The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Almost Famous In Depth: Rodney Mathews

Episode Date: November 10, 2023

We’re going IN DEPTH with Rodney Mathews from Michelle Young’s season for an update on his love life, his friendships in Bachelor Nation, and much more! Find out how things are going with Nayte after he replaced him as a roommate!  And, we get Rodney’s honest reaction to his ex Eliza Isichei going back to the beach!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Hi, my name is Enya Eumanzor. 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. And want to hear people with mental illness, psychobabble.

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I just normally do straight stand-up, but this is a bit different. What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? Answer, a new podcast called Wisecrack, where a comedian finds himself at the center of a chilling true crime story. Does anyone know what show they've come to see? It's a story. It's about the scariest night of my life. This is Wisecrack. Available now.

Listen to Wisecrack on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, it's Honey German, and I'm back with season two of my podcast. Grazias, come again. We got you when it comes to the latest in music and entertainment with interviews with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities. You didn't have to audition? No, I didn't audition. I haven't auditioned in like over 25 years. Oh, wow.

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Yes, we have Roddy Matthews with us today for an in-depth episode. He has a lot going on in his life, a lot of really cool things, a lot of exciting. exciting things. I feel like this is a celebratory episode. And I'm pumped to talk to him. Ashley, I know you are as well. We're all here. We're all getting started. Rodney, welcome to the Almost Famous Podcast. Thank you so much, Ben and Ashley, for having me. I'm so excited to be here. Before we get into your love life, you know what I want to get into? What's that? Your good buddy, Justin. Okay. Because, you know, that sounds weird. I want to get into your good.

buddy Justin. Let's talk about Joseph. Okay, so he is always doing just social media stuff with Susie and they're always creating a buzz and people

are always asking why they don't just date because Susie is very open about her dating struggles in L.A. And I figure that you know the inside scoop here. Let's see. I do know these two people very well, love them to death and especially with them both.

moving to L.A. I could see why that buzz was created, and especially with the content that they post, because we all love it, right? It's all funny. It's entertaining. And it's so good together in it. That's why it's just so compelling, like, I'm going to make it happen or not. But it's one of those things where, from my knowledge, I know that they're both really good friends. And I don't know if it'll ever cross that threshold. I'm not too sure. But at the end, of the day. I know we're both rooting for both of them and their happiness, whether it's together or apart. So I just, I love those two

so much. And I just tell him, I'm like, hey, keep cranking it out because we love the content. So, you know, makes his laughs and makes a smile. I love those too. I would just, Rodney, tell me if I'm wrong. Or you don't have to say anything, actually. He's your buddy. I would be shocked if Justin

doesn't lay in his bed at night all alone looking up the ceiling being like, goodness gracious. Like, I I just want to kiss her. Like, I just want to. Like, I don't know. There's been these moments where I feel like there's something and she's a friend and I like her and she's beautiful and like I just want to kiss her. I feel like they've kissed. I feel like they've kissed a few times. I don't know anything about that, but I know that I'm sure I can only imagine the tension is there. The tension has to be there. They're just

too funny. They're too close on the content. I'm just like, God, these two just, they would look good together. But yeah, I'm sure intention is probably there. They have, they were just very creative and they're very good at executing all these social media videos. Their ads are just one of those ads that you stop and you make sure that you watch because they do it so well. And then another buddy of yours you must have had an awkward situation with. Nate has been a roommate of yours for a while, but your new girlfriend, which we're going to dive into in a minute,

she's taking its place as your roommate. When I posted our hard launch, the funniest part was adding a picture at the end. of like me and her in the mirror at our place and mates in the background and all that people would catch is just Nate's face in the background and all the comments of looks like he knows that he's getting kicked out as a roommate or Rod's getting a new roommate and all this stuff and I'm like oh my gosh so we we laugh and joke about it all the time and I just remember first telling him he's like you sure Rod you're sure okay okay and it was like one of those

things where he kind of just realizes it's like hey it's like it's our brotherhood we're best friends and it's not that it's coming to an end it's just it's a new chapter you know it's time for you know me to move on and he definitely accept that and he knows we'll still stay close no matter what so yeah it was kind of a funny time but yeah it was the time to move on so i mean that's where we got to start then from the beginning you are in a relationship yes you publicly spoke about this relationship in june i believe uh is that when you started dating or was it right then you kind of like How did this play out? And then when did you decide to tell the world?

