Weight & Measure

Who gets to decide what a healthy body looks like?Is it the patient? Their clinician? Their family? Their community? And what happens when culture, identity, health, and personal goals don't all point toward the same answer?With Zach away recovering from surgery, Deb Cooperman joins Mike as guest co-host for a conversation with Michelle Tedder, nurse educator and patient advocate, and Dr. Giovanni Spinner, public health researcher and health equity strategist.This episode explores obesity through the experiences of Black women while asking broader questions about health, identity, culture, access, and patient-centered care.Michelle and Giovanni discuss patient autonomy and shared decision-making, including what happens when a patient's goals don't align with a clinician's recommendations or when family and cultural expectations influence treatment decisions.They also challenge the idea that accepting or loving your body means you can't choose to treat obesity.Body acceptance and obesity treatment can coexist.Someone can value their body, reject shame and stigma, and still pursue treatment to improve metabolic health, mobility, strength, or quality of life.The conversation explores how social networks, cultural identity, environment, chronic stress, access to resources, and the meaning food carries within families and communities can influence health decisions.It also examines disparities in obesity care. Insurance coverage, geography, affordability, access to clinicians trained in obesity care, representation in research, and assumptions made inside the exam room can all influence whether someone receives treatment.As Giovanni explains, health equity doesn't mean treating everyone the same. It means meeting people where they are and giving them what they need to have an opportunity to achieve their healthiest life.The group also challenges the association between obesity and laziness, discipline, effort, appearance, or personal worth.Obesity is a chronic disease, and the number on the scale doesn't tell the entire story.So what should success look like?Better blood pressure or blood sugar. Improved cholesterol. Walking farther without pain. Getting stronger. Increasing muscle. Lifting your suitcase into an overhead bin. Running to catch a connecting flight. Maintaining the independence to carry your groceries upstairs at 75.Those outcomes may tell us far more about someone's health than a number on a scale.And while this conversation centers the experiences of Black women, its lessons extend beyond any one community.You don't have to share someone's lived experience to believe it, learn from it, or advocate for better care.Black women aren't a monolith. Neither are people living with obesity.Better care starts by replacing assumptions with curiosity, listening to what matters to the person in front of us, and recognizing that health may look different from one person to the next.Featuring:Mike Donnelly-Boylen | Co-host, Weight & MeasureDeb Cooperman | Guest Co-host & Obesity AdvocateMichelle Tedder | Nurse Educator, Patient Advocate & Host of Dear Healthcare ProviderDr. Giovanni Spinner | Public Health Researcher & Health Equity StrategistMore Science. Less Stigma.#Obesity #ObesityMedicine #HealthEquity #WeightStigma #BlackWomensHealth #PatientAdvocacy #WeightAndMeasure

Before they became podcast hosts, patient advocates, and leaders in obesity care, Mike Donnelly-Boylen and Zachary Niemiec were simply two people living with obesity.In this deeply personal episode of Weight & Measure, the microphones turn toward the hosts themselves as Deb Cooperman interviews Mike and Zach about the experiences that shaped their lives and ultimately inspired their work in obesity advocacy.Together, they discuss growing up with obesity, the stigma they experienced, the misconceptions people had about them, and the emotional realities that often remain invisible. They also reflect on bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, long term weight management, healthcare experiences, and how their understanding of obesity evolved from self blame to recognizing it as the chronic disease it is.This conversation is not about quick fixes or dramatic before and after stories. It is about resilience, science, hope, and what it truly means to live with obesity.Welcome, Deb!We're excited to welcome Deb Cooperman behind the microphone as our guest host for this special conversation. If you enjoy her thoughtful interview style, you'll be hearing more from Deb in September as she joins Mike to help host Weight & Measure while Zach takes a brief break to recover from surgery. We're incredibly grateful to have Deb as part of the team and can't wait for you to get to know her.In this episode: • Growing up living with obesity• The emotional impact of weight stigma and bias• Bariatric surgery and life after metabolic surgery• GLP-1 medications and comprehensive obesity treatment• Why obesity is a chronic disease, not a personal failure• The misconceptions people make about individuals living with obesity• What surprised Mike and Zach after significant weight loss• Advice they would give to their younger selves• Hope for the future of obesity medicine and patient advocacyWhether you're living with obesity, considering bariatric surgery, taking a GLP-1 medication, supporting a loved one, or working in healthcare, this episode offers an honest look at the lived experience behind the headlines.If this conversation resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode to help reduce stigma and advance understanding of obesity as a chronic disease.ResourcesPractitioners can download the free Non-Surgical Weight Loss & Obesity Management Guide here:https://procarenow.com/pages/non-surgical-weight-loss-obesity-management-programFollow Weight & Measure🎧 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-measure/id1886848263🎧 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/45vJYXZC0ciTNpfwoc9CVIObesity, obesity medicine, obesity podcast, GLP-1, GLP-1 medications, weight loss, bariatric surgery, metabolic surgery, obesity treatment, weight stigma, weight bias, obesity advocacy, chronic disease, patient advocacy, obesity care,Health,Wellness, Mike Donnelly-Boylen, Zach Niemiec, Weight & Measure.

