251. Rachel Recchia: Bachelor Nation fan favorite breaks down the realities of reality TV between networks, saying yes to Perfect Match, continuing her passion for aviation and the $$$ behind it all!

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Trading Secrets – Ep. 251

Guest: Rachel Recchia
Host: David Arin (with co-host commentary toward the end)
Air Date: September 8, 2025
Episode Title: "Rachel Recchia: Bachelor Nation fan favorite breaks down the realities of reality TV between networks, saying yes to Perfect Match, continuing her passion for aviation and the $$$ behind it all!"

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Overview

This episode features a candid, wide-ranging conversation between podcast host David Arin and Rachel Recchia, known from Bachelor Nation as a former lead on The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise participant, and, most recently, cast member on Netflix’s Perfect Match. The discussion explores the financial realities and culture of reality TV, the business of building a personal brand, Rachel’s commercial aviation career, and the personal impact of living life in the public eye. The conversation is honest, unguarded, and delivers deep insights into the intersection of reality fame, career pivots, and money.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rachel’s Entry to Reality TV and the Changing Motivations (02:00-06:30)

• Rachel shares her initial naivety applying to The Bachelor, genuinely not expecting to make a career from it.
  • She dispels the myth of "pure" motivations in 2025, stating:

  “Not one of you on Love Island is here for the right, like, be so for real.” (04:00)

• The difference in mindset between first-time contestants vs. reality TV veterans is discussed. Early on, Rachel didn’t even pack for the full potential time on the show.
• She emphasizes wanting an experience that was “hers alone,” leading to her interest in Perfect Match after feeling like a side player on previous shows.

2. Comparing Reality TV Platforms: ABC vs. Netflix (08:00-10:15)

• Rachel describes Bachelor Nation fans as intensely engaged (“on another level”), while Netflix audiences are more passive, streaming shows in batches without the same fervor.
  • “I feel like Netflix, they're just having [it] on in the background.” (08:20)
• She doesn’t see a significant business “lift” from Netflix as compared to the opportunities generated by The Bachelorette.

3. The Reality of Aviation as a Career (10:15-14:10)

• Rachel breaks down her journey as a pilot, including expounding on the cost and process:
  • She spent almost $200K in college and flight classes, often doubting if she could finish due to expense.
  • Even student instructors are paid near minimum wage, despite being critical to the training process.
  • Commercial pilots can make $150-200K+, but the upfront investment is massive.

4. The Move from Instructor to Reality Show Lead (14:16-18:50)

• Rachel was cast on The Bachelor after a breakup, filming her intro video at the airport to showcase her true self.
• She didn’t discover she’d be The Bachelorette alongside Gabby until it was announced publicly, leading to a fast, unprepared transition.
• The emotional fallout from being rejected on camera and the subsequent isolation is explored:

  “Being a lead is so isolating and lonely. ... I don't think I've ever really come back from ... just having people be like, I'd rather leave this show than date you.” (27:36)

5. Money in Reality TV: Candid Numbers (25:39-33:16)

• Rachel is upfront about her Bachelorette salary: $110–$120K. She believes it’s the same for all leads unless specially negotiated.
  • “We’ve only negotiated with one person, which was Emily Maynard, and she got the highest. ... I think it was like 110, 120.” (27:19-27:23)
• After the show, she received >life-changing brand deals, often surprised at the sums for “just a story.”
• Comparison of earning potentials: As an aviation captain, she could potentially earn as much as she does now with influencing and brand deals.

6. The Social & Personal Aftermath of Reality TV Fame (35:02-42:36)

• Rachel discusses the blurred identity between “pilot” and “reality star.” She usually tells people she’s a pilot to avoid the awkwardness.
• The immense scrutiny from Bachelor Nation leads many alums to struggle with their public/private identity, unlike stars of other franchises:

  “Our core audience wants us to go back to our normal life and never see us again.” (40:02)

• David and Rachel analyze how other shows (e.g., Love Island) cultivate influencer culture, whereas Bachelor alumni skirt around owning their “influencer” identities out of fear of judgment.

7. Dating Struggles and the Shrinking Pool (45:01-49:41)

• Rachel believes that if she hadn’t gone on reality TV, she’d be “married with kids” due to a larger dating pool and simpler life.

  “The more you do this ... TV, it feels like the smaller your dating pool gets.” (45:06)

• Challenges include the internet archiving everything (“How am I supposed to date a guy ... [who can] just Google Rachel Recchia and see a million videos of me crashing out on levels I’ve never done before?” (46:52))
• The exclusiveness of post-show dating, public scrutiny, and needing a partner with exceptional trust and understanding.

8. Behind the Scenes & the Culture of Other Reality Shows (55:11-57:38)

• On Perfect Match, Rachel was struck by the overt gameplay and self-aware “let’s make TV” mentality—drastically different from Bachelor’s strict “for the right reasons” culture.

  “It felt like they were doing a job, like they're at their work. ... I'm here for, like, to see what's going on.” (56:14-56:22)

• She juxtaposed this with Bachelor world, where being seen as “making TV” is frowned upon by fans and producers alike.

9. Addressing Recent Drama & Mental Health (59:04-61:30)

• Rachel addresses the Clayton drama from Perfect Match, explaining differences in lifestyle expectations were at the root of their mismatch.
  • “He just wants someone with that lifestyle ... [I] can't live. ... You would feel like they resented you.” (59:41)
• She candidly discusses the mental toll and the importance of resilience.

10. Money Mindset, Spending & Big Purchases (61:30-62:35)

• Rachel describes herself as a saver, with most of her spending going to rent and student loans.
• Her one big “splurge” was on breast reduction and subsequent surgery ($25K total).
  • “I got my boobs done, and that was, like, my big splurge.” (61:56)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On reality TV motivations:

  “Not one of you on Love Island is here for the right, like, be so for real.”
  (Rachel, 04:00)

• On aviation costs:

  “I think I'm looking almost like upwards of like 200 [thousand].”
  (Rachel, 13:43)

• On Bachelor Nation fan engagement:

  “Bachelor fans are just, like, on another level, and I love them. Like, they're so invested. ... But Netflix, they're just having on in the background.”
  (Rachel, 08:19)

• On post-Bachelorette money:

  “Obviously, the Bachelorette check was, like, of course, very nice.”
  (Rachel, 31:57)

• On ‘lead’ isolation:

  “Being a lead is so isolating and lonely. ... The boys had all the power and it was the most, like, the biggest ego hit I’ve ever had.”
  (Rachel, 27:36)

• On being an ‘influencer’:

  “I don't consider myself an influencer. ... They’re just invested in us, I feel like, as people.”
  (Rachel, 35:07)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:19 – Rachel describes differences in filming Perfect Match vs. Bachelor/ABC
• 04:00 – She dissects why "right reasons" are a myth in modern reality TV
• 13:35 – Discloses aviation school and license costs (~$200,000)
• 15:45 – Discovers she was cast as The Bachelorette at the same time as the world
• 27:19 – Open discussion of The Bachelorette lead pay ($110–120K)
• 31:57 – How she spent her Bachelorette check and first big brand deals
• 40:02 – “Our core audience wants us to go back to our normal life and never see us again.”
• 45:06 – Rachel asserts she’d “be married with kids” if not for TV fame
• 55:24 – Behind-the-scenes contrasts: calculated gameplay in Perfect Match vs. “right reasons” pressure on Bachelor
• 59:41 – Addressing rumors and drama about her split with Clayton from Perfect Match
• 61:56 – Major purchase: cosmetic surgery for $25K

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Closing Advice & Final Reflections

Rachel’s Trading Secret:

“I've always just been so resilient and, like, able to look forward. ... I always just have hope and I'm resilient and ... just not be embarrassed and just keep pushing forward.” (64:23)

Host’s Reflection:

• David commends Rachel’s ability to persist despite public setbacks and personal challenges, emphasizing the lesson that consistent resilience pays off and builds character.

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Summary of Tone & Energy

The episode is raw, honest, and supportive, with moments of humor, camaraderie, and vulnerability. Both Rachel and the host openly challenge taboos within the reality TV ecosystem, sharing specific details and direct experiences without filter. The dynamic is natural and off-script, offering a rare inside look at the realities behind television’s most drama-filled jobs.

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For listeners interested in the money, culture, and career pivots enabled (and complicated) by reality TV, this is a must-listen episode with truly unique transparency.

Transcript

[David Arin]

Foreign. Welcome back to another episode of Trading Secrets. Today we are joined by reality TV star and commercial pilot Rachel Recchia. Rachel first captured America's attention on the Bachelor before becoming one of the co leads of The Bachelorette season 19, where she navigated love, heartbreak, and the spotlight in front of millions of viewers. She later returned to Bachelor in Paradise, further cementing her place as a fan favorite in Bachelor Nation. But Rachel's story goes far beyond reality tv. She's a licensed pilot, a career she has pursued well before the cameras. Today we are going to talk all about the financial realities of working in aviation, the money behind reality tv, and what it's like to build a brand with hundreds of thousands of followers, all sparked from dating on tv. Rachel, thank you so much for entering secrets.

[Rachel Recchia]

I'm excited. I'm nervous.

[David Arin]

What are you nervous about?

[Rachel Recchia]

I don't know much about. We talked about this. Finance, money.

[David Arin]

Guys, we talked a lot about a lot before the camera started rolling.

[Rachel Recchia]

We always go through.

[David Arin]

One of the things Rachel said is that she has something to tell me after, but she refuses to tell me on. So if I'm nervous, it's because I'm like, I wonder what it's about.

[Rachel Recchia]

I like. That's how I like starting my interviews.

[David Arin]

Yeah. I feel like the first time when you and I connected at Art Basel, like, a year ago, and we were just, like, shooting the shit. We're like, I think there's a lot you and I need to clear up.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know. I feel like we've been like enemies behind different lines for, like, so long. Yeah, we kind of. We have a truce now.

[David Arin]

Well, I was never an enemy of yours, for the record. Well, you just have allegiance and you guys have your bachelorette community. Everyone's got each other's back, even if you don't know context. Then you and I got to talk a little bit. We're friends.

[Rachel Recchia]

We're friends.

[David Arin]

Alliances.

[Rachel Recchia]

Oh, yes.

[David Arin]

Remember, we have our secret alliance.

[Rachel Recchia]

We have alliance. You're not supposed to say this. Secret alliance.

[David Arin]

All right, never mind. We don't have alliance. Like, take it all back.

[Rachel Recchia]

We're friends with. No secret alliance.

[David Arin]

Friends. No secret alliance. All right, let's get into what we talk about here. So you're fresh off in this intro. One thing I didn't really get into. Perfect Match. Netflix. You're at ABC now. You're fresh off Perfect Match. You're back in the reality TV dating game. I mean, it's like hot, heavy, right off the press. How is that feeling? Just as you think about everything You've been through.

[Rachel Recchia]

It's been crazy. Netflix is definitely a lot more tame. Like, it was so surprising coming from the Bachelor. We know how crazy it is when seasons are airing.

[David Arin]

And it's.

[Rachel Recchia]

It's so hard on you mentally. And I was very lucky with Netflix. It's been like it almost wasn't on. And the episodes, they drop so quickly all at once. So people go at their own speed. So it doesn't feel like everything's coming in all at once. And it's just. You're drowning in it. So it's honestly been kind of nice.

