the zurkie show - your body won’t change by hating it

Episode Date: January 19, 2026

if you want to look better... the solution is treating yourself better.stop trying to impress people who could care less.build healthy habits that will impress yourself in the future.sending you all lots of love and peaaaaaaace (from the 6ix)https://linktr.ee/thezurkieshow

There's a voice inside my head that hates the way I look, that hates the fact that in every photo I take, that's actually a bad angle. I look pudgy. I look fat. I look ugly. It throws me back into this place that I was at as a kid a lot. I was a big kid. You know, I grew up loving to eat. I still love to eat.

But for me, eating was a coping mechanism for stress. It was something I just did because, you know, I had stress here and there in childhood. I'm sure you did as well. You know, nobody has a picture perfect. hallmark card childhood, but it's followed me. And what I have found in my life is when I am able to eat out, I will. When I can, you know, have a burger instead of making myself a nice goat stew, I will. And I think it is because of the fear that if I quit, if I don't eat out, if I don't enjoy the food, I will have to deal with my stress in another way. And that scares me.

I'm sure you've felt this similar sense of disappointment in yourself when you've looked in the mirror and realized, man, like, my stomach didn't look like that. It's a weird thing, right? Beauty standards, but I do think that a lot of us strive to look leaner, to have a good physique, to feel like we can take our shirt off at North Ave, you know, in Chicago after school, after you're out of school, you go to North Ave, yo, we're going to pick up girls from like the rival high school. want to be able to do that and you can't. There's a bit of like shame that comes to the fact that you didn't put in the work. But I think you are approaching it in a way that will always lead you to failure. I'm sitting at my heaviest right now. I'm 230 pounds, okay? I'm a big boy.

I see it. But what I also acknowledge is that what is separating me from where I want to be is just plain and simple sacrifice. and a reframing of how I think about what I want. Is me becoming healthier better for me? Is it something long term that I will be proud of? And the answer is always yes. When I have that kind of purpose, when I have that kind of feeling,

you know what, okay, this is going to be better for me, I am able to start to rationalize why I would make this change. Becoming lean and better looking as a result is just like a byproduct of a bigger change. Because what's not healthy is binging on food. What's not healthy is not allowing yourself to go on a walk because you feel lazy. What's not healthy is delaying the gym arc or why is it even a gym arc just delaying myself from going to the gym because I feel like I'll be embarrassed. what is healthy is accepting I'm starting from zero again. I used to be super into the gym.

I used to live at the gym. And part of my ego hurts and yearns for that version of myself. The one that had the chiseled jawline because I didn't eat enough calories, okay? The one that could run eight miles because I was in peak teenage form and I could play soccer all day. I'm not there. And I have to accept that I may never get. back there, but the version of myself right now that needs to be better and needs to be healthier, it deserves to go on the journey. In our world looks matter. They do. I'm not going to sit here

and act like there's not pretty privilege. I experienced it when I was fat, when I was bigger, when you could see my double chin on photos. People treated me differently. When I slimed down and I got comfortable in my body and you know puberty hit me pretty well like a truck i noticed what it was like to have pimples to have acne and i have people kind of not look my way this is amplified especially when we're young and i think that we forget that when we become adults yes looks matter but what also starts to matter is status right who you're around where you live there are a lot more factors. And although a lot of us, when we're younger, like to look at looks as the sole determinant of everything, the truth is, what matters is how you look to yourself. Because there are

people that walk this earth that are blessed with the best looks. But they themselves believe that they are ugly. And that stops them from really just enjoying themselves. They think they're ugly. They think that they've been dealt a hand that's absolutely terrible. I'm sure you know a person like this. You're like, girl, you're beautiful. And they're like, I'm so ugly. You know, some people fish for compliments. Okay. That's also a thing that happens where like they're like, they should be in vogue, right? And like, they're just like, oh my gosh, I have terrible hair day. It's like, what are you talking about? What are you talking about? But, I also think that there's been a little bit of a rhetoric that is very much anti-improving

