Focus on the Positive: A Follow-Up Interview with Average Joe’s Runner-Up, Adam Mesh

I talked to Adam Mesh, finalist from Average Joe, previously a few days before the finale aired. In that interview, Adam talked about what went on behind the scenes and what led up to that point. Now that the show has ended and we’ve had a couple weeks of holidays, it’s time to catch up with Adam once again to see what he thought about the ending, what he’s been up to since, and to find out a bit more about him outside the game.

RealityNewsOnline: Hello again, Adam! We’ve already discussed a lot about the show in our previous interview. Let’s talk about you for a little bit. Where did you grow up – you seemed a little bit confused by that question when Melana asked it (viewers may recall that Adam answered both New York and New Jersey, thus confusing the issue).

Adam: I grew up in Marlboro, New Jersey. The problem is that when you’ve lived in New York for seven years and somebody asks that, if you say New York then they ask where in New York and you have to explain that you actually grew up in New Jersey. But if you say New Jersey then you have to explain that you now live in New York.

RNO: What college did you attend and what did you major in?

Adam: University of Michigan, and I graduated in Honors Communication.

RNO: Not business?

Adam: Nope.

RNO: What did you do after college – how did you end up in trading?

Adam: I had one interview for a job in advertising and I didn’t get it. Then I had an interview with a trading company and got it, so I started trading right away. When I was 23, I left that company and started somewhere else. Then, a couple years later, I formed a company with a couple other guys I had met while trading.

RNO: Moving back to the show, the Rocky workout was a high point on the show. Whose idea was that?

Adam: The whole Rocky theme was my idea. I’m a big fan, I have a poster in my room, when I wrestled in high school I watched the videos, etc. They wanted to film me working out and I wanted to do the Rocky bit. I was surprised they got the music and everything. I appreciate it and it was my favorite part of the show.

RNO: As we watched the show, we saw Melana end up with arguably the best-looking of the average guys in you and Zach and then the best-looking of the models –

Adam: Thank you!

RNO: Heh. Anyway, a lot of people think Melana based a lot of her decision on looks. In the end, do you think that was a factor?

Adam: I don’t know. I like to use the word “attraction.” Most people when they first meet only have an attraction to base their feelings on. When you’re just meeting somebody for a couple minutes, looks have something to do with that attraction. Between me and Jason, we have different looks. He has a “pretty boy” look and I have more of a “man” look. Some people are attracted to that type of guy, but a lot would pick a man over a pretty boy. It just depends on what somebody likes.

RNO: When she picked Jason, she indicated to him that they could do whatever they wanted with their life. Do you think she felt more freedom with him than with you because you are already successful, have a career, etc.?

Adam: Well, I live in New York and he lives in L.A. I’m a lot less flexible, for example, I wouldn’t move to L.A. right now for somebody. I am more settled, more grounded.

RNO: What was running through your mind as you stood there waiting for her to tell you if she had picked you, and then after she told you she hadn’t?

Adam: I only allowed myself to picture positive thoughts – why think about the negative? So I didn’t think about what would happen if I wasn’t picked. When I was walking up to her and saw the way she was smiling, I was sure she would pick me. Then she talked about how our friendship turned to romance, etc. When she said she was not picking me, I almost thought she was kidding at first. But I did all I could, and she obviously wasn’t the one for me. That happens in life. I know it’s not something I did or didn’t do, I didn’t make any mistakes. She just didn’t prefer me.

RNO: So why do you think she picked Jason?

Adam: I think she had more of an attraction to him and she liked him more.

RNO: What do you think of Jason?

Adam: Jason is “the man.” I like him, he’s been great. He sent me a Happy New Year card and included a DVD of the whole show for both me and my parents. His dad sent me a nice e-mail. His whole family is really classy.