[David Arin]

I was recently asked by an executive at a media company, we'll call it that. And they said, what percentage do you think of people that go on reality TV in 2025 are going on just for what the show is and versus career, like, what percent? And then they said, do you think that there's anybody today that is going into reality TV without a potential career in mind? I said to them, point blank, right eye to eye, no one in 2025 is going on reality TV without at least 1% of them thinking of, like, impact of career. You had. It's too transparent now.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

So for you, one was that one of your thought processes of going on. And then the second follow up would be you said, it's been quiet, which has been nice on your mental health. But is that also a counter to maybe what would have been the goal of being on reality TV in 2025?

[Rachel Recchia]

It's like so crazy because, like, I agree with you. Like, especially now with Love island. And I even watched the reunion and the amount of times they said, for the right reasons, I'm like, not one of you on Love island is here for the right, like, be so for real.

[David Arin]

Right, Right.

[Rachel Recchia]

But it's funny. Cause I went on the Bachelor and I had no expectations. Like, all I wanted was to not get sent home night one. I just wanted, like, I felt the same way. I was like, oh my gosh, this is such an iconic show. And when it happened, I didn't even think about career. Cause I couldn't think about, like, making it past night one. Like, I didn't even pack for longer than two weeks. You can ask the girls. So for me, I went on for the initial experience of it and then was so shocked when I did actually fall in love. Because I was like, oh, this is real. So then going into the Bachelorette, same mindset of, like, I know this is possible, I know I can find love. But I mean, obviously since then, I didn't go into paradise or Perfect Match being like, I'm gonna find my husband. But I was always open to it, like, truly. Like, I think it's really important for me now. I would really like to be with someone who kind of knows what I'm going through. And when you meet someone and they're going through it at the same time, I feel like you can really, like, build that foundation. So I'm always delusional, and I'm always like, okay, this could be something. But, yeah, the last two times were definitely more of like, okay, like, let's see what happens.

[David Arin]

Yeah. When I went on 2018, it was just like, I need a break from Life, and if ABC's calling me and some kid from Buffalo, like, in the finance industry, yeah, I'm going to go. Why not?

[Rachel Recchia]

Like, it was crazy, right?

[David Arin]

But I do remember in 2018, there were people from our season, and this was, like, my first intro because I really didn't know much about social media at all, that one of the kids was saying, if you wear certain colors on TV during the rose ceremony, that'll, like, help your engagement on social media. And this was 2018.

[Rachel Recchia]

But you went on, like, during the height of it, like, the golden era.

[David Arin]

It was. It was popping then. But I remember saying to him, like, what do you. What do you mean? What are you talking about? I didn't know anything about this, and I. I totally understand what you're saying. Like, why not do it then? Give it a shot. It worked. Bachelorette with this time around. So then after paradise, were you thinking, like, okay, this could help things a little bit, though? Is that fair?

[Rachel Recchia]

I was done. Like, I, like, people don't believe me. I was so done. But when I got the call for Perfect Match, I was already, like, going back to aviation, like, going back to my job. It wasn't like, oh, my gosh, I need to do this. But I was so interested because they were like, this has never been done before. We've never pulled from multiple shows. And I think for me, the biggest thing with that was I wanted something of my own because I've never got to be on my own. Like, I, you know, was a co lead, and then in paradise, it was about me, and all my exes were there, and it was never, like, me by myself without a reputation. So I was excited to just, like, have something that was mine.

[David Arin]

Yeah. I get, like, to do, like, your own. To be one of the first people.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

From ABC to, like, go to Netflix. Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

Like, after Blake, I heard Blake wasn't going. I was like, oh, it really is. It's just me. And this is, like, going to be so cool.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

And obviously, like, it didn't work out, but that really was my mindset, was wanting something that was my own.

[David Arin]

Yeah, for sure. Were there any other shows after paradise, in between Perfect Match? That did reach out.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. Like, I do get reached out to, obviously, and I'll always, like, take the call and see, but I don't know, it's really hard for me because I feel like I have such a different personality than what reality TV is. Like, I always think about people like Juliet, like, who have that, like, they know how to make tv, and I just don't think I have that. I, like, have more of a Bachelor personality. Like, I'm perfect for Bachelor and that side of a thing. So it would have to be, like, very different and unique for me to want to do it. I don't know.

[David Arin]

Yeah, I feel like you do make a. I mean, you do make it. You cry.

[Rachel Recchia]

I do my own thing.

[David Arin]

You make it splash. You do your own thing. Is this the end of reality TV for you, or do you possibly see it in your future?

[Rachel Recchia]

I mean, I never want to say the end because I said the end. After Paradise, I mean, who knows really what's going to come up? But I don't see another, like, something like Perfect Match or anything like that again.

[David Arin]

Okay. Okay.

[Rachel Recchia]

Who knows?

[David Arin]

So tbd, maybe you're. You're open to it then, if it.

[Rachel Recchia]

Like, makes sense with my job, because I really do need to, like, start focusing on that more. So we'll see.

[David Arin]

I love it. We're going to get into your job. We're going back to the beginning of the timeline. Before we do, though, I just want to talk touch a little bit more on this. It's been a little quiet. It's been different. So you guys had a very successful season. Do you think it's because the pinnacle of Bachelor was so high then, or do you think this is the result of, like, being on a reality show in a streaming service versus network? Like, why do you think it is quieter?

[Rachel Recchia]

I think Bachelor fans are just, like, on another level, and I love them. Like, they're so invested. Like, even to this day, like, even if I wasn't on a show, they want to know what I'm doing and who I'm dating, and I want to show them all that. But I feel like Netflix, they're just having on in the background. It's not like they're sitting down having parties. Maybe I'm wrong. I don't know. Love island, obviously that's the big one right now, but it feels like anything that's not Love island right now is just on in the background. But. But Bachelor and Bachelorette will always have that, like, die hard fan base. And they're gonna let you know when they're pissed at you and when they hate you, when they think you're, like, the worst. So I'm just not getting that influx of, like, comments and messages that I did on the Bachelorette. Cause that was, like, crazy. And I'm sure you experienced it on the Bachelorette.

[David Arin]

Yeah, it's. I mean, like you said, the Bachelor fan base is so invested. And I think that's why so many people, like, that's why, honestly, a lot of this podcast exists is because people's life and career change so much after the show because of how invested they are into your life. And it's also so interesting to see that, you know, it's different being on Netflix. Have you seen, as far as you know, again on this podcast? That's why a lot of these questions are focused on this and the business side. That's really a lot of this entire point of the podcast. But have you seen, like, business Lift? Have you seen things on social media become more advantageous for you from being back on reality tv?

[Rachel Recchia]

Honestly, it feels kind of like the same. It feels like where I left is still where I am. Like, I am so lucky. I do get so many, like, amazing opportunities to do things from just my time on the Bachelorette. But I don't know if necessarily Netflix is bringing those. I think they would have still come in, but I do feel like grateful to now be a part of the Netflix family. And I mean, there are things now that like, I'm like, oh, my gosh, the friendships and the things I get to do, just opportunities wise through that is fun, but, like, business wise, I feel like it's all from the Bachelor.

[David Arin]

Okay. Fascinating. It's so cool to hear both perspectives. Let's go back to day one. So commercial pilot, where were you working?

[Rachel Recchia]

So when I got cast, I actually was working at my college as a flight instructor and I was graduating at the same time.

[David Arin]

Okay.

[Rachel Recchia]

So when I got cast, I wasn't even like, finished with two of my licenses, and they were like, can you get here in two weeks? And I was like, I don't know. Like, I don't know about the weather, about availability, like, I might not get there. And it ended up just working out perfect.

[David Arin]

Wow.

[Rachel Recchia]

And I got there, like, in the nick of time, but it kind of sucks because being a teacher is not, like, the end goal. Everyone knows it's like a stepping stone. So I have to keep going back to this, like, stepping stone in between going on shows. So that's difficult.

[David Arin]

And so when you do all these licenses, what's the end result of that?

[Rachel Recchia]

Then everyone wants to do something different with it. A lot of people will normally go the commercial aviation route or, like, private. It depends on your lifestyle, what you want from it. I've always wanted to go commercial because I love to travel, and I want my family to benefit from me and, like, be able to travel and see what they want to see as well. So that's, like, my end goal.

[David Arin]

How long is that process? Like, how many licenses you have to go through and how long does it take to become commercial or private?

[Rachel Recchia]

It depends. Some people go through the military or, like, private flight school, but I did it in, like, unison with a degree.

[David Arin]

Okay.

[Rachel Recchia]

So I was in college at the same time I was in flight school. So I would go to the airport, and I come back and go to, like, physics. Like, so I did it at the same time. So it took me, like, the normal college time, and then covet, hit, and then I had to take a year off for that, and then I had to come back and finish up just my licenses.

[David Arin]

But why didn't you, like, obviously, Pilot Pete was such a big, like, name. Why didn't you get the. Why did the Pilot Rachel thing stick?

[Rachel Recchia]

I mean, I think it does stay.

[David Arin]

Yeah, I know, but, like, people. Like, when Pete, literally, I think people refer to. That's your. That's your Instagram handle. But when, like, people see Pilot Pete, I think they just scream, yo, Pilot Pete. Pilot Pete. People always see you, and it's like, Rachel. They didn't, like.

[Podcast Co-host]

I don't know.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know. I think it. Well, it is probably because he works for the airlines and I work as a flight instructor, and people don't see that as, like, as serious, but I.

[David Arin]

Also just feel serious. Well, of course it is.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah, in a way. But it also, like, isn't my full personality. Not saying that that is peaceful personality, but, I mean, if you're my friend. I feel like I don't even really talk about.

[David Arin]

I've never. Yeah, I've never heard you really talk about it. I've never.

[Rachel Recchia]

So it's like, I don't think people associate it because I have, like, these other facets of me, which, of course, he also does. So I Don't know. It really just is synonymous with his name and not as much me.

[David Arin]

I love it. Okay, we talk a little money on this podcast. What do you like? How much on average do you know pilots make? Like, what does that look like?

[Rachel Recchia]

I mean, it's pretty good.

[David Arin]

Is it really?

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

I would have no idea.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. My best friend actually, he just got moved up and he's captain, had a regional.

[David Arin]

Okay.

[Rachel Recchia]

And he is making more money than like anyone I know. And he's not even in the main lines.

[David Arin]

150,000 upward.

[Rachel Recchia]

2 upward.

[David Arin]

Wow.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. And I, I don't know that for sure, but he also like does extra things. Like he is also a teacher in that space as well, like teaching first officers. So I mean there is a lot of money to be made, but it's a very expensive career because you're in so much debt for a long time. Unless you're just because of the cost of stuff. Going military. Yeah. School is insane and that's what holds a lot of people back.

[David Arin]

How much does the school cost?

[Rachel Recchia]

Well, for me, I went. It was with my college tuition and I was out of state, so I think I'm looking almost like upwards of like 200.

[David Arin]

Damn.

[Rachel Recchia]

I spent. Yeah. So it's just so expensive. Like I think getting my multi engine license alone was like $10,000.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

And that was like a two week course.

[David Arin]

Okay.

