Former 'Bachelorette' star Andi Dorfman gives updates on her wedding, third book and more

Andi Dorfman has found her happily ever after. Gibson Johns interviews the former lead of "The Bachelorette" nine years after her season about building a new life in South Carolina with her fiancé, Blaine Hart, what their wedding plans are, her forthcoming third book and what she misses about living in New York City. They also discuss running the upcoming United Airlines NYC Half Marathon together with New York Road Runners, what her relationship to Bachelor Nation is now and why she embraces singledom in her thirties with open arms.

Video Transcript

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GIBSON JOHNS: Hi, guys. Welcome back to "We Should Talk," a pop-culture interview series from In The Know. I'm your host, Gibson Johns. And today on the podcast, we have Andi Dorfman, who you know as the "bachelorette."

She was the bachelorette nine years ago, so she has lived a lot of life since then. But she is running the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon later this month with her fiancé Blaine with New York Road Runners. And so I figured why not take this as an opportunity to catch up with her?

Andi is definitely one of my favorite bachelorettes ever. I don't even watch the show anymore, but I watched it for a while. And Andi's season was definitely a highlight. And I just love her.

I think that she-- after the show, she's written two books and about embracing single life, trying to erase some of the stigma around being single as a woman in your 30s, and I just love the approach that she took to life after the show. I think she-- as we talked about a little bit in this interview, she was a star of that show at a good time, sort of before the really intense sort of Instagram-centric person started joining and being cast. She sort of hit it a little bit before that, and I think it was a really good timing for her.

Obviously, it didn't work out for her, but I think that, you know, it was part-- it's part of her experience. And so we talked a little bit about how she looks back at that and kind of how her relationship to the show has changed over the years. But we didn't dwell on "The Bachelorette" because it's been so long. But again, I think she's one of the best bachelorettes we've ever had.

And it was really fun to check in with her, hear about her newly-engaged life, living in South Carolina now. She lived in New York, LA, and now South Carolina. And she just seems like she's just such a great place. She's writing a third book about this latest chapter of her life, which is really exciting.

And, yeah, she's just so great and so fun to talk to. And if you are in Bachelor Nation, if you used to watch "The Bachelor," you'll enjoy this interview. It's a really great check-in with Andi. And yeah, enjoy the interview with Andi Dorfman. And please rate, review, and subscribe to "We Should Talk" on Apple Podcasts or wherever your podcasts.

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All right, so we are here with Andi Dorfman ahead of her running the New York Half Marathon, the United Airlines Half Marathon. Andi, thanks for being here. How are you feeling?

ANDI DORFMAN: Thank you for having me. I'm feeling good, feeling ready, kinda.

[CHUCKLES]

GIBSON JOHNS: Are you-- I know you famously run the full marathon before. So how does-- does it feel like you can be a little bit less intense with the training. Like, what or do you feel a little bit like-- how do you feel kind of compared to that first experience?

ANDI DORFMAN: Oh, for sure. I feel like I have to only do half as much, which is great. I mean, after running LA Marathon, my second marathon, I was like, eh, I don't know if I love the marathons that much anymore. And I haven't done a half yet surprisingly because I was supposed to do the United Half in 2020, but obviously COVID.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right.

ANDI DORFMAN: And so this is my first time doing a half, which I'm excited about. Training's definitely been a little easier, which is nice. Like, we're busy. I don't have the same amount of time that I did when I trained for New York. So it's good. I feel like it's a great, like, balance of still challenging myself and staying fit but also not having it be every single second of my life.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right. And the New York Road Runners is the organization that organizes this, and you've worked with them before.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yes, in the past.

GIBSON JOHNS: Can you speak a little about that and your relationship to them?

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, it's funny because they kind of found me before the marathon. I had been running a lot in New York, and they had reached out to me and asked if I wanted to run the New York City Marathon. And I'm like, no, I'm good. I, like, run at sunset to the bar with my girlfriends.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right.

ANDI DORFMAN: You know? I was like, I don't think I could do 26. And they asked one more time. I was like, you know what? I'm going to just do it and try it.

