From 480 Pounds to Bodybuilding: Alex Porro’s Incredible Journey

In this episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with Alex Porro to discuss his extraordinary 240-pound weight loss journey and the decade of discipline it took to keep it off. Alex opens up about the mental and physical battles of obesity, his experience with bodybuilding, skin removal surgery, and the emotional conversations he’s had with family about health and longevity.From fad diets to sustainable change, Alex shares raw, practical insights on transformation, maintenance, and living a healthier life without extremes.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:20 – Alex’s transformation and weight loss journey 01:33 – Hitting rock bottom and first steps toward change 04:25 – Building confidence and entering the gym 10:13 – CrossFit, bodybuilding, and maintenance 14:47 – The dangers of bodybuilding culture 18:09 – Life after competitions and finding balance 23:52 – Supporting friends and family on their journeys 28:23 – Diet experiments and GLP-1 medications 30:12 – Emotional talk with his parents about health 31:10 – Skin removal surgery and recovery struggles 38:42 – Documentary on Amazon Prime 46:59 – Behind the scenes of “Skin Deep” 51:53 – Looking ahead: the future of weight loss Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the American Glutton Podcast, Ethan Suplee and Paige Dorian dive into the realities of sustainable health, fitness, and weight loss. They reflect on the post-summer reset, the pitfalls of crash diets, and why long-term change requires more than quick fixes or bursts of motivation.Ethan shares candid insights from his own journey—battling cycles of extreme dieting, the lure of shortcuts, and the hard truth about building habits that last. From small, manageable adjustments to the psychology of effort and reward, this conversation is both practical and deeply relatable.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Summer reset and gym culture 05:51 – Small changes over perfection 10:21 – The problem with perceived effort 19:40 – Building a foundation for sustainable change 24:41 – Radical change vs. slow progress 31:59 – The truth about lasting lifestyle shifts 37:31 – Debunking fad diets and “quick fixes” 41:45 – Why desperation leads to relapse 45:31 – Consistency as the real path to transformation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with Dave Knapp, patient advocate and founder of the first patient-centric obesity medicine news platform. Dave shares his deeply personal journey with obesity and type 2 diabetes—from years of yo-yo dieting and keto struggles to discovering GLP-1 medications that changed his life.Together, Ethan and Dave explore misconceptions about obesity, the emotional toll of weight loss, the rise of new medical treatments, and the importance of community in navigating these challenges. This honest, eye-opening conversation is filled with hard truths, hope, and inspiration for anyone on a health journey.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:02 – Welcome and introductions 01:18 – Living with diabetes and obesity 04:40 – Obesity as a chronic disease 08:29 – Misconceptions about type 2 diabetes 10:22 – High school struggles and keto beginnings 13:36 – Diagnosis and the wake-up call 15:51 – Year of keto and frustration 23:24 – Facing surgery and discovering new drugs 26:35 – Building a patient-driven platform 33:46 – Safety concerns and misconceptions 41:46 – Why people resist obesity medications 46:32 – Transfer addiction and mental health 52:06 – Long-term effects and unanswered questions 56:27 – Loose skin and hidden struggles of weight loss 01:00:39 – The misconceptions about rapid results 01:02:55 – Final reflections and gratitude Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with Ethan Benard, a 26-year-old on a remarkable weight loss journey. From being 200 pounds at age nine to surviving a life-threatening battle with COVID at over 600 pounds, Benard opens up about the turning points that reshaped his perspective on life. He shares the struggles of losing and regaining weight, finding purpose, and building a sustainable path forward.With raw honesty and inspiration, Bernad discusses discipline, setbacks, resilience, and the mindset shift that fuels his transformation. This conversation is heartfelt, motivating, and a must-listen for anyone seeking change.