Jelly Roll Gets Candid About His 'Battle' With Food Addiction

Jelly Roll, the 39-year-old country artist, has experienced a remarkable transformation, shedding over 110 pounds in the past year. His journey took a major step forward when he participated in the 2 Bears 5K race in April 2024, where he lost 70 pounds while training.

To sustain his progress, Jelly Roll embraced a high-protein diet and integrated regular exercise into his routine, including daily basketball sessions and boxing. His nutrition coach, Ian Larios, has played a key role by providing healthy meal plans and recipes to support his weight loss.

Not only has his physical transformation been impressive, but Jelly Roll has also seen significant improvements in his mental health and overall lifestyle.

The 39-year-old singer recently shared with PEOPLE that his battle with food addiction started in his childhood while growing up in Antioch, Tennessee.

“The battle was with the food addiction, changing the way I’ve looked at food for the last 39 years,” he told the outlet. “I’ve never had a healthy relationship with food, so that was the hard part. But once you get into that discipline and commitment, it’s like an avalanche. Once that little snowball started rolling, it was on its way.”

“Nobody in my house ever had [a healthy relationship with food], so that was the hard part, really fighting that demon at first and getting into that discipline and that commitment,” he added.

He also shared how he's transformed his lifestyle to support his weight loss efforts.

"I'm probably down 70-something pounds," he told PEOPLE earlier this year. "I've been really kicking a--, man. I'm doing two to three miles a day, four to six days a week. I'm doing 20 to 30 minutes in the sauna, six minutes in a cold plunge every day. I'm eating healthy right now."

"I feel really good," he added. "I was thinking, I plan on losing another 100, 100-and-something [pounds]. If I feel this good down this weight, man, I can only imagine what I'm going to feel like by the time I go on tour."

As of November, he has lost over 110 pounds.

Jelly Roll, whose real name is Jason DeFord, has emerged as a leading voice in the fight against the fentanyl epidemic, inspired by his personal struggles with addiction and the devastating toll the drug has taken on communities.

His dedication to addressing the crisis stems from his own battles with substance abuse and the heartbreak of losing loved ones to overdoses. Concerned for his children’s safety, he has voiced fears about the dangers of fentanyl-laced substances.

In a recent interview, he stated, "My daughter will never experience the safety of experimenting with drugs... It's not safe for any kid to be doing anything."

In addition to advocating for legislative change, Jelly Roll leverages his platform to shed light on the dangers of fentanyl. During his concerts, he often addresses the crisis, sharing heartfelt personal stories and fostering open conversations about addiction and its impact. He firmly believes that these dialogues are vital steps toward healing and prevention.

“We've seen crack. We've seen cocaine. We've seen opioids. But we've never seen something that is so deadly in such small amounts that's being mixed in so many different things,” he told PEOPLE. Having faced addiction himself, Jelly Roll understands the devastating impact drugs can have on a person.

Jelly Roll's efforts also extend into hands-on community engagement. He actively supports programs aimed at minimizing drug-related harm by visiting rehabilitation centers, providing meals, and offering encouragement to those battling addiction.

He underscores the importance of giving back, using his own experiences to inspire others on their journeys toward recovery and positive transformation.

He voiced profound concern that his children could become victims of the fentanyl epidemic, a crisis that tragically takes the lives of over 150 people in the U.S. daily.

“My daughter [Bailee Ann] will never experience the safety of experimenting with drugs,” he added. “I know that sounds crazy to say, but when I was a kid, my mother would be like, ‘You're going to try everything once. Just be safe.’”