[Rachel Recchia]

And that's just with teacher and fuel and just everything that goes into it. But it's a very, very expensive course. And there were times where I'm like, I just don't think I'm going to make it. Like, I don't have the money for this. But I was always lucky to like be able to get a loan or things like that. But it's expensive.

[David Arin]

That is wild. So you take a break from that because you immediately go on the Bachelor. How did the Bachelor find you?

[Rachel Recchia]

I applied.

[David Arin]

Let's go. I love it.

[Rachel Recchia]

I was like going through a really tough breakup and you know, like, I feel like it's just such a girl thing in college to be like, I'm going to apply for the Bachelor. Him. I'm applying. And I applied and then they contacted me and it like the process happened so fast. I was cast within like the month.

[David Arin]

Damn.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know. So I was so lucky. It just felt like it was meant to be.

[David Arin]

You know how they showed. They've been showing everyone's like their videos.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. Did you see?

[David Arin]

No, I was gonna say, did they show yours? Wait, what did you. How did you.

[Rachel Recchia]

What you do My video, the whole thing was at the airport.

[David Arin]

Oh, that's good.

[Rachel Recchia]

And they were like, can you please go back and, like, film your day to day? Which I spent all my time at the airport and my best friend Nate, we would sneak in after hours because if I had done any of this in front of the other boys, like, they already made fun of me and they already didn't like me and didn't respect me. So I'm like, I can't film for a reality show in this airport. So we would sneak back in, and that's where I did my video.

[David Arin]

Unbelievable. All right, so you go on the season for those that listen to this. Not all listeners of the podcast are fans of the Bachelor or from Bachelor Nation. So to give people perspective, Clayton Eckert is the Bachelor. You go on that season, he falls in love with all of you guys. He has sex with all you guys. You guys find out. It becomes an absolute, utter shit show. He then ends up with Susie, and then you and Gabby are left. And how quickly after they stopped filming did you know that you had become then the Bachelorette?

[Rachel Recchia]

I found out when the world found out.

[David Arin]

Oh, wow.

[Rachel Recchia]

And I think that was.

[David Arin]

That was real.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. And it. It sucks because I. I know they wanted it to be a surprise because they assumed me and Gabby would, like, tell, but I was still, like, fully working my job. Like, I had to quit over the phone. I was nowhere near, like, mentally or bodily ready to be elite. Like, I would have been quit. I would have quit my job and been in the gym every single day. And I was literally, I was just off work for the weekend to film afr. And I assumed. I'm like, if I don't know by now, it's not me. I assumed it was Gabby. And then they had us go sit on stage together, and I go, do not let me go out there and embarrass me and give it to Gabby in front of me. Like, that is so mean. Like, I know that's what you're about to do. And then they sat us down, and we got it at the same time. And then we started filming, like, five days after.

[David Arin]

And you had no idea the boys.

[Rachel Recchia]

Were in quarantine already for our season. And we didn't know.

[David Arin]

That is insane.

[Rachel Recchia]

I didn't even have time to get lip filler. No time for anything. They literally said, get right to the mansion. And me and Gabby were just like, five days later there.

[David Arin]

Oh, my gosh. That's. All right. So in the career side of things at this point, you finish filming and then there's like, how long is that before you find out? Four months, right? Three. Four months. Yeah. So you found out you were the bachelorette in Surprise in March on afr?

[Rachel Recchia]

Yes.

[David Arin]

Right. And that's in March, and then it wraps. And when? November? December.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah, it was four months. So we got out right before Thanksgiving.

[David Arin]

Okay.

[Rachel Recchia]

And then I was, like, depressed for, like, a month, and I just, like, was so upset, I couldn't get out of bed. And they were like, can you come start doing interviews for Bachelorette? I'm like, no. Like, I wasn't faking that. Like, I'm not ready. Like, what do you mean? Like, no. The fact that you feel that way means you should be the Bachelorette. I'm like, I don't want to do this. And so we started interviewing, like, right away. And then March, like, was afr. And then it all went right in.

[David Arin]

Wow.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

It's crazy when you said that it took you a month to, like, you were kind of in the weeds with it and, like, struggling. I remember when I got off, took me like, a week or so. I didn't go nearly as far as you. I got dumped at the fantasy suite dinner table. But I remember it was about a week or so, and I snapped out of it pretty quick. But then when I watched it back, that I remember, I got, like, really sad for that month. Like, do you. Looking back on it, do you think you were in love with Clayton?

[Rachel Recchia]

I mean, yeah, I think I was. But what I think made it the hardest was, like, when we left, we were under the impression, like, he was single and that, like, we didn't know he got back together with Susie until afr.

[David Arin]

Like, that's when we found out, you guys. No one talked or anything.

[Rachel Recchia]

No one told us.

[David Arin]

I think they also wanted to see this world.

[Rachel Recchia]

Everyone's like, yeah, I think they wanted me and Gabby. I think Gabby got over it immediately. I can't speak for her, but I think they wanted us in the mindset of, like, they didn't want us to focus on that. They wanted us on Bachelorette. So no one told me.

[David Arin]

Interesting.

[Rachel Recchia]

And so it was like this. Why, if you're single, are we not? It was just kind of, like, me kind of holding out a little, like, of course.

[David Arin]

Well, the doors are.

[Rachel Recchia]

Maybe we'll get back together when you see it back.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

So it was hard because I just felt like there was still this, like, chance because I didn't know about Susie at the time.

[David Arin]

Yeah. Wild.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. Isn't that crazy?

[David Arin]

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[Rachel Recchia]

I did it so soon after, I want to say, like maybe two or three weeks after.

[David Arin]

And you're a flight instructor?

[Rachel Recchia]

I was instructing. And I remember the producers, they were like, don't go back to work. Like, take some time off, I think, kind of telling me, like. And I was like, no, I need this or I'm gonna go insane. Yeah, I have to fly. I have to throw myself back into life. So it was very, very quickly.

[David Arin]

What is, can you say, like, what flight instructors make?

[Rachel Recchia]

Like, minimum wage? Like sometimes like 15, $11, depending on the state. It's very, very, very low because people know it's like, it's a very quick turnover. People just are there for six months.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

And then they go to the airlines.

[David Arin]

So that seems like bullshit.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know.

[David Arin]

Like, the, the people that our pilots are learning from, they're being instructed by, are getting paid very, like close to minimum wage.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

That seems like, asinine to me.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know it's really tough. And you're basically just doing it knowing that one day you'll make money. Like, that's why you're doing it.

[David Arin]

So the idea is you're putting this time in so that eventually you're going to become a licensed pilot.

[Rachel Recchia]

So by the time you're instructing, you're done. Like you're just getting hours to be hired by an airline.

[David Arin]

Got it. Okay. And how many hours do you need?

[Rachel Recchia]

So if you have a restricted ATP, which means that, like, what's ATP mean? So it's like basically this license that says that you like can go to the airlines quicker. That's in short story what it means. So I only need a thousand hours, but if you don't have that, you need 1500.

[David Arin]

Interesting.

[Rachel Recchia]

So typically once I'm up there, like once I start getting up to a thousand, I can start applying with the airlines, basically is what it means.

[David Arin]

Okay, amazing. Well, I can't wait for you to do that and hear about that career. I'm going back into your bachelorette announcement before I do. My curiosities are killing me. I got to ask. And you're instructing because all I'm thinking about is like your training. So there's obviously simulation and going through it all. Was there ever like a very scary experience in training your your to to become a pilot? Like a potential like crash? Did you crash in a simulation? Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

So I. All my scary experiences are like by myself, which is funny. One was when I first got my license, I was a fresh pilot. And you're not allowed to fly in the clouds when you're like only have your license because it's like visual. Like you can't. Getting in the clouds is a different license. And so.

[David Arin]

Wait, what?

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. So you get your private pilot and then your instrument rating means you can go in the clouds because you're just focusing on the instruments. You can't see anything.

[David Arin]

Okay. And that was really tough process below the clouds then.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. Or just like on a clear day.

[David Arin]

Okay, got it.

[Rachel Recchia]

And one day I was flying and it was a clear day and I saw something on the radar. I'm like, this looks weird, like. And my instructor was like, no, it's fine. And I was flying back alone on a cross country and the clouds just start getting lower and lower and lower and lower. And then I'm in the cloud and I can't go any lower because there's a certain altitude you have to fly above mountains. I learned in basically Appalachian mountains. So I was like, oh my gosh, this is the lowest I can go. And air traffic was like, are you in some weather? It starts hailing, I'm like, oh my gosh. I'm like, I'm going to die. Like I'm the newest pilot and they're just like walking me through it, telling me what headings to stay on. So then finally like I did get out of it and land, but that was really scary. And then one time I had an RPM gauge failure which I thought was an engine because that is showing your engine. And I thought it was My engine. And so I thought I had an engine failure. And then I, like, landed in the middle of, like, Indiana or something. And I brought it to maintenance, and they were like. I'm like, it's rpm right? Like, I don't feel any roughness. And they were like, well, we can't tell you that. Like, we don't know. And I was just like, okay, well, I'm gonna go. Cause I think it's the gauge. And it ended up being the gauge. But, yeah, that was really scary. Cause I flew home with, like, my gauge just in the red. Probably illegal, but I just had confidence. That's what failed.

[David Arin]

So that is crazy.

[Rachel Recchia]

Those are my two stories.

[David Arin]

I mean, when you're in the clouds and it's hail, I'm assuming as a passenger, you're doing. You do nothing, right? You just let the plane go.

[Rachel Recchia]

Well, yeah. And then you kind of, like, turn on. Some of the instruments can get clogged with, like, when it gets too cold. So I knew. I was like, okay, just turn on all the heating. I'm in the smallest plane there's. It's not very advanced.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

Just turned on all the heating I could. And then I just sat there and just tried to keep it level and just prayed and just. They told me they're like, go this direction. We're watching out for you. Like, you're not going to hit anyone. I was like, like, there's nothing I can do. I can't go any lower. And our airport was like, the next one to land at. Basically.

[David Arin]

Unbelievable. A warrior in the sky.

[Rachel Recchia]

No, it was crazy.

[David Arin]

I mean, to keep your composure in those moments. Like, clearly, you got some practice for the television. So then let's fast forward. You're in Bachelorette. They announce right then and there. Your work doesn't even know.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

So you have to. You have to accept that. You obviously accept it, and then you immediately tell your work. And what, did they fire you?

[Rachel Recchia]

Well, I called, and the boys there. It was all. I always say, boys. Cause it usually is. They all knew I was on the Bachelor, and they would talk about it and like, yeah, you know. And so my boss knew, and I called him, and I go, I don't know if you heard. And he goes, I did, because everyone was talking about it. And I go, I don't think I'm coming in anymore. And he goes, I know. I just go, okay, thank you so much. Like, thank you for the opportunity. I'd only been working there the three months in between the season, and that was it. Never Heard from him again.

[David Arin]

That is wild. And you haven't gone back to that job since?

[Rachel Recchia]

No, that job is in Tampa. And I moved right after the bachelorette season. I moved to California, so.

[David Arin]

And since then, you've been pursuing this? You haven't worked in the recreation space.

[Rachel Recchia]

As an instructor since Bachelorette? No.

