Country star Nate Smith is opening up about the real motivation behind his dramatic weight loss, revealing that a frightening health scare forced him to rethink his lifestyle and prioritize his fans above all else.

The "Whiskey on You" hitmaker has shed more than 70 pounds over the past year and a half, dropping from approximately 275 pounds to his current weight. But for the 40-year-old singer, the journey has never been about the number on the scale .

"I think I want to get under 200 pounds," Smith told People magazine in a recent interview. "So I was like 275 pounds, somewhere in that world. But I want to get down to like 185 pounds again" .

The turning point came in November 2024 when Smith contracted a severe upper respiratory infection that served as a wake-up call. The illness prompted him to confront his overeating and excessive drinking habits, which had been taking a toll on his health and well-being .

"I knew I was hurting myself, but I couldn't stop. It was like looking at this mountain and wondering, 'How do I get up there?' I didn't even know where to start," Smith previously shared with the outlet .

What keeps the "World on Fire" singer motivated? His fans. Smith says his primary goal has been maintaining enough energy and stamina to deliver the best possible performances on stage .

"Keeping the energy on stage and making sure I do that, because I think that takes care of the fans," he explained .

The transformation has brought significant changes to his daily life. Smith now wears size large clothing after wearing double XL for years. He also notes that he no longer struggles with basic activities that once left him winded .

"I don't sweat anymore, which is amazing. I used to be totally out of breath tying my shoes. I can jump around a lot more," he said .

The singer's approach has been methodical rather than extreme. He cut back on alcohol, increased his protein intake, and reduced his daily calorie consumption. Within just four months of making these changes, Smith dropped from 280 to 225 pounds .

Smith acknowledges he still faces challenges, particularly with binge eating, but he's committed to finding balance rather than following a restrictive diet .

"If I want to have it, I'm going to have it. But I want to find a way to make it a treat versus a lifestyle thing," he told People .

Smith performed recently at Dauphin's CountryFest'26 in Canada, where he was joined by fellow country star Jelly Roll, who has also undergone a significant weight loss transformation .

The journey has not only improved Smith's health but also strengthened his connection with fans, many of whom have been inspired by his progress. He shared that concertgoers frequently approach him at meet-and-greets to share their own weight loss successes .