Where is Brennan Shoykhet now? 'MAFS' Season 17 star gets emotional as he opens up about his childhood struggles
DENVER, COLORADO: 'Married At First Sight' Season 17 star Brennan Shoykhet is currently in his hometown Denver focusing on his job as he works as a Senior NetSuite Consultant.
In a recent episode of the Lifetime show, Brennan opened up about his difficult childhood which he claims affected his marriage with his wife Emily Balch.
Brennan and Emily have struggled to adjust to married life as he found it hard to share his feelings. Meanwhile, the couple had a heated argument in the previous episode.
To work things out, 'MAFS' Season 17 therapist, Dr Pepper Schwartz, suggested Brennan and Emily write a letter to their younger selves.
In the letter, Brennan admitted that he had been feeling a lot of pressure and as a teenager, he had always been thinking about his future during the process he lost his childhood.
Brennan then revealed that he leaned on his friend's dad for guidance. He further noted that he started working with his friend's father in his real estate business when he was just 13 years old.
Brennan explained to his wife, Emily, "I put so much pressure on myself to grow up quickly and I didn't have to do that." He shared his regret and noted, "I could have enjoyed life, I think a little bit more."
Brennan's confession made Emily realize, "Why he is the way that he is in ways that have been challenging for him and for us to move forward."
She told the cameras, "It's always progress and growth for Brennan when he does open up."
Brennan Shoykhet's friend calls out his past relationship pattern
Brennan Shoykhet connected to his close friend Richie on a video call for relationship advice. He admitted to his friend that his marriage has been 'challenging' as he has struggled to make a physical connection with Emily.
However, Brennan's friend then called him out for his past relationship patterns and explained, "I think you can get stuck in your head sometimes about things."
He elaborated, "You know, your roommate leaves something out and you'd just be pissed at the roommate."
Richie added, "It's happened with relationships in the past, you know, there can be one little thing that bothers you and that one little thing will trump any other connection you had."
Brennan's friend continued, "And once a thought gets in your brain, I think it's hard for you to maybe snap out of it so I worry that in your head you said there's no romantic connection, and now you're kind of... I don't want you to close your doors to the opportunity that it could happen."
Emily Balch slams Brennan Shoykhet for being 'defensive'
Brennan Shoykhet and Emily Balch had a therapy session with 'MAFS' Season 17 expert, Dr Pia.
During the session, Brennan opened up about his struggles to communicate with Emily.
However, Dr Pia called Brennan out for simultaneously interrupting Emily's conversation. Emily suggested that Brennan is very different off camera and he doesn't want to show his real side.
Emily also revealed that he sometimes seemed defensive. However, Brennan told Dr Pia, "She always speaks her mind, and I have no idea where this is coming from to be honest."
Brennan explained, "She tells me something, then goes, 'Oh, I don't know why I was nervous to tell you that. You reacted greatly.'"
He continued, "And we come into this, and she tells you, 'Oh, I'm just nervous to tell him things, I worried how he's going to react.'"
However, Emily chimed in and told Brennan that what he was saying was 'the same thing," leading Dr Pia to question if Brennan was just being defensive.
He defended himself, "I think that when someone comes at you in a way that's unfair, you're allowed to defend yourself."
He then noted that he never had any tough time having conversations with his friends and family.
However, when Dr Pia asked if Brennan trusted Emily then he admitted that he had been rebuilding trust. Emily then broke down in tears and noted that she wanted to work things out with him.
'Married At First Sight' Season 17 airs Wednesdays 8 pm ET on Lifetime.
