Action Bronson Says 'Every Single Aspect of Life Has Changed' Since Fitness Transformation (Exclusive)

"I wake up happy every day," says the rapper, who began a fitness transformation in 2020

Action Bronson is clear about the reasons for his fitness journey.

The "Actin Crazy" rapper, 39, performed at New Balance’s TCS New York City Marathon Kick-Off Party on Friday, telling PEOPLE about how he stays committed to his workouts.

"I wanna stay alive," Bronson says. "I wanna stay alive and enjoy all these tremendous opportunities that are in front of us and live all this beauty that is around every day. Honestly, that’s it."

Bronson lost over 130 lbs. after he set his mind to the health transformation back in 2020, a life change inspired by the birth of his son. He and wife Valeria welcomed their first baby, Benicio, in November 2019, then a daughter, Lennox Daisy, three years later.

"I just wanna be around for the family so I can make sure that they’re good for their journey through life. I don’t care about myself," Bronson says.

Related: Rapper Action Bronson Opens Up About How (and Why) He Worked to Lose 127 Lbs.: 'Long Overdue'

The artist says "every single aspect of life has changed" since prioritizing his health. Aside from staying healthy to be around for his family, Bronson says his other objective is to get "shredded."

"I wake up happy every day. Even when I was real fat I was happy but I don’t know if I was, might have been fake. But it’s just my mentality; I’m just a happy-go-lucky guy," he says, adding, "It all goes together. But I want to be jacked.... I do."

Bronson says he and Valeria do Pilates together, which, he admits, is more of a challenge than he first expected.

"My wife loves it. We work out Pilates together. I do [like it] because it’s hard as a m-----f---er. It’s not easy," he says. "You would think that something like that would be easier. It just looks like you’re not doing much but s---’s hard."

At New Balance’s TCS New York City Marathon Kick-Off Party held at Lavan Midtown Friday, the brand celebrated its "Run Your Way" campaign, a running mantra about pushing boundaries, removing running stereotypes, and welcoming runners at all levels.

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During the event, journalist Greydy Diaz moderated a panel consisting of UFC fighter Marlon "Chito" Vera, singer-songwriter Harry Hudson, Detroit-based content creator Tommie Runz, and journalist Jess Movold.

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