what you've been born with, what your mama gave you. It's kind of like, bro, like you can do all of that, but it doesn't matter. You shouldn't. But I think if you deep down want to, you want to be in shape, not because you want to look good for other people. That can be a byproduct and that's good. But what you're going to come to realize is that you are, are going to have more satisfaction from the consistency that you put into, having good habits, going to the gym, cooking for yourself. You're going to be able to cook for people, which is such

an underrated skill. And from what I see in my life, not a lot of people know how to do. Bro, learn how to cook. Pressure cooker, rice cooker, stove top, ask your grandma how she makes that salmon. Like, find those recipes. They're very important, and they can help you. Not only in, you know, getting slimmer, but also with other people. You could be somebody that hosts parties and cooks for people. And trust me, a way to somebody's soul is through their stomach. They say that about men. I think that's true for anybody.

But it will be the habits you learn, the skills that you learn, right? The habits that you keep, I should say, that are going to make you feel more confident and will make you more attractive. Your looks will be a great step in the door. It's a great book cover. And sure, for some people, they won't even want, they won't want you because you're not their type. But those are people that I'm sorry weren't worth your time to begin with. We oftentimes, we think we have the perfect type in our head.

We think that this person is going to like us as long as we're chiseled. We can win them back. Bro, some people in this life are just not meant for you. they're just not it's not anything personal a lot of us like to take it that way it's just that the vibe does not check you're sending a signal one way it's not coming back and so many people i find in my life and i've been this way too get hung up on that they say why don't they like me they try to find every single thing that can answer that question and that is a loss of time It's a loss of time.

You have to focus on optimizing the person that you want to be first. Before you bring other people on board, you have to, or you're going to get lost in the opinions of other people. And in reality, what matters is how you're living life, bro. Right? Like, that's what matters. And if somebody needs you to go through a bunch of hoops and rings like Sonic and a to get to where they want you to pee, it's not, the bar will always continue to move. That's one thing.

Two, is it worth it? It's different when you do something for yourself and you feel like, bro, I always was bigger. I always dreamed of like getting really in tune with my health, being more flexible. Let's just keep it a buck, being leaner, not being big, not feeling self-conscious about myself. I want to feel confident in myself. The only person that is going to do that is you. And I'm telling you right now the only person that will reap the benefits of that will be you. So keeping somebody else in mind all the time being like, oh, I'm going to get jacked for Svetlana, my Ukrainian coffee girl that grinds my coffee every day.

She's going to see me at the coffee shop in six months time. I'm going to be spool. She's going to go on a date with me. No, she's not. No. No, a glow up is not insurance for saving somebody for later. That's, beat that out of your brain. Okay.

The glow up is for you. It's for you to feel good about yourself. And if you feel good about yourself right now, then why are you pressuring yourself to have some kind of glow up? You don't need it. Rosen lasagna, medium power, 15 minutes. Sounds like Ojo time. Let's play. Feel the fun with Play-O-Jo.

The online casino with all the latest slot and live casino games. What you win is yours to keep with no wagering requirements, instant payouts, and no minimum withdraws. Hey, I just won. Woo-hoo! Feel the fun! Play Ojo! Honey, forget about the lasagna. Let's celebrate! 19 plus Ontario only. Please play responsibly. Concern about your gambling or that of someone close to you.

Call 16-531-2600 or visit Connexonario.ca. Welcome aboard via rail. Please sit and enjoy. Please sit and stretch. Steep. Flip. Or that. And enjoy.

Via Rail, love the way. You don't need it, FOMM! Because I'm in the sixth FOM! Come on, Crotie! Oh, God. Man, Toronto's a beautiful city. I love this place, man. We had a new Ho King yesterday in Chinatown.

