First Dates Ireland returned tonight with another new episode which saw a host of new singletons searching for love.
The topic of interest on Thursday night’s installment seemed to be fitness and lifestyle improvement as two of the lovely couples chatted about the positive changes they’ve made since Covid hit.
Ava, who is 18 and a student nurse, and Daniel, who is 22 and a personal trainer, were the first couple up tonight and they shared a mutual interest in the gym.
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Ava, described herself as a "big burst of energy" and said her type was tall and into fitness.
While producers picked her type on paper with Daniel, sparks didn't fly between the pair. Ava turned down the idea of a second date with the Mayo man and said she just didn’t feel the spark.
Despite no romantic connection, the two of them connected over their fitness journeys, with Ava being praised by viewers after talking openly about her issues with body image.
"I was a ballet dancer for 16 years," she said, before Daniel asked her if the ballet industry was difficult to deal with due to body image pressures.
"That is kind of what got me into my fitness. I focused so much on my weight for so many years, trying to be as skinny as the rest of the girls in my class," she said.
When the pandemic arrived and her dance classes stopped, she says she realised she had a problem. "I am genuinely torturing myself," she explained, before sharing that the loss of a friend at the beginning of the pandemic made her want to get better.
She expressed that she took up the gym and fitness to help improve her physical and emotional wellness.
"I started eating properly again, it is amazing what fitness does, not feeling guilty about any square of chocolate you put in your mouth," she said.
Meanwhile, Judy, from Limerick, and Aaron, from City West, were both impressing each other with their physical prowess, with Judy being an internationally acclaimed fitness model, winning Miss Bikini Ireland in 2014 and representing in American fitness competitions.
She said her type was someone respectful and easy to be around, who she can "build a little empire with." Meanwhile, Aaron was amazed at her beauty, and the duo chatted easily throughout the date.
Aaron opened up about his journey, as he hits the gym up to twice a day after starting the pandemic at 23 stone.
"I used to be like 23 stone. I've gotten addicted to fitness. I lost the weight by walking and then I got into training," he said.
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