Below Deck Med’s Joe Bradley Defends Season 11 Return

Joe Bradley insists he’s “thriving” heading into Below Deck Mediterranean’s Season 11 return on Monday, June 8, after a tumultuous stretch that included personal struggles, a falling out with Nathan Gallagher, and fallout tied to his past relationships on boar

Joe Bradley stepped back onto the Below Deck Mediterranean deck with a clear message: this time, he’s focused on doing the job—and proving he can change the way he shows up.

“I’m in this industry to win. I know what I’m capable of in terms of professional capabilities. At this point. I’m absolutely thriving. ” Joe told Us Weekly ahead of Below Deck Med‘s return on Monday. June 8. He said Captain Sandy was the one to call him back. adding that he didn’t care who would be bosun. “Captain Sandy gave me the call — and regardless of who the bosun was going to be — I didn’t mind.”.

Joe’s priority was making Captain Sandy proud. “I can take it on the chin,” he said. “I need to do a job at the end of the day — and I know I do it well. So I wasn’t scared. I was ready with everything. Every inch of effort and motivation, I was ready to join that boat.”

The season’s crew dynamic doesn’t come without history. Joe said his once-close friend Nathan Gallagher—who became his bosun again—wasn’t a surprise in the sense that it’s part of how their past on the show played out. They first teamed up as friends in 2024. but Joe acknowledged that by the time they reunited a year later. they were at odds.

“I’m a very passive person. So if you put me in any situation, at the end of the day, I’m here to do a job — regardless of any relationship on board,” Joe explained. “I’m going to make sure Captain Sandy is happy with me and happy with my capabilities.”

Before the new season even started, Joe said he was navigating personal issues. He told Us that his mother had been diagnosed with a health issue and he went to look after her after Below Deck Med‘s Season 10. “My mom got diagnosed [with a health issue] and I went to look after [her]. so I didn’t go back into work after season 10. She’s OK now. She had four tumors and it has been a battle. … But the beauty of this life is that this is my only financial income. The yachting industry has not only saved my life, but it’s quite literally [saved] my mom’s life financially. It’s a blessing.”.

That perspective, he said, also shaped his decision to return even though viewers may not be forgiving. “You will see a level of growth [this season] because I felt it. You will see that I’m comfortable in my own skin on board. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a bit boisterous at times,” Joe said. “That’s where Nathan [and I differ]. I can actually be social, but I have a good time as well and do my job well. You will see growth and you will see a level of change because I’m fed up with all these [love] triangles now.”.

Joe’s point isn’t theoretical—he’s referencing what played out on the show. Viewers saw him caught in a love triangle in season 9 with Elena Dubaich and Bri Muller. He then said season 10 brought trouble connected to both Kizzi Kitchener and Victoria SanJuan. with Joe adding that Victoria’s role in that situation led to Nathan cutting ties with him because of how he handled it.

“I’ve learned my lesson and I really do hope that you see it on this season. My job is my main priority. ” Joe told Us before addressing the strong offscreen reaction to his presence in the franchise. He singled out his regret. “I’m going to say my [biggest] regret right now was the situation with Victoria. I could have handled that very differently. I could have handled that in a mature manner.”.

Joe added that he believes he’d apologize if he got the chance. “I was just boisterous. Obviously, we haven’t had any contact yet. But if I could sit down with her today, I would apologize. If she allows me one day to actually get all around and say I’m sorry for what I’ve done, I will do that.”

He also said he understands how uncomfortable it can be to watch his past choices play out. “I understand it’s not a comfortable position — even just being a viewer. Watching myself back, I have learned from the situation. I’m really focused [on] my job right now,” Joe shared. His plan for life on board is narrower now: “I am taming it down [in my romantic life on board] to just being one person. I don’t need to be greedy anymore. I’ve had my and I’m just ready to get the job done.”.

Even his reconnection with Nathan wasn’t portrayed as effortless. Joe said he tried to reach Nathan beforehand when he saw Nathan was about to welcome a baby with their former coworker Gael Cameron. Joe said he didn’t hear back before they reunited in season 11.

“It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. At the end of the day, I can’t say too much, but I know who Nathan is. He’s a horrible little man, so his words don’t affect me,” Joe said. “So going into the season. what I am going to say is I went in with chest high — regardless [of] who was there. … I work my absolute [hardest]. I work my hardest every single day.”.

While he’s not turning away from the tension, Joe also made it clear he’s aiming higher than just surviving the season. Looking ahead, he said he hopes the work he puts in during season 11 could earn him another return—this time with a promotion. “I have never been so ready in my life,” he told Us.

Below Deck Med airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, with new episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.

Below Deck Mediterranean Below Deck Med Joe Bradley Nathan Gallagher Captain Sandy Yawn season 11 Elena Dubaich Bri Muller Kizzi Kitchener Victoria SanJuan Gael Cameron Bravo Peacock