easier for Gabby and Rachel to like pick out which men have emotional intelligence and which men, you know, can't communicate with like the jealousy and everything, all those different like nature things. Wow. It's good. It's good that the guys couldn't be 1,000%

zoned in on just one person. Like you said, Mario, and I love that you called that out because it does make you think. And it makes you, it's not just like your belining just for one lead where yeah where the men just like have this jealousy this like need to win in some sort of sense you kind of have to figure out okay who's a better fit for me like realistically if this is going to work out and there's an engagement at the end of this who is going to be the best fit for me and it kind of makes you guys take a step back and sit in those feelings for a bit which I love and actually like I acknowledge honestly Mario you pointed out made like a really good point with that just because I think it does make everybody like a saying you're saying

it makes everybody take a step back and actually think about the feelings whereas when there is one lead honestly it's really easy to be competitive and like just try to get to the end because that's what you're supposed to do and not because of like your actual feelings so hey we'll see yeah you're you hit it right on the ball and I think it made it more complicated just because there was two but also like you start to see the girls kind of form certain relationships even at like first night right like Rachel sprinted out and got her first impression rose and we're like where is she going you know what I mean and so You start to like kind of compare early, right? So, yeah. But I love too is the fact that both women are so different that it makes it more fun to watch. And it'll be interesting to see who everyone gravitates towards as the season goes on. Okay, Mario, we always play a game with our guests. And so it's rapid fire.

And we just want to get to know you more because we've only seen two seconds of you guys on the TV screen. there's much more to come, hopefully, but we'll just ask you a question. And first thing that comes to mind, so I will start it off. This is a very easy one. Are you an early riser or a night owl? I am an early riser for sure. I love kicking off my day with healthy breakfast, working out, and then I'll jump into my clients.

All right. Best dating advice you've ever received. Man, listen to your gut. And I think that, I mean, some people might be like what, but I think that like that is something that people kind of underestimate a little bit. They want to force things when internally they may feel a feeling of like this isn't really for me, but I'm kind of just stringing it along a little bit just to kind of make things work. And so listen to your gut. Anything that you're processing internally or your intuition, pay attention to that because it's there for reasons. food. Solid one. How do you like your pizza? Um, well done, actually. Uh,

burnt. Yeah, no, not, not burnt. Like, crispy, because sometimes when I like, like, the cheese, the red sauce is coming down, you have your toppings and some people like it like that. I like kind of a, a crispy pizza. Some half thing crust. Yeah. Or like a deep dish or thing crust. Okay, so I feel like with, that's a good question. I got to go deep dish, but I do like thin crust as well. I just like it to be kind of have some crisp to it. I don't like to be like this, right, where I'm like reaching down. It's got to hold up the toppings.

It's got to hold up the toppings. Okay, shower or bath? Shower. You know, I can't remember the last time I took a bad, to be honest. But maybe I should take one soon. Oh, do it. Pour yourself a glass of wine, lights up dirty water. Put on some art. I love a good path.

Okay. So this is a question I'm going to ask, but I also need you to show it. What is your signature dance move? Okay, let me create some space here. You know, the dance move I did on the show was like, I don't know if you guys can see me. I'm kind of, but it's a little shoulder, you know, I got a little shoulder action. I'm really happy that you had pants on when you said you have to show it like just with Zoom and like COVID and everything I'm like just please

right right right Margo please have one right I wish she didn't that would make for more entertainment right now what is your favorite curse word uh probably damn I feel like it's it's very PG 13 yeah Yeah, like, I mean, you know, I'm not, I don't really drop a ton of like F-bums or anything. I think for me, I'm actually not a big swear in general. But if something happens, I'd be like, damn, right? You got to put a little tone, right? It's applicable to so many situations.

Right, right. Good, bad, annoyed, whatever. Damn. Damn. Ooh, I like this question. What is your guilty pleasure? Man, as a trainer, you know, I try to keep it. healthy, but there's a spot out here called Andy's ice cream. They close at 11 o'clock. I'll pull up at

like 10.55 and be like, give me a waffle cone with strawberries, blueberries, pineapples, and just like max out at night. So late night ice cream. What is your go-to karaoke song? This is very telling of who you are as a person. This is like the most important question you've been asked in this podcast. So I actually was recently out and, you know, I was out with some friends and they were like let's do karaoke and so uh they were like let's do nelly hot here so it was like a group of like uh it was myself and like a few girls and there was like one other guy but i like killed nelly's rats yeah okay mario what is the current screen saver on your phone oh um man you guys are gonna laugh uh i don't i don't have a screensaver i'm pretty

yeah is that like a default screen saver i would not have paid you for a basic default screen saver man at least like a quote or something right um damn right uh yeah nothing you know um for for a while i did have kobe brian as my background love cobi grew up as like a huge covey fan playing basketball uh then i switched phones and then i just kind of kept it basic if you could visit anywhere in the world where would you go i would say grease you know every time i see pictures of grease it just looks so like clear the water is like beautiful beautiful scenery the buildings have this nice like all white aesthetic going where the sky is always like crystal blue right like um that's a place that I have

not been to but every time I hear about a friend going there or like you know I see pictures I'm like man I actually want to travel there one day so yeah for sure manifest it now we'll get you to Greece let's go okay last question for the game and I don't okay we have just one word but I'm going to give you a whole phrase. So if you could give us a phrase to describe the rest of Gabby and Rachel season, what would that be? I would say telling. Oh, see, you only needed one word. That's all I had to give you. That threw everything in the air. I don't even know how I feel about that. Telling. What is that supposed to me? Tell us more. Telling in the sense of Like, you know, I think that you'll start to see really, like, feelings be brought to the table, not only from Rachel and Gabby, but from the men, people making decisions that impact other people, just a lot of different things.

