Not long after his Married At First Sight experience, Jake Edwards stepped away from the limelight to better his mental health. But the former TV groom has taken to social media to reflect on his last 12 months.
Not only did Jake and his TV bride Beck Zemek call it quits, but he also had a whirlwind relationship with fitness influencer Sophie Guidolin.
The former AFL player, who previously lived in Melbourne, then took nearly a month away from social media for the sake of his mental health.
But on Monday evening, Jake captioned a photo of himself sitting by the water at the Gold Coast’s Hope Island: “To say my last 12 months has been a roller coaster would be an understatement.”
Jake continued: “If you had of told me 12 months ago that I would be living in Queensland, working on a new career path, vegetarian, no intoxication and all of this after going away to spend 4 weeks living with monks with no distraction to find myself once again, I would have told you to get stuffed and you’re delusional.
“At this very moment I am the happiest I have ever been. I’m the best version of myself and I am so proud of the soul searching and confronting work I have done on myself to feel content, happy, grounded and at peace.”
The former MAFS groom then revealed what he practices every day including spending time with “the people who deserve my energy and support my journey”, adopting a vegetarian diet, journalling his emotions and making time every morning to read for an hour and chant his mantra that was taught to him by the monks he spent four weeks with.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he added. “I am so grateful for all my experiences both the good and challenging the last 12 months.
“Thank you to everyone who has come and gone. Thank you to everyone who has come and stayed.”
Fans shared their support in the comments.
“I have loved watching your journey, it’s been truely inspiring. Go you, it takes courage and strength to admit our weaknesses and then to grow and learn from them,” one wrote.
“You have come such a long way Jake. Extremely proud of you and happy for you. Well done lovely,” another penned.
“You’re such a beautiful man. Congrats on being brave and sharing your journey and hopefully influence other men to become emotionally more evolve,” a third remarked.
Though he didn’t find romantic love on MAFS, Jake did make a friend for life in co-star, Patrick Dwyer.
“The real romance from that show I was on,” the former mental health charity CEO captioned a photo of himself and Patrick on his Stories back in July.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 24 at any time of the day, seven days a week for anonymous support and guidance.
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