Should we say “obese person” or “person with obesity”? Does the difference really matter?In this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, we explore person first language, weight stigma, internalized weight bias, and how the words we use can shape the way people living with obesity are treated and how they see themselves.We're joined by Nina Crowley, PhD, RDN; Renee Rogers, PhD; Leslie Golden, MD; Robyn Pashby, PhD; and Angela Fitch, MD for a wide-ranging conversation about why language matters in obesity care and why person first language shouldn't be something we expect only from physicians and other healthcare professionals.Person first language means putting the person before the condition: “a person with obesity” rather than “an obese person.” As the panel discusses, obesity is something a person may live with, not the entirety of who they are.But this episode goes beyond terminology.What happens when people living with obesity describe ourselves as “I'm obese,” “I've always been the fat one,” or “I'm the funny fat friend”? The panel explores how weight stigma can begin externally and eventually become internalized, influencing identity, expectations, healthcare experiences and the language people use about themselves.We also discuss the very real consequences of weight bias in healthcare. When people feel stigmatized in medical settings, it can affect trust and even whether they return for care. Zach shares his own experience of having a complication after metabolic & bariatric surgery initially attributed to his behavior rather than investigating whether the treatment itself had failed.And yes, Zach breaks out the siren, police badge and hat to confront one of the biggest criticisms of conversations like this:🚨 Are we becoming the “language police”?The panel tackles the tension between encouraging person first, stigma reducing language and respecting the words individuals choose to use for themselves.The conversation also explores:“Obese” vs. “person with obesity”Why weight stigma in healthcare mattersInternalized weight bias and self identitySaying “I'm fat” or reclaiming the word “fat”Being the “funny fat friend”Person first language vs. language policingGood food, bad food and cheat mealsHow fitness and wellness culture talks about larger bodiesWhy obesity treatment isn't a matter of willpowerWhy saying a patient “failed” bariatric surgery, medication or a diet places moral judgment on the personHow healthcare professionals, patients and advocates can help change the way we talk about obesityOne of the most powerful ideas from the discussion comes when the panel examines the concept that patients don't fail treatments; treatments can fail patients. The episode challenges the moral judgment embedded in saying someone “failed” bariatric surgery, medication or another obesity treatment and asks why obesity is treated differently from other chronic diseases.Ultimately, person first language isn't about memorizing a list of words you're allowed or not allowed to say.It's about becoming more intentional about the language we use, remaining curious about its impact, and remembering that the person comes before the label.🎙️ Weight & Measure with Mike and ZachMore Science. Less Stigma.Listen to Weight & Measure:Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/45vJYXZC0ciTNpfwoc9CVIApple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-measure/id1886848263Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/183597e3-d4de-4d93-a7c0-55f0cc6018bd/weight-measure#Obesity #WeightStigma #PersonFirstLanguage #ObesityMedicine #WeightBias #ObesityCare #GLP1 #BariatricSurgery #WeightAndMeasure

What actually happens when you join a GLP-1 or obesity medication clinical trial? And could participating in one give you access to the next generation of obesity treatments before they reach the pharmacy?On this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, Mike Donnelly-Boylen and Zach Niemiec are joined by Dr. Domenica Rubino, founder and director of the Washington Center for Weight Management & Research in Arlington, Virginia.Dr. Rubino is an obesity medicine physician, endocrinologist, and longtime clinical researcher who has helped study obesity medications throughout the evolution of modern obesity care.Together, we break down Clinical Trials 101 from the perspective of the people actually volunteering to participate.We discuss:• What Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase 4 clinical trials actually mean• Why developing a medication