If you're from Toronto, you know a tinger, too. It was delicious. and I've been holding back the Toronto accent because, you know, it's not my city. I'm not going to pretend like... I'm from here, Fountain. Oh, God. Oh, dude, this city's great, though.

People are so nice here. It's cold. The airline that I was flying with lost my baggage. So this is a coat and a hat that I had to buy here because my luggage wasn't here. So I was walking outside with no coat, no nothing, in like 25-degree weather, bro. Jeez.

Sheesh. Oh gosh. But yeah, the glow up won't change your life. What will change your life are the habits that will stick after the glow up. Will be the confidence that you built within yourself and the fact that you have evidence now that you aren't somebody that is going to go against yourself and bingee and hates yourself. No, you're going to have evidence that you were able to stick through something for six months. even if that thing is so minuscule, like taking 2,000 steps a day, right, on the small side, or just showing up to the gym and doing a little cardio, or learning better, healthier alternatives to whatever food you like. Those are the habits that are going to stick with you. And instead of framing it as like the goal is to get swall, which I think it's a great goal, the habits are what matter.

That's what's going to keep longevity in your life. and so many people, myself included, overlooked that because we are wanting the results so bad. We want to show somebody that we can be worthy. But I think that you should take any interactions that you've had to this point that have been negative, right, or have been like related to your weight, or you think they're related to your weight. I think you should take them as a sign that you've got to focus on what matters to you. And if your health matters to you, your weight matters to you, don't lie to you. yourself, be honest about it. I don't think it's a matter of the scale, right, of losing a certain

amount of pounds. I don't think that's what it is. I think what it is is being able to like the fact that you went to the gym, you stayed consistent, you come back home, you're taking a shower, you hop out the shower, you look at yourself, you're like, dang, I put in that work. Maybe it's not showing right away, but I feel good that I put in that work and I've done it day after day after day after day because the change takes time a lot of people in this world are impatient

and I get it it's frustrating you see somebody that's been working out for five years it irks you but it's a distraction it's another thing that your ego is trying to grab at to be like

whatever like I'm I'm never going to get there I should just focus on what I'm good at which is like eating hot chip and playing video game and no if you want it you have to understand that there will be resistance towards it hard things are worth going after though they always have been they always will be and would you rather live in existence six months from now where you feel the improvements. Not only can you see them, but you feel the improvements in your skin, in your mood,

that you've been good with your sleep, that you've been good with your nutrition, you've really, you know, not even counting calories, but you've been eating more mangoes, all right? Or you've been tapping in more to, you know, little prime rib here and there, trying to make some chicken that isn't just chicken breast, but you get some chicken thighs in there.

You know, you really focused. Or would you rather have six months where you look back and everything is the same? And you look at it as, wow, what if I did? What if I did go every day just for five minutes to the gym? I laughed at that idea, but what if I did? And what if those five minutes turned into half an hour? What if those five minutes, then half an hour turned into an hour? And I started to really care about my muscles, what I was doing.

What if I met like a really good friend at the gym and started a friendship because of that? These are all what ifs that you'll never get an answer to. That's why I think it's imperative that you be honest. And I'll be honest. I want to change. I, I, I, I understand how I'm here and why my body looks the way it is, but I don't want to stay here. I really know.

It's not that I want to be shredded. It's not that I want to, you know, do like a Mr. Olympia or whatever like that. No, I just want to be able to carry my kids on my shoulder. Or I want to be able to feel like I have an escape. I have a place I can go to. I can work out at. I have something that clears my mind. I'm in good habits, and I'm able to pass that down.

And right now, my good habits are swiping a credit card, so I get some Kung Pow chicken, which I don't hate. That's great. But there's better out there. And if it matters to you, it matters. Don't let other people influence that. No, you're fine. Your family's always going to.