[David Arin]

Okay, Gotcha. And are you going to go back?

[Rachel Recchia]

I am. I need to figure out. It's hard because I really enjoy my life here and all my opportunities are here.

[David Arin]

Sure.

[Rachel Recchia]

I don't feel it's the best place to teach because the airspace is very crazy in la. I don't know if I need to go somewhere more like north to teach or I have to see what that looks like. But since I've just been, like, getting my hours on my own, just, like, flying around and stuff like that. But, yeah, teaching. It's gonna take a lot of thought with that. Next.

[David Arin]

Okay, cool. Going back to chronological order, you become the bachelorette. It's you and Gabby. Did you. When. When me, Blake, and Colton were up for the bachelorette and, like, went to the pro bachelor, Went through the process, signed everything and stuff. We talked very openly about everything. Like, what does your contract look like? What are you negotiating? Guys talk about that stuff. Like, do you have any idea where you guys paid the same or the contract's the same? Do you have anything about that, or did you even talk about it?

[Rachel Recchia]

I. Well, so at the time, it's so difficult because I knew that it was me, Susie, and Gabby all interviewing or, like, what I was told or what I heard through the grapevine because I don't know if it's true.

[David Arin]

I've never asked Suzy because that actually alludes to why you thought that he was single.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

Oh, interesting.

[Rachel Recchia]

So I thought everyone was getting asked.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

And in my, like, truly in my mind, I was like, if Gabby is up for this, it's going to Gabby. Like, I do not think there is a chance I'm getting this. So when they sent me the contract, they told me they were like, well, this is the rate. We've only negotiated with one person, which was Emily Maynard, and she got the highest. And we haven't negotiated since, like, this is the contract.

[David Arin]

So they told you you can't. There's no budget on the contract.

[Rachel Recchia]

They basically said there was no budging, and I didn't think I was gonna get it. So if I thought I had some power, like, if I thought they really wanted me, and I was like, okay, would you do this? Or could I add on this I don't know. I just didn't think they wanted me that bad. So I just signed it to sign it just. Cause why would I not take the opportunity? I just didn't think it was mine to argue with. If you don't take it, someone else will. Like, all three of these girls want it. I didn't think I had that power.

[David Arin]

Gotcha. Okay.

[Rachel Recchia]

Does that make sense?

[David Arin]

It does make sense. I think it makes a lot of sense. Did you. You can't share how much it was, can you?

[Rachel Recchia]

Can we? Yeah, I think it was like 110, 120.

[David Arin]

I think that makes sense.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah, I think it's 120, actually. I can't remember.

[David Arin]

Okay. So same across the board. You find out you thought it was gonna be her. So then when you both get it, one of my questions was gonna be like, was that a challenging thing for you to share that?

[Rachel Recchia]

Well, looking back, I like, I'm so grateful she was there. Being a lead is so isolating and lonely. And I've just like, we had the best time together, but it was challenging in the way that production was like, I feel like. And they do to this day say that they didn't control a lot that went on, but it was just like, the boys had all the power and it was the most, like, the biggest ego hit I've ever had. My confidence, it took so long. It probably still hasn't recovered from, like, dealing with the way they treated us and like, having the boys just. And it happened to Gabby too. Just like, I don't like you because of this, this, and this reason. So I'm gonna date your friend. And they just got to stay. And I just don't think I've ever really come back from, like, just having people be like, I'd rather leave this show than date you.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

And I'm like, weren't you like. Cause normally if you're cast as the lead, they know who they're getting, but they didn't know and they had a choice. So the men just treated us horribly. And that was the only thing that looking back, I'm like, I wish I never put myself through that because it was so hard.

[David Arin]

I never thought about it like that. That is bullshit, actually.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

Because typically, in our experience, you know, there's one Bachelorette.

[Rachel Recchia]

Well, you had two.

[David Arin]

No.

[Rachel Recchia]

No, you didn't.

[David Arin]

I mean, I was with Becca and then I.

[Rachel Recchia]

Weren't you on. You weren't on Caitlyn's season.

[David Arin]

You were on season.

[Rachel Recchia]

I always forget. I always think you were on Caitlyn's. Okay. Because Caitlyn's season, there was two.

[David Arin]

There was two. They showed.

[Rachel Recchia]

So they've done it before.

[David Arin]

They've done it before, yeah. With Becca, there was. It was obviously just her. So the. When there's only one Bachelorette, it's the ultimate. It's kind of like the ultimate chase, the ultimate pedestal. And amongst the guys, there's, like, there's one person. So, like, when you throw. And I've never thought about that. When you throw in the ult alternative, then there becomes, like, the conversation of, like, okay, who are you more into? Why are you more into them? Are you. Are you connecting with them mentally? Is it physically what you know, like, then. And then you have to hear so different. Then you got to hear the differences. So, like, I never really thought about that, but that makes a lot of sense. I hope they don't ever do a season with two people again just for that reason.

[Rachel Recchia]

I don't think they will. And again, I don't regret it because, like, I don't know what I would have done without her, truly. But, like, oh, my gosh, like, watching. There was the rose ceremony where, like, three guys told me no.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

And I. I remember every time after that, I would sit in an interview and I'd be like, are you trying to get me to quit? Like, because they would throw obstacle after obstacle at me. Like, people would break up with me mid season and go date Gabby, and I'm like, okay, you're trying to get me to quit. Like, you want the one and you want the TV of me leaving and me saying I'm not good enough. Like, okay, just tell me, and I'll do it, because I. I don't think you want me here. And. And I just struggle with that all season of, like, do they actually want me here, or do they want that TV moment of one quitting, and they were, like, making it me. So it was hard because the whole time, I never felt like the lead. I just felt like they wanted me to leave.

[David Arin]

I'm sorry.

[Rachel Recchia]

No, it's totally fine. It's nice talking about it because I think people don't understand how much we actually went through on that season with the men.

[David Arin]

That is a lot. Are you. And forgive me if I'm just not caught up with the drama. And I don't really recall a lot of the history of the drama. Are you and Gabby friends, Friendly?

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. No, I. I'm her biggest supporter. Like, truly. I'm so happy for her. She was born to be a star. I was there, front row and dancing with the stars. Like, everything she does. I'm so, so happy for her. And, like, that's right.

[David Arin]

Okay.

[Rachel Recchia]

I genuinely. I'm like, I love her so much and we don't talk obviously as much, but I'm like, I'm so genuinely happy for her and, like, I want her to just have everything in the world.

[David Arin]

Yeah. You guys have both done such a great job after it all. Do you keep in touch with Susie at all?

[Rachel Recchia]

I actually do see Susie a little bit more often than I do see Gabby. Just like, I feel like we all run around kind of in the same group. We do see each other. But yeah, it was definitely a little rough for a little bit just because, like, it felt like when me and Gabby were the lead, it was like me and Gabby versus Clayton and Susie for a little. And so it was hard, but I feel like we're kind of. We're in a good place now.

[David Arin]

You're in a good place. I love that all three of you are killing it. You guys are all great from everything. I know when you think about after the Bachelorette and then. Cause you went boom to boom. Then you quit your job. Now you're done with Bachelorette, you end up with this guy Tino. You and Tino don't end up together, so you're going through this roller coaster of just mayhem. And now you don't have a job. You're unemployed at this point. So talk to me a little bit about, like, what was the career navigation from that point? When did you start to see, like, money come in and, like, what was the most surprising to you about this new era of your career?

[Rachel Recchia]

Obviously, the Bachelorette check was like, of course, very nice.

[David Arin]

Life changing. That was life changing, especially at that.

[Rachel Recchia]

Age and being like, I was at a minimum wage job. So, like, having that and it really all just, like, saved it for, like, my loans and, like, things like that. But then I got so many incredible opportunities after the Bachelorette. Like, I was actually so surprised because then I finally got to do brand deals and I was like, you're making this much money for a story? Like, this is crazy. Like, it was so life changing, and I got to be, like, so picky with what I wanted and only doing things I really liked. So I was so lucky coming off Bachelorette and then immediately into paradise. So it was kind of like the last three years, I've been go, go, go with the shows. I haven't had a second to really be like, all right, now What? Because it's been one after another.

[David Arin]

Yeah. Interesting when you think about that from a pilot perspective. You said some of these guys and girls are making $200,000. I'm gonna guess that you and your career now are making more than you would as a pilot.

[Rachel Recchia]

Maybe like, maybe like kind of equivalent. But. But that pilot job, like, the amount that my friend will work a couple days a week, like, maybe and out of the month, like, not even that much. And he's making so much. So it's so possible for me to do both. Because this isn't forever this side.

[David Arin]

Of course. Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

And I'm so aware of that. So I've just been, like, taking the shows as they come and, like, the opportunities as they come, but, like, knowing ultimately I feel like that's so stable and such a good career for me to have.

[David Arin]

So do you think if you stay, let's hit two road paths. Road path is you'd never do reality tv and you take aviation industry as a career or you do the reality TV and you are where you are now erasing everything. You think financially you would have been more successful doing aviation.

[Rachel Recchia]

Only, I mean, it's still there. Like, it's not that I have.

[David Arin]

No, it's not going anywhere. You can go back in a second.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

A lot of people, the reason I asked this question, it's such a unique answer. A lot of, like, let's say, like Kelly Flanagan, who was an attorney, or some other people. I'll always be curious, like, if you. If you stayed as an attorney today, do you think you'd be making more or less? Typically, I'm hearing people say they. They're making more than they would in the career track. But again, they're. They don't have career tracks like aviation captains where there's a ton crazy.

[Rachel Recchia]

Like, especially if you move up. Like, if you're a captain at a major.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

Like Delta's United. It's like. I don't know. I think that's why, like, I can't speak for Peter, but, like, there's a reason he's doing that. Like, yeah, this is.

[David Arin]

That's a. Well, that's good point. I don't think Peter ever. I could be wrong. I'd have to. I don't know if he's ever not worked, like, even when he's been standby or like a sub. Like, he's done, like, his five months where, like, he's like, taking his time off, but he's still, like, in their system and getting, I think, some form of benefits from working from it. So you're right. I just think it's an interesting. It's an interesting career.

[Rachel Recchia]

Unless you're, like, super crazy. Like, but I don't consider myself, like, an influencer, anything like that. I've just done these shows, so I don't know the possibility of, like, okay, if I pursue this.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

Full time, Because I've never thought about it, because I think I would just get so bored.

[David Arin]

Why? I love this conversation I have with so many people. Why don't you consider yourself an influencer?

[Rachel Recchia]

Because I'm. I mean, I consider influencers the Alex Earls and the people who, like, build from the ground up. Like, this is my niche. Like, I'm telling you to buy these things or whatever she's doing. But us, it's like, they're just invested in us. I feel like, as people. Like, people aren't really caring what I'm like. Like, yeah, they love to know where my outfit's from or things like that. But I don't feel like I'm influencing people. Like, I mean, I have influenced people, like, to go, like, pursue aviation or to, like, do certain things like that. But I don't see myself as, like that. I see I'd done reality tv, and they're just like, want to see what I'm up to.

