What Happened to Susan Powter? New Doc Sheds Light on the ’90s Fitness Guru

In the ’90s, Susan Powter was on top of the world. Known for her trademark platinum blonde buzzcut and boundless enthusiasm for fitness and wellness that she brought to audiences daily through her infomercials, she dominated daytime TV as a motivational speaker, nutritionist, and fitness guru. Her signature rallying cry — “Stop the insanity!” — became a pop-culture catchphrase, urging viewers to reject fad diets and sedentary lifestyles in favor of common-sense health and empowerment.

Once weighing over 250 pounds, Powter transformed her dramatic weight loss into a fitness empire through her high-energy infomercials. With her mix of charisma and conviction, she seemed a natural fit for television. Soon, the fitness queen landed a hefty book advance, guest appearances on TV series including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and her own nationally syndicated talk show, The Susan Powter Show, while also teaming up with a manager and an investment partner to help expand her rapidly growing brand.