Colt Ford recalls advice he gave to anxious 'big guy' Jelly Roll on getting healthy: 'They don't care'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Colt Ford and Jelly Roll have both built successful careers while embracing their larger-than-life personas.

Ford, who co-wrote Jason Aldean's 2011 hit 'Dirt Road Anthem,' knows that making health changes can be complicated when fans associate you with your size.

Jelly Roll and Colt Ford discussed weight loss concerns

Colt Ford, who once weighed 340 lbs and has since slimmed down to 290 after multiple health scares, shared his thoughts on the topic with fellow rapper when they met up last year at one of Jelly Roll's concerts.

"Jelly has lost a bunch of weight," Ford said of the rapper’s more than 100-lb slimdown over the past two years.

"You start to think when you're a big guy like that and people love you, 'What if I lose weight? Are they going to still like me?' And I'm like, 'No, bro. I thought that for so long. No, no, no. As long as you're who you are, and you're authentic and good to people, s**t, they don't care,'"  Ford recalled while talking to People.

Colt Ford's health battle changed his perspective

Colt Ford’s health journey took a serious turn in 2022 when he was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness.

It became even more urgent after he suffered a near-fatal heart attack in April 2024.

At the time of his heart attack, Ford had already slimmed to 250 lbs. He has since lost another 60 lbs by walking more and giving up fried foods and soda.

"There's much easier diets," he joked. "But when I tried to lose weight before, when you're as heavy as I was... you feel like you're working hard and you still look in the mirror and go, 'This sucks. I'd rather just go back to [fast food chain] Zaxby’s,'" Ford noted.

Colt Ford's new outlook on healthier living: 'It's nice to feel good' 

Since his health crisis, Colt Ford has stuck to a healthier lifestyle. "I haven't drank a soda," he told the publication.

"I drink water and unsweet tea and I'm fine with that. I haven't had fried chicken at all. I'm eating a lot healthier. It's nice to feel good and be able to tell people like Jelly that," the'Country As Truck' singer said.

With his first single 'Hell Out of It' since his heart attack out this month, Ford is using his platform to spread the message of healthier living.

"I want to advocate all that, get healthier, walk, exercise, just move," he said.

"You've got to move your body, whatever it is. If you can't work out every day, walk down the street, walk up and down the stairs at your house, apartment complex, whatever, just any of that s**t- makes a difference," Ford said.

"That's become a new part of my life now," he added.