[David Arin]

I would say, specifically from the Bachelor franchise. Very specifically. The biggest thing a lot of us struggle with, and I can say us, because I've had these conversations with individuals, and a lot of them is identity. I think we get off the show and we're like, what are we? And we don't know. And, like, we go to a bar and someone's like, hey, so what do you do? And you're like, oh, God, how much time do you have? Or I literally. Right, right. Yeah. You're in an elevator, guys. So what are you doing here? What do you do for work? And you're like, oh, how much time you got?

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

How has that ever impacted you? And if so, what do you. If you had to define what your career identity is, now we know where you could go instantly and where you will go. And that's so badass. But, like, today, what is it like? How do you feel about that?

[Rachel Recchia]

I always just say, I'm a pilot. Like, I wait, you still lie? I lie. I put it on. Like, any. Anything I'm doing. I don't know, it just seems like, what do I say? I've done reality tv. Like, it feels, like, superficial saying it. It feels like, because I really have been doing that for the past three years, like genuinely. But I just say I'm a pilot unless I'm like. I think the only time I said I wasn't was when I was like applying for an apartment and I was like, oh, I. I do like reality tv. And I told them that cuz I was like, cuz right now I think our money is a little bit. Cuz they want to see like, I feel like they want to know where your checks are coming from. And I'm like, oh, like, you know, from the show or from this brand deal. And so it was hard to like, I was like, oh, I do reality tv. Like that's why it's all kind of sporadic. But other than that, I just say I'm a violence.

[David Arin]

It's so interesting. Now there's. There's a lot like, I. I don't know what it is with Bachelor Nation that like we feel that way. But like normal people. Yeah, but like so. But other reality shows aren't like that. Like, I'll give you an example. There's. I know there's a show on Bravo in which they've considered casting people from the Bachelor and Yeah. And they have a lot of desire to do so. But then at the end of the day, what they say is like, we can't do the Bachelor. Everyone is too media trained, too politically correct. So worried about what everyone's thinking about that.

[Rachel Recchia]

No, it's so true.

[David Arin]

Too polished.

[Rachel Recchia]

Almost even watching Perfect Match, you can tell me and Clayton are Bachelor.

[David Arin]

Interesting. Just like everyone can tell and people are gonna hear that. And I know I'm gonna get comments of the response of, oh, you guys think you're too polished. Like I could give you all these incidents of this, this and this. No one's perfect. But I'm saying in comparison, it's a different. Like other producers have a hard time working with us because of like, how, like what, I guess the gauntlet maybe we've gone through or whatever it might be. And again, I can't speak for everyone. I'm just speaking for like the little things I've heard. And then I connected to like Love island and these people come off the show from Love Island. They are pros. They are like, they know more about this industry than I have a clue about seven years in. And I own a talent manager. I mean, they're streaming 24 7. Like they're. You're hustling, you know, I've doing like 300 TikToks in a day. They are thinking about The. The product they're going to create and how they're going to be become bigger influencers and creators. Like, they don't only own it, they. They, like, crush it. And it's so weird how in the. In the whole, like, influencer or content game, we're so. And I just talked to Grocery Store Joe about this. At U.S. open. We're in Serena. We're so, like, we tiptoe around. We don't know, should we not? And it's like, we don't know our name to it. What's our identity? But it's like, why? Like, this is our path right now.

[Rachel Recchia]

Like, when you. Cause, like, I don't know. I'm just coming off this experience where I. Every guy was with on Perfect Match, Love island, and I'm Bachelor, and the way we would talk about things like going into a boardroom or going into a challenge, and the way they think and they think 10 steps ahead, and they think, okay, well, if we don't win this challenge and this, this and that. And I'm like, I've never thought about that. Cause I think we're in the Bachelor. Like, we're normal people who are there for the right reasons, and we're picked up off the street, and you go and do this show and then you go back to your life, and everyone gets so mad. Like, even when Michelle, like, quit the classroom, people are so angry when you don't go back to your normal life. And I've just.

[David Arin]

And then it's followed by hate. Like, a lot of hate.

[Rachel Recchia]

I hate it when you, like, go in and say, I'm a teacher. I'm a pilot. Charity. She was in, like, the therapy space, or when you don't go immediately back.

[David Arin]

I think it was pa. She went back, but when she didn't and she felt like she had to defend it so much, which is bullshit.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. It's not the same where Love Island. I think they know those people are going on to be influencers. I watched this season. I didn't think Huda's going back to her 9 to 5. I'm like, she's gonna be an influencer. And so they have this audience that is already there in support of that. And I feel like our core audience wants us to go back to our normal life and never see us again. I genuinely feel like that's the way our audience is. And I could be wrong.

[David Arin]

No, I believe that one of the reasons I. I did this podcast is because of that. Like. Like, why are we fighting such an uphill battle to just be the reality of, like, what is it just for us? It happened earlier. By 2030, they say that the creator economy is gonna be a $500 billion economy. It's growing 22 plus percent every single year. So if this is a space that we fell into because of reality TV and you could also do a lot of good with it and make impact and educate and. And empower people through heartbreak of, like, things you learned and talk about being two of a position that was just for one mentally impacted you and not being chosen who that makes you today. Why is that a bad thing? Why is that so frowned upon? Why is it so, like, I can't believe you're doing that. You're doing the best for you and yourself. And for some people, they're their wives, husbands and families. And I just don't understand why this is massive negative connotation to it.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah, that's why. It really just is. The Bachelor's the one show that it's like, you have to be here for the right reasons. There is no talking about, like, following, talking about this. Like, anytime we've seen it on the show, like Bachelor in Paradise, how many years ago they were talking about their followers.

[David Arin]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, they got completely crushed.

[Rachel Recchia]

And it just is like, our show is the one show where it's like, you have to be a normal, everyday person who's coming on for love. And then once that time is over, then bye, bye. Yeah, I don't want to see you again.

[David Arin]

Kind of.

[Rachel Recchia]

It feels like that's the way they look at us.

[David Arin]

And I think the reality is what you're seeing now and what's even coming out in the Batcher franchise and actually has been for years, is that two things can be true. Right. You can actually go and say, hey, it's worked for me before. I hope I find love. And hey, like, if this could, like, work out and also positively impact our business and we could do cool things with it, great. Like, two things can be true. I think the real root of the issue is, like, when the attention is just purely one direction and then it gets blended and then you have the negative perception from years and years ago within this franchise and now all these Bachelor people, we tiptoe around saying, we don't know what to say. We are. We can't be influencers. That's icky. We can't do this. We can't do that. Because the judgment and then what happens, a lot of us just get lost in it.

[Rachel Recchia]

And it's so easy to.

[David Arin]

I know. And now the show. I mean, it'll be interesting. Do you think I'll get into paradise in a second. But like, what are you thinking about the State of the Union? As someone who's been on paradise, you've been the Bachelorette, you've been on the Bachelor, you've seen all three. Like, what's your state of the union? What do you think happening with Franchise? What direction do you think it will go?

[Rachel Recchia]

It's so hard because I love the Bachelor and I love the family, but now it's like the production's all different. I don't know anyone on the team anymore. It just feels like they consistently have made poor decisions. Just even like looking at me and Gabby season. Like you could have done so much with it with like having the two women and chose to like go down the avenue of like people wanting to see pain and hurt on the screen. And. And I think the audience doesn't want that. They want like the light heartedness, the silliness which we're seeing in Love Island. They want a say in what production does. They want to know what's happening. And I think Bachelor, it's just like if you're going down the path of like, hurt and humiliation, like, people don't want to watch it anymore. So I don't blame them for like straying away. I don't feel like they listen to the audience as much as Love island does.

[David Arin]

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[Rachel Recchia]

Oh, I'd be married with kids.

[David Arin]

You think that was certain percent? Yes. Wow. Why?

[Rachel Recchia]

Because it's something that I truly want and I think if I would have just stayed on the path of like I went to the airlines and I stayed in that I would have it. The more you do this sort of a thing like tv, it feels like the smaller your dating pool gets. Like, I've tried to date people outside of this space and like they, sometimes people are too private. They don't want it. They can't understand. And it can be a lot. So it's like, I feel like you're kind of in this position where like now who can I date that will like kind of get what I've been through and kind of get me? It's been really hard, honestly. I mean, I don't know what you, how you think.

[David Arin]

It's, you know, I had, I was on the Bachelorette right then I got engaged to a former bachelorette and then dated someone who is a well known tiktoker. So I've dated twice seriously of people that are public figures and I don't have a desire to date someone that's a public figure again. And, and I will say, if you're going to then have a desire to date someone privately who's not in this space or industry, the level of balance, support, care, understanding, empathy, team, all of that security has to be at such a high.

[Rachel Recchia]

Why?

[David Arin]

Because the things they have to witness across their feed, therefore you page the history of you, you know, whatever, it's celebrating their big wins or getting engaged or whatever it might be, the tears, all that, it's all documented and it's all out there.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know. That's what I say now. I'm like, I. How am I supposed to date a guy who's gonna go home tonight and literally just Google Rachel, Rocky and see a million videos of me crashing out on levels I've never done before. Like, like, how are they supposed to see that and be like, oh, this is like a stable person? This is like a person I want to date? Like, it just feels like they can look up so much about us and like it's, it's definitely hindering. I feel like my ability to Date. I don't want to tell them about this. And then I actually. I dated this guy in la and I tried for so long, I was like, I'm not going to bring it up. I'm not going to talk about it. I think I got, like, maybe a month in before I finally had to, and it was just like. Like, it's so hard to, like, hide that part of you because, like, a lot of my friends come from the show or, like, why are you living in la? And it's like, you don't want to talk about that part, but it's such a big part of life, and then some people just don't want it, and I have to be okay with that. Yeah, it's crazy.

[David Arin]

No, it is, because. And. And even just talking about the, like, if you date someone that's out of the spotlight, the history of you seeing them, you crashing out, which, by the way, like, everyone crashed out. That. Not as bad as the person. Yeah, but the.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah, mine are. So.

[David Arin]

Okay, you got.

[Rachel Recchia]

I have some bad.

[David Arin]

Some intense ones, I'll give you that. But then they also have to deal with the. The. The future of what that is. And it's people always thinking and speculating you're dating someone else or doing something. So it's possible. I think it just takes a very, very special person. And then the other, like, thing that I don't think a lot of people in this space talk about, but our conversations going that way is when you're in this space, you then. Especially when you're traveling to the big cities and you're doing things at night, it's usually connected to, like, I don't know, like, either an event or someone that was on your pockets or something. It's like, hey, we're going over here. We're getting dinner here. So then it's like, you go to these places that the same people in the same circles are running.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know. You know what I'm saying to yourself? Yes, I know what you're talking about. I mean, I feel like I deal with something similar. Like, me and Blake can't do anything. And that's. And for the rest of, like, the month, it's Rachel and Blake are dating. Yeah, Rachel. I mean, you go through similar things, too, but it is hard because then put a partner in that. Put someone who doesn't understand it in, and they're like, why is it?

[David Arin]

Why? Yeah. Like, what are you doing?

[Rachel Recchia]

Why are you out with this person? Why are you photographing this person? Like, and then they just, like, don't understand it. It feels like I'm constantly on the defense and I don't want to feel like that.

[David Arin]

Yes.

[Rachel Recchia]

Whereas if someone knows what it's like, they don't care.

