Matt Damon, a seasoned actor now aged 55, recently shared insights into the preparation process for his role in the upcoming Christopher Nolan-directed film titled "The Odyssey." Damon revealed that he underwent a notable physical transformation, achieving what he described as his lightest weight since his high school days. This transformation was primarily driven by adopting a gluten-free diet and engaging in rigorous daily training under professional supervision.
During a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, Damon elaborated on the requirements communicated by Nolan for his character, stating that the director desired a physique that was simultaneously lean and strong. He remarked, "I was in really good shape. I lost a lot of weight. He said he wanted me like lean but strong. It’s a weird thing." This specific directive prompted Damon to undertake a disciplined regime that involved both a tailored diet and a fitness program catered to those objectives.
Central to his dietary adjustments was the elimination of gluten, a change implemented in consultation with his doctor. Damon recounted, "Literally like stopped eating, just because of this other thing I did with my doctor, stopped eating gluten." This significant dietary shift contributed to a substantial reduction in his weight. Previously, Damon reported fluctuating between 185 and 200 pounds in his everyday state. During the filming period, he maintained a weight of 167 pounds, a level he had not reached since his adolescent years.
The actor emphasized that beyond diet, the integration of his fitness routine into daily life mirrored the regimens of professional athletes. Addressing podcast hosts Jason and Travis Kelce, Damon described his commitment: "It’s like just part of your day. It’s part of your job, right? And it’s like yeah, you get really routinized about it and really kind of build your day around all that stuff." This analogy highlighted the dedication and consistency involved in preparing for a demanding cinematic role, paralleling the structured training schedules inherent in sports like football.
While Damon's transformation centers on dietary discipline and physical training, recent developments in pharmaceutical treatments for weight management offer alternative approaches gaining attention in related conversations. Novo Nordisk A/S, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker NVO, launched their Wegovy pill earlier this month. Approved in December 2025, Wegovy has demonstrated in clinical settings an ability to facilitate significant weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. Patients using Wegovy experienced an average reduction of 17% in body weight, contrasted with a 3% loss observed in the placebo group. Notably, even among users who did not strictly adhere to the full treatment protocol, weight loss averaged 14%, compared to 2% with placebo.
Similarly, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE: LLY) disclosed results from their Phase 3 ATTAIN-1 trial evaluating oral orforglipron. This investigational drug showed promising outcomes by inducing substantial reductions in body weight over a span of 72 weeks. Participants who received the highest dose of orforglipron achieved an average weight loss of 27.3 pounds, equivalent to 12.4% of body weight. These findings underscore ongoing advancements in medical options for addressing obesity and weight-related health challenges.
These pharmacological approaches provide a contrast to lifestyle and dietary modifications exemplified by Damon's routine but represent integral parts of the broader landscape of weight management strategies currently under exploration and implementation.