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:01 – Introduction01:25 – Childhood weight struggles02:06 – Mental health and neglect02:26 – Hospitalized with COVID05:04 – Near-death experience sparks change10:06 – Life after hospitalization12:34 – Physical pain of extreme weight17:46 – New mindset and motivation19:00 – Losing 100 pounds naturally23:18 – Starting to walk and record progress24:16 – Social media growth and support27:05 – Walking 10,000–20,000 steps at 500 pounds28:44 – Long-term weight and fitness goals33:29 – Doing it without weight loss surgery38:22 – Loose skin and surgery reflections42:39 – Rethinking goal weights49:37 – Body composition and goals53:49 – Skin removal surgery considerations57:21 – Commitment to natural weight loss59:25 – Building a supportive team01:01:52 – Documenting the journey01:03:55 – Closing remarks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this inspiring episode of American Glutton, Ethan Suplee sits down with school principal and viral motivator Zac Bowermaster. Zac shares how a personal battle with anxiety and depression reshaped his approach to leadership, connection, and community. From fist bumps in the hallways to “Protein with the Principal,” Zac’s story is packed with lessons on empathy, resilience, and building a culture where everyone feels seen. They also dive into work-life rhythm, overcoming obsessive tendencies, and why small, consistent habits matter more than lofty one-time goals. A heartfelt, practical conversation that will leave you motivated to lead with purpose.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 Welcome & Boy Meets World nostalgia02:59 Zac’s first-day-of-school perspective shift04:29 Viral videos and the power of small moments09:05 Battling anxiety, depression, and learning to open up12:22 Sharing stories to connect and heal19:05 Embracing challenges as part of life’s rhythm22:45 Living day by day & morning habits26:16 Balancing health goals with family life34:41 Helping kids develop healthy habits40:50 Positivity that resonates44:44 Finding support after achieving big goals48:37 Small habits toward big ambitions50:13 Closing thoughts & gratitude Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this heartfelt episode of the American Glutton Podcast, Ethan Suplee and Paige dive into the complex relationship between self-image and the scale. They explore how weight often defines identity, sharing personal struggles and societal pressures that tie self-worth to numbers. Ethan reflects on his journey, revealing how hitting target weights didn’t bring expected fulfillment and emphasizing goals like fitting into airplane seats or playing with kids. The candid conversation unpacks the challenge of shifting focus to health and non-scale victories, offering listeners relatable insights and practical perspectives on redefining personal transformation.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 - Intro and Game Show Banter01:25 - Identity Beyond the Scale02:11 - Ethan’s Struggle with Weight and Self-Worth04:42 - The Scale’s Impact on Mental Health07:32 - Gender and Societal Conditioning09:56 - VO2 Max and Longevity Goals12:48 - Cardio and Weight Loss Reflections15:32 - Non-Scale Goals and Self-Image Tools18:34 - Lasting Health Goals Over Numbers21:51 - Airplane Seat Anecdote25:52 - The Scale as a Progress Tool29:46 - GLP-1 Medication and Health Focus32:57 - Honest Reflection Using the Scale37:17 - Ethan’s Identity and Scale Struggles40:23 - Healthy Habits and Treats41:46 - Real Talk on Ongoing Challenges Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging episode of the American Glutton Podcast, host Ethan Suplee chats with Dr. Aly Cohen, a rheumatologist and environmental health expert. Dr. Cohen dives into the evolving role of rheumatology, tackling complex conditions like autoimmune diseases and gout. She discusses her book, *Detoxify*, offering practical strategies to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals in food, water, and products. From the benefits of frozen organic produce to her 21-day plan for healthier living, Dr. Cohen emphasizes sustainable changes over perfection. Tune in for insights on navigating the modern food system and improving health without extreme measures.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Aly Cohen  00:18 - What is a Rheumatologist?  