Jelly Roll, the country music star who has captivated audiences with his raw lyrics and personal transformation, has lost nearly 300 pounds, a change he credits with saving his life. The 41-year-old singer, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, detailed his journey in a recent interview with Men’s Health, revealing he once believed he had less than a year to live at his heaviest weight of 540 pounds.
“I felt like I was gonna die,” Jelly Roll told the magazine, echoing sentiments he shared on “Joe Rogan Experience.” He described a life increasingly dictated by his weight, feeling “like a prisoner of a fat suit.” The dramatic shift wasn’t about aesthetics, but survival, he explained.
Unlike many celebrities who have turned to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Mounjaro for weight loss, Jelly Roll pursued a different path. He partnered with Ways2Well, a longevity and digital preventive health platform, to address the underlying biological factors contributing to his weight gain. Brigham Buhler, founder of Ways2Well, emphasized the personalized approach, stating that the program focused on “natural methods tailored to his underlying health issues.”
The process began with comprehensive blood work and analysis to identify imbalances within Jelly Roll’s system. A key finding was low testosterone, which the Ways2Well team worked to correct. The program also prioritized reducing overall body inflammation, optimizing diet, increasing physical activity, and refining nutritional habits. Buhler explained that this approach aimed to interrupt “a biological loop” rather than simply blaming a lack of willpower.
According to Buhler, Jelly Roll was an exceptionally engaged client, demonstrating a willingness to listen and proactively participate in the process. “He made it clear he wanted real change,” Buhler said. The singer’s dedication was so profound that he gifted Buhler his prized guitar, inscribed with a message of gratitude: “Ways2Well, love y’all. Thanks for saving my life.”
Ways2Well’s approach extends beyond Jelly Roll’s case. The company’s Longevity Lab in Austin, Texas, offers a range of innovative therapies, including IV drips, red light beds, and hyperbaric chambers, attracting other high-profile clients like Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Joe Rogan, and athletes including Aaron Rodgers and UFC fighters. Russell Crowe reportedly lost 66 pounds after utilizing the clinic’s services.
While catering to a high-end clientele, Ways2Well also offers virtual access to its services, with a one-year membership, including two blood draws and online consultations, costing $599. The platform also features an AI consultant named Allen, available 24/7 through its app.
Buhler outlined five key elements to emulate Jelly Roll’s success: regular comprehensive health monitoring with blood work twice a year, a diet focused on whole, unprocessed foods with adequate protein intake, prioritizing seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night, incorporating both weight training and daily physical activity, and actively managing stress through techniques like meditation or nurturing relationships.
Jelly Roll’s transformation, documented in a short film by Men’s Health, highlights a shift in perspective. He now expresses a desire to share the positive feelings he’s experiencing with others struggling with their health. “I wish I could bottle what I’m feeling right now and I could give it to everybody who’s struggling out there,” he said.
