Many people are clueless to who the hell Rick Rubin is. Some have heard the name and seen the photos but they are unaware of who the tall guy with the crazy salt and pepper beard and black t-shirt is. Well for starters he is the founder of Def Jam Records, the biggest and baddest hip hop label. It was only a short time after, when he brought in Russell Simmons who today is synonymous with the Def Jam brand. Rick Rubin signed and helped build the careers of artists like The Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Run DMC and most recently Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Adele. Today Rick serves as Chairman of Columbia Records Group and spends most of the work days working from his home in California. During the years of living an almost reclusive life, he packed on the pounds due to late night recording sessions coupled with late night eating. His appearance was troubling to some but to others, like his pals Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen, they knew that was just Rick being Rick. Once weighing in at over 300 lbs, most of which he gained during his years as a vegan, Rick is now half the man he used to be thanks to a disciplined new diet and exercise regiment. Over the course of 15 months, he's dropped 130 pounds taking on a more leaner physique and piece of mind. Rick is on a new path and MensJournal.com got an exclusive on how the music mogul did it, and why now.
