Single (Reality) Star Shines in South Tampa

Nick Peterson isn’t any different from any other single guy or gal on the planet. The handsome, buff 26-year-old is looking for love.

What does set him apart from other eligible individuals is that he traveled to the other side of the country to compete for one woman’s affections against 24 other men on national television. 

Last Monday, Season 7’s “Bachelorette” Ashley Hebert failed to present the blonde athlete with a red rose – the franchise’s cornerstone symbol that signifies whether a contestant survives another week or packs his bags. 

Peterson is the second former University of Tampa baseball player on the series. During Season 6, Roberto Martinez won and proposed to Ali Fedotwosky. 

But Ashley's loss is Tampa's gain. Patch spoke to the UT alum about his experience on the show, his run with the Yankees, and his love of the Bay area.

Patch:  How much of your life has been spent in Tampa?

Peterson:  I was born here and then moved to Dallas, TX when I was seven. We returned here and I spent my high school years at Jesuit High. After attending college in North Carolina for a couple of years, I came back again and enrolled at the University of Tampa. I can’t seem to stay away!

Patch:  Your favorite Tampa Bay community or landmark?

Peterson:  I live in South Tampa and my parents are on the outskirts, in Odessa. I love that we have a great combination of city life and beach life.  And I do love the beach!

Patch:  Other Tampa favorites?

Peterson:  I do watch the Rays, but I also follow the Yankees.  I played with them in the minors and to this day, have a lot of buddies on the team that I keep up with. I also love line dancing, so I enjoy spending Saturday nights at either Dallas Bull or The Round Up. 

Patch:  Most memorable experience at U.T.?

Peterson:  Getting drafted out of UT in ’06 was my biggest accomplishment ever.  I’ve played baseball my entire life and it’s every kid’s fantasy to play with the pros. It really was a dream come true.

Patch:  You were a 12th round selection by the New York Yankees in the 2006 MLB draft, and played on the team’s Staten Island and Charleston, S.C. farm teams. What happened? 

Peterson:  I played for them in the ’06-’07 season and was released in 2008.  I then signed with an independent team in Alberta, Canada, and later went on to play in a league in Pittsburgh, although I didn’t get picked up. I was in my early 20’s playing with guys who were 35 years old and just couldn’t let go of “the dream”. I respected them, but didn’t see myself in that position either. 

Patch:  The Bronx Bombers are one of the most – if not the most – iconic, storied teams in all of sports. How did you feel when you first donned those pinstripes? 

Peterson:  You feel like you are wearing the suit on the field. You stand out because everyone knows what those pinstripes represent. They are a classy, celebrated, prestigious team, and they expect you to play and look like a Yankee.   

Your appearance matters, and you actually take a course during spring training that covers all the guidelines, including no facial hair, no jewelry, no baggy clothes.

It was such a privilege to wear that uniform. It could have been any team that chose me, but to say that I played with the Yanks – that is something truly special.

I got the opportunity to ride a stationary bike next to Reggie Jackson and all the big league guys were friendly – including (Derek) Jeter, A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez), Mariano (Rivera) and Jorge (Posada).

Patch:  Tell us about your business, Peety’s Personal Training.

Peterson:  I finished playing ball in 2009 and went back to school (Peterson had been drafted before he received his diploma) to get my degree in Entrepreneurship.  I also became certified in personal training in August 2010. Two months later, I started Peety’s, located at Body Shapers Private Studio. 

Patch:  What does your own exercise regimen consist of?

Peterson:  I work out five times a week and that consists primarily of resistance training with some cardio mixed in. I tend to lose weight very quickly and lifting heavy weights helps me maintain my size. 

Patch:  What are your goals as a personal trainer? 

Peterson:  Shows like “The Biggest Loser” and “Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” are inspirational to me. I’d love the opportunity to work with and transform obese clients who are looking to change their lives around. 

As a trainer, there is no better feeling in the world than helping someone change their lifestyle so they can live a longer, happier, healthier life. It really is the best feeling in the world. Right now, I’m working hard to get my name out in the community and build a strong reputation and client base. But watching those programs reminds me of what I can possibly do one day.

Patch:  What is your idea of a perfect date?

Peterson:  I am a country music fan, so I love heading to the amphitheater, laying out a blanket and listening to some great live music. Line dancing is another favorite; so either of those would be great dates. 

Patch:  Is it safe to say that your dates must love country music?

Peterson:  I’m not saying it’s a deal breaker, but it’s always a plus!

Patch:  When did you audition for “The Bachelorette”? 

Peterson:  My friends told me I would make a good candidate for “The Bachelor”, so I submitted an online application. I later decided I could make a better impression in person, so I drove to a live audition in Atlanta last July where I made a five-minute video. 

Patch:  So instead of having 25 women fight over you, you ended up on “The Bachelorette” where you were in the running with 24 other guys over one woman!

Peterson:  Yeah! They invited me on “The Bachelorette” and I couldn’t turn them down. It was funny though…at one point, I was wondering why I was in a waiting room with about one hundred other women – not that I was complaining!

Patch:  When you found out that you were going to be on the show, who was the first person you shared the news with? 

Peterson:  I called my mom, who is a fan of all the shows. My dad won’t admit that he watches!

Patch:  Now that you’ve had a taste of life in L.A. – West Coast or East Coast? 

Peterson:  I really think that there may be a future in California for me. I’ve been there quite a few times now, and even played baseball along the coast, which is amazing.  I’ve been thinking about it…packing it all up and moving out there could be an option.

Patch:  You came across as very poised and polite on the show. You never bashed any of your fellow contestants or “trash talked,” and avoided all drama. Would you say that’s a fair representation of how you are in ‘real life’? 

Peterson:  Absolutely. It was important to me to not be portrayed as a jerk on national TV. I tried not to view it as a competition and wasn’t there to throw anyone under the bus. I had one goal – to see if Ashley was the one for me, and that was my focus the entire time.