Ben Smith is one of Tayshia Adams' Final 4 bachelors who will receive a "hometown" date on The Bachelorette's sixteenth season.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ben is a 29-year-old Army Ranger veteran from Venice, CA.
RELATED LINK: BACHELORETTE SPOILERS: WHAT HAPPENS ON TAYSHIA ADAMS' 'THE BACHELORETTE' SEASON? WHO DID TAYSHIA PICK AND END UP WITH? (SPOILERS)
Tayshia was the first girl Ben had developed strong feelings for in quite a long time, and he slowly let his guard down for the Bachelorette so she could see his many layers and vulnerability.
When Ben stopped being afraid of "burdening" Tayshia with his past, the couple had a breakthrough as well as a magical first one-on-one date.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The way [Ben] made me feel tonight is the way I want to feel with my future husband. I feel so connected with him," Tayshia told the cameras in a recent episode.
"I could really see him being by my side for the rest of my life. I truly love Ben."
Is Ben falling in love with Tayshia right back, and could he be The One to ultimately steal Tayshia's heart?
Until viewers find out whether Ben advances to Tayshia's Final 3 bachelors, let's learn a little bit about The Bachelorette suitor right now.
Below is a list of ten facts Reality TV World has compiled about Ben Smith.
ADVERTISEMENT
At heart, Ben is a Midwestern boy
Although Ben currently resides in California, he is originally from Noblesville, IN.Ben has one younger sister Madalyn and appears to be very close with her. Madalyn has called Ben an "incredible role model" and "the best big brother" ever on her Instagram account.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' SEASON 25 BACHELORETTES ANNOUNCED! MEET ALL OF MATT JAMES' LADIES! (PHOTOS)
What is Ben looking for in a relationship?
Ben says he wants a wife who can openly communicate and stay emotionally available.Ben is looking for a woman who can keep up with him on the dance floor or at least be willing to cheer him on when he jumps in the middle of a dance battle to show off his moves.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ben made a major career shift after his military service
The Army Ranger veteran graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point followed by The United States Army Ranger School.Ben joined the military at age 18, but after suffering a serious back injury during his service, Ben decided not to return to active duty and later became a personal trainer due to his passion for health and nutrition.
The Bachelorette bachelor considers himself to be pretty romantic
Ben loves to show affection to a woman he cares about by writing love letters, and he once flew across the country to see a girl he had never met in person before.RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)
The Bachelorette host Chris Harrison says Ben is "a wonderful guy"
Chris Harrison gushed about Ben when announcing the cast for Clare Crawley's season before Season 16 premiered.ADVERTISEMENT
"This guy is the gentle giant of the season -- incredibly nice, big talker and long talker. When you get Ben going, it's hard to get him to stop," Chris shared.
"But he has an incredible story and has [given] unbelievable service to our country. Thank you, Ben. It was really a pleasure and an honor to get to know this gentleman."
Chris added, "[He's] well-liked and kind of a natural leader in the house. Guys really look up to him."
Ben runs a subscription fitness program
Ben is a coach on a subscription service called Bodybuilding Club, which members can join for $49 per month. The program includes strength, hypertrophy and conditioning work.Bodybuilding Club also includes an app that allows members to participate from anywhere on their own terms.
Ben's description on the website says he "loves smiling and talking to everyone" and would like to get clients into "shorter shorts."
"Might just date a girl on TV," he added.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)
Ben says he's a one-woman kind of guy
Ben explained he's always been "a relationship guy" and ended a relationship two years prior to appearing on The Bachelorette that he thought was going to last forever.Ben admitted the breakup "destroyed" him and so he stopped dating for a while. He hadn't felt strongly about a woman for a while prior to meeting Tayshia on the show.
Why did Ben choose a career in diet, fitness and nutrition?
Ben revealed he had an eating disorder for 15 years because he used to be "the fat kid" and girls didn't like him when he was bigger.ADVERTISEMENT
Ben revealed he stopped eating and started working out all the time, losing over 70 pounds in a short period of time.
Ben apparently had bulimia in his twenties and only his sister knew about his struggle with his self-image. Ben said he now he feels comfortable with himself and his body.
Ben thanks his sister for saving his life in more ways than one
In addition to helping Ben through his battle with bulimia, Ben's sister also got him through a "very dark" time in his life, according to the bachelor.Ben explained 2018 was a rough year for him because that's when he broke his back and was forced to leave the Army. Ben said he was living in a city that was too expensive for him and he felt totally lost.
RELATED LINK: '90 DAY FIANCE' COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER? WHO HAS SPLIT? WHERE ARE THEY KNOW? (PHOTOS)
"I didn't know how to say that I needed things...The only person I confided in was my sister," Ben shared.
Ben revealed he had two failed suicide attempts in 2018 and 2019.
"I didn't want to be here anymore... and I didn't want to burden anybody with my problems. I thought the easiest way was just to not be around. Luckily, it didn't work," Ben said.
While Ben's sister wasn't even aware of these failed suicide attempts at the time, her support and love apparently got him to see the light and want to continue living.
Ben then went through very intentional and aggressive therapy and ultimately became a new man who is "okay" now.
Ben has a famous friend who will be making an appearance on the show
Ben is very close with Top Chef star Antonia Lofaso, who has also appeared on other reality shows including Chopped.Ben and Antonia apparently train at the same gym, Deuce Gym.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ben just wished Antonia a happy birthday on November last month and wrote, "I love you very much. Thank you for being you." And Antonia replied, "I love you my friend so much."
Based on a preview for the December 15 broadcast of The Bachelorette, Antonia will be one of the people representing Ben's family during his loved ones' "hometown" date with Tayshia at The Bachelorette resort in Palm Springs, CA.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group!