Yeah, we started dating back in June. And it was very, it's very exciting. I think the last podcast was on, which was Dave Neal's podcast, was the first time that I actually spoke about her publicly on a podcast, which was really nice. But it's one of those things where I was just, I was so excited. And I know that the way we met, we met at a bar out here at Venice. And it was one of those things, man, I, I sound so dramatic and I am, but, you know, when I saw her, a feeling just hit me, I'm like, wait a minute, I have to figure out, I have to find out who this girl is. And Justin was with me that night. And that was always kind of the funny thing, is I just immediately saw her and I'm like, okay, I have to get her name and number before we leave and figure out who she is. And the more and more I found out, the more excited I got knowing that this could potentially be the one for me. And, uh, It's one of those things. Like I said, when you know, you know, you know. And a lot of friends and family, they'll be like, okay, Rod, like, do you think you're moving too fast? And I'm excited. I said, absolutely not. You know, for the first time in my life, I've waited so long for this. And I knew that I've never been this confident in this shore in my life about any woman that I've talked to before. So I knew, like, this was a special moment. And I wanted to seize that immediately. So, yeah, I'm really glad we just moved in together about a week ago, you know. So it's very

exciting for us and we're ready for this new chapter. Aw, it's so obvious how happy you are. Give us her, give us her bio. Like, tell us about her. She's the best. Yeah, she's the best. Her name is, um, yeah. You can't stop giggling. I'm just very, very happy.

Her name is Ariel Sabrina. Obviously, we met at a bar and she is from, uh, New Jersey. So she's from the East Coast, uh, where we just went back to, for us to, for me to finally visit the friends and family. She works for Netflix. She's a social media manager over there and everything that we've kind of been through together so far, it's already been, it's already been a lot in such a short period of time. But we're just so happy to have met each other during this stage of our lives. You know, I'm 31. She's 30. And that was the first thing she checked me on, you know, when I approached her, like, hold up, how old are you? And I was like, I'm 31. And she's like,

okay, I'm tired to get hit on by 22-year-olds. Like, now we can talk. We can continue this conversation. I say, hey, I respect it. Yeah, that's nice. You know, so I completely understand. And I tell people all the time, I think one of the best parts is that, you know, when we met, she'd never watched the show. So it's one of those things where she just got to know me for me.

And I remember her, one of her best friends was there that night. It was kind of like recording us because everything was so special. We had random people coming up to us saying, I'm sorry, you guys are the cutest couple I've ever seen. We're like, we just met an hour ago. So it's one of those things where I was like, this must be something special. People keep commenting on it. And I remember that best friend in her, they, you know, they watched the video. They were dying laughing.

They sent it back to the girls back east. And they're just like, oh, yeah, Erie met this guy last night. We'll see what happens with it. Like, she seemed happy, but we'll just see if anything comes of it. And I immediately was, you know, got her number. I asked her out on a date for that next Wednesday. like I was I said hey like I don't play games and she's like what are you in this for I said I'm trying to find my future wife like I'm I'm in this for love and so uh you know if this could be

something serious I would love to pursue that and I remember um you know we had our first date which was very nice and then our second date is when she's like all right so my friends back east watched the video of us from night one and uh they said that they all know you and they love you They know you very well and they love you. And she's like, I don't know how that's possible. And so you might have to talk to me about this if you feel comfortable. And I said, yeah, let's talk about it. She didn't Google you?

Not until the friends finally told her. So, yeah, she's just like, oh, they're like, do you know who you talk to? That's Roddy for the bachelor and blah. And so they were just so excited. And she was like, what? She had no idea. And once we finally talked about it and broke it. She's like, I'm here for you to tell me whatever you feel comfortable with.

If that's nothing at all, I understand. if that's everything I understand. She's like, I just want you to know. The you that I know is the one that I met at the bar. And so I said, perfect, let's talk about it. And so I kind of just shared what I was comfortable with. And I told her, yeah, I've been on a couple seasons of the show. And I'm very blessed and grateful.