can take 10–15 years• What happens after you respond to a “Now Enrolling” clinical trial• Screening, informed consent and randomization• Why obesity medication trials still use placebo groups• Your chances of receiving placebo versus an investigational medication• What participating in a clinical trial costs• Whether participants can be compensated for their time and travel• What visits, testing and monitoring look like during a study• What happens if you experience side effects or want to leave a trial• Who is responsible for protecting clinical trial participants• What happens when an investigational medication works but the trial ends• Whether participants can continue receiving a medication after a study• How to decide whether a clinical trial is right for you• How to find legitimate obesity clinical trials on ClinicalTrials.gov• Whether you can still join trials studying retatrutide, CagriSema and other next-generation obesity medications• The rapidly growing research into amylin-based medications, dual agonists and triple agonists• Why people who have undergone metabolic & bariatric surgery may have fewer trial options, and why that may be changing• Why you should never stop an effective obesity medication simply to qualify for a clinical trialDr. Rubino also shares an important warning for anyone eager to access the newest investigational obesity medications: a clinical trial isn't simply a way to get a new drug early. Participants need to understand the study, the possibility of receiving placebo, the potential risks and benefits, and whether participation makes sense for their individual situation.Clinical trials are responsible for much of what we know about obesity treatment today. Behind every headline about a new medication are thousands of people who volunteered to help researchers answer those questions.This episode is about understanding both the science and the people who make that science possible.🎙️ Guest: Dr. Domenica Rubino🎙️ Hosts: Mike Donnelly-Boylen & Zach NiemiecSubscribe to Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.More Science. Less Stigma.#GLP1 #ClinicalTrials #Obesity #ObesityMedicine #Retatrutide #CagriSema #WeightLossMedications #ObesityTreatment #WeightAndMeasure

What is retatrutide, how does it work, and what do the latest retatrutide clinical trial results actually mean for people living with obesity?In this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, Dr. Ania Jastreboff and Ted Kyle join Mike Donnelly-Boylen and Zach Niemiec for a patient-centered deep dive into retatrutide, the investigational GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple agonist being studied for obesity and type 2 diabetes.Dr. Jastreboff is a Yale physician-scientist, a leading obesity researcher, and has been deeply involved in the clinical development of retatrutide. She presented the first Phase 3 obesity results from TRIUMPH-1 at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions and is co-author of Enough with Oprah Winfrey.Ted Kyle is a pharmacist and longtime obesity advocate who brings together obesity science, policy, advocacy and lived experience.Dr. Jastreboff explains how GLP-1, GIP and glucagon work, why researchers combined all three receptors into one medication, and why activating the glucagon receptor may make sense even though glucagon is commonly associated with increasing blood glucose.We then break down the TRIUMPH-1 retatrutide results, including:• How much weight participants lost with retatrutide• Why results may differ between obesity and type 2 diabetes• Retatrutide doses, titration, side effects and discontinuation• Whether everyone needs the highest retatrutide dose• How clinical-trial dosing differs from real-world obesity treatmentWe tackle one of the biggest questions surrounding GLP-1 medications: muscle loss.Dr. Jastreboff explains the important difference between lean mass and skeletal muscle, what body-composition studies can actually measure, and what we know so far about retatrutide compared with semaglutide and tirzepatide.The conversation goes beyond the number on the scale to explore findings involving knee osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, liver fat, metabolic health and other complications of obesity.We also ask whether comparing retatrutide vs tirzepatide vs metabolic & bariatric surgery misses the bigger point. Could the future of obesity care involve choosing and combining treatments based on the individual rather than asking which treatment “wins”?Ted explains