Elon Musk was an American entrepreneur, investor, and engineer best known for founding companies such as Tesla, SolarCity and SpaceX. Musk, who is now worth more than $19 billion, has had a long career of achievements, but most recently he has been in the public eye for putting his health under the spotlight.
In early 2020, Elon Musk announced he had lost 40 pounds with a new diet and exercise regime. A picture released to the public showed Musk looking noticeably thinner. Musk has never disclosed the exact diet he adopted, although many speculate that he incorporated a plant-based regime.
Experts suggest Musk’s new regime is an attempt to decrease the health risks posed by his lifestyle. Elon Musk famously works around the clock, with reports saying he works around 30 hours straight and clocking nearly 120 hours per week. Recent studies have found that continuing to disobey rules of healthy eating and adequate sleep can lead to detrimental long-term effects. Being overweight increases the risk of certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. By maintaining a healthy weight, Musk could reduce his risk of developing these conditions.
Musk’s life is also busy given his high profile career, leading to many public appearances. The overweight Elon Musk was often presented as a contrast to his ambitious public image. Some experts have postulated that the new leaner Musk may give him a more professional appearance, as well as making up for the intense strain his lifestyle brings.
Musk has constantly led by example in the realm of diet and health. Not only has he tried to stay healthier himself, but he also encourages individuals to stay in shape and make healthier lifestyle choices. After his famous weight loss announcement, Musk encouraged his fans to do the same and “take charge of their own health.”
Musk’s diet and exercise regime quickly drew the attention of dieticians and nutritionists all over the globe. While many such professionals applauded his effort in promoting healthier lifestyle choices, some warned that a radical weight loss of a few pounds in a few weeks could be unwise and potentially dangerous. Furthermore, experts admonished Musk for his lack of transparency in disclosing the specifics of his diet, citing the need for greater clarity of what he consumed.
Musk’s Investments in Health
In addition to diet and exercise, Musk has also put some of his wealth towards health-related endeavors. He has invested in companies such as Neuralink, which aims to develop a “Brain-Machine Interface” that could help people with injuries, diseases, and ailments. He has also made investments into research for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, which has been described as “a personal mission” for him.
In addition, Musk has also donated a large sum to support programs that help people access health care. Elon Musk has previously stated he believes everyone should have access to affordable health care, and he has tried to put this belief into action by donating to organizations such as Partners in Health and the American Red Cross.
Criticisms of Musk’s Health Choices
Along with issues around transparency with his diet and exercise regime, Musk has also been criticized for his anything-goes attitude towards creating health related businesses. Such criticism has focused on the potential ethical implications of companies such as Neuralink, which some have accused of creating a “Tesla-style hype” over potential future products that may not actually improve human health.
In addition, Musk has also been accused of using his newfound health drive as a way to capitalize on people wanting to go on a similar diet, with claims of a commercialization angle motivating the weight loss. Some of the diet and exercise plans purported to be Musk-inspired have also been linked to fad diet scams, with many similar schemes known to cause health issues.
Long-Term Impact of Musk’s Weight Loss
Despite criticisms and cautions, there is still much speculation as to the long-term damage to Elon Musk’s health that his diet and exercise regime may cause. While the jury is still out in terms of the true impacts of such a radical change, many experts have drawn attention to the potential risks of this type of weight loss plan, including potential mental health implications.
In the short-term, however, Musk appears to have benefited from the increased confidence his weight loss gave him. His newfound health drive also appears to have many similarities with the healthy lifestyles of individuals such as tennis champion Roger Federer and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Musk’s Influence on the Health Industry
Musk’s weight loss has also had a significant impact on the health and fitness industry. His new ‘leaner’ image has become a sought after look for many, with some reports indicating an increase in the popularity of plant-based diets and exercise regimes. Musk has also become a role model for many, with his healthy lifestyle changes being presented as a message of self-care and empowerment. His body transformation is seen by many as a way of taking control of his own health.
Musk’s story has also become a source of inspiration for those looking to make lifestyle changes, with many citing his example as proof that it is possible to reform comfort-eating habits. Expert opinion varies as to whether this kind of radical change is necessary or safe, but there is no doubt that his example has motivated many individuals over the last two years.
Musk’s Privacy Around Health
Part of Musk’s current stance on health has been to maintain a degree of privacy around his own personal lifestyle choices. While many of his companies and investments are publicly available, much of what he does to maintain his current body shape and health is kept private. Musk appears to prefer to remain a role model simply by leading by example and promoting the values of healthy lifestyles.
Despite this, many of Musk’s fans continue to inquire into the specifics of his lifestyle in the hopes of replicating his success. These requests appear to come in regular waves and Musk’s ongoing privacy on such matters helps ensure that rumors and speculation do not start to run rampant.
Musk’s Diet and Exercise Regime Today
Overall, the exact specifics of Musk’s diet and exercise regime remain a mystery. Although Musk has hinted at some of his personal health strategies, it is still unknown what he does to maintain his current weight. Reports suggest that a plant-based diet is still a mainstay for Musk and his team, along with regular exercising.
The main focus for Musk appears to be maintaining a healthy weight and giving examples of how one’s lifestyle can be changed for the better. However, there is still ambiguity around how health and fitness should be achieved, and the long-term impacts of Elon Musk’s weight loss remain to be seen.