But I have been through some stuff on the show. And I know that I'm here to meet my future wife. And so, yeah, it was very exciting for us moving forward. I will say this. It is nice. to date somebody who doesn't have, like they have an interest in your experience in the show, but they've never seen it.

You kind of get like, there's so much kind of weirdness that is eliminated. Like they haven't seen you kiss somebody else. They haven't seen you like say something romantic to somebody else. It really does, I think, build a healthy relationship. We've talked about on the podcast before. I mean, my dad, Rodney, he's a great dude.

but he is not one to, uh, to give advice. Uh, and so one day I said, Hey, dad, how do you know when you've like met, you know, how did, what, would you feel like when you met mom? What'd you feel like? He goes, Ben, when you know, you know. And I was like, that's stupid advice. Uh, I don't know what that feels like. Uh, I think that's, there has to be a better way. And he, and he didn't really say anything after that. And then when I met my wife now, I was like, that first date, I was like, no, there's, this is either going to be the best thing ever or the hardest thing that I that I've ever had to go through because this is really, really good or could be really bad if it doesn't work out. Well, it worked out. But you're

right, though, it's a certain feeling. And you're just like, wait a minute, this feels different. This feels more confident and secure and warm and welcoming. And something's different about this date. So, yeah, it was very nice. Hi, my name is Enya Yumanzoor. And I'm Drew Phillips. And we, 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.

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. Imagine that you're on an airplane and all of a sudden you hear this. Attention passengers, the pilot is having an emergency, and we need someone, anyone, to land this plane. Think you could do it?

It turns out that nearly 50% of men think that they could land the plane with the help of air traffic control. And they're saying like, okay, pull this, pull that, turn this. It's just, I can do it my eyes close. I'm Manny. I'm Noah. This is Devon. And on our new show, no such thing. We get to the bottom of questions like these.

Join us as we talk to the leading expert on overconfidence. Those who lack expertise lack the expertise they need to recognize that they lack expertise. And then as we try the whole thing out for real. Wait, what? Oh, that's the run right. I'm looking at this thing. Listen to no such thing on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. A foot washed up a shoe with some bones in it.

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Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. So Rodney, this is a little bit awkward, but your ex-Eliza is back on the Bachelor in Paradise Beach right now. And you felt really strongly for her last year. Like you really, I feel like you thought at the time that she was the one. Can you like compare and contrast the different feelings now that you look back on it in hindsight? Yeah, I mean, back then, wow, it was about a year and a half ago. So back then, yes, I definitely had strong feelings and thought that it would be. is something special with a lot of potential.

And once I heard that she was back, I was like, oh, wow, I hoped that she finds what she's looking for. And that's really all that I felt at the time. I was like, oh, okay, it was one of those things where I think us as a general brotherhood and friendship or our own personal group, you know, that we hang out with, it was just like, oh, wow, this is crazy, this is big news. but I hope that, I hope she finds what she's looking for and she finds love. And knowing a lot of people that went on this season, I'm just, I'm rooting for all of them, you know,

because I think we all know how crazy that environment can be and how wild it can be. So it's one of those things where I'm just, I'm rooting for everybody even though, yeah, I was very hurt last year. I'm rooting for everybody to win, you know, and find love because it's a special feeling. have you have you at any point been watching this season because I had this I was talking nationally about this

I think last year you know obviously I'm in a relationship I have no interest in not being in this relationship but there's moments I watch Paradise and I'm like I wish I was there like I want to be there like hanging out the bar like I want to be watching the people like fight

and like you know love triangles like I never went to Paradise so I don't know what it's like but I find myself like if I could just not date could I just go hang out like could I just be in like the cabanas have you felt like that at all uh as you've you know seen paradise come through this season like hey I know I'm in love but can like I go back for a bit so to be honest no not at all after my experience but the best part of paradise by far is is kicking it with wells because that's that's the man right there you know we all love wells We're all big fans. And once I finally got to meet him in person, I was like, oh, man, the hype is real. So the best part is kicking it with Wells. But you know, something's coming up.

