Nathan Gallagher’s Personal Revelations on Below Deck Mediterranean

In a poignant moment on Below Deck Mediterranean’s January 26 episode, Nathan Gallagher revealed a deeply personal childhood trauma while comforting his distraught coworker Victoria SanJuan. As Victoria processed her complicated feelings about Joe Bradley’s budding interest in their colleague Kizzi Kitchener, Nathan offered emotional support and unexpectedly shared that he had kicked his own father out of the house at age 15 to protect his mother. This revelation provided viewers with new insight into Nathan’s protective nature and his tendency to defend those he cares about. “With friends or family or even my sister, I am super protective of them,” Nathan explained during a confessional, connecting his past experiences to his present behaviors and relationship dynamics aboard the yacht.

The episode highlighted the deteriorating friendship between Nathan and Joe, former close friends who worked together in season 10 before reuniting in the current season. Despite Joe’s attempts to repair their relationship, Nathan expressed growing disillusionment with his friend’s behavior patterns. “I have grown since last season and I can see the distance it has created,” Nathan shared in a January episode. “To see him down the same shit time and time again shows me that he has no consideration for anyone apart from himself. I just think it might be time to move on from that kind of friendship.” This candid assessment revealed Nathan’s personal growth and his willingness to establish boundaries, even with longtime friends whose values no longer aligned with his own.

The fractured relationship between the two yachties became even more apparent when Joe spoke exclusively to Us Weekly in November 2025, revealing he had “yet” to meet Nathan and Gael Cameron’s baby who was born in June of that year. Joe attempted to put a positive spin on the situation, saying, “But from what I’ve seen on social media, he looked absolutely stunning. Don’t get me wrong, I did try to send a few messages to Nathan.” Joe speculated that Nathan’s new responsibilities as a father and possible work commitments might explain the communication breakdown, adding, “He’s a dad and he could be on a boat somewhere — I’m not too sure. We’re just not really socially inclined [and] we don’t really speak but for what I’ve seen, what a gorgeous little baby that is.” These comments hinted at a deeper disconnect between the former friends, with social media interactions replacing genuine connection.

Despite their personal differences, Joe expressed respect for Nathan’s professional growth and leadership position during their time working together on Bravado. “Having Nathan as my boss was nice to see because you can see a person grow. But don’t get me wrong, you do see a very different side of Nathan this season. If you’re a bit more organized, things will work out better,” Joe told Us Weekly. “He’s the boss so I am going to respect his position.” Joe emphasized his intention to maintain professional boundaries and support, stating, “I want to be there. I want to be there for a dear friend and respect a professional position regardless of who it is. So was I nervous? Not one single bit. I just want to be there for someone. That’s my take on it.” These comments suggest a complex relationship where professional respect coexists with personal distance.

The season finale offered a glimpse into Nathan’s life beyond the charter season, showing him at home with Gael and their newborn son. This touching domestic scene contrasted sharply with the high-stress environment of yacht work and provided viewers with a more complete picture of Nathan’s life priorities. The episode also teased that Nathan would be returning to work on the next season of Below Deck Mediterranean, suggesting that viewers will continue to follow his professional journey and perhaps gain further insights into how his personal history and new role as a father influence his interactions with crew members and guests aboard the yacht.

Nathan’s story arc throughout the season illustrates the complex interplay between personal history and professional relationships in the high-pressure environment of luxury yacht service. From revealing childhood trauma to navigating friendship breakdowns and embracing fatherhood, Nathan’s journey on Below Deck Mediterranean demonstrates how past experiences shape present behaviors and future decisions. As the show continues to stream on Peacock, viewers can reflect on how Nathan’s protective instincts—born from family dynamics—manifest in his work relationships and leadership style, while anticipating how his evolving priorities might influence his approach in future seasons.