If you watched Big Brother 16 back in 2014, you definitely remember the chaos. Zach Rance was basically a human firework. One second he’s screaming at someone for being a "Fruit Loop Dingus," and the next, he’s cuddling on a hammock with Frankie Grande. He was loud. He was polarizing. Honestly, he was the only reason some people even tuned in during the Derrick Levasseur "police state" era of the game.
But then the cameras stopped rolling.
What happens when a 23-year-old "con artist"—his words, not mine—gets spat out of the reality TV meat grinder? Most people think these guys just live off Instagram sponsorships forever. For Zach Rance from Big Brother 16, the path was way darker and, eventually, a lot more interesting.
The Fruit Loop Dingus Era
Zach wasn't supposed to be the hero. On paper, he was the villain. He threw Gatorade. He told people he hated them to their faces during live eviction speeches. It was glorious TV.
His alliance with Frankie Grande, dubbed "Zankie," became a social media juggernaut. It was arguably the first time a Big Brother "showmance" (or bromance) truly transcended the show. Fans were obsessed. But the game is cruel. When Frankie eventually had a hand in Zach’s eviction, the "Zankie" ship sank hard, leaving Zach to exit the house in 9th place.
He didn't win the $$500,000$. He didn't even win America’s Favorite Houseguest—Donny Thompson took that honor. Yet, Zach left with more "clout" than almost anyone in the cast.
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The Post-Show Crash Nobody Saw
Life after the house wasn't all red carpets. It’s easy to look at a guy like Zach and assume he had it made. He had hundreds of thousands of followers. He was booking club appearances.
The reality? He was spiraling.
In recent interviews and on his own podcast, Live Better Now, Zach has been brutally honest about this period. He’s talked about hitting "rock bottom." We’re talking about a mix of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Specifically, he’s been open about a struggle with Adderall that began around his time in college and intensified with the pressures of sudden fame.
He felt like he had to "play" the character of Zach Rance 24/7.
"I thought I was the man, but I was actually miserable." — Zach Rance on the Rise Above podcast.
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He tried a lot of things to stay relevant. There was a thriller novel called Ghetto Uprising in 2015. He released a rap song. He even did a stint on Fear Factor in 2018. But the "fame" wasn't filling the hole. It was actually making it deeper.
The Pivot to "Life Coach Zach"
Around 2019, something shifted. Zach stopped trying to be the "Fruit Loop Dingus" and started trying to be... a functional human. He got sober. He got into fitness.
He didn't just go to the gym; he went full Ironman.
Today, if you look for Zach Rance, you won’t find a guy throwing confetti in a backyard in Studio City. He’s a certified life coach and nutritionist. He lives a structured, almost monk-like life compared to his BB16 days. He focuses on helping "high-income earners" manage stress and build habits. It sounds like a total 180 because it is.
He’s traded the "Zach Attack" for "1% better every day."
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What is he doing in 2026?
Currently, Zach is lean, sober, and heavily invested in the endurance sports world. He’s completed multiple Ironman triathlons and marathons. His content has shifted from "reality TV star" to "wellness advocate."
- Podcast Host: He runs Live Better Now, where he interviews experts on mental health and performance.
- Mental Health Advocate: He’s vocal about the "reality TV to depression" pipeline, warning newer contestants about the mental toll of the show.
- Real Estate: He also spent time as a real estate agent in Florida, proving he actually used that Economics degree he bragged about in his original bio.
Why We Still Talk About Him
The Big Brother fandom is intense. They don't forget anything. While some people still bring up his past controversies—like the "pink bracelet" charity drama or some of the more questionable things said on the 24/7 live feeds—most fans have a soft spot for him.
Why? Because he’s one of the few who actually "grew up" in public.
He doesn't shy away from his BB16 mistakes. He admits he was an arrogant kid who didn't know how to handle the spotlight. That level of transparency is rare in the reality world, where most people are trying to sell you hair gummies or "teatox" kits.
Lessons from the Rancey Pants Journey
If you're a fan of the show or just someone watching from the sidelines, there’s a lot to take away from Zach’s trajectory. Reality TV is a snapshot of a person at their most stressed and least filtered. It’s not a life sentence.
- Identity is Fluid: You aren't the person you were at 23. Zach proved you can go from "public nuisance" to "wellness coach" if you're willing to do the work.
- The "Post-Show Blues" are Real: If you're aspiring to be on reality TV, look at Zach’s story as a cautionary tale. The high of the cameras is followed by a very long, quiet low.
- Physical Discipline Matters: Zach credits Ironman training for saving his mental health. When his mind was a mess, he focused on his body.
The best way to keep up with Zach now isn't by rewatching old clips of him crying over a hat. It's following his journey in the wellness space. He’s a reminder that even the biggest "Fruit Loop Dingus" can eventually find some balance.
If you're looking to start your own fitness or mental health journey, checking out his Live Better Now podcast is a solid first step. It’s a lot less noisy than a Big Brother veto ceremony, but the stakes are much higher.