And they gave me a coach, Roberto, who everyone that follows me knows about. And we just became like best buds. He was exactly what I needed at that time. He pushed me, but he was also a friend. And so we obviously had such a close relationship, and I just found out actually today that he's going to run the half with us.

GIBSON JOHNS: Oh, awesome.

ANDI DORFMAN: So I'm, like, even more excited. Yeah, and Blaine knows him. We meet for drinks when we're in New York at times.

And so I'm really pumped. That relationship is obviously super special to me. And I'm excited to get to run again with him.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, that's so fun.

ANDI DORFMAN: I hadn't run since the marathon with him.

GIBSON JOHNS: That is so fun. And you're running it with Blaine, correct? Why did you guys--

ANDI DORFMAN: Yep.

GIBSON JOHNS: --decide to do this together?

ANDI DORFMAN: I mean, I think it's just been like a great way to, like, spend time together. He's really into fitness. Obviously, we're both trying to get in shape for the wedding. So this was a great opportunity to be like, OK, if we train for this, we're probably going to get a little shredded for the wedding. So--

GIBSON JOHNS: Love that.

ANDI DORFMAN: --it's like two birds, one stone there. And it's fun. Like, we actually enjoy doing it together. It's a good way to spend time with someone.

You're not on your phone. You don't have a lot of distractions. It's just a great way to have one-on-one time, either with a friend or your partner.

GIBSON JOHNS: Definitely. And my brother ran the New York Marathon in the fall. And that was the first time I had really sort of like gone out and watched it, done the whole day. And--

ANDI DORFMAN: Amazing.

GIBSON JOHNS: --you know, I knew it was-- I knew what it was, but you don't really know what the vibe is sort of until you experience that. And it's so special to seeing so many people in New York come out. And the energy is just like no other, and it really-- I mean, he said that's sort of what got him through and got him sort of like passed some of the biggest hurdles during that race. Can you describe some of that feeling because you obviously experienced that when you ran the full marathon, and you're probably going to experience some of that in this half marathon as well.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, I mean, New York obviously is just a special place to run the race. Obviously, I've run in LA. And no offense to LA, but, like, nothing beats New York City.

It is like-- how can I describe it? It's like seeing the best of the city in one day. Like, everyone comes out. Everyone's so supportive. They're cheering. And you also get to see the entire city. Like, you go for the marathon through every single borough.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right.

ANDI DORFMAN: And, you know, to run across the bridges with nobody on them and to-- like, that was a really-- like, I can get chills even thinking about it, running across the bridge that no one's on in the middle of New York City--

GIBSON JOHNS: He said that was the hardest part-- he said that was the hardest part because there's nobody cheering on the bridges.

ANDI DORFMAN: I know, but it's like kind of this weird peace moment. I remember it vividly. Like, it's just very peaceful in a certain way, and you're just seeing the city in a different light.

I mean, I lived there at the time I did the marathon, and I still felt like I saw the city and its people in such a different way. And then, for the half marathon, we're going to run through Times Square, so they close Times Square. Like--

GIBSON JOHNS: Wow, that's coo.

ANDI DORFMAN: I mean, it's just-- yeah, it's just-- how special is that? I mean, you don't really get that any time. So yeah, there is definitely something special about New York , the people and just seeing the city on foot that way is just-- you can't replicate it.

GIBSON JOHNS: That's like the only way I'd want to go be in Times Square. I stay away from Times Square as much as possible.

ANDI DORFMAN: Oh, I know, I know. Yep.

GIBSON JOHNS: That's a good way-- that's a good excuse to actually go there.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, and it's going to be fun for me to also show Blaine that side of it because obviously he's been to New York with me plenty, but to see it in that light. I'm actually more excited for him to experience that because like I said, there's just nothing like experiencing a race in New York. And so I'm really pumped for him to get to experience that as well.

GIBSON JOHNS: And obviously, this race is happening in your old stomping grounds of New York. You've since lived in LA and now South Carolina. What are you-- and you've been back I'm sure a million times. But like--

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah.

