NBC.com

Age: 28
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: MBA Student

This is the guy who will keep the party going. Women will dig his hotness, but will he let his guard down to really connect with someone like he says he wants to?

Jared's afterthoughts July 5th

Who did you feel most connected to during the competition?
I interacted more with the guys on the show than the girls. I felt a strong bond with Derek, Peter, Adam and Ben.

What behavior surprised you the most from the other contestants?
When the adventure first began, I think people were "playing the game" instead of truly being honest about how they felt about others.

Any fun anecdotes or run-ins with nature you'd like to share?
On the first adventure, Dawn and I were stuck in quicksand mud for an hour. Needless to say, this was an extremely frustrating experience.

What did you learn about yourself through this experience?
The entire process of the show was emotionally intense. These intense emotions shed light on aspects of my personality that I was unaware of. For instance, certain situations and personalities caused me to feel anger, and at times, I lost my temper. Moving forward, I will be able to indentify situations and personalities that "push my buttons" as they happen, and I will be able to handle my emotions more skillfully.

As far a dating goes, the show helped me identify certain behaviors and attitudes I had that prevented me from engaging in healthy, long-term romantic relationships. I think we all are afraid of being hurt emotionally, so we avoid situations that could result in emotional damage. I've been hurt before, and I have hurt people. Womanizing can seem an emotionally safer lifestyle choice than committing to one person, but I'm beginning to gathering the courage and the emotional tools needed to be able to trust a woman and be trustworthy in a monogamous relationship. Many of the contestants on the show have had trouble in romantic relationships in the past, and going on a dating show in Costa Rica can seem like a magical adventure that can miraculously solve the relationship issues we have had. In my opinion, an adventure like this can aid the process of self-reflection needed to identify relationship issues we have had, but it is not a substitute for intense self-reflection. I've had amazing women in my life who I could have fallen madly in love with, but I wasn't ready at the time. Going to Costa Rica cannot instantly mature me emotionally. I have to do the work necessary to prepare myself for a healthy, satisfying romantic relationship.

Why did you decide to take part in this show?
Fundamentally I'm a risk taker. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to meet beautiful women in the jungles of Costa Rica. In regards to the adventure being televised, I guess I was engaging in a form of attention seeking.

Would you call yourself an outdoorsy person? Why or why not?
I like being outdoors, but I don't like the uncomfortable aspects of camping and other outdoor activities.

What is your biggest fear or phobia?
I'm afraid of evil spirits.

What surprised you most about being in the jungle?
I was surprised by how dangerous the adventures are. There were always safety personnel on hand, but if an alligator suddenly bit my leg in the river, the safety personnel wouldn't be able to do much.

What was the hardest thing for you to live without? What did you miss the most?
Surprisingly, I didn't miss my cell phone. I habitually check my phone for missed calls and text messages. It was nice to unplug for a few weeks.

What would other people say are your best qualities?
I am very outgoing and enjoy interacting with a variety of people. I have been told that I am a very good communicator.

What qualities do you find to be most important in your partner?
Sense of humor, intellectual curiosity, core values that mirror my own.

Describe your ideal date.
I really like staying in and cooking a meal with my date. There is something magical about a woman turning basic ingredients into a delicious meal. The way to my heart is definitely through my stomach.

What was it like sharing a cabin with a total stranger?
Sharing a cabin with my partner was fun. She has a fantastic personality, so it wasn't awkward at all.

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