If Jesse walks in and he's got a serious tone and I'm like, oh, what's up, Jesse? I'm like, oh, no, this isn't going to be a happy talk. Like, something's going on. So it's just a lot of stress in that place. I remember, you know, a lot of late nights. But, no, I'm happy for those who get to experience it. And I just wish them the best. You don't want to go back.

No, I'm good. There's no plans. There's no plans right now to go back to paradise. I'm good not seeing that beach again. All right, good. Rodney, you, do you feel like you are on the fast track with your girlfriend? Maybe a Bachelor in Paradise style where it's like, yeah, it's maybe not four weeks till engagement, but maybe you can see yourself doing it in a few months? Yeah, yeah.

I mean, I'm definitely... Oh, he's bought a ring. He's supposed to get Christmas. I'm making up rumors. How did you get that from his, like, first, like, word of, yeah, I'm on that. And you're like, he bought a ring. It's over on it. I can see his face.

No, I'm just, I'm definitely on the fast track. And I won't lie. I remember it does feel like the show has affected me in that sense of thinking like, hey, we don't have. time to waste. And, you know, I remember, you know, being younger way before the show, I would just take my time. And there's nothing wrong with that. You know, I feel like I have taken my time being single this entire time and waiting for the right one to come. But the show did introduce me to, hey, like, if it's the one, there's no time to waste. And so kind of taking that into my real life, it has felt like, hey, ever since I met area, I know that what I'm doing feels right for

both of us. And, you know, we are on the fast track, but to us, it doesn't seem too fast. And we ask each other all the time, we're like, we know what the world thinks, but what do we think? You know, and I'm like, well, we're both very happy. We're both very confident. And we've both waited, you know, for a long time for a love like this. So, yeah, we're definitely on the fast track and I wouldn't change it for anything. And I'm very happy for how our pace is going. Isn't a weird feeling when you, like, are confident and at peace with the idea that you're going to be with somebody potentially for the rest of your life? Like, isn't it just a weird switch up from even being on the show where you're like, I think I like this person. I don't really know them that well yet.

I'm hoping this works out for us. And then you like, and it has happened from the show, right? Like, people have found love on the show and it has worked out from them. They have found that feeling. but it isn't like just odd and awesome to be so at peace with this massive decision that you're making it's it's one of the craziest feelings and i know talking with you too i know you guys can relate and it's it's so shocking to me to go from this world especially like just being a single bachelor and being on the show and then coming out and finally finding my person and i'm like

oh wow this is a crazy switch up in life in such a short period a time in just a few months my life changed just like that and I wouldn't change it for the world like this is all I've ever wanted this is all I've waited for so it's funny I remember people asking like you know you you enjoy this lifestyle being a single bachelor being from the show and this and that I'm like it's been great and I'm very blessed with that however at the end of the day the reason I went on the show is to find love so that deep down of what I've always wanted is love so that's the whole purpose of it you know and so as soon as I found it I'm like I recognize it I feel it, I know it, and I'm ready to move on.

I'm ready to move forward. And the only one that truly knew that are some of my best friends back home who weren't on the show, you know, before the show existed. And moms, and moms knew immediately when people are like, well, Roddy's founder, is this the real thing? And it's like, yeah, he's been waiting for the right one. And as soon as she met him, she's like, Roddy, this is the one. It's her.

Rodney, you're the sweetest. We're so happy for you. You're like, oh, you're a dream. You're a little dream. How was her family? Did you feel like, you're like, oh, this is an extended family to me? 100%. Yeah, I think our worlds merge so easily, so smooth.

And, you know, when she met mine, it was amazing. And then when I met her, obviously, about half of them knew me from the show. So I think they were excited to see me from that. But more importantly, they saw how happy I made Airy. And so that is what made it more special. So once I met them, I'm like, oh, my God, this is my family on the East Coast. You know, it's just, it was so quick. And I loved every second of that, you know, her best friends, you know, who we stay with and they have a couple of kids.

And, you know, her best friend Taylor, her husband, Chris, who we just stayed with in New Jersey, Kate May. I love them to death. They're two kids. They already called me. Her niece, Slay, can't pronounce the D. so she calls me Uncle Ross. And so I'm like, all right, I'm Uncle Ross. I'll just be Uncle Ross.

