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When grief pushed him to rethink his life, Los Angeles producer Mustard began a transformation that would reshape his health and habits. Once tipping the scales at 340 pounds at 5’7″, he has now shed roughly 120 pounds over eight years. His shift was not sudden. It came from a mix of loss, fear, and a stubborn determination to survive.
What finally made Mustard change his lifestyle
Mustard credits the death of Chicago rapper Fredo Santana in 2019 as a turning point. Santana succumbed to kidney and liver disease after years of substance use. Watching a friend die from those complications made Mustard rethink his own choices.
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He described a symbolic act: throwing away a bottle of lean. That moment marked the end of a dangerous habit. “I had a full bottle of lean, and it was expensive,” he told reporters. He poured it down the drain and never used lean again.
Leaving substances behind produced immediate benefits. Combined with modest diet shifts, Mustard lost about 70 pounds early on. But the change deepened during the pandemic, when the fear of COVID and mounting health warnings forced him to act more decisively.
How his fitness routine evolved: from walks to Peloton
He began with short walks. Then he pushed into sprints and steady cardio. Over time his discipline grew into a full Peloton routine and structured training.
Key milestones in his exercise approach
- Started with consistent walking to build endurance.
- Added interval sprints to raise intensity.
- Shifted to Peloton sessions for daily structure.
- Picked up tennis and turned it into a competitive calorie burner.
His efforts were not casual. Mustard admits he has an extreme streak. Once he decides to improve, he pushes to outwork his peers. That drive helped him sustain a regimen that burns significant calories every week.
Diet overhauls that stuck
Medical warnings also played a role. Doctors told him he had a fatty liver and elevated blood pressure. The repeating refrain was simple: lose weight. He finally listened.
He replaced heavy comfort foods with lean protein and vegetables. Today his regular plate is straightforward: grilled tilapia, spinach, and corn. That meal is part of a broader pattern of consistent, lower-calorie choices.
Practical changes he adopted
- Swap sugary drinks for water or unsweetened options.
- Choose grilled or baked proteins over fried items.
- Favor whole vegetables and fiber-rich sides.
- Maintain portion control and avoid late-night overeating.
The role relationships played in his turnaround
Friends and family supported his shift. The social circle around Mustard encouraged new habits and joined him in healthier pursuits. A notable influence was Ella Mai, whose connection nudged him toward tennis.
Tennis became more than a pastime. He treats it like training. On intense days he can burn about 1,000 calories. The sport gave him purpose and a community to compete with.
Mental shifts and long-term goals
Beyond exercise and diet, Mustard had to remake his mindset. He moved from short-term diets to sustainable routines. He replaced avoidance with accountability and fear with motivation.
- He set measurable goals rather than vague wishes.
- He sought trainers and professionals over quick fixes.
- He leaned on loved ones to keep progress honest.
For him, health became non-negotiable. He no longer wanted to hear doctors warn about conditions tied to weight. That perspective kept him consistent through setbacks.
What he tells others about persistence
Mustard speaks plainly about his approach. He calls himself an extremist when focused. That intensity fuels rapid gains and deep change. He wants to be better than his peers and uses competition as fuel.
His story shows a mix of grief-driven decision-making and relentless discipline. The result is a body and routine that reflect a long effort to rewrite his future. He continues to work on fitness and nutrition, day by day, refusing to revert to old patterns.