GIBSON JOHNS: --what do you-- I guess what do you miss most about your life in New York? And when you come back, sort of what does it give-- like, what does the energy give you? What does being back in New York City give you? Because there's something revitalizing about stepping back in-- stepping foot back in Manhattan.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, I mean, honestly I miss everything about New York. Like, you're so happy there, not to say I'm not happy here. I'm happy anywhere, but there is a different level of excitement. And I always-- I just want to do everything there. I just feel, like, the most tired and the most energized at the same time when I'm in New York.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mm-hmm, what are the things that you, like, have to do when you're here?

ANDI DORFMAN: Well, obviously pizza. Like, that's a given. I never leave New York without having some pizza. I still love running Central Park. Like, it brings back so many memories to me. And honestly just like walking around. I walk miles and miles in New York.

GIBSON JOHNS: Same.

ANDI DORFMAN: And there's just-- it's like being-- now, it's like being in a foreign city to me, which is fun because I'm seeing new things that I'm getting to explore like I did when I first lived there because so much of it has changed in, you know, three years that I've been gone. So it's been fun to just walk around and just explore.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mm-hmm, and so you live in South Carolina now, which is a big change from New York and LA.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah.

GIBSON JOHNS: What has that been like for you? I mean, does it feel like-- I mean, obviously you're with Blaine, so you're extremely happy in a relationship. But just like location-wise and lifestyle-wise, what has the adjustment been like for you? And is it a nice change? I'm sure it is.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, I mean, it's different. You know, I'm from the South originally. I grew up, born and raised in Georgia, but I haven't lived there since I did the show, so for a while. And even, I went away to school, so I didn't, like, spend a ton of time there. But I will say, like, life is easier here in a good way.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mm-hmm.

ANDI DORFMAN: There's little things that I realize. Like, whether it's going to the DMV and people actually being nice to you, or, you know, people holding the door open for you when you're returning a bunch of packages, the people here make the quality of life really nice. It's a nice, easy life.

And also, I love South Carolina. Like, we dip down to Charleston all the time. It's one of our favorite cities. The coast down there, like we love it. And it's only a couple of hours away, so it's great. And [INAUDIBLE] I'm close to my family, which is really nice.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, that was going to be my next question is does it-- also, you're so close to Atlanta, where your parents are. And that must feel nice, especially as you start to build a life with Blaine and possibly have a family. Like, that must feel pretty nice to have to have them so close to you.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah. Yeah, I'm going to need my mom to babysit our kids for sure, so that's going to be nice. She always jokes. She's like, I'm just glad you're on the same time zone, which it is nice being two hours away from my parents at this stage of my life. Like, I loved being far away at times, whether it was school, or whether it was New York or California, but I think at this stage of my life it's going to be really nice to have them so close.

GIBSON JOHNS: Definitely. So you mentioned the wedding, and preparing for the wedding, and shredding for the wedding through this training and the race.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah.

GIBSON JOHNS: You got engaged last March. It's been a year.

ANDI DORFMAN: [CHUCKLES]

GIBSON JOHNS: What is-- tell me the latest updates on the wedding. What are you comfortable or willing to share about your wedding? Because there are a lot of people that are very excited about it.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, well, I'll tell you this. I can share what I know, which is not a ton because Blaine has definitely taken the reins on planning the wedding. I was like, I just don't feel like doing that. And so every morning I wake up, there's literally five or 10 emails between him and our planner, which is a dream, literally a dream.

GIBSON JOHNS: Hands off. [CHUCKLES]

ANDI DORFMAN: I was like I won't even complain. I'm happy to just show up. I'm very excited for the wedding dresses, which I'm doing in New York and gives me a little excuse to pop up there for fittings--

GIBSON JOHNS: Nice.

ANDI DORFMAN: --and whatnot. Yeah, I was actually just there last week. And Mark Ingram, who is, like, legendary atelier in New York, is doing a custom dress. So we were cutting the muslin and designing it all.