So, telling. Okay. All right. I'm excited. I'm really excited for this season. That one makes me uncomfortable. I don't know why. Does it?

Oh, I'm ready. I don't know if you're like telling is not always a good thing, but. True. true no but it's probably needed for everyone absolutely so mario that was the game but before we let you go we always ask our guests each week what their rose and thorn was but because we are in the new season we're going to keep it to just the episode so so far your night one whether you lived it or watched it back on the screen what was your rose and thorn basically your highlight and low light of of night one man i think it doesn't get much better than getting the first impression

Rose, right? So that would be my Rose. My thorn would be this is tough because, you know, when you get the first impression rose, it's like, what, like, what could you have done different that night? I would say after my

interaction with Gabby, I sat on the couch and I was like kind of making small talk with guys, but there were other guys that were actually like socializing, but I was in like this like zone where I do wish maybe that first night I could have like hung out with more of the guys been present in a moment, but I was like, yes, I just connected with Gabby.

Like, I think I was processing that moment, like, super long, and I should have just went and, like, hung out with, like, the guys, right? So my thorn would be that first night, maybe, like, experiencing that opening night with them a little more and not being so, like, okay, I just did this, but Gabby was going to come next. You're going to choose me, right? So being more present, I would say is my thorn. Okay.

I'm surprised you didn't say how long that night was. Okay, I'm going to start with the thorn. I would say my thorn is that I think I wish that they would, Gabby and Rachel were like split earlier so that they could have their own conversations and really like embrace that first night as individuals because they already met the men together when you guys were stepping out of the limo. Um, my rose would just be that watching the women so excited and like truly embracing this and how. happy and really seeing potential in more than one relationship for both of them. And so I think that's, that would be my rose. What about you, Becca? I'm going to say the thorn of the episode was that we didn't get to see more of the chicks. And, oh, actually, no, no, I'm going to say this one.

I love a good costume. And no one came in a costume this season, which I, besides like the guy in the blue, which doesn't really count, you know, like I wanted a costume. like there's always got to be that's a living animal no but like he it was kind of like a night and shining armor yeah but he just had to take his top off you know i wanted like something whatever it would be she wanted a costume i wanted a costume and the thorn of the premiere is actually the vibe of the women again just seeing them truly i think embrace the opportunity but but really enjoy doing it together and not feeling like it's taking away from either. I found that very special. I'm all

about like strong friendships, especially in women, because I feel like in this day and age, you just don't have enough of that support. And so I love that we saw them two together, like the two of them together and their banter, their vibe back and forth. They're so different, but they feed off one another really well. And so, I mean, we will see the romantic relations form, but I just love watching their friendship right now. And it better stay like that. girls okay that's all i got to say i think so i think it will because they already know that it's uncomfortable and that it's new and whatever but they seem like two people who just like talk it through yeah they're i mean everyone so far for the most part especially that those two seem very

mature so yeah um all right well mariel thank you for joining happy hour it was our first one of the season we're so excited you could have been here i'm excited to be a part of it i'm grateful that um you know the first night went the way it did and it led me to you guys so thank you for having me Mario, thank you for joining us. That was such a fun interview, and it feels good to just kick off a season once again. And Michelle, cheers to us doing our first full season of recaps together. I can't wait to see where this goes. I love you. Thank you for being here with me. Again, thank you to Mario and an even bigger. Thank you to all of our Bachelor Happy Hour listeners. And everyone, don't forget that you can catch every new episode of The Bachelorette on Monday. Oh, I have to say Bachelorettes because we have two. So the Bachelorettes every Monday on ABC or on Hulu. And make sure to hit us up on social. You can follow us at Bachelor Happy Hour on Instagram. And from there, you'll find everything you need to know to follow us on Twitter and TikTok.

And Bachelor Happy Hour is available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. And you can always listen ad free by subscribing to Wondry Plus in Apple Podcast or the Wondry app. Thank you, everyone, and we will see you next week. I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the psychology podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you. When you think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choose an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is easier, ignoring is easier, denials easier, complex problem solving, takes effort.

Listen to the psychology podcast on the iHeart radio app, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, my name is Enya Humanzor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we run a podcast called Emergency Intercom. If you're a crime junkie and you love crimes, we're not the podcast for you. But if you have unmedicated ADHD... Oh my God, perfect.

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