Dan + Shay member Shay Mooney opened up about his weight loss journey just around the new year, revealing a weight loss of around 50 lbs. According to the singer, his weight loss was a byproduct of removing certain things from his life, including alcohol, revealing that he is now sober.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Mooney opened up about his decision to change his health habits, explaining that not feeling up to playing with his sons Asher, 6, Ames, 3, and Abram, 8 months, was a major factor.
“I kind of set out on this journey in a place where I was like, ‘Man, I’m tired of feeling horrible all the time.’ I was too tired and rundown mentally to play with my kids when I got off the road, or really just ever. It was all the time,” he said. “I knew that that was because of my unhealthy eating habits and drinking too much.”
1 Year Sober: Quit Sugar And Alcohol
The 31-year-old decided to quit sugar and alcohol “cold turkey,” sharing that he began eating “super clean” one year ago. While Mooney noted that his weight loss “is great,” it’s the changes he’s felt on the inside that matter to him more.
“I feel better, is the main thing, because my mental health was suffering,” he explained. “Your gut and your brain and your mind are so connected. And I never really realized that.”
Weight Loss Transformation
Mooney initially shared the full efforts of his weight loss transformation with fans in January, posting before and after photos on Instagram.
“Consistency,” his caption read. “I changed my entire world in 6 months. No gimmicks or fads. Just consistency. If that tired guy on the left can do it, so can you.”
In December 2022, he had posted a video montage of photos documenting his weight loss progress.
“It’s weird not recognizing yourself. I got to a place mentally and physically that I will never go again,” the father of three wrote. “It matters what we eat. It matters who you spend your time with. It matters what you choose to spend your time on. I’m so thankful for the people in my life that helped me make a change. No one forced me into this. I wanted to change my life for me. I’ve never felt more alive. I’m not looking for mediocrity…let’s go find greatness.”
Dan + Shay Nearly Broke Up
While Shay Mooney was working on his health, bandmate Dan Smyers was on his own journey to refocus on music, and the two friends weren’t talking during this monthslong period, which began after their arena tour ended in December 2021. Now, the duo is stronger than ever, releasing their latest album, Bigger Houses, on Friday.
“It was just kind of the perfect timing,” he reflected. “Dan and I were both working on ourselves and preparing for this moment. And just looking back on it, it really feels like a divine thing where it was meant to happen in the way that it was meant to happen. We needed to learn those lessons.”
“When people ask me, ‘Do you wish that you would’ve done it sooner? You wish that you guys would’ve fixed this a long time ago?’ My answer every time would be no,” Mooney continued. “I’ve been sober for about a year now. I don’t know that I’ll ever look back. I just know that my life is better when alcohol is not in it. This personal journey that I went on, that’s not for everybody, but it changed my life.”
Dan + Shay will support Bigger Houses with their The Heartbreak On The Map Tour, launching on February 29 in Greenville, South Carolina. The 19-date tour will wrap in Boston on April 13 with support from Ben Rector and Hailey Whitters along the way.
