He Went From 53 Lbs to 170 Drug Free | Hadley Ott’s Crohn’s, Faith & Healing Journey

From 53 Pounds to a New Beginning

Hadley Ott’s health journey began at just 12 years old when he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and weighed only 53 pounds. Eating became difficult, and for more than a decade he went through medications, steroids, a feeding tube, biologic drugs, and eventually surgery to remove part of his intestine.

Despite all of this, the symptoms continued to return.

The Turning Point

By his early 20s, Hadley was still dealing with chronic illness and the emotional weight that came with it. A difficult period in his career triggered another flare-up and pushed him into a very dark place.

That experience became a turning point. Hadley decided he needed to take a different approach to his health and began rebuilding his life around three areas: nutrition, fitness, and faith.

Nutrition, Fitness, and Faith

Hadley shares how he changed his approach to nutrition, incorporated supplements and gut health protocols, and began treating fitness as an important part of his daily routine.

For him, the gym became more than a place to exercise. It became part of his recovery and a reminder to stay grateful for what his body could do.

His faith also became central to the journey. Hadley talks openly about letting go of guilt and shame, trusting God, and believing that his illness did not have to define the rest of his life.

Turning His Story Into a Mission

Hadley says his journey took him from 53 pounds to 170 pounds and eventually inspired his book, Drug Free Crohn’s: Overcoming Big Doctors, Big Hospitals and Big Pharma, which became an Amazon bestseller.

Today, he travels and speaks at universities across the country, sharing his experience and encouraging others who are facing chronic health challenges.

A Conversation About More Than Crohn’s

This episode with Sam Acho and Clif Marshall goes beyond one person's health journey. It explores resilience, faith, mindset, discipline, and what it means to keep moving forward when life feels overwhelming.

Hadley’s story is ultimately a story of hope and perseverance, and a reminder that even in the darkest seasons, a new chapter can begin.

Hadley’s experience reflects his personal journey and beliefs. This content is for informational purposes and is not intended to replace professional medical advice or treatment.

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