Tom Sandoval 'Was So Close to Giving Up' on “Special Forces ”Before a Message from His Mom: 'Floodgates Opened' (Exclusive)

"Those were such unbelievably hard days. I mean, we were pushed and pushed and pushed," Sandoval told PEOPLE before sharing how his mother's support brought him to tears

Tom Sandoval was nearing his breaking point on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test until he received some special words of encouragement from someone always in his corner.

The Vanderpump Rules star, 41, exclusively opens up to PEOPLE about the tough trials he faced on the boot-camp reality show.

While undertaking training tasks meant for military operatives, Sandoval received a video message from his mother, Terri Green. Her supportive words allowed him to push through the mental and physical blocks formed while participating in the series.

“It was so great,” the reality star says of his mother’s support. "Those were such unbelievably hard days. I mean, we were pushed and pushed and pushed. And that day in particular, when I got that message from my mom, I was so close to giving up.”

Related: Nick Viall Reveals the 'Side Bet' He Made with Tom Sandoval on Special Forces: 'I Was Really Pissed'

Sandoval says the cast members on Special Forces are given the “same” compensation “whether you go out day one or the last day.” With money not being a motivating factor, he wanted to pass selection in order to make the “people that are rooting for you back home proud, and yourself as well.”

“I was very much thinking of my family and my friends, and when I saw my mom, I was just like... I didn't even watch that video for at least a few minutes. I was just so emotional, especially from earlier that day,” he says, referencing a particularly tough test he faced. “It was just the floodgates opening.”

Fans got a chance to see Sandoval get emotional in last week’s episode of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test when his mother shared her encouraging words.

“Hi Tom! I miss you like crazy but I'm so looking forward to seeing you and hearing all about it,” she said as he broke down in tears. “You take care of yourself and just do it, Tom. All right, I love you. See you soon, not soon enough but soon.”

Sandoval headed to film Special Forces on the heels of the public backlash he faced following his months-long affair with his VPR costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss. Their relationship ended his nine-year partnership with Ariana Madix.

Related: 'Special Forces' Trailer: Tom Sandoval Wanted 'a Beating' After Cheating and Bode Miller Mourns Lost Daughter

In a previous episode, Sandoval described the affair as “a pretty juicy f---ing scandal” before elaborating on what he called a “long story.”

“I had an affair, and it just blew up,” he told his Special Forces costars. “People were messaging me paragraphs of just like vicious, like, so visceral, like, hatred.”

The Bravo star shared more in a confessional interview about how the secret relationship — which was later dubbed “Scandoval” by fans — had impacted him and his reputation.

Related: Tom Sandoval Admits He Was Surprised by the 'Visceral Hatred' After His Affair: 'I'm a Stupid Reality Star'

“Before this whole scandal, I would meet people who had probably seen me on Vanderpump Rules, and they’d be like, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s so cool,’” he said. “And then now, people think I’m a complete narcissist, creeper vibes.”

Of his decision to join the survival show, he explained, “I’m definitely not here to run away. I want to punish myself. I think I deserve it.”

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Season 2 of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test can be streamed in full on Hulu.

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