01:47 - Gout and Modern Diets  02:58 - Protein and Individualized Nutrition  04:15 - Detoxifying the American Diet  07:12 - Chemicals in Food and Health Impacts  09:28 - Benefits of Frozen Organic Foods  12:16 - Lifestyle and Environmental Health  16:13 - The Four A's Framework  19:54 - Challenges with Extreme Health Approaches  24:31 - Regulatory Failures and Individual Action  27:38 - Obesogens and Weight Gain  32:23 - The 21-Day Detoxify Plan  35:17 - Safer Personal Care Products  42:59 - Water Filtration Solutions  48:54 - Patient Stories and Practical Changes  51:49 - Closing Thoughts and ResourcesEthan Suplee's Substack:https://ethansuplee.substack.com/American Glutton:https://www.americanglutton.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Ethan Suplee on the American Glutton Podcast as he reunites with Mark Bell to dive into Mark's controversial shift from keto and carnivore to advocating a sugar-based diet. Mark explains how fruit, lean meat, and strategic sugar fasting can drive weight loss while maintaining energy, challenging conventional diet wisdom. They discuss the pitfalls of extreme diets, the importance of protein, and navigating cravings, offering practical insights for sustainable weight loss. A must-listen for anyone exploring dietary interventions!SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 - Introduction and Welcome00:45 - Mark Bell’s Sugar Diet Journey03:47 - Options for Weight Loss Success05:36 - Sugar Diet vs. Liquid Diets07:37 - Tailoring Sugar Fasting09:22 - Overcoming Weight Loss Plateaus11:33 - Building Dietary Momentum14:56 - Simplifying Nutrition Choices17:47 - Sugar Diet as a Revolution20:53 - Challenges of Caloric Deficits23:56 - Navigating Diet Pushback27:31 - Sugar Fasting Side Effects35:07 - Protein and Diet Strategies46:45 - Maintaining Muscle Mass52:56 - Final Thoughts on Diet Choices54:27 - Closing Remarks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Spencer Nadolsky joins Ethan on the American Glutton Podcast to dive into the revolutionary impact of GLP-1 drugs on obesity and cardiometabolic health, exploring their benefits, risks, and societal implications. From debunking myths about weight loss to discussing emerging treatments like myostatin inhibitors, they tackle the science and real-world applications head-on. The conversation also touches on the future of these medications, their potential to prevent weight gain, and the importance of combining them with lifestyle changes like resistance training.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 - Introduction and Catching Up00:35 - Obesity as a Choice and GLP-1 Drugs01:58 - Misuse of GLP-1s and Social Media Hype05:08 - The Science Behind GLP-1 and Incretin Effect07:37 - How GLP-1 Drugs Work for Weight Loss10:00 - Benefits vs. Risks of GLP-1 Drugs11:57 - Common Side Effects and Nausea Discussion13:15 - Fatigue and Anhedonia as Side Effects14:54 - Fat Cell Memory and Weight Regain17:41 - GLP-1s as a Breakthrough for Obesity19:33 - Comparing Risks of GLP-1s to Other Drugs20:24 - Big Pharma and Advisory Boards23:57 - Importance of Protein and Resistance Training27:34 - Myostatin Inhibitors and Muscle Growth31:39 - Timeline for New Drug Approvals33:31 - Drug Costs and Accessibility37:51 - Comparing GLP-1 Drugs and Zepbound39:57 - Glucagon and Triple Agonist Drugs41:58 - Future of GLP-1s in Preventing Weight Gain43:43 - Microdosing and Anti-Inflammatory Effects44:33 - GLP-1s and Type 1 Diabetes Considerations48:50 - Historical Context and Obesity Trends52:37 - Moralizing Weight and Pharmaceutical Solutions54:03 - Closing Thoughts and Future Support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ethan Suplee hosts Matt Groark on the American Glutton Podcast, diving into their shared passion for barbecue and meat. Matt, a high school culinary teacher and barbecue enthusiast, shares his journey from tailgating to authoring a cookbook, emphasizing the community and joy of grilling. He discusses teaching kids to cook, his vegetarian wife’s influence, and approachable barbecue techniques like reverse searing. From elk steaks to ribeye caps, their lively conversation explores unique meat cuts, the empowerment of cooking, and the emotional impact of food, making this episode a must-listen for food lovers.SHOW HIGHLIGHTS00:00 - Introduction to Matt Groark01:05 - Pizza vs. Barbecue Debate02:19 - Elk Hunting and Cooking Stories05:35 - Matt’s Culinary Journey Beginnings07:05 - Tailgating and Community08:43 - From Hobby to Obsession12:17 - Grilling vs. Smoking Preferences15:46 - Grilling Tips for Confidence19:45 - Exploring Unique Meat Cuts24:35 - Teaching Culinary Arts29:50 - Importance of Home Ec31:07 - Health and Cooking Connection37:52 - Transition to Culinary Teaching46:28 - Family Cookbook Project Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.