Popular fitness entrepreneur and Fittr founder Jitendra Chouksey, known to his followers as JC, criticized the current wave of longevity startups and celebrity-endorsed weight loss drugs during a recent deep-dive interview on the Health Wealth podcast.
Chouksey, who leads one of India’s largest community-driven health platforms, argued that many modern wellness trends, ranging from biohacker Bryan Johnson’s age-reversal claims to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal’s new health venture, often prioritise marketing over established scientific evidence.
The entrepreneur took specific aim at Goyal’s upcoming health-tech startup, Temple, and its associated gravity aging hypothesis. Chouksey dismissed the theory as a narrative that has been explored and largely dismissed by the scientific community over the last 50 years.
He expressed concern that companies responsible for distributing junk food through quick delivery services are now attempting to control the health agenda, noting that Zomato continues to send food notifications late at night, which directly contradicts healthy behaviour.
Chouksey also sounded an alarm regarding the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (a class of drugs used for weight loss and diabetes, such as Ozempic). He warned that these medications can lead to significant lean muscle loss, which is particularly dangerous for the Indian population that already struggles with low muscle mass.
He further characterized endorsements by celebrities like Serena Williams as being driven by financial incentives and board positions rather than pure medical advice.
Addressing the “thin fat” phenomenon in India, Chouksey explained that many people who appear slim actually carry high amounts of visceral fat (fat stored around internal organs).
He attributed this to a historical lack of protein in the Indian diet, noting that while China has increased its average population height through better protein intake, India’s average height has marginally declined.
He urged creators and citizens to focus on basic blood markers like HbA1c (a test measuring average blood sugar levels) rather than getting lost in expensive “biohacking” gadgets.
The Fittr founder concluded by urging aspiring creators and health enthusiasts to maintain a healthy scepticism of “internet doctors” and celebrity influencers.
He emphasized that the wellness industry often uses “snake oil” tactics to sell unsubstantiated supplements like collagen and NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, a popular anti-aging supplement) which he claims lack robust human data.
Chouksey maintains that the foundation of health remains simple: consistent sleep, whole-food nutrition, and regular exercise.
