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Musician Ludovic Zamor shares how pressing “pause” on performing gave him the jump start he needed to take control of his health.

Reviewed by Dietitian Maria Laura Haddad-Garcia

Key Points

• A 30-second workout can be the start of meaningful change.
• Like learning piano, lasting change comes from practice, not perfection.
• Simple routine changes can make a big difference in how you feel.

Editor’s Note: This story is told in Ludovic Zamor’s own words, as shared with writer Karla Walsh. It has been edited for clarity and length.

In 2023, I stepped onto a StairMaster for the first time—and had to stop after 30 seconds. I was sweating, out of breath and honestly shocked. That moment became my wake-up call.

In the midst of the pandemic, with my piano career on hold, I was spiraling and turning to food as a form of relief. From 2020 to 2022, I slowly gained 100 pounds. The Papa John’s and Chinese takeout delivery drivers and I were on a first-name basis. The pizza shop staff always hooked me up with extra cups of garlic sauce.

I tried making small changes, like walking around the block or ordering a box of premade meals, but nothing really stuck.

A Career That Kept Me Sitting for Hours

Playing piano isn’t the most active career to begin with. Traveling and performing make up only about 5% of my time. Most days, I’d be studying, rehearsing and practicing—being sedentary for hours at a time, sometimes up to 14 hours straight. Sure, I could stand up more or take breaks, but early in my career, I didn’t.

My love for the piano started at age 3, when my dad, who was a hobby pianist, introduced me to it. He taught me until I was 7 and then encouraged me to train with professional teachers. As I improved, I moved on to more advanced—and more talented—teachers. At 15, I was accepted at a conservatory in Toronto, and at 17, I was recruited to play at Carnegie Hall.

I still felt like piano was just a hobby until around age 22, when I fully committed to it as a career. I teamed up with a Grand Master pianist who shaped me into a real professional. When the pandemic started, I was 25 and had spent months preparing for a 60-city tour.

The pandemic was an unexpected and jarring intermission. The tour was canceled, and we were discouraged from congregating—which is literally my bread and butter. People in my life called me out for not doing anything. But it wasn’t by choice. Around the same time, I experienced a lot of personal loss. My manager died. My teacher passed away. My girlfriend left. My dad got sick. So many things were piling on. Food helped me get by during those years, but it also contributed to my weight gain.

The Moment I Decided to Reset

Eventually, in 2023, I looked in the mirror and decided it was time for a hard reset. Even though theaters were reopening, I paused my career and focused on my health.

That first day at the gym was humbling. I stepped onto the StairMaster and was completely winded almost immediately. It was an ego check. I expected to be able to do something more impressive—but I didn’t let it derail me.

For perspective, I compared fitness to music. There are pieces that are monsters. You can’t just play them perfectly right away. Sometimes it takes a year to learn a composition, then another year to refine it enough to perform. You have to learn it measure by measure. I realized building stamina and strength would take the same commitment.

I told myself that the 30 seconds today could turn into a minute tomorrow. Then two minutes the next week. I let go of instant gratification and focused on showing up, listening to my body and building from there.

When I was ready to add strength training, I hired a personal trainer, who coached me through proper form. We talked a lot about mastering our own bodies, which really resonated with me. My job is performance and coordination—so any edge I can gain physically is incredibly motivating.

How My Eating Habits Changed

On the food front, I stopped ordering delivery cold turkey the day I joined the gym. I spent two weeks clearing out my kitchen, then restocked it with nutrient-dense foods I could prepare at home.

I like to understand the “why” behind everything I do, so I started learning more about nutrition. At first, I focused on calories. Over time, I began thinking more about the bigger picture—how macronutrients (protein, fat and carbs) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) affect how I feel and perform.

Since I wanted to build muscle and feel stronger, I prioritized protein, a macronutrient. Within a year, I lost 100 pounds. I didn’t really have a specific goal weight, but when I lost another 10 pounds, I started feeling weak. So I adjusted and gained it back. Now I hover around 175 and focus on building more muscle and strength.

Losing 100 Pounds Changed More Than My Body

I used to live to eat. Now, food feels more intentional, and I enjoy choosing meals that keep me energized throughout the day. A lunch like strained (Greek-style) yogurt with steamed vegetables and some fruit is something I genuinely look forward to, and I’ve come to crave my time at the gym.

I try to move every day in some way; whether that’s a full workout at the gym or just a walk when I’m traveling.

I’m back to performing—in fact, I’m about to do a big collaboration with the Seattle Symphony—and I’ve never felt more confident on stage. Audiences can see right through any insecurity, and it feels really good to be proud not only of my music but of myself.

Some pieces are big, expressive and even physically demanding. Being healthier has definitely helped my performance!

What This Experience Taught Me

This whole experience has taught me so much. Just like you have to show up for practice to become a strong performer, you have to show up for yourself to be able to lead a long, healthy life.

For the weight-loss portion of this journey, I was following notes on a page because I knew how much consistency it would take to make these changes stick. Now, there’s more flexibility. I’m allowing for more improvisation so I can enjoy the many decades ahead.