Lilly’s planned Biologics License Application (BLA) for retatrutide, what biologic status could mean for future competition and why we still cannot assume what retatrutide will eventually cost.We also discuss expanded access to retatrutide before FDA approval, who it is intended for, and why retatrutide remains an investigational medication.Finally, Dr. Jastreboff connects the science to Enough, her book with Oprah Winfrey.What is the “Enough Point”? Is the goal of obesity treatment always greater weight loss? Or should success be individualized around health, function, quality of life and the outcomes that matter to the person receiving treatment?What is retatrutide? How does it compare with tirzepatide? Does retatrutide cause muscle loss? When will retatrutide be available? And what do we still not know?This episode separates what the science actually shows from the speculation surrounding one of the most talked-about obesity medications in development.More Science. Less Stigma.Retatrutide is investigational and is not FDA approved.#Retatrutide #GLP1 #Tirzepatide #Obesity #ObesityMedicine #TRIUMPH1

*Note there are some occasional audio issues with this episode, they improve as the episode continues* What should you actually eat on a GLP-1?Social media is filled with advice about protein, electrolytes, collagen, greens powders, supplements, and "must-follow" nutrition rules. But how much of that advice is actually supported by evidence?In this episode of Weight & Measure, Zach Niemiec and Mike Donnelly-Boylen are joined by registered dietitians Gianna Beasley, MS, RD, CPT and Melissa Mitri, MS, RD to separate GLP-1 nutrition facts from fiction.Whether you're taking Zepbound (tirzepatide), Mounjaro, Wegovy (semaglutide), Ozempic, Saxenda, or another obesity management medication, this conversation provides practical, evidence based guidance to help you build healthy, sustainable nutrition habits.You'll also hear valuable insights for people who have undergone metabolic & bariatric surgery and are using GLP-1 medications.​ The biggest GLP-1 nutrition myths on TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and Facebook​ Why eating less does not always mean better nutrition​ How much protein do GLP-1 patients really need?​ Electrolytes, collagen, creatine, greens powders, and supplements: what's worth your money?​ Why many patients become afraid of food after starting GLP-1 medications​ Weight loss plateaus: what they really mean​ Why losing weight doesn't automatically mean you're well nourished​ When to work with a registered dietitian​ Nutrition after metabolic & bariatric surgery while taking GLP-1 medications​ What to do if insurance forces you to stop your medicationIf you're looking for trustworthy information about GLP-1 nutrition, obesity medicine, bariatric nutrition, weight loss medications, body composition, protein intake, or long-term obesity care, this episode is for you.Gianna Beasley, MS, RD, CPTRegistered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer specializing in obesity care, GLP-1 nutrition, metabolic health, and body composition.Melissa Mitri, MS, RDRegistered Dietitian specializing in sustainable nutrition, GLP-1 therapy, obesity care, and helping patients build lifelong healthy habits.🎧 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/45vJYXZC0ciTNpfwoc9CVI🍎 Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-measure/id1886848263🎵 Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/183597e3-d4de-4d93-a7c0-55f0cc6018bd/weight-measureNew episodes featuring leading experts in:​ Obesity Medicine• GLP-1 Medications• Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery• Nutrition• Exercise Science• Patient Advocacy• Body Composition• Obesity ResearchEvery week on Weight & Measure.#GLP1 #Zepbound #Wegovy #Ozempic #Mounjaro #Tirzepatide #Semaglutide #Obesity #ObesityMedicine #BariatricSurgery #MetabolicBariatricSurgery #Nutrition #Dietitian #WeightLoss #Protein #BodyComposition #GLP1Nutrition #WeightAndMeasure #RegisteredDietitian #ObesityCare

