Staying Alive with Jon Gabrus & Adam Pally
Episode: Tight Hour, Tight Ass (w/ Jay Jurden)
Date: September 18, 2025
Guest: Jay Jurden
Episode Overview
In this lively episode, comedians and friends Jon Gabrus and Adam Pally are joined by stand-up comedian, actor, and former personal trainer Jay Jurden. The trio explores the intersection of comedy, body image, fitness, and the ever-changing landscape of health and wellness, especially as it relates to their careers and identities. With Jay’s unique perspective as a shredded comic and all-around entertainer, the guys dive deep into what it takes to stay healthy—and funny—in an industry rife with pressures on appearance and authenticity. The episode delivers candid insights into gym culture, shifting comedy norms, social media’s influence, and finding balance in both body and mind—all with their signature irreverence and humor.
Main Topics & Key Discussion Points
1. Comedy & Body Image: Tradition vs. Evolution (00:00–15:00)
- Kickoff and Chemistry: The hosts and Jay launch into classic banter about travel, inside jokes, and comic references, setting a playful and relaxed tone.
- The Fit Comic Stereotype: Jay gets introduced as "shredded to the moon" and “weirdly perfect for this show”, sparking conversations about visible fitness in comedy.
- “He is actually very funny, knowledgeable, a former personal trainer. And he’s shred to the moon.” — Adam Pally (02:28)
- Self-Deprecation in Comedy: The group discusses how self-deprecating humor about weight or fitness has long served as a bridge to connect with audiences, but how this is shifting as more comics embrace body positivity or openly display “thirst trap” style images online.
- “So much of the self deprecation is like rooted in like wanting to make sure that you’re not alienating the audience.” — John Gabris (20:56)
- Comedy Icons & Sex Appeal: Talk of classic SNL comedians, Will Ferrell, and the evolution from “the fat, funny guy” archetype to today’s sexy comics and why audiences both embrace and resist the change.
- “Comedy is always...that’s the idea. Like, comedians were always sexy. They wanted to be sexier.” — Adam Pally (23:01)
- Memorable Moment: Jay’s riff on body types in the gym and his “pander bear” OnlyFans joke.
- “I’m like a year away from like, OnlyFans. Call me the pander bear. I’m like, he’s eating another sandwich.” — Jay Jurden (14:26)
2. Social Media & Comedy Trends (04:00–10:00; 30:38–41:01)
- Content Fatigue & TikTok Comedy: There’s agreement that online platforms have shifted the craft, amplifying hacky formats like lip syncs and “reaction” videos.
- “If you were using someone’s audio as a ventriloquist dummy, up until the past couple of years, people would be like, ‘okay, shaking his hat’.” — John Gabris (05:21)
- Crowdwork Obsession: The obsession with posting crowdwork clips dilutes the craft of stand-up, with some comedians diluting sets for online validation instead of genuine engagement.
- Audience Shifts: Modern audiences sometimes expect to participate (or disrupt), influenced by viral videos of heckler takedowns.
3. Gym Culture, Fitness Routines, and Body Image in Comedy (15:00–37:00; 46:13–58:00)
- Jay’s Gym Journey: Jay shares his evolution from discovering the gym at 20 to working at NYC’s iconic (and infamously “cruisy”) David Barton Gym, and how his relationship with working out matured from aesthetics to functional wellness.
- “You do have to have that body dysmorphia conversation with yourself as far as like, what am I trying to do?” — Jay Jurden (16:41)
- Routine Details: Jay’s current routine is four days split into upper/lower body workouts, emphasizing longevity over PRs.
- “After 30, it’s what you want to do, but also what can I do?” — Jay Jurden (30:53)
- Staying Shredded on the Road: Jay and the hosts swap tips for keeping active on tour, battling body issues, and dealing with gym culture’s sometimes performative aspects.
- “Working out for me right now is I want to make sure. Sure I’m getting some pull ups in...I also want to make sure that the numbers just aren’t decreasing. That’s it.” — John Gabris (32:18)
- Deadlift Talk: Jay and Jon geek out about the practicality of deadlifts and their role in the real world.
- “Deadlifting is cute, but like, I feel like I’m just practicing to help someone move a couch.” — Jay Jurden (32:57)
- Gym Intimidation & Reclamation: They explore feelings of imposter syndrome, especially for comics who weren’t always athletic, and how the gym can become a source of confidence and community.
- “The minute you start to feel comfortable there, you’re like, okay, actually, I can take up space. I feel, I feel allowed to be here.” — John Gabris (57:18)
- Protein Shakes & Nutrition: Jay prescribes a post-workout shake, sparking joking about wild protein flavors and cannabis-infused health trends.
