Fat Joe Advocates for Health and Wellness: 4 Important Insights He Wants You to Know.
Fat Joe—a name that reverberates through the halls of hip-hop history with tracks like “What’s Luv?” and “Lean Back”—isn’t merely content to bask in past accolades. This 54-year-old native of the Bronx, born Joseph Antonio Cartagena, is eyeing a royal throne in the realm of television. “I have my sights set on Oprah Winfrey. That’s the standard I aspire to,” he divulged candidly to Yahoo Life.
The stage is now set for his latest venture, *Fat Joe Talks*, a fresh interview series that made its grand debut on October 4th via Starz. In this new arena, he plans to sit down with icons of entertainment, aiming not just to enlighten but to unveil the multifaceted layers of his guests, while simultaneously peeling back layers of his own persona.
In this exclusive glance into Joe’s world, he generously shares his journey—a tapestry woven with threads of physical and mental health struggles, as well as advocacy for healthcare reform.
A Life Saved Through Weight Loss
In a remarkable personal metamorphosis over the last 15 years, Fat Joe has shed an astonishing 215 pounds. While this significant change has sparked conversations about the paradox of his stage name, Joe emphasizes that the real discourse is of a more pressing nature.
“We’re losing too many extraordinary souls far too soon,” he laments, his thoughts turning to his late friend Big Pun, who tragically succumbed to an obesity-related heart attack at the tender age of 28. This served as a shocking wake-up call for Joe: “Either you lose weight, or you accept the grim reality of an early death,” he reflects, eager to motivate others to embark on their journey toward wellness.
“You see me doing it. It’s imperative that we all embrace this,” he insists, underscoring the necessity of education in this critical arena.
A Journey into Mental Wellness
But Joe’s transformation isn’t confined to the physical realm; he’s equally committed to nurturing his mental fortitude. “Discussing mental health is a breeze, but taking action? That was where I struggled,” he confesses. “In my younger years, I clung to this tough exterior.”
In the inaugural episode of his show, he opens up about grappling with depression alongside Method Man as his first guest. “There were days I could bask in the sunshine yet still feel shrouded in darkness… The struggle is pervasive; it clings to every move you make,” Joe candidly shares. “I’m grateful I sought therapy when I did. It was a life-altering decision.”
Championing Health Care Price Transparency
“I’m passionate about advocacy with Power to the Patients, where we venture to Washington, D.C., championing the cause of transparency in healthcare pricing. It’s been a labor of love for several years,” asserts Joe. He underscore that around 100 million Americans are ensnared in medical debt.
His fervor lies in enlightening the public that with upfront pricing, patients could finally choose services based on cost.
In a remarkable move, he invited Congressman Hakeem Jeffries to engage with him in one of his episodes to bring attention to this issue. “The fight for healthcare is not a partisan battleground; it’s a collective effort,” he asserts. “This transcends party lines—it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation.”
A Commitment to Role Modeling
Joe is unwavering in his commitment to uplift his community, urging fellow hip-hop artists to join him in this pivotal journey.
“I’ve penned a book, The Book of Jose, which dives deep into the themes of vulnerability and transparency. As artists, we often cultivate this façade of invincibility—like we’re untouchable. But we’ve reached a stage in life, infused with confidence, recognizing that countless individuals look to us. Sharing stories of resilience amid adversity is not just gratifying but imperative,” he remarks. “That’s impactful.”
His narrative has been enriched by profound conversations with fellow artists, notably LL Cool J—whom he reveres as an idol. Their dialogue, captured for *Fat Joe Talks*, illuminated Joe’s personal evolution. “It struck a chord with me,” he reflects. “It was incredibly moving, revealing the transformative journey I’ve undertaken. Truly, God is great.”