GLP-1 medications have become some of the most talked about drugs in medicine—but are they really just "skinny shots"?In this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, we sit down with two of the most respected voices in obesity care to separate fact from fiction and explore where obesity treatment is heading next.Joining us are:Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA – Founder of ConscienHealth and one of the nation's leading advocates for evidence-based obesity policy and public education.Katherine Saunders, MD, DABOM – Obesity Medicine physician and nationally recognized expert on GLP-1 medications, emerging obesity therapies, and comprehensive obesity care.Together, we discuss why GLP-1 medications are changing much more than body weight, how obesity medicine is shifting its focus toward overall health, and why the next generation of therapies—including retatrutide—could reshape obesity treatment once again.• Why calling GLP-1s "skinny shots" misses the bigger picture.• How GLP-1 medications are changing healthcare, society, and the conversation around obesity.• Why obesity is a chronic disease—and why that idea still faces resistance.• What CKM (Cardiovascular, Kidney, and Metabolic Health) means and why it's becoming a new framework for treating patients.• The latest research on access to obesity care and what the "secret shopper" study revealed.• How social media has influenced public understanding of obesity, for better and for worse.• The science behind glucagon agonists, amylin agonists, and combination therapies.• Why retatrutide has generated so much excitement—and why experts caution that more weight loss doesn't automatically mean a better medication.• How GLP-1 medications fit alongside metabolic and bariatric surgery as part of comprehensive, individualized obesity care.• What today's obesity experts hope we'll understand differently about GLP-1s twenty years from now.Whether you're living with obesity, taking a GLP-1 medication, considering metabolic and bariatric surgery, following the latest research on retatrutide, or simply trying to better understand obesity as a chronic disease, this conversation provides practical, evidence-based insights grounded in science—not stigma.• Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA• Katherine Saunders, MD, DABOMGLP-1 • GLP-1 medications • Retatrutide • Tirzepatide • Semaglutide • Ozempic • Wegovy • Mounjaro • Zepbound • Obesity Medicine • Obesity Care • Chronic Disease • CKM • Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic Health • Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery • Weight Loss Medications • Anti-Obesity Medications • Emerging Obesity Therapies • Glucagon Agonists • Amylin Agonists • Comprehensive Obesity Care • Weight Bias • Obesity Advocacy • Patient Advocacy • Evidence-Based MedicineIf you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to Weight & Measure on YouTube and follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music so you never miss future conversations exploring the science of obesity, GLP-1 medications, metabolic and bariatric surgery, and the future of evidence-based obesity care.More Science. Less Stigma.

What were the biggest conversations coming out of the OAC Your Weight Matters Conference?In this special episode of Weight & Measure, hosts Mike Donnelly Boylen and Zach Niemiec are joined by an outstanding panel to discuss the most impactful moments from the conference, including the latest conversations in obesity medicine, GLP-1 medications, bariatric surgery, patient advocacy, exercise science, and comprehensive obesity care.Joining us are:Jay Hutchins, Host of the Cheers to This PodcastGianna Beasley, RD, CPTRenee Rogers, PhDRobyn Pashby, PhDTogether, we discuss:Key takeaways from the OAC Your Weight Matters ConferenceThe future of obesity medicine and comprehensive obesity careThe role of GLP-1 medications and other obesity management medicationsBariatric surgery and long-term obesity treatmentExercise, nutrition, and behavior change for people living with obesityPatient advocacy and reducing weight stigmaWhy obesity is a chronic disease that deserves evidence-based careThe latest research and conversations shaping the future of obesity careWhether you're a person living with obesity, a bariatric patient, obesity medicine clinician, registered dietitian, exercise professional, or healthcare provider, this episode offers practical insights from one of the nation's leading obesity conferences.Topics Covered:ObesityObesity MedicineGLP-1 MedicationsBariatric SurgeryMetabolic & Bariatric SurgeryComprehensive Obesity CareExercise ScienceNutritionPatient AdvocacyWeight StigmaOAC Your Weight Matters ConferenceObesity Action Coalition (OAC)Chronic DiseaseLifestyle MedicineWeight ManagementSubscribe to Weight & Measure on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts for conversations with leading experts in obesity medicine, bariatric surgery, nutrition, advocacy, and metabolic health.

