In this episode of Discovering Nutrition with Cronometer, we sit down with Ethan Bernard, a former gaming broadcaster who once weighed 660 pounds. After surviving a life-threatening hospitalization, Ethan is now rebuilding his health and sharing the journey with hundreds of thousands online. He opens up about the realities of extreme weight loss, navigating criticism, and creating a sustainable approach with intermittent fasting, high protein, and balanced flexibility. His story proves it is never too late to take back your life!
Key Topics
- From 660 Pounds to Sustainable Change: Ethan shares his journey of once weighing 660 pounds, going through a life-threatening hospitalization, and now working on building sustainable habits around food, movement, and mindset.
- Social Media and Mental Resilience: Ethan discusses how his background in broadcasting gave him the skills to share his story online. He emphasizes that sharing a weight loss journey publicly requires emotional strength and the ability to handle criticism without letting it derail progress.
- Balance Over Perfection: Ethan highlights that enjoying food—including treats like cheesecake—can coexist with progress. He explains that sustainability comes from balance, tracking, and making adjustments rather than strict elimination diets.
Questions Answered in this Episode
- What diet and nutrition strategies are working for him now? Ethan combines calorie tracking, intermittent fasting, and high protein intake with flexibility. He stresses that the key is consistency and balance, not perfection.
- How does Ethan maintain motivation during such a long journey? He looks at progress in weekly trends rather than day-to-day fluctuations, embraces transparency about ups and downs, and reminds himself that weight loss is not linear.
Key Notes
- Starting Point: Ethan’s weight peaked at 660 pounds in January 2020 before a hospitalization for COVID-19 and bacterial pneumonia changed his perspective.
- Online Growth: How his broadcasting skills helped him go viral and connect with millions while sharing his journey.
- Mindset Shift: Moving from body hate to self-respect and understanding the power of sustainability over perfection.
- Tracking for Success: Using Cronometer to log everything—balancing accuracy with realistic, repeatable habits.
- Nutrition Approach: Intermittent fasting, high-protein focus (250g/day), and balanced flexibility to allow for social meals and favorite foods.
- Handling Opinions: Navigating unsolicited diet advice and “TikTok nutritionists” while staying grounded in his own plan.
- Physical Challenges: Regaining independence after hospitalization and building strength through consistent gym work.
- The Bigger Picture: Why he shares the ups and downs, not just the “before and after,” to inspire authenticity in others’ journeys.
