Heart disease runs in Ben’s family, affecting both sides, with a recent scare involving his father undergoing heart surgery. The sight of his strong, seemingly invincible father in a vulnerable state was a harrowing experience for Erin and Ben, reinforcing their awareness of the genetic risks Ben faces.
Erin shared a recurring, haunting dream where Ben is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, leaving him with only weeks or months to live. In the dream, the family organizes a ‘going away party’ for Ben, attended by everyone he has ever known, including those who have passed away. This poignant dream underscores Erin’s deep-seated fears about losing Ben prematurely.
These fears prompted a proactive approach to Ben’s health. A text from a family friend, a doctor, urged Ben to undergo a specific screening that can detect early risks of heart disease. This advice led Ben to schedule an appointment for comprehensive heart tests at St. Dominic’s.
The Napier family found great relief in the test results. Despite some concerning numbers, Ben’s overall heart health was excellent, thanks to his active lifestyle and favorable height/weight ratio. His heart was likened to that of a teenager’s.
To celebrate, Ben enjoyed Douwe Egberts coffee, treats from Deep South Pops, and new woodshop tools. This highlights the importance of vigilance and proactive health measures, especially with genetic predispositions to heart disease.
Although Ben has not experienced a heart attack, it remains a concern. However, Ben is proactively addressing his health, making significant strides in weight loss and fitness. His commitment to regular exercise, dietary changes, and overall well-being has yielded impressive results. Congratulations to Ben for his remarkable progress and dedication to a healthier future for himself and his family.
After the birth of his daughter Helen, Ben Napier made a commitment to improve his health, resulting in a dramatic weight loss of 55 pounds within the first year. This transformation was achieved through regular exercise and a revamped diet, emphasizing reduced carbohydrate intake. Ben’s dedication to his fitness routine was evident as he consistently woke up at 4:30 AM to play basketball in the backyard.
“He gets up at 4:30 and plays basketball in the backyard every morning,” Erin shared. “I will not complain about it. It’s great for his heart — I don’t care if it wakes me up.”
By November 2023, Ben had lost a total of 95 pounds, a testament to his ongoing commitment to exercise and dietary changes. He discussed this journey with Entertainment Tonight, explaining how a moment during an interview motivated him to intensify his efforts.
“We’re all trying to be healthier and trying to live better and trying to live longer,” Ben said. “I started just [because I knew] I needed to take some weight off. And then we did an interview … and my shirt wouldn’t stay buttoned, and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s a bad look. That is a bad thing.’ I was already working [on my weight] and then that jumpstarted it.”
Ben’s daily eating habits also played a crucial role in his weight loss. Instead of having large meals, he and Erin enjoyed snacking on healthy treats at night.
“I like only eat ‘girl dinner,’ which is basically crackers for two meals a day. I just crave crackers and maybe a little cheese, charcuterie, a little fruit, maybe a crunchy carrot,” Erin explained. “Ben just basically adopted eating the way I was eating. He has one big meal. He eats a good, healthy, big lunch … Last night for supper he ate some dates. He’s obsessed with dates!”
Erin has been Ben’s biggest supporter throughout his weight loss journey. “I want him to live forever,” she said. “That’s what I care about.”
In addition to their first daughter Helen, the Napiers welcomed another daughter, Mae, in May 2021. The couple, based in Laurel, Mississippi, has built a thriving home improvement empire, inspired millions, and shared their journey with their growing family.
“My very favorite thing about what we’ve gotten to do over the last seven years is that our girls will always have this,” Erin revealed. “Someday we won’t be here, but they’ll have this. They’ll get to be with us, and hear us, and learn our story and why we love this town so much. They’ll have that and I feel so lucky that they’ll have that.”
Ben Napier’s dedication to his health, driven by his desire to be there for his family, stands as an inspiring testament to the power of lifestyle changes and the importance of prioritizing well-being.
en Napier has faced more than just concerns about his heart. In February 2023, he underwent surgery to address a significant shoulder injury. Erin Napier posted a photo of Ben on Instagram, showing him on the couch with a hospital bracelet and a shoulder sling. Her caption provided details of the procedures he underwent: “Rotator cuff repaired ✅ bone spur shaved off ✅ cartilage trimmed,” Erin, 37, wrote. She also added a sweet note: “Best nurse in the biz,” referring to herself.
The photo’s foreground featured a get well soon note with crayon hearts signed by the couple’s older daughter Helen, 5. In addition to the cute letter, Helen covered her dad with a variety of stuffed animals. The couple also share daughter Mae, who was 22 months old at the time.