Like, I just want to be in the family, you know? Oh, yeah. You know, I'm like, I'll take you. Not Ronnie. Ross. I like it. I'm like, okay, you know, classic mix up. I'll take it. And yeah, she's got nieces and nephews out there that I love, you know,

being with and spending time with and just meeting all them. And I finally got to meet her mom as well, which was a, which was a beautiful moment. and I could feel that they were happy that I just made her happy because that's all they've been waiting for too. So it was very nice. Sounds like Rodney's had his last first drink with somebody. That's pretty cool.

You know, last first drink. And never heard that expression, but definitely his last first kiss. I mean, last first drink would work too, right? That fits. Oh. Yeah, both. All above. Yeah.

I want to revisit something, Rodney. I want to dig into this a little bit and then I want to get to some of the fun stuff you're doing outside of this amazing relationship. So Nate is still living with the two of you. Like you guys have moved in together, but also Nate is still there or not? Has he moved out? So no. So we so we both found new places. Yeah. So Ari and I found a brand new place in Studio City, which we love out here. And Nate moved a couple blocks away from where we were at. So yeah, he's now in a studio and he's found a beautiful place uh you know he's got his own little skyscraper spot and uh yeah we we have a two bed two bath out here in the valley and so we're really we're really

happy is he uh is he the type of guy i mean we uh we've had him on and uh but is he the type of guy is excited to live alone or is this like is this a really sad time for him no no i don't even think It was like a, it's for maybe about five seconds. It was better sweet of like, my life's changing to, you know, but no, he's, he's lived alone before when we met, he was living alone out in Austin, Texas, and I went to go visit him out there a few times. And I think now he was, he was ready to live alone again. It's, you know, it's him and his dog, Percy, who everyone knows in Bachelor Nation by now.

My God, his relationship with the dog is awesome. Yeah. You've heard us talking about it, actually. but it's he's uh he's happy i think he's happy it was kind of like an exciting new chapter for him too to kind of just be all by himself out here in in la because before it's you know he did move out here for me and and we knew that we were going to be closer after i went through everything on my season he was going through his breakup and he's like man we both need a fresh start and i'm like either i'm going to austin or you're coming to la so we got to figure it out and and that's how that's how

happened. So yeah, I know that he is happy finally being in this city on his own to kind of explore it. And obviously, like we said, Justin and Susie are out here. So it's like we got more friends to hang out with. I like that you group the two of them together. I just feel like one day this is going to happen. They're going to be Jared and I. I mean, you know, really good friends first. But it's he's, he's doing well. I can confirm he's doing well. We're all going to go to the Chargers game this weekend. So yeah, it's nothing, nothing's changed. We love them. Imagine that you're on an airplane and all of a sudden you hear this. Attention passengers. The pilot is having an emergency and we need someone, anyone to land this plane.

Think you could do it? It turns out that nearly 50% of men think that they could land the plane with the help of air traffic control and they're saying like okay pull this until this pull that turn this it's just i can do my eyes close i'm manny i'm noah this is devon and on our new show no such thing we get to the bottom of questions like these join us as we talk to the leading expert on overconfidence those who lack expertise lack the expertise they need to recognize that they lack expertise and then as we try the whole thing out for real wait what oh that's the runway I'm looking at this thing, see? Listen to No Such Thing on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, 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. 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 My name is Ed Everyone say hello Ed From a very rural background myself

My dad is a farmer And my mom is a cousin So like it's not like What do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club I know it sounds like the start of a bad joke But that really was my reality nine years ago I just normally do straight stand-up

but this is a bit different. On stage stood a comedian with a story that no one expected to hear. On 22nd of July 2015, a 23-year-old man had killed his family. And then he came to my house. So what do you get when a true crime producer walks into a comedy club? A new podcast called Wisecrack, where stand-up comedy and murder takes a stage. Available now. Listen to Wisecrack on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hi, I'm Janica Lopez, and in the new season of the Overcover podcast, I'm taking you on an exciting journey of self-reflection. Am I ready to enter this new part of my life? Like, am I ready to be in a relationship? Am I ready to have kids and to really just devote myself and my time? I wanted to be successful on my own, not just because of who my mom is. Like, I felt like I needed to be better or work twice as hard as she did. Join me for conversations about healing and growth. Life is freaking hard. And growth doesn't happen in comfort.

