He talked to Ali Fedotowsky-Manno and Rachel Lindsay on part two of his “Bachelor Happy Hour” interview about how the saga surrounding the Caelynn Miller-Keyes text message controversy helped him realize who really matters in his life.

Blake mentioned in the podcast that releasing the texts was no easy feat. He even sought advice from other Bachelor Nation members, but he later realized that publishing their private texts was “the only thing I could do to get my truth out there.”

The Season 14 “Bachelorette” fan favorite apologized for his actions. He said, “Let me just say I am sorry. I am sorry it all ended and came to this. One of the reasons why I deleted the text messages was that I was having a complete breakdown. I was breathing into a paper bag, and all of a sudden I took a step back.”

Blake discussed the claims that his decision was “premeditated,” and he agreed that he “thought really hard about it.”

“It was incredibly difficult for me,” he explained. “In a situation like that, you do reach out for advice to people who have been in situations like me in Bachelor Nation. A lot of people didn’t say, ‘No, don’t do this,’ but they said, ‘If you do this, know what the consequences are.’”

Blake said that he “would’ve addressed” concerns with Caelynn had he known the things she told her friends on the beach. He said, “I had no idea she was saying those things. When I watched it, I was shocked. I just couldn’t believe the things she was saying.”

The 30-year-old expressed disappointment that some of his Bachelor Nation friends — including those who were on “Paradise” with him — supported him virtually but condemned him publicly. He said of those people, “They don’t support you.”

The whole ordeal taught Blake one very valuable lesson. He told Ali and Rachel, “One of the big things I can take away from this is I found out really fast who my real friends are.”

He continued, “I know who I’m putting my energy into and the friendships I’m putting energy into. I had a lot of friends distance themselves, but I also have friends who I’m closer than ever with. I won’t forget that.”

Listen to the rest of Blake’s interview with Ali and Rachel here and be sure to subscribe to “Bachelor Happy Hour” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.