Brad Jacobs fasted 110 hours before the Olympics. Here’s what he said and how to do long fasts safely.
Canadian curler Brad Jacobs completed a 110-hour fast ahead of the Olympics, his longest yet. He says he felt less inflammation and clearer mentally. Here’s what he did and safety tips.
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By Torontoer Staff
Brad Jacobs, the 40-year-old Canadian curler returning to the Olympics, completed a 110-hour fast in the lead-up to the Games, his longest to date. Jacobs said the goal was a five-day fast, but he stopped early to preserve energy for his children.
Jacobs has used extended fasting as part of his pre-competition routine before. He described physical and mental effects he found helpful, and he broke the fast with broth, a green soup labelled 'healing soup', and scrambled eggs.
What Jacobs did
Jacobs posted that he fasted for 110 hours, about four and a half days. He said this was his sixth fast of three days or more and that his original target was 120 hours. He chose to stop early because he wanted energy to be with his kids that day.
“I’m very excited, and I’m really, really hungry.”
Brad Jacobs
For his first meal after the fast Jacobs described starting gently with broth and a green soup, then scrambled eggs. That sequence follows common guidance on reintroducing food after a prolonged fast.
The effects he reported
Jacobs listed several benefits he noticed during and after the fast: less inflammation, feeling leaner and stronger, improved mental clarity, and a temporary improvement in close-up vision. Those experiences are subjective but consistent with anecdotal accounts from other long-term fasters.
“There’s next to no inflammation in my body, boy, do I ever feel lean and strong. My brain is totally cleansed.”
Brad Jacobs
“My vision right now, up close, is right back to where it used to be. I don’t expect it to last, but it’s really neat to see what the body can do.”
Brad Jacobs
Why some athletes try extended fasting
Athletes experiment with nutrition strategies to seek performance, recovery and body-composition benefits. Extended fasting is thought to reduce inflammation, encourage fat adaptation and promote processes like autophagy, which some researchers link to cellular repair. Evidence remains mixed, and benefits can vary by sport, individual physiology and timing relative to training and competition.
How to approach long fasts safely
Long fasts are not appropriate for everyone. They carry risks, especially during heavy training or for people with underlying conditions. If you are considering a multi-day fast, follow these practical precautions.
- Consult a doctor or registered dietitian before attempting extended fasts, particularly if you have diabetes, low blood pressure, are pregnant or have a history of disordered eating.
- Avoid scheduling very long fasts during periods of intense training or competition where glycogen and immediate energy needs are high.
- Stay hydrated and manage electrolytes. Water alone is often not enough over multiple days.
- Break the fast slowly, starting with broths or easily digested foods before reintroducing richer meals.
- Monitor symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, severe fatigue or heart palpitations and stop the fast if they occur.
Practical alternatives for recreational fasters
If a four- or five-day fast feels extreme, consider safer, more sustainable approaches that still provide metabolic benefits: intermittent fasting schedules like 16:8, 24-hour fasts done occasionally, or supervised medical fasting programs. These options can be easier to fit around work, family and training demands.
Where this fits for Jacobs and Team Canada
Jacobs and the Canadian men’s curling team enter the Olympics with strong recent results, including a win at the 2025 World Men’s Curling Championships. Jacobs told media he felt ready for competition after the fast and the team’s opening match is scheduled for Feb. 11 against Germany.
“Feeling optimal, feeling ready to go, and, just can’t wait to wear the maple leaf in Italy.”
Brad Jacobs
Long fasts can produce noticeable effects for some people, but they are not a universal or risk-free strategy. Speak with a healthcare professional before trying extended fasting, plan refeeding carefully and prioritise safety if you decide to experiment.
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