Josh Gates, the renowned Expedition Unknown host, has long been private about his personal life. However, recent online chatter suggests he may be in a relationship with Candy Viola, a fitness trainer and nutrition specialist with a strong social media presence. But who is she, and how did she become linked to Josh?
A now-private Instagram account belonging to Candy Viola previously contained posts referring to Josh as her boyfriend, according to fans who spotted the interactions before she locked her profile. A Reddit user noted,
“Did anyone else see Josh posting with a gal who’s a workout/nutrition person who talks and posts a lot about that, and then her calling him her boyfriend in her comments before she took her Instagram private?”
Another commenter pointed out that Josh had shared her content multiple times before fans put two and two together.
It was also observed that Candy has attended his live speaking events, worked at his merchandise tables, and even posted stories featuring them together. One particular post allegedly showed Candy kissing Josh on the cheek before it was quickly deleted.
Additionally, fans claim that Josh has engaged with Candy’s posts by commenting 🔥 emojis under her pictures, which have been described as “thirst traps” rather than traditional fitness content.
The Relationship Timeline: From Fan to a Girlfriend
Candy has reportedly been a longtime fan of Josh Gates, tagging him in posts on Facebook and Twitter even before 2020. However, speculation about their romance took off when she started appearing at his events.
- Early Clues (Pre-2020 – Early 2023): Fans noticed Candy frequently interacted with Josh online and attended his live speaking events.
- April 2023: Observers believe this is when they officially started dating. Candy was seen traveling with Josh and working at his merchandise tables during his shows.
- Summer 2023: She posted a now-deleted Instagram story showing her kissing Josh on the cheek, fueling further speculation.
- Late 2023: A sudden shift occurred—Candy posted cryptic messages like “Better to know your worth”, commonly associated with breakups. Shortly after, both unfollowed each other, raising breakup rumors.
- However, a few days later, they refollowed each other, though they stopped publicly liking or commenting on each other’s posts.
Candy Viola: Facing Criticism
Ever since rumors about her relationship with Expedition Unknown host Josh Gates surfaced, fitness trainer Candy Viola has found herself under intense scrutiny. While some fans are excited for Josh’s new romance, others have been quick to criticize Candy—questioning her social media content, past career, and even her suitability as a partner. However, despite the negativity, she has also found support from those who admire her resilience and authenticity.
The Criticism: Thirst Traps, Social Media Persona, and Unfair Judgments
One of the most common criticisms Candy has faced revolves around her online presence. While she promotes herself as a fitness trainer and nutrition specialist, some have accused her of focusing more on “thirst trap” photos rather than professional coaching. This has led to speculation about whether she is more of a social media influencer than a serious trainer.
Reddit discussions have been particularly harsh, with users calling out her suggestive photos and even linking her to an adult site—though no solid proof has emerged. One user bluntly stated, “Looking at her profiles, I personally would not think ‘I’ll hire her!’ Because it is a lot of thirst trap over fitness.”
Additionally, some critics have taken issue with the way she interacts with Josh Gates online, noting that she called him her “boyfriend” in a comment before later making her Instagram private. The scrutiny intensified when fans noticed Josh commenting 🔥 under her posts, leading some to question the nature of their relationship.
Another layer of criticism stems from perceptions of Josh’s personality. Some fans believe his on-screen charm and flirty nature don’t align with Candy’s online image, leading to skepticism about their compatibility.
The Support: A Genuine, Hardworking Woman
Despite the backlash, Candy has received strong support from those who see past the negativity. One particularly heartfelt defense came from a Reddit user, Timely-Net9320, who shared a personal experience of meeting Candy years ago in the UK, describing her as “so lovely, approachable and friendly—a genuine human.”
This user went on to say:
“Everything on her social media is her just showing the hard work she does, the opportunities she’s gone out and worked for, the ups and downs we all have in how we feel, the adorable relationship she has with her daughter… the HUMAN life we all lead.”
They also pushed back against the judgment, calling out the hypocrisy of those who feel entitled to critique her simply because she is dating someone famous:
“Like this isn’t some abstract character, this is a human being, a daughter, a mother, a friend and a partner. She’s a person with feelings who is trying to navigate life just like everyone else. I have no idea why some people think that dating someone who is on TV gives you an automatic right to judge them based on a snapshot of their content.”
This powerful comment resonated so deeply with Candy that she took a screenshot and posted it on her Facebook page, expressing her gratitude:
“So occasionally I’ll come across something written about me on the internet. Today I came across this on Reddit. I don’t know who wrote it but it means more to me than they’ll ever know. To write such beautiful things, and stand up for me not knowing if I’ll ever see it. I can’t thank you enough, whoever you are, for your kind words. 💕”
Break Up Speculations
Speculation about a potential breakup emerged when Candy posted cryptic messages about “knowing your worth,” unfollowed Josh, and vice versa. However, not long after, they were back following each other again—though they seemingly stopped liking and commenting on each other’s posts as frequently.
According to fans, Candy is a longtime admirer of Josh, having tagged him in posts on Facebook and Twitter as far back as 2020. Some believe their relationship began around April of 2023.