GIBSON JOHNS: Love it.

ANDI DORFMAN: And that's just been like a pinch me type of moment for sure.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mm-hmm.

ANDI DORFMAN: And yeah, I'm ready. It's kind of like-- it's very surreal to me, you know? I'll be 36 years old and not that like I lived to get married, but it's like, oh, this is this is what it all came down to, huh?

GIBSON JOHNS: Right.

ANDI DORFMAN: This is, you know, where everything led me. Like, I think that's a very surreal feeling, and it'll be a surreal moment too walking down the aisle of like, OK, so all of that, all of that led me here.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right, right, and you post on Instagram, I think, you know, relatively recently about how like you two had met 15 years ago or something. And then, you reconnected, and that's when you started to-- you start a relationship. And I love the idea of a reconnection like that.

Yeah, that is so-- I don't know. I think that there's kind of a romance to that and just sort of like you came into each other's lives. But then, you-- it wasn't the right time, and then you came back to each other's lives. Can you elaborate a little bit on that story? Because I think it's something that-- it's kind of like-- it's kind of a hopeful thing, I think, for people that have been following your journey specifically too.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, I mean, definitely fate. Like, I met Blaine when I was probably 18 years old, I think. He was playing baseball. One of his teammates was one of my best friends that I grew up with like all through childhood.

And there was a 4th of July party, and he brought all the boys down. And Blaine was one of those guys, and we met. And when I tell you I did not talk to him for 15 years, like nothing, did not talk for 15 years.

There was no, like, back and forth. This wasn't like, hold on, you got this. No, I lived my life. He lived his life.

And then, I guess now it'd be two summers ago. So like 15 years after literally he was in Italy at a wedding. I was in Italy vacationing.

And he DM'd me, and he was like, hey, are you still in Italy? I'm like, yeah. He was like, cool, I'm going to take you out for drinks. I was like, OK, well, I'm with my girlfriend, so you have to take her out too. He's like, no problem.

And yeah, we met. And then, like, it's funny because it's not like, oh, we were in a relationship immediately, but we were like let's hang out again after Italy. And then, just slowly, we were hanging out more and more.

And a lot of people will ask like, oh, is there that one moment where you knew who was the one? I'm like, honestly, no, there just was never a moment that he wasn't the one. But yeah, I mean, it is definitely-- like, when I repeat it back like that, definitely a fairy tale.

But I also don't want to sell the fairy tale that doesn't exist. It's just by happenstance that we ran into each other. And I will say like for everything that I had been through, like, in the public eye, on television, writing books, to have someone that was like from my past, I think, really hit home for me and made me that much more comfortable. And I knew that I could, like, be my actual self because someone that had met me before I had done all this was still in my life or was now back in my life. So that was a really cool aspect of it to me is just like there was almost like an inherent trust there.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, that must be really comforting. And I love that, like, in that story, there's sort of like a-- there is sort of like a fairy-tale romance to it of the reconnection. But also, there's a very modern element of it him just like DMing you and just like kind of seeing if you want to hang out again.

I think that there's something in that story for a lot of people, and I don't think you're selling a fairy tale necessarily. But I don't know. It's cool.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah. Yeah, we didn't see each other, and we're like, that's the one. Here he is back in my life, you know? It just was like, OK, this is cool, like, no expectations. And yeah, it just worked out.

I mean, timing is everything. I feel like, you know, at 18, obviously that was not going to happen, but also in my 20s. And I see that even in wedding planning honestly. Like, the wedding that I'm planning or that Blaine is planning at age 36 is so far different than the wedding I thought I'd plan in my 20s.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, totally. And I think also it makes your story and, again, as somebody who's been there since you were on the show-- and since then, I think, I mean, you've written two books. You've been so celebratory about being single and finding yourself in the past five, or eight years, or however long it's been. And I love that. I just love that you really celebrated that as a single person, who's-- I think especially if you're, like, from city life, it's like that's such a common kind of story I think for people.

