“Bachelorette” Star Peter Kraus Reveals He Struggled With an Eating Disorder

Peter Kraus became a fan favorite on season 13 of TheBachelorette, and fans have continued to embrace him in the time since, especially when it comes to his openness in discussing personal things like his breakup with Rachel Lindsay and his reluctance regarding his continued involvement with the franchise. Now, Kraus is getting more candid than ever, revealing that he struggled with an eating disorder during his earlier modeling career.

“Eleven years ago I began a modeling career that took me all over the world,” Kraus started the personal Instagram post, detailing the travel and friends he made during his first stint in front of the camera. “But what I am most thankful for from my nine-year career (two years since retired), is my introduction to fitness.”

Sharing a new photo from a shoot with photographer Matt Monath, Kraus continued to reveal more details about his fitness journey — and exactly why it’s been so important to him.

“At the age of 20 I had developed an eating disorder while blindly attempting to keep up with the level of fitness of my fellow models and competitors,” the reality star wrote. “For two years I struggled in silence, always trying but never knowing how to compete with my counterparts. In the winter of 2007 I hit rock bottom and decided that it was finally time to take charge of my health and fitness and learn how to do things the right way.”

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11 years ago I began a modeling career that took me all over the world. I called five different cities in three amazing countries home over a six year span. I met dozens of amazing people with whom I made life long friends and unforgettable memories. But what I am most thankful for from my 9 year career (2 years since retired), is my introduction to fitness. At the age of 20 I had developed an eating disorder while blindly attempting to keep up with the level of fitness of my fellow models and competitors. For two years I struggled in silence, always trying but never knowing how to compete with my counterparts. In the winter of 2007 I hit rock bottom and decided that it was finally time to take charge of my health and fitness and learn how to do things the right way. So I enrolled myself in the dietetics program at MATC and graduated with honors, my first PT job, and my first @ironmantri under my belt two years later. So on this #WorkoutWednesday I say thank you to a career that taught me so much, that while now retired, is still fun to go back to from time to time to do things the RIGHT way. If it weren’t for hitting “rock bottom” I never would have had this amazing hill of life to climb back up. So embrace the shit some times. Learn from it, pick your ass up off the floor and get moving forward and upward again. Some times from the darkest places shines the brightest light. Thank you @mattmonathphoto for the 📸📸😘

A post shared by Peter J Kraus (@peterkrauswi) on Dec 6, 2017 at 8:46am PST

According to Kraus, he then enrolled in Milwaukee Area Technical College for dietetics, graduated with honors, and within two years had his first personal training job — and even an Iron Man triathlon — under his belt. “On this #WorkoutWednesday, I say thank you to a career that taught me so much, that while now retired, is still fun to go back to from time to time to do things the RIGHT way.”

Kraus is set to return to the Bachelor franchise for the Winter Games series, a move that no doubt came from the life philosophy he said his struggles instilled in him.

“Embrace the sh*t sometimes. Learn from it, pick your ass up off the floor, and get moving forward and upward again. Sometimes from the darkest places shines the brightest light.”

If you are struggling with an eating disorder and need support, please get in touch with the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. Or, for a 24-hour crisis line, text “NEDA” to 741741.

(Photo via David Becker/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)