Spoilers for this season of The Bachelorette. For those of you who have woken up from your coma, haven't checked the news, or haven't discussed "The Bachelorette" (open in new tab) in group chat lately, this season has been very interesting and very awkward. Our Bachelorette was Claire Crawley, who aired about five times. (Opens in a new tab) So now we are talking about our second Bachelorette, Tayshia Adams, and trying to figure out who she will choose to lead a happy life. We know that one of the key contestants is fitness guru and veteran Ben Smith, 29 (opens in new tab). He was a member of the team that Crowley recast after the initial production was halted due to COVID-19 precautions, and even at the time of the change to Adams, Crowley had not eliminated him. So remember his face now and be prepared to hear a lot more about him.

According to his ABC biography (opens in new tab), after graduating from the prestigious Military Academy West Point (where he was recruited to play golf), Smith joined the Army and became a Ranger. Still interested in health and nutrition, he moved to Venice Beach, California.

And indeed, Smith mentions his military service online:

Smith's Instagram doesn't say much about his personal life, except for his love of dogs:

Currently, Smith is a coach at Deuce Gym and works as a nutrition coach (in new tab open in new tab). He has a profile on the gym's YouTube page, where he talks about his upbringing, his journey to becoming a part of the gym, and how the gym has become an important part of his life.

Case in point' According to his bio, his favorite pastime is an ice bath. Gruesome.

In episode 7, Smith bravely shared with Adams that he has struggled with an eating disorder for most of his life. 'The life I've lived is not what you'd imagine,' he told her. 'But the reason I'm in fitness and nutrition is because I had an eating disorder for 15 years.'

This moment was as groundbreaking for the franchise as it was for Adams and Ivan Hall when they spoke candidly about "black lives. "According to experts interviewed by Refinery29, Smith's openness and frankness about being a cis male with an eating disorder will likely help remove the stigma of male eating disorders. (Opens in a new tab)

Well, are you ready to be pampered big time this season' If so, keep reading (if not, click this page now).

Smith was initially a dark horse, but by mid-season he had become a favorite. Reality Steve noted the following about episode 7, which showed Smith going to Adams' room to spend special time with her after not holding her back on a group date:

"He told her he wanted to 'show up' for her, which is now Claire's flashback immediately begins, as it seemed to be her constant phrase of the season. This is because this line seemed to be her habitual phrase this season. He's the final two. If Ben wasn't important to the season, she wouldn't have gone to the trouble of sneaking him to her and holding her back in the first place."

According to Reality Steve, Smith is in Adams' top four along with Zach Clark, (open in new tab) Brendan Morais, and (open in new tab) Ivan Hall (open in new tab). Clark is the winner, and Reality Steve thinks Smith is the runner-up.

However, I don't see Smith coming close to winning the season; according to RS, Adams likes both Morais and Clark, and then Morais leaves, saying he's not ready for an engagement. Ultimately, Adams chooses Clark, even though Morais was her top choice. (However, they do not get engaged, and no one knows if they are still together. )

The big takeaway: as a fan favorite who ultimately didn't win, and especially as a man who was vulnerable about his mental and physical health in front of millions of viewers - Ben Higgins confided that he felt "unloved" and became the most beloved person in Bachelor Nation You'll remember - this won't be the last time you see Smith. He is a contender for "Bachelor in Paradise" and could even be a contender for "The Bachelor" in 2022.