The one Commonwealth Games decision that led Ridge Barredo to find love on MAFS

Exclusive: Married At First Sight’s Ridge Barredo will have a special cheer squad for his third Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 30-year-old, who appeared during the experiment’s 11th season and competed at the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Games, will contest the men’s 110-kilogram weightlifting on July 30.

This time, he’ll have partner Jade, 28, whom he met at the end of the MAFS aisle, and stepdaughter, Victoria, cheering him on in the stands.

“One of the big goals when I said I was going to try to make it back to the Games was having Jade and Victoria there in the crowd when I’m doing what I love doing,” Ridge told nine.com.au.

“So that’s really, really special to me, and something that I’ve always wanted. So now I just need to do what I need to do and hopefully everything lines up.”

Strangely, his past Commonwealth Games experience played a role in Jade and Ridge crossing paths.

If it weren’t for the 2022 Games, Ridge could’ve ended up on the show a year too early.

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“A producer DMed me being like, ‘Oh, would you be interested in coming along and trying out for MAFS,’” he said.

“And I was like, “Look, I am interested, but I’ve made the Games. I’ve spent the last four years trying to qualify, so I’m not really in a position to let that go just to go on TV.’”

Instead, he was part of the 2024 season, meeting Jade when they joined as late additions.

“It’s funny how it works, isn’t it? I’d say it was perfect timing for me because that means I didn’t really have to give anything up, and I don’t have any regrets now because I got to do everything I wanted to do,” Ridge said.

“I still got to do MAFS and I met Jade, and it’s all worked out pretty well.”

The pair are “still in love” three years on, after Ridge, a mental health nurse, moved from Sydney to Jade’s hometown of the Gold Coast, where they live with Victoria.

He described their life as “really wholesome family stuff”.

“We keep it pretty low-key, just spend time with each other, hang out with Victoria. We’re sort of just living in our own bubble, doing our own thing, and we’re quite happy doing it that way,” he said.

Ridge wasn’t sure if he would make it to Glasgow after MAFS and the changes that came with it impacted his training for two years.

“It was always in the back of my mind, but it was a completely other thing if I was able to do it, just because I took so much time off,” Ridge said.

But about a year out from qualifications, Ridge “put [his] foot down” – and discovered another new challenge.

“I used to just live for myself, and I’d just do whatever I had to do for myself to become as good as I could get, but now I need to think about Jade, Victoria, work, just all these other things that I didn’t really have to consider before,” he said.

“I was living at home with Mum and Dad, I wasn’t paying any rent, I was laughing! I’ve got a lot more responsibilities and things to consider compared to last time.”

With his competition just days away now, Ridge already considers these “the most meaningful” of his three Commonwealth Games.

He was especially grateful for Jade’s support.

“It’s not an easy lifestyle,” he said. “I’m training three hours a day when I do train, and if I’m working as well, I don’t really see her that much.

’So I need to prioritise the time that I do get to spend with her when I get the chance and just make it quality and as good as it can be.”