Maks Chmerkovskiy Talks Marriage To Peta, Baby Shai And Healthy Lifestyle Tips

He was given a reputation as the so-called "Bad Boy of the Ballroom" during his stints on "Dancing With The Stars," but Maksim Chmerkovskiy may have shed that moniker for good these days, as his focus becomes one that is more family-oriented now that he's a husband and father.

In an interview with International Business Times, Maks, who has not yet confirmed if he will return to the ABC reality series for the upcoming 25th season, opened up about his new life outside of the show's studio, which has included his being a father to his now seven-month-old son, Shai, and a husband to fellow pro Peta Murgatroyd, after the two tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at New York's Oheka Castle in July.

"Well, I can only speak on my own behalf, but I like it," he told IBT with a laugh about married life. "I hope she’ll say the same."

The couple, who became engaged during a performance of "Sway: A Dance Trilogy" in December 2015, also welcomed their son together earlier this year, and Maks admits that he's been loving every minute of his life since.

"It's been amazing," he said. "I mean every little sneeze and fart and all of that stuff is just exciting. But you know, when they start to do actual adult things, like stand up, or start crawling, or saying their first word, those are monumental moments. So we've had two of those already, and it's just been a lot of fun."

While Maks is focused on his family, he also admits he's focused on his health, which is important for him, his family, and of course his fans. However, he is hesitant to refer to his routines for staying healthy and fit as "workout" and "diet" plans, instead saying that he has a particular lifestyle that is partially influenced by some of the advice he has gotten from various pro athletes who have appeared on the show.

"I have a lifestyle that helps me stay in shape. I don't smoke, I don't drink like I used to...I've never done drugs. I have never tried drugs," he said. "I have a great diet, I would say 95-98 percent very clean, organic produce. I don't do anything with soy, corn, GMO things, none of that. I try to cook in coconut oil. I don't just eat anything, or just anywhere...I try to educate myself in all those things that have to do with being an athlete. Because if not, I'm not just being irresponsible to myself, but to the fans."

Maks, who is also a spokesman for LivOn labs, a lypo-spheric supplement company whose products he has taken for years, also added that he intends to be responsible with his health, especially when it comes to potentially rejoining the show's cast of pros, because he wants to be able to give any potential partners he has his all.

"I'm not an irresponsible athlete," he said. "If I join the show, if I join the season, it's not to skate by and just win the money. I'm on the season to do my best and maybe win."