[David Arin]

Care. But that's why I would say, like, when you said, like, what would it take? I think you just. If it's someone who is so, like, just healthy and supportive and. And secure, which is everything that, like, you should want your partner and vice versa. I think it could work. We'll see.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know.

[David Arin]

I will come back to the table and talk about how it's going.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. Like, I want someone, but, like, it's just. It's hard.

[David Arin]

Yeah, I get it. I get it. All right. We could have a conversation about this for a long time. Let's quickly fast forward to paradise. So you're the bachelor app. It's around a 110,120k. You go back into world full speed. You're getting some brand opportunities. You won't call yourself an influencer, but you're. You're doing brand deals. I'm just playing with it. But then you go into paradise. You're the second lead ever to go into paradise at this time. The first one being Becca, who was my ratchet. Were you from, like, were you hesitant to do that? Did it take them a lot? Did you say, like, I need to pay double? I need to be paid the same. How'd you approach that negotiation business wise, too?

[Rachel Recchia]

I don't know. It just kind of like, like started happening. They were really interested and I was like, no, no, no, I don't want to do it. But then I like, watched Becca, obviously, and I was like, oh, my gosh, like, maybe it was like, meant to be and my person's in paradise and it. It just feels like because my time on the bachelorette was so hard and like, I didn't even end with anyone. It felt like I didn't. I was never the lead, so I didn't go down feeling like, like, oh, I'm so important. I'm the lead. I felt like a normal person because I never experienced feeling like a lead even when I was so I was just excited, like, to do something different, do something on my own. Like, this is me going down and being able to be by myself again. It sounds so stupid, but once you're like, sure, you just want your own thing. And I was like, you know, why not? And so I just took the chance, obviously, looking back, like, I kind of wish I. I didn't just cuz I'm like, There was no point. All my exes were there. I should. Should have put that together. But it was fun. Like, I had a good time, but, yeah, it was just probably not the best decision I've ever made.

[David Arin]

Did it take, like, with Perfect Match? I heard on Vile Files, you were like. They called and I was like, cool. Was it easy for them to get you on Paradise?

[Rachel Recchia]

No, I. I really, really fought them on it, and I. I said no. And it's just like, they're so convincing. And then I talked to Becca and I talked to. I don't know if you remember Megan Croft, like, Lady K. We're super close. And I talked to her for hours about it and leaving for Paradise. There was never a point where I was, like, excited or I'm like, oh, I can't wait for this. It was like it felt dread the whole time going. But I was just like, I don't know, maybe this is, like, where I'm gonna find someone. Maybe this is good for me to be by myself. And I don't really remember, like, the reason why I said yes. But, yeah, I ended up just going back.

[David Arin]

Did you get. How much did you get paid to go in Paradise?

[Rachel Recchia]

I think I got base rate. I think I got 20.

[David Arin]

Okay.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. I think that's what everyone who doesn't go by, like, the day at the time, I don't know what they do now, but. But a lot of my friends would either get, like, base rate or day, and I'm pretty sure me and Ava got the same amount.

[David Arin]

Did you consider going on paradise this season?

[Rachel Recchia]

No. No, I'll never go back again.

[David Arin]

Why?

[Rachel Recchia]

Because it just. I need. That is the end of it for me.

[David Arin]

Like, the Bachelor world has. You've. You've closed that check.

[Rachel Recchia]

Truly. I don't think I could ever go back to the Bachelor and really get to be myself. Like, I was on Perfect Match. I fully got to be myself. I feel like I'm always going to be in this box of like. Like, I was a lead and I didn't find someone. And, like, you can't go back without everyone knowing you and knowing your. What they think of you from watching you on tv. We're Perfect Match. No one saw me, so it was like I really felt free. And I don't think I want to go back to feeling like that again.

[David Arin]

Interesting.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

One thing I was. In preparing for this, I was thinking about is these decisions do have a lot of impact on, like, what's next for you, especially with just, like, all things career and life Life, which is what we talked about on this podcast. And I saw notes somewhere that your family was telling you, do not go on Perfect Match.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

So people are advising against it. Oh, my dad didn't even watch and still hasn't watched.

[Rachel Recchia]

My mom said she would put it on and he would leave the room.

[David Arin]

Okay. So I was approached to go on Perfect Matches.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know.

[David Arin]

Okay. And so, like, I was like, do I say this? Whatever. Screw it. And then I. I said no for several reasons. Reasons. One of the reasons being maybe similarly to you. Like, you know, there. Again, there are several reasons, but one that the people, like, around me were just like, no, don't do that. Like, don't do Perfect Match now that you've done it.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

And you know that your family said that and your dad still hasn't watched. Do you have any regrets with that kind of business decision or.

[Rachel Recchia]

No, I think Perfect Match. I'm, like, so happy. I did, like, genuinely, like, I was happy to go on. I had a great time. Their production, like, they were so great. I think my dad is just. He. He wants me to be a pilot.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

And, like, I will call and be like, I'm going on Paradise. And he's like, when are you going back to flying? Like, he doesn't care about any of this. Like, this is to him, not a thing. He's happy for me to get the opportunity. He's, like, glad I'm on my own and things like that. But he will never, like, after Retro, he's like, go back to your job. There's no other thing. So I think he's just upset with me that I've been doing other things.

[David Arin]

You're still ripping into it. Okay. I like it. I know for sure on the Netflix contract, you cannot disclose anything about the. The payments, and you're in the weeds with it, so we're not gonna get you in trouble.

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. Those Netflix NDAs.

[David Arin]

But hang on. Let me know. Let me know if you could do this. Can you say more or less than paradise, or let's do this to make sure you're certainly not getting trouble. Hot. Warm. Cold. Hot. Being it was better than Paradise. Warm. It's around the same. Cold. Okay. Better than Paradise.

[Rachel Recchia]

But everyone does get the same, from what I know.

[David Arin]

Oh, interesting.

[Rachel Recchia]

Could be wrong, but I heard everyone got the same thing.

[David Arin]

Okay. Biggest misconceptions and just, like, behind the scenes on those other shows. So you met so many people from other shows. What did you learn about those shows? And what do you think are some things that you've learned from. From speaking to them about their experience.

[Rachel Recchia]

I think it's jarring going from Bachelor where, like, we've talked about this. You're there for the right reasons. You do not discuss anything. Like, you are there because you want to find love and perfect match. It's so open gameplay. Like, open. Like, how are we going to win this? How are we going to get into next week? How are we going to win? And, like, I was just like, I don't know how to act in this environment because I'm like. Like, I don't think like that. And for me, like, I feel like there was this, like, wanting of, like, the screen time and wanting to stay in, and I'm just like, I don't care. Like, I've done Bachelor. Like, if I am in because I like what connection, I'm in, I'm in, but I don't need to be here. Like, so it just felt like a lot of people were like, it's very open gameplay.

[David Arin]

So, like, it felt like more like premeditated, calculated.

[Rachel Recchia]

It felt like they were doing a job, like, they're at their work. And I felt like I'm here for, like, to see what's going on.

[David Arin]

Do you think, in my opinion, do you think that worked out for those people?

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah, I think some of them look amazing, and I think they're great tv. And I think it's not the Bachelor, so we need the people who are just unserious and crazy, and you need all different kinds to make a show. But, I mean, sometimes there would be people where they would literally be like, come on, guys, we're making tv. Come on, guys. Do this. Or making tv. And I'm like, I'm not making tv. I'm. I'll go home tomorrow. Like, I don't care. Like, that. Which is like, you're. You're like, oh, that's wild. But, like, it isn't, because that's their job.

[David Arin]

That's the job. But it's. I think it's wild from the Bachelor. Like, if someone said that in the back, like, if someone in paradise said, we're making tv, they would take that clip. He would become the biggest. He or she would be the biggest enemy. It would be like, a whole thing. Our minds are like, we're like, yeah. We're like, we're scared. And we're, like, tiptoeing everywhere.

[Rachel Recchia]

Literally.

[David Arin]

So interesting.

[Rachel Recchia]

And so it was like, oh, my gosh. People would say that, and I'm like, they have a point. But, like, I don't know how to make tv, I do not know. So it's like they were doing their job and I was there, and I'm like, I actually. I really like you, and I feel like we have a connection. And they're like, yeah, I like you, but, like, I won't see you after this because this is my job. So it felt like it's definitely interesting.

[David Arin]

It's another thing about Bachelor World. And I'll never forget when I talked to Nick about this, this, like, really landed with me. Me. Nick was. Nick told me when it comes to, like, Reddit and comments and all those, he'll never read any of that stuff about him because he never wants any of that to ever change his direction. Like, he'll then adjust because of, like, the hate or the comments. And I thought that was brilliant because I do think a lot of our peers live in those comments. Read them. They do participate in them in different ways, and I think that ends up them shaping them to, like, become a version of themselves that's not themselves online. Do you feel the same way?

[Rachel Recchia]

Absolutely.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

I think even just, like, not necessarily seeing the comments, but, like, going from Bachelor to Bachelorette, I feel like there was, like, a huge change in me of, like, oh, I. I don't want to do these things I did on Bachelor. I did something embarrassing. I don't want to act that way. And just from seeing the comments or what people said, I feel like I tried to change myself, and now I'm finally coming out of that where I'm like, I am me, and, like, I just have to be the way I am.

[David Arin]

Yeah.

[Rachel Recchia]

But, yeah, I definitely think when you have those things in front of you, it's, like, so easy to make that change because you're like, oh, well, that's, like, not good. I shouldn't do that anymore. I get what you're saying. I don't go on Reddit, but I do see the comments or if, like, I see a video about me on TikTok, I'm gonna go through and look. Yeah, yeah, it's. It's, you know, it's never good. Like, they never say good things.

[David Arin]

They never say good things. All right, well, you're. You're off the show. This your fourth reality show. Maybe more in your future. Maybe back into aviation. You talked a little bit about comments that you read. The latest and greatest has been a little bit of a drama with Clayton. Clayton made some. You know, he was with you on the show. After 24 hours, he moved a different direction. And then Clayton Talks a little bit about the fact that there he was a little open ended with the idea of why there were things that he didn't want to disclose that are reasons why he didn't end up working with you at. And you had said it had to do with working out, like being active.

[Rachel Recchia]

He just wants someone with that lifestyle who wants to be up and in the gym and eating a certain way and not drinking. And I mean, I think it is a lifestyle that I can't live. And I think being with someone like that, you would feel like they resented you if you don't do that. So I agree with him. It would be tough if he's like, I don't want to have snacks and I have cookies in the house or I don't want to go to the gym. It's like, it seems silly, but I really do understand it, like, yeah, as much as I can.

[David Arin]

Are you, you've been through the gauntlet. Are you guys cool now? Is everything's amicable between you two?

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah. I was so mad. I called him so many times when that interview came out and obviously I'm still seeing things of people being like, that's not the reason. Because when I was on the phone with him, I'm like, can you just go on a podcast and say you don't like me and you don't think I'm attractive? It will put an end to everything. People can't question that. Like, can you just say it? He's like, no, I won't say it. I'm like, can you just then stop leaving these open ended things? Like there's something really wrong with me. And he's like, but that actually is the reason. I'm like, all right, like, that's the reason.

[David Arin]

Agree to disagree. Let it be done.

