Jan. 23 (UPI) --Bachelorette winner Garrett Yrigoyen says he was born with a penny-sized hole in his heart.
The 29-year-old television personality shared his past health issue in an Instagram post Tuesday while reflecting on what makes him "remarkable" as a person.
"Many people know me from being the last man standing and now engaged to Becca Kufrin," Yrigoyen wrote. "While it was amazing, and I'm genuinely very happy with everything today, I don't want that to be what defines me and makes me remarkable."
"I want to share with you, what I think does," he told fans. "I was born with a hole in my heart the size of a penny. Doctor's told my parents that I would never be an active child. Damn they were wrong!"
The Season 14 contestant said the hole has since "sealed up entirely," both literally and metaphorically.
"There have been many things in my life that have helped fill it up," the star said. "Love and support from family, friends, acquaintances, and my fiancé Becca. Determination to succeed and always find ways to become a better version of myself."
"On days when I'm at my lowest, my dad always says 'life is for the living, so live it up, and don't waste it,'" he added. "Just say 'Yes,' see what happens, don't forget to smile and say 'thank you.' That is me, GY, I think that makes me 'remarkable.'"
