Love Is Blind UK participant Tom Stroud has shared a significant update after facing heavy criticism post his appearance on the show. Tom starred in the first season of the British version of the popular Netflix series and quickly bonded with makeup artist Maria Benkh from Southampton.

Their relationship took a turn when Tom decided not to go through with marrying Maria due to their different cultural backgrounds and views on gender roles. This decision came after a disagreement where Maria insisted on paying for breakfast, believing men should be the primary providers in a relationship, a notion Tom did not align with.

Two years later, Tom revealed that he sought therapy following his time on the show, which had a profound impact on his life. He took to Instagram and TikTok to showcase his journey since Love Is Blind UK, stating, “I didn’t find love, but I found something else.”

Tom opened up about the challenges he faced dealing with social media backlash for expressing his opinions on equality and gender roles. He credited a therapist named Louise, provided by the show’s welfare team, for guiding him through the online noise and changing his life.

Attending weekly therapy sessions with Louise inspired Tom to launch a men’s community called The Shoulder to Shoulder, in collaboration with his friend Dan Shrigley. The group aims to help men build strong friendships and has already attracted over 1,700 members.

Tom received an outpouring of support from fans, with many applauding his personal growth. Comments praising his journey flooded in, showcasing the positive impact his evolution has had on those following his story.

Love Is Blind UK is currently available for streaming on Netflix.