ANDI DORFMAN: Mm-hmm.

GIBSON JOHNS: And I love the-- I just want to read a little bit of the post that you posted-- I think it was last week, where you said--

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah.

GIBSON JOHNS: --"You realize everyone has a different path and different timing. And ultimately, you've got two options-- think you're not good enough and get down on yourself or dance on tables and relish the moment you are in." And I think that is such a beautiful message to send to people. And I'm curious when did you realize that for yourself, that there were those two options and that you should take that latter option?

ANDI DORFMAN: I think I really realized it in myself when I stopped caring what society thought or what society thought I should or shouldn't be doing in terms of my age and my relationship status. Obviously, I come from the South. Southerners tend to get married younger, but that was not my path.

And so as soon as I kind of just was like I'm going to live my life-- I'm here in the city. New York City helped a lot with that because, like you said, women tend to be a lot older before they get into serious relationships. There's a lot more like-- not that the South isn't career-driven, but it's just a different career drive in New York because, I mean, you got to make it, you know? Like--

GIBSON JOHNS: Right, totally.

ANDI DORFMAN: --everyone is hustling just to pay the expensive rent. So I feel like New York definitely helped me with that. And I would always suggest somebody that's single, that's not happy where they are, move to New York. It'll be the best experience of your life. And it makes you forget a lot of those insecurities that you have.

And also, I think just going through other things in life, you're like, I don't need to worry about relationships. Like, you know, COVID obviously was a big factor of that of just like trying to get through it all, and be healthy, and make sure that everyone around me was taken care of. And you're just like, OK, I'm good. Like, I got to create my life for myself, whether that's with a guy, whether that's with a certain job, whether it's running, whether it's anything. Everything, to me, I want to weave into happiness.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mm, mm, I love that. I love that. And so when I was doing research for this interview, Andi, some site, I think it's like literally bachelornation.com, which I didn't even realize existed, but it was sort of-- it's been keeping tabs on your life since then. And there was some post that was like, nine years ago--

ANDI DORFMAN: Oh, Lord.

GIBSON JOHNS: --this week and he was announced as the bachelorette. And I think that was literally this week.

ANDI DORFMAN: Oh my gosh. Is that what it's been?

GIBSON JOHNS: I think so. And--

ANDI DORFMAN: That would make sense, March.

GIBSON JOHNS: And I guess, like, my question for you about that is like, do you feel like that Andi is almost like a-- not a different person, but how do you reflect back to the Andi that existed nine or 10 years ago? And what would you tell that person considering where you are now?

ANDI DORFMAN: Oh my gosh, great question. I mean, I don't think I'm different as a person necessarily. I think age obviously has a lot to do with it. I think-- I think when I was in my 20s, and especially doing "The Bachelorette," I felt like I really needed to, like, be strong and almost bossy in order to prove like my strength and confidence.

And I realized that definitely does not need to be something in my life. Like, I don't need to be in charge and in control of everything. And that's definitely kind of like settled me down a little bit.

I'm trying to think. Like, it's almost hard to even remember those days. Yeah, I mean it feels like a whirlwind and all of that.

But I think I'd probably just tell myself, which is easy to say now, but tell myself back then like, just hold on. Like, enjoy the ride. Hang on. Like, it's all going to work out in the end, especially if you keep the whole vibe of just being happy in your life, you're destined to be happy if that's what you focus on.

And so I would just say just hold on to the wild ride and soak it up. And I feel like I did soak it up for the most part like. I said yes to everything, and I was like, you know what? I'm going to do this.

And now, especially being in South Carolina actually to kind of make it full circle. I feel like-- and getting married and wanting to start a family. I feel like I've done a lot in my life.

GIBSON JOHNS: You have.

ANDI DORFMAN: I feel very content, and I feel like I have a lot of experience, good and bad, that now I get to share with my family, and teach my kids one day, and encourage them, you know, because I lived that life. For better or worse, encourage them to go out and do the same thing.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mm-hmm.