It happens in motion, even when you're hurting. All from one of my favorite spaces, The Kitchen. Honestly, these are going to come out so freaking amazing. Be a part of my new chapter and listen to the new season of the Overcomper podcast as part of the MyCultura podcast network on the IHeart, Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Speaking of football, you coach this year. I don't know if this is your first year of coaching or not, was it?

So no, this is about my fifth or sixth season coaching high school football. Yeah, I did. Are you the head coach? No, so I am the defensive coordinator. I was the defense coordinator, yeah. What high school? Pasadena High School. It's like North L.A. out here.

Yeah. So you played college football. Yes, I did. And you're a running back, right? Or were you? So I played safety. I played up at Fresno State. You played at Fresno State.

You were a safety. So being a defensive coordinator fits perfectly. Talk to us. I mean, you know, I'm more interested maybe than most. But give us a quick rundown and how the season went and how it is to be a coach of high schoolers because it is something that I've always wanted to do and dreamed of doing. Just never put my foot in the door to do it. I think you should do it eventually, Ben.

You'd be amazing. When you have kids, you have to be the coach. You know, high-flying high school offense. Just air raid. Throw it down the field. I can see it now and Ben, I can't wait because I'm keeping up with every stat. I know you're just going to throw that thing out. Just chuck it.

Let's go. So, yeah, it's definitely. Definitely pros and cons. This was the toughest season I ever had coaching. It was my first season coaching after the show, which was a different challenge I wasn't expecting. And it was my first season ever being a defensive coordinator because I started off as just the DB coach. And unfortunately, some events happened where the school had to let go of the defense coordinator. So I, a week before the season, immediately got the promotion of the bump that I wasn't ready for. And so there were a whole lot of challenges to go with this.

And so it was a tough year. So our season is done. He's like, we didn't play very well. Her record sucked. That's fair. We were awful. And I think that's what made it so tough for me because I'm a massive competitor, especially when it comes to football.

It was my first love. first passion. And, you know, I started playing at nine years old. And ever since the game has always just changed my life, you know, whether it's high school, college, you know, being a captain and a leader, I love the game. And I love coaching and giving back. And before the show, I was coaching consistently and it felt good. I got to see myself personally changing kids' lives and changing their love and their knowledge and their passion of the game. And that's what I care about. You know, is like, hey, I'm going to make you a great football player and I'm going to make you more knowledgeable of the game. But more importantly, I'm going to make you a better man off the

field. And that's what I was excited to kind of see that contract. Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that. Yeah, that's what is at the end of the day, that's what's more important of being a coach. It's like, hey, I'm going to teach you the exes and those and that's great. But am I helping you build your character? You know, like how am I helping you off the field as well? Because a lot of these kids come in with, you know, they're all coming in from different backgrounds. And that's what I've loved with football. It's like you got every culture, every background, ethnicity, upbringing, you got all that mixture in this locker room. And how do they gel together to be a winning team? And that's really exciting to see is, you know, we took my last

high school that I coached that, we took a team that was known to be a losing program and turned them into winners on and off the field. And these kids were building confidence. They were getting better grades, they're out playing college football now. And, you know, they went from being those kids who were in trouble all the time and always happened to go to Saturday school to, you know, now being good members of society and getting scholarships and being better men. And it was just so exciting. That's what I care about when it comes to coaching high school football. And, you know, sadly, once I started this program, I didn't realize the effect of the show because obviously every kid wants to look up their coach and so you know they immediately looked me up and it's just like

coach rod you're an apple suit you were yeah and naked like what are you doing I'm like oh my god and I'm trying to go off on them saying hey I'm coach rod like just folks on me being coach rod you know don't look at me don't look at an apple suit don't think of Ronnie the actual suit you guys you don't remember that's how he came in on a Michelle season these kids and you know kids research everything so I'm like oh my god so just trying to try to discipline them or teach them and they're just like okay coach rod you know like you you're over here getting this is on the bachelor's and this and out i'm like no that's not what it's about you need to focus on football and so there were just so many not even from my end that was just a piece of it there's so many like outside distractions with

