I Lost 170 Pounds… But Weight Loss Didn’t Fix My Mental Health

I lost 170 pounds. About 130 of those pounds came off over the last year with intentional lifestyle changes and a doctor-prescribed GLP-1 medication. Physically, my life has changed in ways I never imagined. My sleep apnea is gone. My blood pressure improved. My labs improved. I can hike farther, move easier, and show up for my family in ways I couldn’t before. But here’s what nobody prepared me for. Losing weight didn’t magically heal my mental health. It didn’t erase decades of being “the fat kid.” It didn’t instantly fix body image. It didn’t answer the question of who I am after spending my entire life building an identity around being the funny fat guy. In this video I talk about something I don’t think we discuss enough: the psychological side of major weight loss. I also share what it was like returning to VidCon after losing 170 pounds, how differently people interacted with me, why that was both encouraging and surprisingly painful, and why therapy has been just as important as weight loss itself. If you’re considering GLP-1 medications, starting a weight loss journey, or simply trying to improve your health, I hope this reminds you that taking care of your body matters, but taking care of your mind matters just as much. No matter where you are in your journey, you deserve compassion. If this video helped you feel a little less alone, I’d love for you to subscribe and share your story in the comments. And as always… Go for a stupid hike. Go for a stupid walk. Do something for your stupid mental health.