“Honestly, I should probably train like I’m training now for The Challenge,” Wharton admitted of trading weight sessions for hour-long runs. Because, yes, he is also sick of leaving the series with a consolation prize. 

“I need to win a season,” Wharton stressed, “and get out of this, I’m-the-greatest-to-never-win category. Because it’s like, wahoo, silver medal.”

And so the next time he’s cast, he intends to be his best self in and out of the arena. 

“I just learned to not be as selfish and really try to take myself outside of the situation and look at all the parties,” he explained. “I have a lot of people that I have to look after and take their feelings into consideration. And you would think a seasoned vet like me would know that, but it’s a reminder.”

The way Wharton sees it, “you live and you learn,” he said. “I’m not perfect, and I’m going to continue to grow.”

He’s certainly not the first franchise star to endure some relationship drama onscreen. Check out The Challenge showmances that hardly lasted one season and the partnerships that proved to be winning.