Country singer Nate Smith says he's lost more than 70 pounds over the past year and a half, a transformation he credits to a serious health scare that pushed him to rethink his lifestyle.
Smith, 40, told People at a recent Nashville concert that the change began after a severe upper respiratory infection in late 2024 left him reevaluating his eating and drinking habits. By cutting back on alcohol and focusing on protein, he dropped 55 pounds in the first four months alone.
"I don't sweat anymore, which is amazing," Smith said. "I used to be totally out of breath tying my shoes. I can jump around a lot more."
The "Bulletproof" singer, who started at roughly 275 pounds, said his next goal is getting back under 200 - ideally closer to 185, where he was earlier in his career. He's been candid that the road hasn't been perfectly linear, but says the payoff has been worth it both on stage and off.
"Keeping the energy on stage and making sure I do that, because I think that takes care of the fans," Smith said, adding simply, "I just feel better."
Long before his mainstream country success, Smith's musical roots were planted in the church. He grew up in a Christian household, was introduced to music through his church youth leader, and signed his first recording deal with Word Records, one of Nashville's best-known Christian music labels, before transitioning to mainstream country.
He's continued to speak openly about that upbringing and his faith as his career has grown - a thread that, for longtime fans, adds extra weight to a comeback story about renewal.