- “Cosmic brownie flavored...they have so many flavors of protein powders now that they have cereal collab.” — Jay Jurden (53:58)
4. The “Manosphere,” Influencer Culture & Modern Masculinity (37:04–41:01)
- Algorithmically Driven Health Advice: The group riffs on how the internet spits out the same health/grind/fitness/diet content to men, almost like brainwashing; e.g., “parlays, cold plunge, etc.”
- “When you’re capturing the attention of young men right now, there are these weird areas where if you just say it, it’s almost like a winter soldier piece of their brain is unlocked.” — John Gabris (37:04)
- Fitness Grifters: They lampoon diet trends and the constant drive to monetize everything (“I want free Carnivore diet products and I want them to eventually pay me...”).
5. The End of Expertise & The “Health Guru” Phenomenon (41:01–44:24)
- From Trainer to Guru: Discussion of how people no longer differentiate between experts and influencers, using Joe Rogan as an example of a personality with outsized influence beyond his true areas of expertise.
- “Why not listen to the guy about MMA training or standup comedy...but when he starts talking about global politics and stuff, you’re like, wait, he’s not an expert on this.” — Jay Jurden (42:22)
6. Stage Presence, Style, and the Changing Look of a Comic (46:13–50:57)
- Comic Style Choices: Jay and the hosts analyze how comic attire and style has shifted from “blend in” (black tees, suits, no flashy clothes) to today’s climate where standing out and authentic expression are encouraged.
- “We need that comic just as much as we need the guy in the T-shirt.” — John Gabris (47:34)
- Visual Comedy & Social Media: Photographers at shows, fit-checks, and the importance of having distinctive comedy photos for promo and socials.
- Women's Experiences: Touch on how the visual shift has especially impacted women in comedy, referencing Sarah Silverman's need to “play down her looks” in a male-dominated scene.
7. Comedy as Wellness
- Creativity & Health: The trio emphasizes that comedy, community, and creative output are integral to overall health—not just physical wellness.
- “Comedy can be therapeutic, but it’ll never be therapy.” — John Gabris (43:35)
- Balance and Holistic Health: There’s a shared sentiment that the “Staying Alive” podcast is about finding greater balance—physical, mental, creative, and social.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Body Image and Comedy:
- “I know you think I’m fat, but I already got four funny jokes...that’s why I’m comfortable being shirtless and nude. No, deal with it.” — Jay Jurden (21:38)
- On Gym Bro Science & Male Ego:
- “You have to start to take ego out of it. So like, for a lot of people, the reason they want to deadlift is so they can have the bar, have the plates, have the noise, hear the noise, pick it up, make the face, drop it.” — John Gabris (35:02)
- On Social Media’s Impact on Comedy:
- “Now everyone’s like, no, be yourself up there.” — Jay Jurden (50:33)
- On Expertise in the Age of Podcasts:
- “We used to listen to this person about this thing because that’s what they focused on...Now people don’t care that he’s not an expert. They go, I just listen to Joe.” — Jay Jurden (42:22)
- On Fitness Trends Online:
- “All of our...because there are certain things that are like, if you’re a man...parlays, cold plunge, beef tallow.” — John Gabris (37:39)
Section Timestamps
- 00:00–02:28: Banter, Jay’s intro, and “shredded” jokes
- 04:00–10:00: Comedy content on TikTok, crowdwork, and audience behavior
- 15:00–21:38: Jay’s fitness origin story and body image in comedy
- 30:38–35:02: Detailed gym routines, deadlifts, risk/reward of gym lifts
- 37:04–41:01: “Manosphere,” internet fitness trends, masculinity
- 41:01–44:24: Gurus, loss of expertise, podcasts as authority
- 46:13–50:57: Comic attire, changing norms, women in comedy
- 53:03–56:21: Protein shakes, nutrition, and holistic health
- 56:21–58:00: How working out fuels creativity and confidence
- 58:00–End: Wrapping up, ongoing search for balance
Conclusion: Tone & Takeaways
This episode blends candid, irreverent humor with surprisingly earnest insight into how comedians navigate personal health, changing beauty standards, and a fitness landscape dominated by trendiness and influencer culture. The chemistry among the hosts and Jay Jurden makes for a conversation that’s honest, grossly forthcoming, and ultimately encouraging. The show leaves listeners with a sense of camaraderie and positivity for anyone striving—however imperfectly—to balance wellness with living (and joking) out loud.
For those seeking an episode hyper-focused on step counts, macros, or strict wellness protocols, this isn’t it. Instead, it’s a refreshing, real conversation about navigating health, identity, and comedy’s evolving landscape, with plenty of laughs and hard truths for performers (and partiers) of all stripes.