The Weight Medicine Podcast

In this episode, I’m talking to Elisa from @foodnoisebegone about a long, complex weight journey shaped by hormones, illness, and repeated attempts to “do everything right.”Elisa shares how her weight gradually increased after college, through years of yo-yo dieting, thyroid issues, hormonal changes, and the lifestyle shifts brought on by the COVID pandemic. We talk about structured programs, extreme calorie restriction, and what happens when weight loss efforts collide with real medical crises — including uterine bleeding that required surgery, a hysterectomy, and later a diagnosis of stage 1 lung cancer.We explore how recovery, stress, inflammation, and repeated interventions affected her body — and how weight regain followed even her most disciplined efforts. Elisa opens up about reaching a breaking point with rigid programs, and why she began looking for a more sustainable, medically grounded approach.This is a thoughtful conversation about personalization, patience, and realism — about moving away from extremes, respecting biology, and building a weight-care plan that can coexist with real life and real health challenges.An episode about resilience, informed choice, and why sustainable weight care often begins when we stop forcing our bodies to comply.

In this episode, I’m talking to Jo, a 60-year-old Australian feminist who quietly reached her goal weight — without telling anyone she was using weight-loss medication.Jo shares a lifetime of thinking about weight, researching solutions, and circling the idea of medical treatment long before she ever started. For years, the knowledge was there — but timing, fear, stigma, and internal AND external resistance kept her waiting. When she finally did begin treatment, it wasn’t dramatic or public. It was private, intentional, and deeply personal.We talk about a life shaped by weight struggles, even after healing from eating disorders.This conversation explores secrecy, autonomy, feminism, and Jo offers a powerful perspective on aging, bodily control, and the quiet relief of finally living in a body that feels manageable — without explanations, before-and-after photos, or public permission.A reflective, honest episode about timing, privacy, and what it means to choose yourself — even when no one else knows.

In this episode, I’m talking to Marianne about her long and complex journey with weight, food, and finally finding relief with GLP-1 medication after more than 20 years of trying to make diets work.Marianne shares her background as a former competitive gymnast, where being weighed weekly shaped her relationship with her body from a young age. We talk about what happened after she stopped competing, the cycle of dieting and regaining weight, and her experience with treatments like the gastric balloon — all while being told, implicitly or explicitly, that more discipline should be enough.We dive into what changed when she started Ozempic in spring 2024, how it helped quiet emotional eating and food cravings, and why GLP-1 medication has been about so much more than weight loss. Marianne opens up about navigating grief after losing her father, and how the medication supported both her and her mother in maintaining stability during an incredibly difficult time.We also talk about media narratives around GLP-1s, the frustration of seeing them dismissed as a “diet trend,” and the importance of recognizing obesity as a chronic disease — not a failure of willpower. Along the way, we reflect on non-scale victories, mental clarity, confidence, and how this journey has given Marianne the freedom to pursue new paths in health coaching, hypnotherapy, counseling, and nutrition.This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about reclaiming your life, shifting focus away from the scale, and finally being able to imagine a future that isn’t defined by food or weight.

In this episode, I’m talking to Lauren, my first guest from Scotland, about her journey through weight loss, medication, and motherhood.Lauren shares how years of struggling with her weight, especially after having kids, left her overwhelmed and exhausted, and how choosing to prioritize her health became a turning point. We talk about her experience losing over 50 pounds with the support of medication, navigating stigma around weight loss, and what it was like to physically confront that change by seeing the number on the scale — and feeling the weight she no longer carries.We also dive into the practical realities of life on GLP-1 medication: dosing schedules, managing side effects, adjusting meal routines, and learning to listen to your body rather than following rigid rules. Lauren opens up about being needle-phobic, we discuss transitioning between medications due to cost, and she shares that her relationship with food has shifted from restriction to balance — including enjoying food, snacks, and social situations without guilt.This is an honest conversation about sustainability, self-compassion, and why weight loss doesn’t happen in a vacuum — especially for working mothers. We also talk about the backlash Lauren faced online while sharing her journey, and why telling these stories still matters.A grounded, relatable episode about real life, real bodies, and finding a way forward that actually works.

In this episode, I’m talking to endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen about her new book Weightless — a compassionate, evidence-based guide to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, and what it really means to take back control of your health.She shares how her father’s diabetes diagnosis led her into endocrinology, and why she believes obesity must finally be treated as the chronic, biological disease it is — not a moral failure. Together, we talk about:What GLP-1 medications actually do in the body, and how they calm food noise, emotional eating, and constant hungerThe five key drivers of obesity: heredity, hormones, aging, environment, and lifestyleThe mental and emotional benefits of GLP-1s that are rarely discussedWhy short-term prescriptions aren’t enough, and what long-term medical care should look likeHow PCOS, perimenopause, and hormonal shifts affect women’s weight and healthThe psychological side of major weight loss, including fear of regain, identity shifts, and the need for emotional supportCommon myths, misinformation, and why compassion must replace judgment in the obesity conversationThis is an episode grounded in both science and empathy — for anyone who has ever felt unheard, ashamed, or confused about their weight.The book Weightless by Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen releases December 30 (US) and January 1 (UK).Follow her on Instagram @drsalaswhalen.

In this episode, I’m talking to Summer, a dietitian who also has lived experience of obesity. She shares her personal journey of losing and regaining over 100 pounds, trying intuitive eating, and struggling with constant food obsession — even with all her professional knowledge.We talk about why intuitive eating rarely work for people with obesity, and how biology, hormones, and food noise can override hunger cues and best intentions. Summer opens up about how GLP-1 medication changed her relationship with food — not by removing appetite, but by quieting the obsession and allowing her to eat intuitively without tracking, restriction, or guilt for the first time.We also discuss barriers to accessing medication, the divide within the dietitian community, the risks around compounded GLP-1s, and why comprehensive support — including dietitians — matters whether or not someone is on medication.This is an honest, thoughtful conversation about food freedom, long-term maintenance, and why obesity care must move beyond willpower and ideology.