Richard Simmons explains he's not dying after a mysterious social media post

Fitness expert Richard Simons shared a cryptic post on Monday saying: “I'm…dying,” while encouraging people to eat healthy and “hug” their loved ones.

He later clarifies, saying he does not die and apologizes for any confusion.

The 75-year-old fitness trainer, known for his eccentric personality and “Sweatin' to the Oldies” workout videos, wrote on… Facebook And X Monday morning he had some news.

“Please don't be sad. I'm… dying,” he said in the post. “Oh, I can see your faces now. The truth is, we all die. Every day we live we get closer to our death.”

He continued: Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every day. “Get up in the morning and look up at the sky…count your blessings and enjoy.”

Simmons then encouraged his followers to start their day with a healthy meal and exercise.

“There's another very important thing you should do. Tell those you love that you love them. Hug those people and children that you really care about. A big hug really goes a long way,” he added.

“If you have time I want you to listen to a great song. It's by Tim McGraw and it's called Live Like You're Dying. Live today and don't forget to pray,” he concluded his post.

On Monday afternoon, Simmons posted an update.

“I'm sorry that many of you were upset by my message today. Even the press reached out to me. I'm not dying,” he wrote. “It was a message about how to embrace each day we have.”

NBC News was among the outlets that reached out to Simmons for comment.

The pop culture personality, once a frequent face on television, has been reclusive since 2014.

In January, he talked about an upcoming biopic about his life starring actor and comedian Pauly Shore, which Simmons said he never gave permission for.

“I never gave permission for his film. So, don't believe everything you read Facebook on time. “I don't have a manager anymore, I don't have a publicist anymore. I'm just trying to live a calm life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”

Since publishing the autobiography, Simmons has been writing with relative frequency on social media — offering motivational messages and sharing stories about moments and people who have impacted his life. The posts covered topics such as his childhood in New Orleans, segregation, fitness, and his family.

He has also released several songs on YouTube, which he said in a blog post this month that he wrote with his partners Chris and Cathy Phillips. “Most people have never heard of them,” Simons wrote.