[Rachel Recchia]

So yeah, we're like, we, we talked and like we had a long conversation and we're good. But I'm just like, oh my gosh. The fact that like he was the last person I was worried about after this and he's been been like my biggest stressor during the press of this. So, yeah, it was shocking for sure that we were going at it.

[David Arin]

Wow, Wild stuff. I know. I'm glad that you guys have like found some kind of calmness in this storm. One last or a couple last questions. I got as far as like, your relationship with money. Now that you, you know, you're on your career track, you're on a different career track. You're making some good money now. Like, what is your overall relationship with money? Are you more of a spender, more of a saver? What's something maybe you overspend on? Give me a little. Little Rachel recchia. Money. Quick, rapid fire. What's it like?

[Rachel Recchia]

Yeah, no, I do feel like I save my money. I'm not a big spender. Like, I need a new car. I need so many things. I'm like, I just use what I have. I spend the most money, probably a little bit more than I would like for my rent. And then my student loans are crazy. So I'm basically like, those are my two main things I did make, obviously, my big splurge. Like, sorry, this is, like, awkward, but, like, I got my boobs done, and that was, like, my big splurge.

[David Arin]

Can I ask how much it costs to get your boobs?

[Rachel Recchia]

Well, I got him. Well, it's like a more invasive procedure than, like, if you get, like, the augmentation, it's, like, super easy. But a reduction is, like a big surgery. So the first time, I think it was 15, and then I got another one, and it was 10.

[David Arin]

Damn.

[Rachel Recchia]

So it was, like, ended up being. I got it done in Beverly Hills. I wanted to pick my doctor and not go through insurance, but that was, like, my big thing, and I haven't done a big thing since then. So it's just my rent and my student loans.

[David Arin]

Really good for you, though. That's. How long is that? Like, from start to finishing and fully recovered. How long is that?

[Rachel Recchia]

Is that the first time it was, like, it took maybe a month, and then the second time, I did it, like, a couple days, and I was back up.

[David Arin]

That's awesome.

[Rachel Recchia]

It was less, but yeah. So those are my. My big purchases.

[David Arin]

Good stuff. I love it. 25k. I'm glad you're living. You're feeling good. You're living good. The last question I got for you is, what's next? Everyone wants to know. Like, I know we talked a little bit about maybe going on reality tv, but if you had the crystal ball right here. People want to know from a career perspective, from a life move perspective. Like, try and predict it, manifest it. Five years, two years, one year. Give me a timeline of what you think is next for Rachel.

[Rachel Recchia]

I know. I think it's crazy because now that the whirlwind of this is over, I genuinely have to sit down and, like, think about what I want, because I feel like me going into the Bachelor and me now, I'm like, it's so different. Obviously, I'm gonna be 30 next year. So, like, there are things That I have to, like, really sit down and figure out what I want for, like, having kids and getting married and what I want. So I think right now I really feel like the path I'm gonna go on is, like, going back to work, wherever that takes me. And then like, when you say go.

[David Arin]

Back to work, like, absolutely.

[Rachel Recchia]

And really just, like, hoping for a family, like. Cause I. I'm kind of needing to do that soon. So that would be the manifestation. Crystal ball. Who knows? Like, I could go back and something could come up and who knows? But that is really what I've always wanted. So I think I kind of need to get back to. To what I wanted in the beginning.

[David Arin]

Amazing.

[Rachel Recchia]

So we'll see, but you never know.

[David Arin]

Yeah, well, don't put too much pressure on yourself along the way. You have plenty of time. You're doing great. And it's been so fun to talk to you about all the moving parts and of course, the overlap and the community we both are in and from. So you got to love it. I'm sure we'll talk about a few things off camera too, but let's. Let's wrap with a trading secret. So trading secrets unique to you, It's a piece of advice you would give someone else, given the experiences you've gone through. It could be career, it could be life, it could be personal, it could be dating. One trading secret from Rachel Recchia.

[Rachel Recchia]

I wish I had, like, a quote or like, a way to say, like, a secret, but I think the one thing about me, like, regardless of what anyone thinks about me is like, I've always just been so resilient and, like, able to look forward. Like going through school and like, hitting roadblocks with, like, my career and being in a male dominated field. I feel like I've really just had to always push past it. Even when I think I can't. Like, I have to keep going. And same with the bachelor and, like, why does she keep going back? And I just feel like I always just have hope and I'm resilient and I wish I had, like, better advice, but that's like, just the one thing that's gotten me through. Like, just not be embarrassed and just keep pushing forward.

[David Arin]

I love it.

[Rachel Recchia]

I don't know.

[David Arin]

No, I love it. I think I always like to say, like, what my trading secret is. And it's funny that you said that because it's rare that I repeat the trading secret, but what I was going to say before you said it was is in this space of reality tv, there are Some people that get completely screwed. Right. Those are. Those. Those people exist, and it's a very small percentage, but they do. A lot of people, though, get all different types of. They go through all different cycles and. And there are people that become the leads and get these opportunities that you did, and it's like smooth sailing. No hurdles, no challenges. I feel like every single part of reality TV that you have been a part of and in this world, you have had to deal, like, massive, massive challenges. Like, some that are obvious, some that aren't so obvious. Right. I think some that are obvious. You know, of course, what happened when you're on the Bachelor. Some that are obvious. There's two Bachelorettes. One of the only times there's two Bachelorettes for a full season ever. I think some of the things that aren't as obvious are like, you know, dealing with the fact that, you know, there's two options, dealing with the things that are said, comparing to women, dealing with another relationship again in the public eye, not working engagement, not working out. It takes a very special person, especially in this space where there are egos flying around everywhere, to be as supportive to Gabby as you have been. And to be in that seat cheering her on at Dancing with the Stars, that takes a special person. And to continue to be that person through all these wild challenges, it's a true reflection of you. And I also think it's a true reflection to anyone listening. Like, no matter how many times you think you're getting hit in the face face, there's a reason for it. You'll grow through it, you'll become better through it, and you'll become a, like, a perspective and a person that you probably never imagined you would become, like, through strength. So keep going. When you. When you go back to becoming a captain on a commercial airline or a private airline, you're going to come back, talk about the industry. But in the meantime, congratulations on all your success.

[Rachel Recchia]

Thank you. Thank you for having me.

[David Arin]

I love it. All right, where can everyone find everything you have going on?

[Rachel Recchia]

All my handles are pilot. Rachel. Can't forget it.

[David Arin]

That's right, Twitter. Watch perfect mesh. Tik tok ig go give her a follow and follow her story. Rachel, thank you for coming on.

[Rachel Recchia]

Thank you.

[David Arin]

Ding, ding, ding. We are closing the belts. The Rachel Reia episode, lot of action, deep talk, went off the cuff. There wasn't a lot of sticking to the script like most episodes, but this one was like an emotional one. It was a professional one, a financial one, but probably just a deeper one with the history that both Rachel and I have in the franchise and things we've gone through. David, I'm curious. You know, it's episodes like this, I just never know what to expect from you. Are you going to think we knocked out of the park? Are you going to think this episode sucked? I just don't know. But it was in the weeds. Curious Canadian David Arin, what you think?

[Podcast Co-host]

Well, 250 episodes in, if I'm still keeping you on my. On your toes, then I'm doing a. I'm doing my job look. You know, I'm not one to sugarcoat things. I'm always going to tell it how it is. It's gotten me in trouble sometimes. I don't really care. I thought this was genuinely one of the top five podcasts we've ever done.

[Rachel Recchia]

Wow.

[David Arin]

I mean, wait, I'm not laughing. And I mean, first of all, Rachel, if you're listening to this, you crushed it. I told you, after the episode, you crush it. She was nervous coming into the episode. I said, you're going to do great. I did not expect you to say top five. You're talking, and we're talking top 2% right now.

[Podcast Co-host]

Yeah. You know what? For me, it was just purely refreshing. Every time I listen to an episode before we do the recap, the first thing I look at, because I'm like everyone else listening to this podcast. We're all busy. We all have other things we could be doing. But when I click on the episodes, I look to see how long they are, and I'm usually more excited the shorter they are. Just so go. I can get through it. I can get my notes done. I can get my work done. I can, you know, it'll keep my attention for I. It can only I can dedicate so much time to it and keep my attention. I saw an hour and six minutes, and I was like, me, an hour and six minutes. And then I listened to it and I was just. It was an hour and six minutes. And it's so funny. You started with this, too, because we didn't talk about what we're going to talk about in the recap at all like we normally do. We came on, we said, let's rip it. You said it went off script. And it was so awesome that it went off script because for about 25 to 30 minutes, about the halfway to two thirds of the way through, you two were not podcasting. You two were having a genuine conversation. It was so relatable to us. It was so relatable for what you Guys talked about the Bachelor Nation fans who, who are so obsessed with your guys's journey to give us insight without even knowing it. And you guys were so supportive of one another. What you're both going through, you've been through where you are now. And it was like, totally. I could tell, I've seen you host a lot. I could tell that you, like, almost got lost in it too. And it was just having a genuine conversation with someone. Like, you guys were at a, you know, at a bar, having a martini, catching up, like, and just wanting to talk. And I thought that that was so beautiful and it to a level that we haven't seen seen in a long time.

[David Arin]

What's really cool, I mean, perfectly said, kind of like a really refreshing perspective. Actually, your response right there, which I wasn't expecting, is kind of a depiction of what this episode was, wasn't expecting. And I did feel like there are so many times, especially Ambassador Nation, you have a cocktail with someone, you sit down, you open up about struggles you're facing, how to deal with it privately and publicly and, and what the moving parts are. And after it, you're like, man, if people could only see that conversation, or let's just say fans of the show would. God, they would love it. That's what this felt like, actually. It felt like we were having a cocktail, talking about some of the highs and lows from dating privately to dating publicly to the mix, to the feedback without one worry or shred of fear of, like, what someone's gonna think about just the authenticity of what we're actually feeling. And that was kind of refreshing for me. Like, you know, me and my guards are so up when we talk about this stuff. To me, to feel safe enough with her to even have those kind of conversations with someone that gets it. Like, that was, that was, that was refreshing for me.

[Podcast Co-host]

And I, I, I so respect her approach as well, to talk about those things on such an open level. And I think because she ended up feeling so comfortable at the start when she was so nervous, thinking it was just going to be about finances, when it came up, about even the amount that she made being the Bachelorette, like, she was so, like, open to talk about it and wanting to share because now it's connecting so many parts of the process. And, you know, we can take this recap a bunch of different ways. I, I just wanted to make sure that I said that because I do believe it, and I know our Bachelor alumni franchise episodes usually do the best download wise, but I think this one was so different than all of the other ones that we've had. And like you said it, it made me, who's seen Rachel on my tv, just watch Perfect Match, yada yada, yada yada. It made me leave with such a greater appreciation for her and what she's been through and just to hear her story through her light. There's really a lot of empathy for someone in those situations. When they're on tv, you think they're, you usually don't have empathy for, you usually actually think the opposite. Usually think that there's entitlement or that they're, you know, they're, they're so fortunate to be there. Their feelings, their emotions, their things don't matter, et cetera, et cetera. So, so I, I just thought that that was, you know, her approach to it and your guys connection and to, to hear in the first couple minutes you, it sounded like she guys, you, you guys were on opposite side of enemy lines. Like I didn't like has there been some like were you guys not close? Like, I don't know like that to me was this news too. So to know that that might have been.

