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The Daily Dish Below Deck Mediterranean

João Franco Gives a New Look at His Life as a Captain, and It's Not Exactly What We Expected

That captain life isn't always so glamorous for the Below Deck Mediterranean yachtie.

By Laura Rosenfeld

João Franco is taking us inside his new life as a captain, and we have to say, it's totally not what we expected.

How to Watch

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The Below Deck Mediterranean bosun recently shared a photo of just "another day at the office" on Instagram, which shows the new captain driving — a car, not a boat. And, well, actually, the pic really seems to show João stuck in traffic, as he notes in the post.

Even though this might not be the most glamorous part of being a captain, João still has a smile on his face as he's doing what he loves. And we have to say, he definitely looks good with four stripes on his epaulets.

João even had an inspiring message for others to go after their dreams. "Wake up early... remember where you started," João wrote on Instagram. "Remind yourself of where you want to be. Go and get it."

We saw João interview for a captain gig at the end of this season of Below Deck Med. He later got emotional in the Season 4 finale when he shared the news that he was hired for the position with Captain Sandy Yawn, who helped get him the interview. Captain Sandy discusses why João had so much potential to be at the helm of a boat one day in the Below Deck Mediterranean Season 4 After Show in the above video.

João confirmed last month on Instagram that he began his first job as a captain on a 30-meter (100-foot) vessel five days after this season of Below Deck Med ended. "It was incredible and also f&@king scary!!!!" he said.

He even had a familiar face climb aboard the vessel. "I had Jack [Stirrup] visit me and 'test the equipment,'" he said.

As of the time of that post, João said that he was working on getting his OOW license and was looking forward to meeting fans at upcoming charity events. João is also set to appear at BravoCon, which will be held in New York City on November 15 through November 17.

João has shown fans "the perks" and also the challenges of that captain life on Instagram over the past year.

In addition to giving gratitude to fans, João has also thanked Captain Sandy for helping make his captain dreams come true. "It was you who believed in me and it is you that I have to thank!" João tweeted to the Below Deck Med boss following the Season 4 finale. "All my respect and appreciation goes to you. Thank you @CaptSandyYawn." 

Relive João and Captain Sandy's emotional goodbye at the end of this season, below.

See Captain Sandy Yawn's Tearful Goodbye to João Franco

Photo: João Franco/Instagram

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