George Timothy Murdoch, known professionally as Tyrus, has captivated audiences as a cable news personality, actor, and former professional wrestler. Beyond his accomplishments in the entertainment industry, Tyrus has openly shared his personal battle with weight and his inspiring journey towards a healthier lifestyle. This article explores Tyrus's weight loss success story, highlighting the challenges he faced, the strategies he employed, and the profound impact his transformation has had on his life.
Tyrus: From Wrestling Star to Media Personality
Born on February 21, 1973, George Timothy Murdoch, under the ring/stage name Tyrus, has had a multifaceted career. He gained prominence in professional wrestling, particularly with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), where he held the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship. His wrestling journey included stints in WWE as Brodus Clay, where he embraced the "Funkasaurus" gimmick, and in TNA (now Impact Wrestling) as Tyrus. Transitioning from the ring, Tyrus has become a familiar face on Fox News and Fox Nation, co-hosting "Gutfeld!" and contributing to other programs.
The Weight Struggle: A Personal Battle
Tyrus has been candid about his lifelong struggle with weight. He revealed how he used food to cope with having a bad day, but getting older and more confident helped him deal with it better. After leaving the WWE, he gained 165 pounds in two years, ballooning to an extraordinary 500 pounds. Tyrus spoke about how he convinced himself to be okay with being morbidly obese. Fans had noticed his lack of mobility for a while, and Tyrus was barely able to move in his final NWA World title match.
"Before, if I was having a bad day, I’d grab a Snickers, or a sandwich or twenty," he admitted. "But as I got older, and more confident in myself, I was able to control that more. But that was something that I always struggled with."
He also acknowledged the mental gymnastics he used to justify his unhealthy habits: "The stuff you will say to make yourself okay with not being okay is amazing. The energy you take to cover up your B.S. If you just faced it in the mirror, it’ll be so much better for you."
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The Turning Point: A Commitment to Change
The catalyst for Tyrus’ weight loss came when he realized that he was no longer happy with his lifestyle and health. He had struggled for years with his weight, and after gaining significant pounds, he knew it was time to take responsibility for his health and well-being. "It wasn’t about fitting into a certain size or looking a certain way for others." With his decision made, Tyrus set out on a new path. "I committed to a lifestyle change," he said. His transformation became about building healthier habits, not about quick fixes or drastic weight-loss methods.
Tyrus realized that his relationship with food needed to change if he wanted to see lasting results. "I had to stop eating things that were only giving me temporary satisfaction." He adopted a whole foods-based diet that consisted of lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. He also incorporated healthy fats into his meals, such as avocados, olive oil, and nuts. Portion control also played a significant role in his weight loss. Tyrus learned to eat mindfully and pay attention to his body’s hunger cues, avoiding overeating. “It wasn’t about cutting out everything I loved-it was about moderation."
The Physical Transformation: Diet and Exercise
Tyrus’s weight management journey fluctuated throughout his nearly two-decade-long wrestling career. Making the decision to get back in control, Tyrus worked with coaches like Rob Macintyre and began earning awards for his commitment to making a change. In discussing his weight loss journey, Tyrus cited various weight loss methods, including his work with coaches like Rob Macintyre to commit to making healthy weight changes. Aside from intermittent fasting and fillet mignons, Tyrus also discussed the significance of low-impact exercises like stretching instead of trying to lift heavy for his age.
Alongside changes to his diet, Tyrus committed to a regular exercise routine that would help him build strength and improve his overall fitness. However, Tyrus wasn’t interested in jumping into extreme or grueling workouts. Tyrus started with low-impact cardio exercises, such as walking and cycling, which helped him increase his stamina without overloading his joints. In addition to these workouts, Tyrus began practicing yoga and stretching to improve his flexibility and reduce stress. “Yoga really helped me calm my mind and focus." By combining cardio, strength training, and mindfulness, Tyrus created an exercise routine that was enjoyable and sustainable.