[David Arin]

Wait, what specifically are you referring to?

[Podcast Co-host]

She said at the, it was like in the first two minutes. I don't know if you said it or she said it. She's like know because she's like fiercely in that like bachelorette lead community. Maybe you guys were, were she, it was what you or her said. You know, we've been on opposite side of enemy lines. It felt like for a long time, but now like we've actually started to like get to know one another and, and, and obviously have built this friendship together. So, and I think it was secret alliance or something you guys said, I don't know, some joke about it. But was there, what was the, his like how, how, how, how has your relationship been? How did it come to a place where you got her in the podcast seat? I, I generally have no idea. People usually, I, I, I, I kind of cue these up because I know I generally have no idea without like.

[David Arin]

Getting too much in the weeds and respecting the privacy of like that conversation. Here's how I'll summarize it. The first time I came across Rachel at an event, she was very kind and sweet and she pretty much was like, you know, this world's small. And she kind of was saying like I've heard one side of a lot of stories and it feels like of course everyone has their perspective, but some of the negativity thrown your way is undeserving okay. And like, I, I'm curious. Like, like, you know, just like, like that. And I said, I. And she goes, and I haven't ever really seen you speak to it essentially. Right. Things that we've talked about here on this episode in this podcast. And I said, you know, well, we're in a private situation now, so I would love to hear what you've heard and I would love the opportunity to give you my perspective, one I certainly haven't shared and probably never will in a public for forum. And you can imagine that conversation went long. I think eyes were opened and we've been friendly since. Is that how you're showing up?

[Podcast Co-host]

Listen, you say that with the biggest smile on your face and I'm like, yes, this. I feel good about this. Yes, this is great. Thank you, Rachel, for being there for my friend in that time of consoling and, and opportunity to just speak like humans and, and it's just to go back to what you said about like, you know, dating in the industry. And she feels like, I think at this point she needs to, to feel like she can be with someone who's going through what she's going through. And I know that you, you obviously talked about, you know, having done that, wanting to date someone out of it. So you can feel the things that a normal, quote, unquote, normal relationship may feel in terms of support and communication and, and those things too.

[David Arin]

So I, you know what I, you know, I'll say too. I gotta say this. It's. She reminds me a lot of. She's not like Kelly as far as personality goes, where she reminds me a lot of. Kelly is in an industry, in a place where next to no one, keeps it real and says one thing in front of your face and another thing behind your back in loyalty almost doesn't exist in this space, which is sad and sick and not the way you and I grew up. She keeps it so real. She keeps it and so, like, she'll come up to you and be like, listen, I don't want to play sides, but, like, just so you know, X, Y and Z, you want to talk about, like, like she's just so real. Like, she, she, to me, she's one of like the very, like, just. She's just so real. I can't say enough good things about her. And when, if something happens or she heard something or she wants to talk about it, it's not favorable to you. She's not, she's like, hey. Like, hey. Just so you know, like that person Was, you know, bringing this up. Is that true? Like, she's not hiding from it. She's just so real. I, like, love it.

[Podcast Co-host]

Someone that you obviously clearly would be friends with if you met, if neither of you ever went on the show and you got introduced, you guys would be friends for sure. And that's 100%. And also makes sense that she was able to get the opportunities to be a lead and to, you know, be on the show multiple times and be on Perfect Match. Because when, if that is what she's projecting behind the camera, I mean, obviously she's gotten to the opportunity to make. Make, you know, leads fall in love with her a la Clayton, and then also producers and execs fall in love with her to be on the show. But couple things that stood out about her Bachelor journey that we have just never heard anyone talk about. One, I think the whole process of how she found out she was the Bachelor was crazy. How she admitted, like, I find out, when the world found out, we found out, and then we had to film in five days, she wasn't ready workwise. She wasn't ready bodywise. She joked that she didn't even get time to get lip filler. Like, she was all of a sudden just like, there, like, not feeling her best. And also on the flip side of that, like, really how up her experience as a lead was, like, I've never heard her talk about that. And that type of depth about how, you know, ABC made such a really, she said a bad decision in. In putting the two girls in that situation to give the boys all the power. Well, I don't like these things about you, so I'm going to go date your friend or I'm going to leave the show or things like that. That. She talked about how her ego, her confidence took a major, major hit. She talked about how she really never felt like a lead and it felt like they wanted her, put her in that situation to leave the show, not to celebrate her journey and finding love. I just thought that whole conversation that she has added to all the other conversations that it spun off to and just a really interesting perspective that again, go. Going back to my first take about why I think this is one of our best episodes. A take that people who tune into the podcast who are fans of the show will just be like, wow, like, light bulb or feeling or experiencing something related to the show that they never thought about before.

[David Arin]

Yeah. You know, I think another thing too is like, you hear that perspective and you don't realize how hard that must have Been. And I think in social media sometimes when someone doesn't play victim, we forget to like factor in some, some of the like true things that are happening in their life and, or maybe they just don't showcase that side of their like humanity, if you will, like the human element as much. It's harder to see it. And when she speaks to it and you take a second and you pause, you're like, oh my God, like, how hard did that have to be? How. And honestly, David, how hard like, is it even currently? Like, she's like, Rachel's doing great. She's on Perfect Match. People love her. Like, like, you know, she's great and she's. But like in that same season she's, you know, with Gabby, she's talking about going back to pilot school, which is amazing and commendable and like good for her. While also now her counterpart Gabby is, is, I mean taking over maybe probably arguably the most relevant, highly sought after alumni of the franchise in this moment, this set second, like that, that, that, that still has to. Is supportive and kind and sweet and caring. She is like, you know, it's interesting to hear about like some of the mental anguish of stacking yourself up against others and having to be chosen. And that's a real thing. And I think anyone, like at any capacity can relate to that vulnerability. Like, no matter what, you could be a hockey coach in Rochester and you stack yourself up to your other hockey coaches and peers and people in your space. Right? It doesn't matter what industry or what you're doing. Like those are all real things. And to be on that level and handle it with such grace and such class, like, hats off.

[Podcast Co-host]

Exactly. I think you sum that up really, really nicely. One thing I did want to touch on, she obviously talked about very positively about experience on Perfect Match. It was really interesting to hear your guys's conversation about bachelor people and how media cheering you are and how much, how, how sometimes scared you guys are in front of a camera to say the right things or to not screw up because you know the back end that of it her to go on Perfect Match. People are talking about followers, they're talking about, hey, let's make good tv. Hey, we got to make tv. And she's just out of her outof body experience. But she said it, it allowed her to be free and she really enjoyed the experience. Obviously she's, she's made some great relationships and friendships from that you said you did. They offered you to go on Perfect Match, which I think we've talked about. On the show, you said you didn't go on Perfect Match. Main reason is because of me. I would like to say no, I'm kidding. But I, I. Now that you've heard her experience, is there any part of you that regrets going on, on it? Because, you know, like, like, I think.

[David Arin]

There'S, there's always a side, there's always like, a side of you that's like, hey, you know, like, would that have worked out? But I really don't think, for a lot of reasons, I don't think it's, it's that, that's for, it's for me, for probably the most, for probably the most important reason, or let's just talk about the, the entertainment, the show, the bread, the things we. I don't know, man. I don't think I'm going on that show at all for the right reasons. And that's why I'm not like, I don't think, I think if I say yes to that show, it's not because I'm gonna go find my significant other on that show. It's just not. And that's when you get in trouble, and that's when you become inauthentic. And as much as, like, you start to see, especially these days, the, the impact in a positive way that people are getting from reality TV because of the success of it. Like, of course that runs through your head, but it's like you start to lose your authenticity when you chase that, and then you're just like, it's not going to work. So, you know, let's just say suppose it was a situation. I was ready to go and all the stuff, and I thought I could possibly find my significant other in that forum. I guess that'd be a different story. But there's many reasons I said no. One of them was for that. But huge fan of what Netflix is doing. I think it's really cool. I think it was awesome that, you know, they're working with Clayton and they're working with Rachel, and those two were a huge part of that narrative, like we talked about.

[Podcast Co-host]

Yeah.

[David Arin]

And yeah, man, we, you know, I'm talking with Netflix. I, I, I just love the network. I love what they're doing on Unscripted. I think it's going to be really cool to see, you know, Harry, when Harry, Josie, who's coming on this podcast, they have a show about him pretty much being the Bachelor. It's going to be so fascinating for a guy like you and I to analyze that show. Vers the Bachelor. How does it connect. What does it look like? But yeah, man, that's. That's all I gotta say about that.

[Podcast Co-host]

Yeah. And that's. That's pretty much all I gotta say about this episode. I think I left it all out there, as they would say. I. I put my stamp of approval on this podcast. I thought you. You and her did amazing. And like I said, an hour and six minutes. When I turned it on, I was like, what am I in for? I've heard this bachelor talk before, and it was so different. And I just, you know, I think the. The viewers will relate to what I said. I think for. For a big chunk of this, you and her stop podcasting. And I think that that is the sign of a. Of a really, really great podcast. Kudos to you. Kudos to Rachel. Great job.

[David Arin]

I knew it was going to be a good one. When we finish, I told her she crushed it. I did not expect David to say a top five episode, but I will tell you this. This past week, I just had an interview. I finished the interview, and I said, without any. A doubt, Without a doubt. That's a top 25 episode I've ever had the pleasure of being a part of. That was with Bobby Bones. And that episode is coming out soon. You, David, are going to love it. Authentic to his core, honest. No. We got the numbers, we got the depths, we got the opinions. You're not going to believe one story. There's one story in that episode. You will not believe it unless you hear from him. But I look forward to that one. Please remember to hit follow. Go follow us on YouTube. Please give us five stars. Let us know your feedback or biggest takeaway from this episode. David, anything before we wrap?

[Podcast Co-host]

Yeah, we are going. We are on route to the Bills game. Go Bills.

[David Arin]

Let's go, baby.

[Podcast Co-host]

What's your final score prediction?

[David Arin]

By the time this comes out, the game will be over. I am a believer, but I am not a believer in this game. Here's why. Cornerbacks, we got cornerback injuries. Lamar is coming in hot. Number one rated mvp. We need to get our defense healthy. I think we are going to lose. 27, 24.

[Podcast Co-host]

Okay, Bill. Bill's underdog at home. Week one. I got to take the underdog at home. The hungry dogs. I got to stick with my guy Josh, and I think it's going to be. I think it's going to be a. Like a 28, 24. I'm close to you, but flipping the. Flipping the teams.

[David Arin]

You got the logic in the heart. My heart wants to go Bills. My logic is saying, I just don't know if we we have it this week, but I think we're going big time this year, so we'll talk about that later. A lot of action coming on. Dancing with the Stars is happening. Paradise just wrapped. We got a lot of things to cover with Pop culture meets money. Make sure to follow along. Thank you for tuning into another episode of Trade Secrets when you couldn't afford to miss.

[Rachel Recchia]

This is the story of the 1. As head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Granger's supplies and solutions, solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24.

[Podcast Co-host]

7 customer support.

[Rachel Recchia]

His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.