“I’ve lost 70 pounds in a year and a half.” That’s not a flex from a fitness influencer. That’s Philip DeFranco, one of YouTube’s most recognizable voices, talking about something far more serious than trending drama or algorithm updates. The man known for his no-nonsense takes on internet news just hit pause—and got real about his health, his mental state, and the very real fear of dying too young.
And trust us: this isn’t a story about vanity. It’s about survival.
Philip DeFranco Weight Loss—What Sparked the Change?
“Kidney disease.” That’s the phrase that keeps coming up in Reddit threads and YouTube comments alike when fans ask: What happened to Philip DeFranco? Why is he shrinking?
Back in late 2022, Philip quietly revealed that a serious health diagnosis had forced him to reassess everything. According to fan transcriptions and his own podcast mentions, his doctors warned him that if he didn’t reduce his weight, his long-term kidney health could suffer.
“It wasn’t like I had a choice. It was either keep living the way I was and deal with organ failure eventually, or start making better decisions,” he admitted in a video from October 2022.
From 70 Pounds Heavier to Feeling 10 Years Younger—What Did He Do Differently?
There were no trendy pills. No surgeries. No Ozempic, despite the online rumors.
“I just started moving more, eating better, and drinking water like it was a religion,” Philip quipped on an April 2025 episode of his show. “Three to four times a week at the gym, smaller portions, and no more pretending five coffees a day was hydration.”
The results?
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Down 70 pounds in roughly 18 months
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Noticeable muscle tone according to recent Instagram photos
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Vastly improved mental health, which he calls “the biggest W”
“The best change through all this though has been with my mental health,” he shared in a May 2024 post. “I feel like I can actually breathe again—not just physically, but emotionally.”
“Phil Looks Sick”—How He Responded to the Trolls
Let’s talk about the elephant in the comment section.
When DeFranco started appearing thinner in his videos, some fans—and not-so-fans—weren’t exactly supportive. “Phil looks sick,” read one top comment under a YouTube clip from April 2025. Others speculated that something sinister was going on.
He saw the comments. He wasn’t amused.
“Oh, they’re there. I see them,” Philip said, referencing the trolls in a May 2024 tweet. “But I also think it helps that the weight has been lost over an extended period of time.”
And he’s right. A steady transformation over two years. No crash diets. No detox drinks. Just deliberate, difficult, human work.
This Wasn’t a Fitness Challenge. It Was a Wake-Up Call.
When you’ve built a career on being the voice of reason amid internet chaos, it’s hard to pivot into being the story. But that’s exactly what happened. Philip DeFranco weight loss updates started appearing more frequently in his content—not to brag, but because his story was resonating.
He didn’t shy away from the fact that years of stress, burnout, and poor habits contributed to his original weight gain.
“It got bad. I was sleeping horribly, eating whatever was fast, and barely moving. I didn’t even realize how much it was affecting me until I started feeling what good felt like,” he confessed.
Philip DeFranco Weight Loss and the Ripple Effect on Family Life
As a father of two, Phil’s health decisions weren’t just about himself. “I want to be around for my kids. Not just around—but present, engaged, alive,” he emphasized in a personal podcast moment.
There’s something deeply sobering about realizing that your weight isn’t just a number—it’s an indicator of whether your kids will have a dad who can keep up with them in ten years.
How Philip DeFranco Weight Loss Inspired His Audience
YouTubers are often reduced to avatars, meme reactions, or drama magnets. But Phil’s transformation broke through that static.
On Reddit, one fan wrote:
“It’s so wild to see someone who felt like just a news guy become a fitness role model. He didn’t ask for it, but he’s got people rethinking their habits.”
Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) have been flooded with appreciation posts, body-positive reflections, and even copycat meal plans (yes, someone made a “PhillyD Approved” grocery list).
The Hardest Part? It Wasn’t Physical.
“The worst part wasn’t the workouts. It was the mindset.”
For someone who has openly battled anxiety and burnout, the mental shift required was staggering. Phil admitted that even as the pounds came off, he battled imposter syndrome and internal sabotage.
“I’d look in the mirror and not recognize myself. It felt fake for a while, like this wasn’t my body,” he said in an Instagram caption from June 2024.
But slowly, it clicked. The mirror started reflecting back someone who was still Phil—just one who had decided his life was worth fighting for.
FAQ: Philip DeFranco Weight Loss
Q1: How much weight did Philip DeFranco lose? A: Philip has publicly stated he lost 70 pounds over 18 months through exercise and improved nutrition.
Q2: Did Philip DeFranco use Ozempic or weight loss drugs? A: No. Despite speculation, Phil has attributed his transformation to natural methods like exercise, portion control, and better hydration.
Q3: Why did Philip DeFranco decide to lose weight? A: A kidney disease diagnosis was the catalyst. His doctors warned him of future complications unless he took control of his health.
Q4: How often does he work out? A: He’s mentioned working out 3–4 times per week, along with staying active and focused on long-term sustainability.
Q5: Has his weight loss affected his content? A: Fans have noted more energy and sharper delivery in recent shows. Phil has also become more open about mental health and burnout recovery.
The Voice of YouTube Found His Own Voice Again
Philip DeFranco didn’t set out to become a symbol for healthy transformation. But his journey—from a stressed-out creator facing health threats to a more grounded, energized dad—is one that feels different in today’s internet culture.
He didn’t chase aesthetics. He chased life. And caught it.