ANDI DORFMAN: You know, look where it led me. I'm very fortunate with Blaine because he's like the absolute best. But yeah, look where it led, and so--

GIBSON JOHNS: I love that. And I want to say the qualities that you talked about sort of maybe using to overcompensate a little bit back then, those are qualities that-- I mean, at least for me, I love those qualities about you. I loved your assertiveness, and how strong you were, and who you are. And I think that that's why you've continued to maintain such a big following and people who are so invested in your life because they love those qualities about you. And I'm glad that you've maintained that.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah.

GIBSON JOHNS: And I guess I'm wondering-- I don't really want to get into the nitty gritty of "The Bachelor" and all of that because I don't even watch the show anymore. But I would just love to know like how your relationship to that world has evolved and changed over the years? How much-- was there a moment where you felt pressure to stay really involved? And how did you get over that? Like, just talk to me through some of those moments because I'm sure it's kind of a wild ride post-show.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, I definitely remember feeling, like, internal pressure to stay involved because I think a lot of post "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" at the time that I did it had to do with social media, and following, and relevancy. And in order to stay relevant, you had to still be in the world, or doing the podcast, or giving interviews.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

ANDI DORFMAN: And I think honestly for me, the turning point was the books. That was like my separation from it, and not in a bad way. But just I don't want to be the person that is holding on to something that is now nine years ago because I want to evolve. I want to have different things.

And so the books-- I think writing those two books really helped with that of just transitioning into life. I think also New York City just helped me with that a lot. Like, you know, you're kind of out of that world of just Bachelor Nation, which I love Bachelor Nation. I still see some of my friendships that came from there being like some of the most important friendships in my life. You know, there's a lot of people that'll be at my wedding, so there's a lot of takeaways from the show in terms of that.

But I think for me personally, I just had to kind of separate from that being my entire identity. And also, you know, I had a great time on the show, but the result obviously wasn't all his happiness. And so I think that made it a little easier to kind of move along. And again, I don't-- I don't want to be completely defined by a show and a relationship that didn't work out.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mm-hmm, yeah. I would agree with you on the books too. I think the books-- I think inherently and one of the reasons why I have stopped with the show is that I think that it was pushing the sort of cookie-cutter idea of what happiness and finding your fairy tale looks like. And I think that the books inherently pushed against that, and I really respected that when you when you wrote those books because--

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah.

GIBSON JOHNS: --that's not easy to kind of reject some of that I think, and that's kind of owning your own story again. And I think that was really cool of you to do.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, and I think the show has changed too. Like, I will say I've always spoken so highly of the show. Like, I had the best time.

I mean, I traveled. I learned so much about myself. Like, it was an amazing opportunity.

GIBSON JOHNS: Of course.

ANDI DORFMAN: I still sometimes I can't believe I did it. Like, it's crazy that-- it's crazy that my life was like that. But yeah, I do. I agree with you.

I think it's changed a little bit, obviously a lot more for ratings. I think the social media aspect has kind of changed the type of people that go on it. So I'm thankful for when I did it.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

ANDI DORFMAN: But yeah, I'm good leaving it, you know, how I left it.

GIBSON JOHNS: Totally.

ANDI DORFMAN: I feel good about it.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, good, good. And so in the past several years, like, how do you? What is your day to day like? Or what are you-- I know you have Andorfins, which is which is your workout app and community sort of based off your running experience. And what are some of the other things that you are wanting to pursue or wanting to sort of redefine some of your life with?

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, well, first, I mean, just in the present, it's like building a new life.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

ANDI DORFMAN: I feel like every time I've moved, you have to really build a new life. And now, I'm building it with someone else, you know, obviously getting married, obviously building a house together. But I am definitely doing a third book. It's time.

GIBSON JOHNS: It's time.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, everyone's like, where's the third book? And I always feel-- I talk about pressure. I always felt this internal pressure.

And I had been working on it for, like, during COVID, a couple of years before even. And there just wasn't that ending. I couldn't see the full picture of it, and it was preventing me from continuing writing. And now, I feel like I'm at a spot where I see the full picture.