this team and um you know the end of the season we play in the rose bowl so that's their big rivalry is which is one of the coolest experiences for high school yeah For anybody, it's playing in the Rose Bowl, the granddaddy of them all. And it's against the rival high school, Meir High School. So it's Mirr v. Pasadena. And the first half, I'm just so excited because I'm just like, wow, this is everything. Anyone could dream of being a kid or player at coach. And that first half, I held the other team to 13 points.

So we're going to halftime. It's 13-0. And our offense hasn't scored yet, but I still have hope. And I'm like, all right, boys, like, it's some of the best football we're playing. We've got the most people here, thousands of people. I'm like, we got this. we got this you know and at the end of the game we get blown out and I'm so I'm hurt and I'm mad and at the end of the day obviously I've listed all the cons I think but the pros I have to look

back and just say what impact did I make on the kids and there's a good handful of those kids that could look back and still know that they can call me for anything and just say Coach Rod I'm going through something and they know that they could call me so at the end of the day I still want to make sure that I'm making a positive impact on the kids on and off the field. And if they could remember me for someone who wanted to really truly support them and uplift them, whether they're out there getting a interception or making a big tackle or if they get scored on or anything like that, like win or lose, I'm going to have their back. So that was, that was really important for me.

Your passion for coaching is clear. Is this something you want to continue doing? Yeah, I think I will. You know, I definitely, I've loved it. Like I said, I've been doing it for five or six years. before and after the show. And so I love coaching. And I know I definitely want to do it again.

I don't know if this last year took a toll on me and, you know, come in, you know, after practice and, you know, Airy would meet me after practice after every single game. And she's like, you just seem stressed. I'm like, I got a lot of my mind. Like, this is stressful. She's going to the game.

She's seen us get blown out. And I'm like, I've never been through anything like this in my life before. You know, I'm a strong competitor. And at least I know I'm going to be in the game. date, you know, and for me to deal with a culture that was so used to losing and they were okay with that and it was tough for me and with the distractions of, you know, post life after the show and stuff like that with the kids. It was a lot. And so I think I want to coach when the time is

right. But I told Erie, you know, moving forward, I want to focus on my new career. I just, as of a week ago, I just passed my real estate exam. So I'm about to get my real estate license. So let's go. Yeah. Congrats. I'm really excited. about that. No pressure, Rodney, but you're a great role model and I want you there with the kids. I know.

So I'm going to, I promise I'm definitely going to coach again, but it's going to take some time. Yeah. Makes sense. Yeah. Well, to close up here, Rodney, we do have to ask you,

the Bachelorette on your season has recently announced that she is in a relationship. What are your thoughts, feelings about this new found, I mean, I don't know if they're calling each other love life yet,

romantic life for Michelle yeah yeah i just i just heard through the great mind that that uh that happened but more importantly i am i'm i'm happy for her you know that's it's very exciting like i said i i've just recently found it so i'm i'm really rooting for anyone to find it and we all know that we went on this show to find it so it's one of those things for michel and i'm super happy for her um you know i hope that everything works out and i hope that she's she's found her person because being on her season, I know how passionate she was in that pursuit. And so, yeah, I'm happy for her. Rodney, thank you so much for joining us.

It was so great to have you. I can't listen to you talk forever because you're just like such a soulful, warm human being. I appreciate you guys. Thanks for having me, Ben and Ashley, you guys are the best. Yeah, I get the feeling better. Thanks are coming on with this flu. It's a big deal.

So until next time, Rodney, don't make it too long. We'll probably be given the headline. I don't know, probably during Christmas. Ashley, thanks. that Rodney Matthews was engaged But we'll see But we'll always hold out hope for you, man Thanks for coming on the podcast

Until next time I've been Ben I've been Ashley I've been Rodney See you guys Follow the Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcasts on IHartRadio Or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts Hi my name is

Anya Emanzor 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. 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. Hi, it's Honey German and I'm back with season two of my podcast.

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