Summary
- Ashton transitioned into a fitness influencer post-Below Deck and started his own coaching business.
- Ashton became sober after realizing his drinking problem on the show, celebrating over a year of sobriety.
- In 2022, Ashton got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Sarah, whom he surprised with a proposal at an airport.
Ashton Pienaar joined the cast of Below Deck seasons 6 and 7, and he has completely changed his life since. During his first season on the Bravo series, Ashton was one of the deckhands and was promoted to Bosun in his second season. In the beginning, Ashton was more likable on Below Deck - especially after his near-death experience when his foot got caught in a tow-line and dragged into the water. Luckily, a cameraman was standing by and jumped into the ocean to save him.
However, Ashton didn't have the same luck the following season. The fans started to turn on the Bosun when he began drinking heavily on the nights out. In fact, throughout the season, Ashton targeted Chief Stew Kate Chastain and belligerently lashed out at her. As a result of his anger, he punched the inside of the van door while on their way back to their mega-yacht, Valor. Ashton never returned to the Bravo series, with Captain Lee Rosbach claiming he wouldn't want to work with him again.
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Ashton Became A Fitness Influencer Post-Below Deck
Working Out Is His New Job
Since leaving the Bravo series after Below Deck season 7, Ashton has started taking up fitness coaching with his company AP Elite. According to Ashton's Instagram page, titled The Yo-Yo Diet Recovery Coach, he works as a trainer and helps people worldwide eat healthier and stay on track with their exercise routine. He started the company shortly after his last season of Below Deck ended, as he felt the need to improve himself. For example, in the season 7 reunion, he expressed remorse regarding how he treated Kate and his deckhand, Rhylee Gerber.
Ashton Became Sober After Below Deck
He Realized He Had An Issue With Drinking
After watching the season's episodes, Ashton realized he had a drinking problem. Shortly before the reunion, he decided to become sober. In 2021, the fitness guru celebrated his first full year of sobriety. The yachtie added that the decision to appear on Below Deck initially "was an easy decision" for him as he "was 100% confident in the person" he was at the time.
After going through a near-death experience on the yacht, Ashton returned for another season and became the person he never wanted to be. Now that he is over three years sober, Ashton is working towards becoming "a brother to look up to and a son to be proud of." As of 2024, it seemsAston has continued with his sobriety journey.
Ashton Is Engaged
He Got Engaged In 2022
In September 2022, Ashton revealed that he proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Sarah McAlpine Cooper, and she said yes. Ashton uploaded a video to his Instagram page at the time, showing a video of the pair in an airport and with him surprising her on bended knee. Sarah was clearly shocked and immediately started crying.
And for you @sarahmcalpine.[...] My love and respect for you grows with every passing day. I am honored to call you my fiancé!
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It's unclear when the pair started dating, but it was likely after Ashton returned from his final Below Deck season. The couple hasn't shared any wedding pictures, so they likely aren't married yet. However, Sarah did share a photo of Aston on his birthday in June, calling him her "husband" in the caption. Neither Sarah nor Aston have officially confirmed their marital status.
What Is Ashton Up To In 2024?
Ashton Is A Family Man Now
In 2024, Aston is living his best life. He has overcome his time on Below Deck and looks back on it with fond memories and a time when he learned a lot of life lessons. Not only is he engaged to the love of his life, but his fitness business is booming.
Ashton now lives in North Carolina with his fiancé Sarah and their adorable dog Bogey. The pair got their dog in November 2023, who was just a little puppy at the time. Since then, Ashton and Sarah have provided little Bogey with an amazing home. On his Instagram, one can find Ashton golfing, giving exercise tips, and, of course, spending time with his soon-to-be-wife. Ashton even spent the Fourth of July in Charleston, South Carolina, with his new adorable family.
It seems Ashton has grown for the better since appearing on BelowDeck. Those days may be behind him, and Ashton is looking forward to a future as a better man for his fiancé. As for his chances of returning to the Bravo series, Ashton will likely never return as his days as a Below Deck Bosun are over.
Below Deck is available to stream on Peaco*ck.
Sources: Ashton Pienaar/Instagram
Below Deck
TV-14
Reality
Where to Watch
*Availability in US
- stream
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Not available
Below Deck is a Reality television series and franchise that has seen many spinoffs since its creation in 2013. The original series follows the lives of a crew that lives on a Superyacht called Honor and chronicles their experiences during "charter season."
- Cast
- Lee Rosbach , Kate Chastain , Eddie Lucas , Rachel Hargrove , Ben Robinson , Ashton Pienaar , Fraser Olender , Rhylee Gerber
- Release Date
- July 1, 2013
- Seasons
- 10
- Streaming Service(s)
- Bravo , Peaco*ck
- Franchise(s)
- Below Deck
- Writers
- Mark Cronin
- Main Genre
- Reality
- Creator(s)
- Mark Cronin
- Reality TV
- Below Deck (2016)
- Below Deck
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