'I lost 114 kilos to win a girl from high school, but gained a life I am proud of': Actor, producer and self-made millionaire Jas Mathur weight loss journey

Dubai: “Everybody’s chasing someone — or something. For me, it was a girl from high school. I didn’t want her to see what I looked like, so I challenged myself. And once I started, I couldn’t stop.” — Jas Mathur.

When Canadian entrepreneur, actor-producer and brand-building expert Jas strode into the Gulf News HQ on Friday evening, there was an undeniable presence about him — calm, self-assured, and striking. With his long dark hair, sculpted frame, and quiet confidence, he could easily pass for the Indian Jason Momoa. But that version of him is hard-earned. He didn’t always look — or feel — like this.

There was a time, not long ago, when Jas weighed 205 kilos. His waist measured 68 inches and he could only shop at Big & Tall stores. His self-image had shrunk while his frame had ballooned. And then, one day, everything changed — not because of a doctor’s warning or a fitness trend, but because of something far more personal: a girl from his past, a school re-union and a challenge he set for himself to become someone he could be proud of again.

No Ozempic. No fancy trainers. No gimmicks.

Jas' story stands out in a world obsessed with shortcuts — whether it’s weight loss drugs, crash diets, or cosmetic surgery.

“How I did it was primarily diet,” he says. “I didn’t take any supplements. No Ozempic. No nothing. Just strictly, mainly, mainly, mainly diet and a treadmill.”

And it wasn’t a gradual start.

“I began eating under 2000 calories, then dropped below 1500. For a whole month, I went under 1000. I mean, I’m talking crazier than the competition diet — distilled water, all kinds of stuff. I just wanted it badly.”

In his first three months, he lost 40 kilos. “And then I got addicted to the progress.”

A moment of vanity that sparked lifetime change

Jazz admits the motivation to start wasn’t deeply philosophical. It was emotional. “I was reconnecting with a girl from high school. She didn’t even know what I looked like. But I didn’t want her to see me like that. So I challenged myself.”

And yes — for those wondering — “I did get the girl,” he laughs. “We were in a relationship for three years. I’m happy something came out of it. But even if it hadn’t, that challenge changed my life.”

Jas believes everyone has something or someone they’re chasing. “Whether they admit it or not, there’s always a trigger.”

From wealth to self-worth

Before the weight loss, Jas had financial success — but his self-worth lagged far behind.

“I used to just make money a priority, and with the money, I’d make other people a priority,” he says. “But then I said, you know what? I have a lot of money saved up. I’m gonna make myself a priority.”

That mental shift was key. “Once you start to genuinely love what you see in the mirror, everything changes. It reflects. It shows. It’s a confidence thing. And after that, you can go out and achieve anything you want.”

“People respect me more for the weight loss than the millions”

The transformation wasn’t just internal. It changed how people perceived him too.

“I’ve had more people give me five minutes to talk about anything I want — or open doors — based on my discipline from weight loss than any business or financial success,” he says.

He once tried to stay behind the scenes, building his vision through athletes and celebrities. But eventually, they pulled him aside.

“They said, ‘You changed your life from what you were to being able to train like us. That’s a full-time job in itself. You need to be the front guy of your own story.’”

So he stepped out of the shadows.

Moderation over deprivation

Today, Jas trains five days a week for nearly two hours. His routine is intense but sustainable. And when it comes to food, he isn’t militant.

“I don’t believe in not eating what you want — but you’ve got to eat in moderation,” he says. “You’re not gonna see me eat spaghetti every day or have loaves of bread. But if I go to a restaurant, and there’s bread on the table, of course I’ll eat it.”

Back when he was shedding pounds, it was a different story. “Then, I had to really cut things out. Today, it’s about balance.”

On Ozempic and the shortcut culture

Jas is clear-eyed about today’s weight loss trends.

“Ozempic is for people with diabetes — people who genuinely need it. It’s not for influencers who want to slim their waist for vanity,” he says.

“I love that my journey was hard work. That’s the only thing that made me respect myself again.”

Starting alone, finishing strong

Unlike many transformation stories, Jas didn’t begin with an expert team around him. “Back then, when I was just losing weight, no — I didn’t even know what I was doing,” he says.

Today, he has access to some of the best trainers, doctors, and physiotherapists in the world. But the beginning? That was pure self-discipline.

Healthy living doesn’t come cheap

We talk about how fast food is often cheaper than healthy food. Jas agrees — to a point.

“In Dubai, fast food is different from the US. The quality here is better. But yes, clean food is more expensive. Still, it’s an investment in yourself. And I made that investment.”

“This was harder than making a million dollars”

When asked if weight loss was his biggest achievement, Jas doesn’t hesitate.

“Of course. This is more challenging than making any amount of money. It’s much easier to make a million dollars than to do this. Every single day, you have to put in the work. And some days, some weeks, you see no results. You still show up.”

And that, perhaps, is what sets Jas apart.

“I’m not in competition with anyone. I like being around people who have 100 times more money than me — because I know the one thing they don’t have is my discipline.”