Kyle Viljoen had a challenging experience on Below Deck Mediterranean. He verbally sparred with his superiors and subordinates alike during Seasons 7 and 8, and the audience hated it. So, it was not shocking when Kyle walked off the yacht, citing a significant decline in his mental health. But then, Kyle expressed a desire to improve himself post-filming.
Fortunately, Kyle has since made remarkable progress in his life. This former BDM steward recently shared an encouraging update, confirming his commitment to self-improvement has paid off. Now, Kyle is happily married and pursuing a new career, all with a healthier perspective on his mental well-being.
Kyle is no longer acting like a villain on Bravo. Instead, he now lives the life of a victor on dry land. Here is everything we know about how far Kyle has come following his less-than-stellar showings in the Below Deck franchise.
Kyle Viljoen secretly married Dr. Zachary Riley in 2023
In 2022, Kyle appeared on Watch What Happens Live to discuss BDM. However, Andy Cohen loves tea, so he asked Kyle if he had any new love interests to note. Kyle smiled. Not only was he taken, but his man, Dr. Zachary Riley, was sitting front and center in the studio audience.
In 2023, Kyle and Zachary secretly tied the knot. On Instagram, Kyle penned, “Yes, you saw that right. Almost a year of marriage before we spilled the beans! A day when two individual lives blended into one beautiful story. It may not be conventional or a typical love story, but it is ours,” Kyle enthused.
“For months[,] we kept it between just three of us (including their good friend and witness Marissa)[,] because” they ultimately “wanted something more grand, something more memorable, something more us,” Kyle explained. But then, they realized “that a ceremony is not what makes the marriage.” Instead, a marriage “is about the people around us,” and, thankfully, the support they received when they finally spilled the beans was overwhelming. So, “Now, it is time to wipe the slate clean and share it with all of you,” Kyle added.
Then, a medical emergency landed Kyle Viljoen in the hospital
When Kyle exited filming, a health scare put him in the hospital for a week-long diagnostic stay. His doctors initially diagnosed him with hand-foot-mouth disease. But then, “over 20 doctors” settled on him having Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, or (SJS).
SJS is a “rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes.” When Kyle presented, he had “throat pain.” This pain then spread to his mouth, lips, hands, and feet, with “blisters” covering his body.
“After starting a new medication[,] I begin to feel generally unwell,” Kyle articulated. “Little did I know the battle I was going to face was the most painful and traumatic bodily experience of my life.” When his symptoms worsened, his then-fiance (AKA his secret husband), Zachary, “rushed” Kyle “to NYU ER,” where Kyle “suffered from worsening blisters, [an] inability to tolerate swallowing, tongue swelling, and change[s] in [his] vision.”
Thankfully, his care team got him back in shape, and Kyle is now in a much healthier space. But Kyle also used this as a warning message for his followers, stressing, “Advocate for your health and treat your body seriously.”
Kyle Viljoen is now in a healthier headspace after his challenging showings on Below Deck Med
Midway through 2024, Kyle appeared on the Rooted Recovery Stories Podcast. Here, he explained to the host, Patrick Custer, that he once did not know what the terms anxiety and depression meant. All he knew was that he felt done. Kyle told God He could take him now, as his body had gone into a “complete shutdown” mode.
Kyle could not process any new information as he was living in a survival mode. Instead of thriving, Kyle kept looking for the exits in every room he entered. Thankfully, it dawned on Kyle that this was his norm, and it was time to start attempting to break the chains.
Kyle then shared heartbreaking truths about his youth. As a gay teen, Kyle felt unloved, and the bullying and abuse he endured was high, like he was set on fire and assaulted, high. This is why he entered the service industry, as he desired to serve others and receive thankfulness in return. However, the service industry is not always kind to those in the LGBTQ+ community, so his unhealthy thought patterns stuck.
Thankfully, his mother urged him to seek help ASAP. And Kyle did. He sat with a doctor, baring his whole soul, finally realizing that the abuse he endured was not his fault. He is now on medication and living his best mentally clear life.
After working on his mental health, Kyle Viljoen is leveling up in a new career path, veterinary medicine
We saved the best update for last. Kyle is no longer working in the yachting industry. Instead, he has found the perfect fit for his next era, caring for the friendliest, cuddliest, most life-affirming clients ever: animals.
Last week, Kyle reintroduced himself to his followers on Instagram. “What a wild ride it’s been! From my days on Below Deck to soul-searching across 48 countries, I’ve worn many hats—chef steward, real estate agent, luxury hospitality pro—but something was always missing,” Kyle penned. He then elaborated on what this missing link felt like in his soul.
“Since I was 7, my heart was set on wildlife rehabilitation in South Africa, but life had other plans. After struggling with dyscalculia, pivoting through multiple industries, and chasing success in high-stakes environments, I hit a wall. I was exhausted, unfulfilled, and craving purpose,” Kyle admitted.
Thankfully, Kyle has found his light, courtesy of Veterinary medicine. This former BDM star “became a certified Veterinary Assistant,” landing his “first job at @bondvetclinic, and for the first time in years,” Kyle has not “looked back. Every day, I witness healing, love, and the magic of caring for animals—it’s the missing piece I’ve been searching for,” he raved.
But Kyle did not stop there. Instead, he is continuing to move forward, soon “leveling up” to Veterinary Nursing. Kyle wants everyone to learn from his story, as it is “NEVER too late. Chase fulfillment, not just paychecks. Believe in yourself. Your purpose is waiting,” he ended, showing us how far he has come since his showings on BDM.
Below Deck Mediterranean is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – ARE YOU HAPPY TO HEAR HOW KYLE HAS EVOLVED POST BELOW DECK MED?
