Jelly Roll reveals how massive 300 pound weight loss has changed his parenting

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After losing 300 pounds, Jelly Roll says he has more energy and can be a more present father to his children.

Country singer Jason Bradley DeFord, 41, used to weigh 540 pounds, but he’s lost a significant amount of weight in recent years by prioritizing his health.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Jelly’s actually down to 265 pounds! It’s amazing! He’s told everyone it’s made such a difference – he can really be there for his kids now. His daughter, Bailee Ann, is 17, and his little boy, Noah, is nine, and he’s finally able to fully participate in everything with them. It’s just… everything I hoped for!

Jelly recently told Extra he’s thrilled to be coaching his son’s basketball team, something he never thought he’d be able to do before losing weight.

He shared that he’s grown closer to both his faith and himself, and become a better father. He’s much more engaged with his kids – he’s even coaching his son’s basketball team this year, and says people would notice the difference.

I’m not treating this like a super competitive team because these are just kids, but I definitely feel healthier and more capable now. When you weigh 550 pounds, you start to worry about whether chairs can even support you, you know?

The idea of actually coaching isn’t even on your radar. You’re just hoping there’s a place to rest and watch from the sidelines.

Losing 300 pounds has completely changed my life. It’s like a huge weight has been lifted, and I feel like a completely new person.

Jelly has been married to Bunnie Xo since 2016 and has two children from previous relationships: Bailee, with Felicia Beckwith, and Noah, with Melisa Ann Cowell.

Jelly’s incredible weight loss has positively changed his life in many ways, and he’s even landed the cover of Men’s Health magazine for Winter 2026!

Jelly told the magazine that before his weight loss, he felt trapped by his body and that his life was completely defined by his size.

He described a constant state of sorrow and rage, feeling trapped within his own body. Even simple tasks, like basic hygiene, were incredibly difficult for him.

It was difficult to manage everyday things like showering and getting into cars. My weight dictated every choice I made – I constantly had to consider whether something could support, accommodate, or even just fit me. It was frustrating realizing I couldn’t do things I used to, and that feeling actually motivated me.

Let me tell you, I’ve been following Jelly’s journey for a while now, and it’s truly inspiring! He really committed to getting healthy back in 2021, and he did it by focusing on a holistic approach – changing things from within, not just quick fixes. It’s about building a sustainable lifestyle, and he really nailed it.

According to Men’s Health, the country singer sought help from a variety of experts – including a chef, a sports nutritionist, and a therapist – after reaching a weight of approximately 540 pounds. The therapist specifically assisted him in overcoming a food addiction.

The scale wasn’t designed to measure weight above 520, meaning the 540 pounds is just an estimate.

He told Men’s Health that the gauge went over 520, but didn’t max out. He’d even test how low he could push it, being very hopeful about the results. He admits it could have been as high as 560, or as low as 528.

Now Jelly is reveling in his improved health and slimmed down body.

Landing the cover of Men’s Health was a dream come true for him. He’d often spoken about wanting to be featured in the magazine, and it held a special meaning because he’d found inspiration in its stories while he was in jail – he’d been incarcerated for robbery and drug offenses years earlier.

Seeing himself in clothes again made Jelly realize how much weight he’d gained since the Country Music Awards in 2024.

‘Your waist was a 65. And you’re close to a 42 now,’ his stylist told him.

‘That’s crazy,’ Jelly said. ‘That’s a whole human.’

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2026-01-21 20:36