Michael Allio talks about 'Bachelor in Paradise,' Danielle Maltby relationship and more

Copley single dad and widower Michael Allio is a little less single after his latest stint on season eight of “Bachelor in Paradise.”

Allio’s love life on the beach was a series of peaks and valleys. Quickly nicknamed "Zaddy" in the first episode, he became a favorite of the women early on. He soon formed a relationship with Sierra Jackson (Clayton Echard's season of "The Bachelor") that lasted until he ended the relationship in episode four. In episode six, he started a relationship with Danielle Maltby (“Bachelor in Paradise” season four) that would continue for the remainder of the season and beyond. Maltby even revealed on the season’s reunion episode that she is moving to Akron to be with Allio.

More 'Bachelor in Paradise':Episode 14: Michael Allio feels 'more excited than scared' about dating Danielle Maltby

Michael Allio's journey from 'The Bachelorette' to 'Bachelor in Paradise'

For those not familiar with the show’s structure, it features a rotating cast of fan favorites from "The Bachelor" and “The Bachelorette” who are ready for a second (or third or fourth) chance at finding love. Allio’s first appearance in the franchise was on season 17 of “The Bachelorette,” where he and 29 other men vied for the heart of Bachelorette Katie Thurston.

His time on “The Bachelorette” came to a swift and emotional end just before Thurston was set to meet his and three other contestants' families.

Allio's wife, Laura, died Jan. 23, 2019, at age 33 after a battle with breast cancer. The two had been together for 16 years and share a son, James. Allio eliminated himself from the show after James said "maybe Daddy left because he don't wanna see me" during a FaceTime.

The call that changed everything:'My son needs his dad': Michael Allio self-eliminates from 'The Bachelorette'

Still on the hunt for love, Allio dove back into the dating pool this summer on the beaches of Sayulita, Mexico, and left with a new boo.

Following the show’s season finale, the Beacon Journal asked Allio the questions plaguing Bachelor Nation. What were Allio's motivations for returning to Bachelor Nation after his self-elimination on "The Bachelorette?" What is the status of his relationship with Danielle Maltby? Who watched Allio's son, James, while he was filming in Mexico? Here's what we learned.

Michael Allio connected with nature while filming 'Bachelor in Paradise'

Because “Bachelor in Paradise” is filmed on a beach, nature and its critters were just as much a part of contestants’ lives as the cameras.

A few of the memorable animal encounters Allio recounted was sharing his bedroom with a 5-foot snake, accidentally eating bugs that fell on him and bear-like monkeys that would steal items out of suitcases.

“It was kind of crazy how fast I adapted to it,” he said. “I kind of liked getting back to nature and not having all the distractions with your phone and all the things that we have on our to-do list on a regular basis as parents and professionals.”

The types of insects the cast encountered were akin to something out of Jurassic Park, according to Allio. One example he gave were beetles the size of potatoes, though it’s unclear whether we are talking red, russet or Yukon gold.

Danielle Maltby will move to Northeast Ohio in 2023

Maltby plans to move from her current residence in Nashville to Northeast Ohio in February. She works as an aesthetic nurse and is looking to join a practice in the area.

“We decided that she should have her own place instead of moving in with James and I and we have a lot of reasons for that,” Allio explained. “We just want to march at our own drum now and not feel pressured to speed things up because maybe the public wants us to.”

Allio recently posted on his Instagram account that Maltby was in town looking for an apartment and a new job. Maltby commented on the post that she was "Not ready to leave 😢."

'Bachelor in Paradise' reunion:Michael Allio says 'I love you' to Danielle Maltby

The timing and relationship between Maltby and Allio on the show has led some fans to theorize that Allio told producers that he wouldn’t participate if she wasn’t on the beach.

All contestants are asked who from The Bachelor franchise they would like to see in paradise. Allio’s sole answer to this question was Maltby. None of them know whether the person they requested will arrive until they walk down to the beach.

Michael Allio returned to Bachelor Nation because YOLO

After his initial stint on “The Bachelorette,” Allio sat down with former Beacon Journal reporter Krista Kano to talk in depth about his memorable appearance on the show. During that interview he told the Beacon Journal that he had no plans to go on “Bachelor in Paradise.”

So, what changed his mind?

Passing over an opportunity that could end in something life changing.

“I could list all the reasons why I didn’t want to do it, but the thing that made me want to do it was (that) I can’t live my life with those ‘What if?’ moments,” Allio said.

The single dad explained that after “The Bachelorette,” returning to the franchise was unappealing because of the mental toll that comes with being in the public eye. The decision to go on “Bachelor in Paradise” was not a quick one by any means. He was teetering on whether to become a contestant until about a month before filming began.

Some of the considerations Allio made before filming was whether he could step away from his work, personal life and family.

Contestants aren’t told how long they will be gone filming and usually are not permitted to have contact with the outside world. Luckily the showrunners made an exception for Allio, who was able to speak to James over video chat about every other day.

Allio's and Laura’s parents watched James for the three weeks that his father was away filming. When Allio initially explained to James that he was leaving under the guise of a work trip, the 5-year-old replied “Well, I’m going to have so much more fun than you are.”

Michael Allio received a patent for a product to help cancer patients

Many cancer patients, including Allio’s late wife, Laura, experience hand-foot syndrome, a side effect of some chemotherapy drugs that causes redness, swelling and blistering on one’s hands and feet.

This prevented Laura from being able to hold James, who was 7 months old at the time. The couple was essentially told to "pick their poison" when they broached their concerns to Laura’s doctor. So, the two began researching formulas to remedy the effects of hand-foot syndrome. Eventually, they found one that worked.

Allio wrote and filed the patent four months after Laura’s death in 2019. He also founded St. James Therapeutics, a company meant to develop health care remedies to offset the painful side effects of commonly used chemotherapies.

Recently his patent was approved. The next stage in the process is clinical trials.

“This will be the first ever product that specifically designed for (hand-foot syndrome),” Allio said. “We just need to prove and efficacy and safety in a hospital setting.”

Life, loss and love:Michael Allio of 'The Bachelorette' reflects on fame, family, love and loss

Sometimes cancer patients no longer feel like themselves and begin to lose their identity as a person when so much of their life is consumed with their identity as a patient.

“There’s a ton of money being poured into cancer research, which is phenomenal, but there’s not a lot of companies or products that are focused on cancer support,” Allio said. “If we can create very niche products that address these concerns, it can help people feel like themselves again.”

Full interview with Michael Allio

Listen to the full conversation in the podcast below.

Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Michael Allio reflects on 'Bachelor in Paradise,' Danielle Maltby