Entertainment TV Reality TV Nick Viall Recalls 'the Most Painful and Exhausting Moments of My Life' on Special Forces (Exclusive) The 'Bachelor' alum remembers feeling like his "hands were about to explode, because you go from freezing cold to hot" while filming the Fox competition series By Lanford Beard Lanford Beard Lanford Beard is the former Senior TV Editor at PEOPLE. She worked at the brand from 2015 through 2024. People Editorial Guidelines and Stephanie Wenger Stephanie Wenger Stephanie Wenger is a TV Writer/Reporter at PEOPLE. She joined the brand in 2021 as a digital news writer, covering stories spanning across the site's verticals. She previously contributed E! Online, Hollywood Life and Oscar.com. People Editorial Guidelines Published on November 27, 2023 10:05PM EST Close Nick Viall. Photo: Emma McIntyre/WireImage Warning: This post contains spoilers from Monday's season finale of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. Nick Viall is reflecting on the physical and emotional toll of filming Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. Speaking to PEOPLE, the podcast host and Bachelor alum, 43, looked back on what he had to endure to pass selection and win the competition alongside contestants Erin Jackson and Tyler Cameron on Monday’s season finale. “I'd never been hypothermic before,” he admits. “Thankfully [Erin] stepped up, and her and Jack [Osbourne] helped me out. But then I'm in this hot shower, and honestly it felt like my hands were about to explode, because you go from freezing cold to hot.” Nick Viall and JoJo Siwa on 'Special Forces: World's Toughest Test'. Pete Dadds/ FOX Nick Viall Says He Hopes His Special Forces Experience Will 'Help Toughen Me Up' for Fatherhood (Exclusive) He continues, “And then I just honestly never really got warm after that, so I was always constantly shaking.” However, the reality star found the mental challenges of the experience to be far more taxing, sharing, “I think that fatigue, it messes with your mind and everything.” He explains that endured “some of the most painful and exhausting moments of my life.” “It's just honestly, when I think back about my mental state at those times, it's surreal to think about,” he adds. Tyler Cameron Shares How Special Forces Grew His Respect and Admiration for His Brother in the Army (Exclusive) Before finding out that he had passed selection, Viall shared on Special Forces what it would mean for him to win the competition after facing many obstacles. “I definitely love to win,” he said. “I think a big part of life is just being resilient and not giving up. If I made it through selection, I’d feel a sense of accomplishment, you know, I think I'd be proud.” The television personality noted after winning the competition, “Life is full of challenges and to be able to know that you can step up to the plate time and time again is a very rewarding feeling.” He added, “It’s truly something I will remember for the rest of my life.” Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Season 2 of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test can be streamed in full on Hulu.