No, that's just the way you are. You're big-boned. You have your own destiny within your palms. and you know if you want something that's crucial to you. And even if it is in kind of a vain way, like you just want to be skinnier to impress a crush, I think you should still do it. Because you will learn along that journey

and when you get to that destination, that it was never about that. It was about what you learned. Visit BetMGM Casino and check out the newest exclusive. The price is right, fortune. Pick. BetMGM and Game Sense remind you to play responsibly. 19 plus to wager. Ontario only.

Please play responsibly. If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact connects Ontario at 1-866-531-2,600 to speak to an advisor. Free of charge. BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario. The friends you made.

People talk about like, maybe, you know, maybe the workout were the friends we made along the way. Like, you know, all but but it's true it's very true your looks matter to you so i would do something about it i would put in some work to it i would stop lying to yourself stop lying to yourself stop feeling guilty and instead figure out what it is you want be careful i'll leave you with this do it the right way I did it the wrong way. I skipped out on meals.

I was mean to myself. I'd eat a donut that was 200 calories, well, 250 calories. I'd go for an 8-mile run just to burn the donut. You need to build stability, a sense of respect within yourself. And that does not come with just being. disrespectful and limiting yourself. It doesn't. A friendship, a group of people that will hold you accountable, people you can go to the gym with, or at the very least, man, do some classes, do something that will hold you and make you show up over and over again. If you can, if you

can't, I understand, right? Those things can be pricey. Find somebody else with a similar goal and go at it. Some of my favorite memories in high school was when I would go work out with my old friend, Ilser. Shout out to Ilser. I don't know if you watches, but man, it's been a while. We'd wake up early, go to the gym together. We were on the same grind. It was great. Those are times that I'll look on, I look back on very fondly. It was because we had the same goal, we wanted to just be healthy and we wanted to just keep going. And we kept each other accountable and kept each other in check. you need that. Especially if you know that you have a, you have a ways to go in terms of self-accountability. All right. Having somebody else, that's the best thing you can do.

Do not take shortcuts. It will be long. The whole process will be long. Instead of looking at it as I have a deadline of a year, I have a deadline of two years. Think of it as what are the habits, what are the things I will do now that will set me up inevitably for a future version of myself. that I will be so proud of. And I will thank myself in the future when I look in the mirror that I did those things. And it's not too late. A lot of us think, oh, you know, we're in our 20s now. It's like if my body's cooked, my body's cooked, no.

You know, the sooner you start, the more fruits of your hard labor, you're going to be able to enjoy. The sooner you start stretching, the sooner you start working out with intention, you will reap the benefits mental and physical of what you do, and the sooner you are honest to yourself about the fact that it matters to you, the better it will be Zirky Show. I got to change. We all have to.

And if your weight, your looks matter to you, and it will make you feel more confident, I think it's worth investing time into. But that's just me. And maybe you have a different opinion. Let me know. It's cold. Today's episode of the Zirky Show was filmed in Toronto, Canada.

The Six, famously the home of Drake, popular rapper and entrepreneur. This is the CN Tower right here. I was here earlier. They confiscated my permanent markers that I used for my little titles. So that was kind of sad, but it was cool. Toronto has some incredible Chinese food. We ate at New Hoking. Last night, it was so delicious.

Oh, my gosh. I'm dreaming about that fried rice right now. Oh, very good. If you're ever in Canada, come to Toronto. It is a wonderful city. I love it so much. Did you know that the Zerky Show is everywhere you go? That is correct.

You can watch it. You can scroll. You can stream it. Choice is yours. If you want to tap in, it's the Zerky Show everywhere, all across the inner webs. We've got people all over the globe. Do the things that bring you joy. And if you have a chance to go somewhere new, you should do it.

This is a year to go out and explore, okay? Because who knows? you might find love of your life you might find a reason to go to the gym you might find a new friend that will change your life that's how I found mine shout out to you Igor

he's right behind the camera looking at me all bundled up if you're trying to do just know Zirky Show I believe in you and as always I'm sending you lots of love and I'm going to do it right in between here peace

peace