Jelly Roll. Jason Bradley DeFord. Big guy. Bigger story. Once weighed over 540 pounds. Couldn’t walk far. Breathing heavy. Food was both pleasure and prison. He decided. Change. Not small change. Massive life-altering change. And he did it in front of people. No hiding. No filters. raw.
Who is Jelly Roll?
Singer. Rapper. Country-rap hybrid. Pain in lyrics. Pain in life. Born in Antioch, Tennessee. Mom nicknamed him “Jelly Roll” because chubby kid. That nickname stuck. The weight stuck too. Childhood scars, addiction, trauma, music—everywhere. He made music about it. Then one day, he said, enough.
Public. Loud. Brutal honest.
“I’ve been fat my whole life… and I’m f—ing miserable.”
Not poetic. Not fancy. Truth. Fans related. People connected. Something changed.
The First Spark
Late 2022. Tired. Fed up. Health slipping. Life slipping. Couldn’t hide anymore. Decided to do a 5K. He could bare walk a mile. Then, slow, painfull, started running. 2 miles. Then 3. Daily. Added sauna, cold plunge. Changed food. Real change, not cosmetic. Nothing quick. Nothing easy.
The Numbers
Started: ~540–550 pounds. Early 2025: 357 pounds. Roughly 180–200 pounds gone. And he’s not stopping. He said he wants to lose another 100 pounds. Skydiving with his wife in Sweden. Big goal. Fans following. Inspired.
How He Did It
Moving the body Walking, running, basketball, boxing. Tour life, not gym life. Everyday movement mattered. Sauna, cold plunge, recovery rituals. Body rewired. Slowl. Brutall. Pain included.
Eating Food was hardest battle. Addiction. Trauma. Comfort. High-protein meals. Lean meats, fish. Modified favorites. Nashville hot chicken? Yes. Less oil. Less batter. Avoided Ozempic. Acid reflux feared. Voice mattered. Always.
Mindset Weight loss isn’t only physical. Roots in addiction. Trauma. Identity. He faced it all public. Fans watched. Some inspired. Some judged. Emotional scars surfaced. He embraced them.
Support Wife Bunnie XO. Chef Ian Larios on tour. Accountability. Encouragement. Real people mattered. Transformation is easier when saw.
Milestones
| Milestone | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Running 5K | From barely walking. Proof of endurance. |
| 100+ lbs lost | Visible progress. Fans inspired. |
| 200 lbs down | Symbolic. Transformation public. |
| Shaved beard | New face. Identity shift. Physical change. |
Even a beard matters when your body changes. Symbolic.
Why People Care
Not celebrity weight loss. Not Instagram-perfect. Raw. Honest. Pain visible. Struggle visible. Relatable. Aspirational. He moves mountains in public. People connect with that.
Lessons
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Start small. One habit. Walk. Repeat.
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Fix the root. Mindset. Addiction. Behavior.
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Celebrate milestones. Tiny wins matter.
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Public accountability optional. Make it real anyway.
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Transformation is identity, body, mind, life.
Next Goals
Lose another 100 pounds. Skydiving with wife. Men’s Health cover by 2026. Health as lifestyle. Music. Legacy. Life. Not vanity.
Raw Truths
Not linear. Relapses happen. Shame appears. Identity shifts. Public scrutiny. Hard. Emotional. Body rewrites. Mind rewrites. Reality bites. Pain included.
Final Thoughts
If you’re stuck in weight. Stuck in habits. Stuck in yourself. Look at Jelly Roll. Massive struggle. Massive change. Raw story. Brutal. Inspiring. Lessons everywhere. Start. Move. Repeat. NEWS
FAQ
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How much has he lost?
~180–200 lbs. -
Why did he start?
Miserable. Health slipping. Life slipping. -
Did he use any medication?
Avoided Ozempic. Voice mattered. -
What kind of exercise does he do?
Walk/run 2–3 miles. Basketball. Boxing. Sauna. Cold plunge. -
What is his diet like?
High protein. Modified favorites. Less oil, less batter. -
Why make his journey public?
Accountability. Transparency. Fans inspired. -
What is his next goal?
Lose another 100 lbs. Skydiving. Men’s Health cover. -
Do struggles still remain?
Emotional scars. Identity. Plateaus. Reality. -
What lessons can readers take from his journey?
Small habit. Root cause. Celebrate. Repeat. -
Is this about vanity?
No. Health. Life. Freedom.
About the Author
