It’s official. Peter Kraus will not be the next Bachelor, and he is breaking his silence after losing the gig to race car driver Arie Luyendyk Jr.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the personal trainer reflected on his time on the reality dating competition and along with wishing Rachel Lindsay “nothing but the best in your life and love ahead,” the 31-year-old also revealed what he learned from the experience.

View this post on Instagram

#tbt to the most incredible journey of this life time that has now officially come to an end today. As I sit here writing this, I struggle to hold back the tears as I am overcome with emotion one last time. First and foremost.. Rachel, there are so very many things that I've wished I could say to you since the day we parted ways in Spain, but for everyone's sake, I'll keep it short… You gave me a chance and all that I can say is thank you. I have a heart filled with love for you now and always and wish you nothing but the best in your life and love ahead. ABC, you saw something in me, but something held me back. You treated me with such love and kindness and showed me glimpses of a life I never once dreamed that I could have. I will be forever humbled and grateful and will always look back at these last 6 months with an ear to ear smile, knowing that this has truly been a very special life indeed. Upon leaving the @bacheloretteabc I was asked, "what did you learn about yourself during this process?" And at the time I naively said "nothing that I can think of." Now… looking back… I realize I learned one of the single greatest teachings of my life; When you let uncertainty or fear guide your decisions, you risk missing out on what could potentially be the greatest opportunity of a life time. So live dangerously, live without the fear of the unknown, and continue to live and love with a heart that is truly open to anything. #thankyou #lovealways

A post shared by Peter J Kraus (@peterkrauswi) on

“When you let uncertainty or fear guide your decisions, you risk missing out on what could potentially be the greatest opportunity of a life time,” he wrote. “So live dangerously, live without the fear of the unknown, and continue to live and love with a heart that is truly open to anything.”

Deal of the Day Blue Bathing suit 4-7-24

Deal of the Day

This ‘Slimming’ Suit is Just $16 Today! View Deal

He also admitted that he may have been hesitant to take on the title, which is why ABC turned to a contestant from Emily Maynard‘s season of The Bachelorette. “ABC, you saw something in me, but something held me back,” Peter added. “You treated me with such love and kindness and showed me glimpses of a life I never once dreamed that I could have.” Insert heartbreak emoji here.

Last month, Reality Steve reported that Peter turned down the network’s offer to hand out roses. “This is what I’m hearing: They absolutely want Peter as the Bachelor. Hearing he told them no,” RS tweeted. “They want him, he said no apparently, & now they turn the narrative around.”

Creator Mike Fleiss denied the reports and wrote, “Do we really want a Bachelor who isn’t ready to settle down with a woman he loves? Hmmm. Not what #thebachelor is all about.” Well, it looks like Season 22 is in Arie’s experienced hands.