Country star Jelly Roll is doing what few in his position ever have—transforming his life, body, and mindset, all while keeping his signature grit and charm.
Once known for his raw lyrics about pain and redemption, the Nashville native—born Jason DeFord—has turned his music’s message inward, shedding nearly 200 pounds since beginning his health journey at 540 pounds.
The turnaround didn’t come from luxury gyms or celebrity trainers. Instead, it was pure determination: miles of walking, a cleaner diet, and brutal honesty about food addiction. “I’ve been kicking ass on this tour,” he told Pat McAfee in April, confirming he’d dropped to 357 pounds with help from nutritionist Ian Larios.
Swapping fast food for air-fried Nashville hot chicken, truck-stop snacks for protein bowls, and booze for basketball, Jelly Roll redefined what discipline looks like on the road. “I want to be under 250 pounds,” he said on Jimmy Kimmel Live, revealing a bucket list that includes skydiving, bungee jumping, and even wrestling an alligator.
In August 2025, his WWE SummerSlam appearance alongside Randy Orton stunned fans—Jelly Roll stepped into the ring under 300 pounds for the first time since his teens. Social media erupted with admiration: “We just watched a man come back to life,” one fan wrote. Even Triple H praised him, saying, “Proud doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
This isn’t the singer’s first transformation. He lost weight in 2016 before regaining it amid touring and struggles with alcoholism. But this time, it’s different. It’s not a phase—it’s a lifestyle. On wife Bunnie XO’s podcast, he admitted, “I wore my pain for years. Now I’m learning to let it go.”
Jelly Roll continues to vlog his progress, inspiring millions of fans facing their own battles. His next goal? Skydiving with Bunnie in Sweden—and maybe, just maybe, gracing the cover of Men’s Health.
He may have lost the WWE match, but he’s already won something bigger: himself.
