"Makes dating incredibly difficult"— Gold Rush star Parker Schnabel opens up about life as a gold miner

Reality TV fans are ready for the 15th season of Gold Rush as Discovery's fearless miners return for another exhilarating adventure on November 8 at 8 pm on Discovery. Since its premiere in 2010, the series has followed many family-run mining operations that face various challenges in the unpredictable mining industry.

One family that has been the face of the show is the Schnabel family. Parker Schnabel joined the show in 2011, whose gold mining career began at the age of 5 at his Grandpa John's Big Nugget Mine in Haines, Alaska. He left home and moved up to the Klondike, where he met the legendary Tony Beets. The miner leased ground from Tony and has since starred in various spin-offs of the show.

In a November 8 interview with People, the Gold Rush star opened up about some unique challenges that his profession brings. Parker revealed that the struggles extend beyond the mine site, impacting his personal life as well. He is currently 30 years old and has spent half his life as a gold miner on television.

“It's hard to explain that without it sounding like some dystopian insane world. I’m in the woods and you're living in a f*cking bunker washing rocks, looking for little shiny rocks. Then it makes dating incredibly difficult. They're like, ‘What do you do?’ I'm like, ‘I don't know,” revealed Parker.

---

Gold Rush star Parker hopes to settle down with a partner someday

Parker Schnabel's life currently revolves around his mining career, but he envisions a future with a family. He hopes to have a life beyond television eventually. Schnabel believes Gold Rush will conclude before he starts a family.

“I do hope to have a family and a life outside of TV eventually. I do have a life outside of TV, but the show will end completely I think before I have kids, I would suspect,” stated Parker.

As a third-generation miner, the reality star learned everything from his grandfather. However, he doesn't plan to pressure his future children into following in his footsteps. He considers the family business mentality outdated.

Parker's parents allowed him to choose his path with no pressure to join the family construction company. His grandfather's gold mine was more of a hobby, often operating at a loss. The Gold Rush star appreciates his parents' supportive approach, allowing him to find happiness.

Now in his 30s, Parker is uncertain about his future but remains optimistic. He welcomes the next chapter of his life, unfazed by the possibility of change. Inspired by his 69-year-old father, who recently started a new business, Parker believes age is irrelevant. He draws motivation from his family's experiences, including his grandfather, who began gold mining at 65.

---

Parker reveals that there is no room for error in Gold Rush season 15

As mentioned earlier, the new season of Gold Rush is about to premiere on November 8 on Discovery. Parker Schnabel, Rick Ness, and Tony Beets reunite for more high-stakes mining drama and about $15 million worth of untouched land to explore.

Parker revealed that this season brought unprecedented challenges. His mine site faced intense time constraints, leaving no room for error. The significant upfront investment in Dominion Creek mine weighed heavily, and successful execution became crucial.

“This industry always faces a lot of crises and one of them will take us out. We've built a house of cards — it won't take much of a breeze to blow it all down,” concluded Parker.

As Parker Schnabel looked back on 15 years of Gold Rush, he shared his appreciation for the experience. He reveled in the opportunity to work amidst nature, utilize his hands-on skills, and collaborate with his dedicated crew.

Parker acknowledged the personal sacrifices he's made, particularly in terms of having a conventional life and pursuing higher education. However, he emphasized the social aspect as the most significant trade-off.

---

Gold Rush season 15 premiered on November 8 at 8 pm ET on Discovery Channel.