Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
The country singer shed 300 pounds after blood tests revealed critically high insulin and cholesterol levels.
Jelly Roll Opens Up About Weight-Loss Journey and Battling Food Addiction
Jelly Roll is sharing the story behind his weight-loss journey and the steps he took to become the healthiest version of himself.
In a recent interview with Men’s Health, the 41-year-old country star discussed taking control of his health and committing to a lifestyle change. He initially began working with podcast host and founder of “The Ultimate Human,” Gary Brecka, and later turned to Ways2Well, a wellness clinic that focuses on treating the root causes of health issues rather than just the symptoms.
“The first couple of blood panels were like, how are you alive?” he recalled.
Born Jason Bradley DeFord, Jelly Roll revealed that his blood work showed alarmingly high insulin levels, dangerously low testosterone comparable to that of a preteen boy, elevated cholesterol, and high A1C levels.
“When I saw the test results, it hit me hard. My testosterone level was 57. You can’t function like that… I was married to a smoke show and still struggling,” he said.
He emphasized that his primary focus wasn’t initially weight loss but understanding what was happening inside his body—though he knew shedding pounds would likely be part of the process.
Jelly Roll also highlighted the importance of addressing his mental health. He sought therapy to confront his overeating, framing it as an addiction.
“I treated my food addiction like I treated my drug addiction,” he explained. “With cocaine and codeine, I went to meetings, found a sponsor, detoxed, and made life-changing emotional decisions. I had to do the same with food. Once I started looking at why I was eating, everything changed.”
He traced some of his struggles back to his youth, recalling that in eighth grade he went down the wrong path, trying to prove he was tough. This eventually led to prison time for drug-related offenses and aggravated robbery. While incarcerated, Jelly Roll found religion, earned his GED, began writing songs, and started turning his life around.
“After years in and out of the system, I realized that the person I thought I was—wrapped up in drugs and bad choices—wasn’t the real me,” he reflected.
He also discussed how shame played a role in his struggles. “Shame doesn’t always look like someone on their knees. Sometimes it’s pride, sometimes it’s bravado. Behind my loud, tough exterior, I was deeply insecure. That insecurity contributed to my weight gain,” he said.
Since beginning his weight-loss journey in 2022 at over 500 pounds, Jelly Roll has lost 300 pounds. He previously spoke about this progress on The Joe Rogan Experience in December 2025.
In December 2024, he told his wife, Bunnie XO, on her podcast Dumb Blonde, that he is sharing his journey publicly to be honest about his struggles and inspire others. He also revealed a personal goal:
“I want to be on the cover of Men’s Health by March 2026. That’s my new goal—to have one of the biggest transformations.”
Reflecting on his heaviest weight, Jelly Roll described it as a “never-ending sadness” and a feeling of being “a prisoner to my own body,” where every life decision revolved around his size.