Overcoming Physical Challenges
The former NWA World Champion said travel on airplanes was very tough on his body. He now avoids flying when possible and noted a number of issues he’d face, including swelling in his knees. Tyrus also revealed that he previously had to walk with a cane due to this weight. Thanks to his weight loss, he threw it away and no longer uses it. "I could not wait to see how far I could chuck that thing down my yard, because I was done with it.” By moving to New Jersey and being closer to his broadcast job, Tyrus is no longer constantly in the air, and has recently even been able to throw away a walking cane that he’d come to rely on to help him get around.
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Mental and Emotional Well-being
One of the most important aspects of Tyrus’ weight loss journey was addressing his mental health. For years, he had struggled with anxiety and stress, which contributed to his unhealthy relationship with food. Tyrus began working with a therapist and started practicing meditation and self-reflection. These practices helped him cope with stress and anxiety, allowing him to approach his weight loss journey with a clearer and more positive mindset. “I realized that my mental health was just as important as my physical health," Tyrus explained. As he worked through his emotional challenges, Tyrus also focused on self-compassion. Instead of criticizing himself for past mistakes or setbacks, he learned to treat himself with kindness and patience.
Tyrus Today: A Healthier, Happier Life
Tyrus is still on his weight-loss journey, and is now attempting to get under 300 pounds. By 2024, Tyrus had successfully lost 35 pounds, bringing his weight down from 405 pounds to 372 pounds. But the changes were not just physical-Tyrus felt more energetic, confident, and at peace with himself. “I feel better than I have in years," he said. Tyrus continues to focus on maintaining his healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and mental wellness practices.
Insights from Tyrus's Trainer
Tyrus’ trainer explained that the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion would gain weight on the plane due to water retention caused by the pressure of flights. Now on the other side of 50, Tyrus has come to terms with the fact that he’s not going to be lifting super heavy like he did in his WWE heyday. “You have all of this heavy weight going on, and you’re used to just throwing stuff around, and everyone is like ‘wow,’ you know? You surround yourself with monsters. If you do that now, four hours later you will be laying in the living room of your house and you can’t move anymore," he laughs. “My trainer said why are you still lifting heavy? Rather than run out and buy beard dye to reclaim his youth, Tyrus says that he’s embraced the new chapter that being over 50 brings, and opts to celebrate the wisdom that he’s learned from surviving on this planet instead. He’s finding that intermittent fasting is helping to shift more weight, and loves to tuck in to lean protein’s like fillet mignon.
The Role of Support Systems
Another positive influence in Tyrus’ weight loss journey may also be wife Ingrid Rinck who runs a fitness empire including a company focused on portion-controlled meals and virtual workout classes. Another crucial aspect of joining weight loss programs is the access you get to a support system, which can contribute significantly to weight loss and weight management success.
Tyrus's Words of Wisdom
“Talk to the person in the mirror, lead by example, and people will want to talk to you about it when they see the results of you being a better you,” says the no-nonsense host. Because of his own challenges with mastering his weight, Tyrus doesn’t believe in telling people that it’s okay to be obese through fear of upsetting someone’s feelings. “I haven’t been the best at this, but if you eat less, and burn more, you lose weight. And if you don’t, you don’t. It’s that simple.”
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The Broader Context of Weight Loss
While Tyrus’ current goal is to get under 300 pounds in his weight loss journey, it’s important to note that weight loss widely differs for every individual, depending on your lifestyle and any existing health conditions. Therefore, people who struggle to lose weight can join a GLP-1 weight loss program to get tailored care and a medication plan if necessary. These programs are meant as added support and guidance for those currently on weight loss medication. The program also encourages healthy lifestyle changes and active tracking based on research by obesity specialists and behavior-change experts. Today, weight loss medication has become a popular go-to for overweight or obese patients who may be struggling with weight loss. Insights from Reuters revealed that the rising demand for weight loss drugs has led to experts forecasting a market jump to $150 billion. In 2023, top sales estimates were in the $100 billion range.