And it changes my vantage point, and it changes my viewpoint on the past when you have that full picture. I still always journal, so those moments in time are still there, but I think you can figure out what's more integral in your life when you have the ending.

So I'm excited for that. I'm going to take this year to definitely work on that and hopefully get it out next year. It kind of goes back to the single life too. It's like, here's the ending.

And I don't want to just focus on like, oh, happily ever after because like, you know, that's the end. We get it. Not the end of my life, but end of that chapter, we get it. But I think the steps leading up to that are something that can be really beneficial to share with people.

GIBSON JOHNS: Definitely. And I think called it. Are you referring it to chapter-- are you referring to this part of your life as chapter three? Is that sort of--

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, I guess it's like chapter three and beyond. I feel like there was a lot of mini chapters--

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, of course--

ANDI DORFMAN: --in there as well.

GIBSON JOHNS: Of course, but it makes sense to sort of document this as sort of kind of a holistic moment for you.

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, yeah, and I didn't know that this would come or if it would come when, and so here we are. And it feels like the right time, the right headspace to write it.

GIBSON JOHNS: Exciting.

ANDI DORFMAN: So I'm really pumped for the third book. I hope everyone else will be too.

GIBSON JOHNS: They will be. They will be. Well, Andi, I mean, I think we have, what, two or three weeks until this half marathon, the United Airlines Half Marathon--

ANDI DORFMAN: I know.

GIBSON JOHNS: --in New York.

ANDI DORFMAN: Ah!

GIBSON JOHNS: Do you train intensely in these last two weeks? Or do you kind of settle down with it? How are you preparing for these final days?

ANDI DORFMAN: Yeah, no, the last week is the best because you, like, taper off, and--

GIBSON JOHNS: Love.

ANDI DORFMAN: --you basically do nothing except--

GIBSON JOHNS: Love that for you.

ANDI DORFMAN: --some light runs. I mean, I'll be honest. Like, I'm not at the pace that I ran the New York Marathon at, which was crazy, but that was my entire life. That's what I did, like, every single day. In hindsight, I'm like, wow, that's why I was so fast.

So I don't have that expectation, you know? We're busy, but we have been training. We just did like our nine-mile run yesterday. And then, we'll probably do like one more long run, probably seven miles or so, and then just have fresh legs, and enjoy it. Like, I'm definitely going to enjoy it. We have no set time.

GIBSON JOHNS: It's fine, yeah.

ANDI DORFMAN: Just finding out that Roberto's going to run with me. Like, I'm so pumped. It's going to be that much more fun.

And the marathon was-- I was very locked in, and I was very intense about it. And I wouldn't change that. It was that time of my life. And this one, I think I want to enjoy the surroundings of New York and the people a little more.

GIBSON JOHNS: And I think that those two approaches are kind of indicative of where you are right now in your life--

ANDI DORFMAN: Totally.

GIBSON JOHNS: --like, you were then.

ANDI DORFMAN: It's so true.

GIBSON JOHNS: I think that's kind of cool, you know?

ANDI DORFMAN: So true. Yeah, that is very true. I didn't think about that until just now.

GIBSON JOHNS: Well, I love that for you, Andi.

ANDI DORFMAN: Spot on.

GIBSON JOHNS: Well, this is so much fun talking to you and catching up with you. You seem like you're in such an amazing place, and that warms my heart for sure, so--

ANDI DORFMAN: Thank you. I appreciate that actually very much.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, of course. And anyway, hopefully we talk soon, and good luck in the half marathon.

ANDI DORFMAN: Thank you. I appreciate it.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, bye.

ANDI DORFMAN: Bye.

GIBSON JOHNS: Thanks for tuning in to "We Should Talk." I hope you enjoyed the interview. You can find out more about In The Know at intheknow.com.

You can follow me, Gibson Johns, @Gibsonoma on Twitter and Instagram. And you can listen to all of our interviews, past and future, by searching "We Should Talk" wherever you get your podcasts. Hope to see you next time.