Do You Have Comprehensive Obesity Care? GLP-1s, Obesity Medicine & Bariatric Surgery ExplainedWhat does comprehensive obesity care actually mean?For many people, obesity treatment is often reduced to a single intervention, whether that's a diet, an obesity management medication (OMM), or metabolic & bariatric surgery. But effective obesity care is much more than any one treatment. It is a personalized, evidence-based approach that combines medical care, nutrition, physical activity, behavioral health, sleep, medications, surgery when appropriate, and long-term follow-up to support lifelong health.In this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, we're joined by Dr. Carolynn Francavilla, MD, MFOMA, DABOM, the 2025 Obesity Medicine Association Clinician of the Year, and Dr. Rebecca Andrick, DO, DABOM, FOMA, two leading obesity medicine specialists who are helping redefine what patient-centered obesity care should look like.Together, we answer one of the most important questions facing patients today:Do you have comprehensive obesity care?We explore why obesity is recognized as a chronic disease, how obesity medicine has evolved beyond "eat less and move more," and why long-term success often requires multiple evidence-based tools working together. We also discuss where obesity management medications (OMMs), including GLP-1 and GLP/GIP therapies, fit into treatment, how metabolic & bariatric surgery complements medical care, and why individualized treatment plans lead to better patient outcomes.Whether you're living with obesity, considering treatment options, supporting a loved one, or working in healthcare, this conversation will help you better understand what high-quality, comprehensive obesity care should include and what every patient deserves from their healthcare team.• What comprehensive obesity care really means• Why obesity is a chronic disease, not a personal failure• How obesity medicine has evolved beyond "eat less and move more"• Where obesity management medications (OMMs), including GLP-1 and GLP/GIP therapies, fit into treatment• The role of metabolic & bariatric surgery in comprehensive obesity care• Why multidisciplinary care leads to better long-term outcomes• Nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and behavioral health as essential parts of treatment• How patients can advocate for evidence-based obesity care• Weight bias, stigma, and improving the patient experience• Measuring success beyond the number on the scale• The future of obesity medicine and comprehensive obesity careDr. Carolynn Francavilla, MD, MFOMA, DABOMBoard-Certified Family Physician2025 Obesity Medicine Association Clinician of the YearDr. Rebecca Andrick, DO, DABOM, FOMABoard-Certified Obesity Medicine PhysicianFellow of the Obesity Medicine AssociationMike Donnelly-BoylenZachary Niemiec, MBA🎧 Subscribe to Weight & MeasureFollow Weight & Measure on your favorite podcast platform for conversations with leading physicians, researchers, registered dietitians, patient advocates, and individuals with lived experience as we explore the science of obesity, obesity medicine, GLP-1 medications, metabolic & bariatric surgery, nutrition, advocacy, and long-term obesity care.Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/45vJYXZC0ciTNpfwoc9CVI?si=HicpBPlwQEWD9RhM3t8BjAApple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-measure/id1886848263Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/183597e3-d4de-4d93-a7c0-55f0cc6018bd/weight-measure?ref=dm_sh_iwSFqgfpShmLX8vRQR2ZxyJ5yIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who could benefit from learning more about comprehensive obesity care.#Obesity #ObesityMedicine #ComprehensiveObesityCare #GLP1 #GLPGIP #ObesityTreatment #MetabolicBariatricSurgery #WeightManagement #PatientAdvocacy #WeightAndMeasure

Is GLP-1 TikTok helping or hurting patients?Millions of people living with obesity turn to TikTok every day for information, support, motivation, and community. But as obesity management medications like Wegovy®, Zepbound®, Ozempic®, and Mounjaro® become increasingly common, social media has also become one of the most influential sources of obesity treatment information.So who is shaping the conversation?In this episode of Weight & Measure, hosts Mike Donnelly-Boylen and Zach Niemiec are joined by Dr. Danna Kashlan of Johns Hopkins Medicine and Dr. Lindsey Ogle for an important discussion inspired by Dr. Kashlan's research presented at the 2026 American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions.Her research, "Who Shapes the GLP-1 Narrative on TikTok?", examined highly engaged GLP-1 content and found that patients, not healthcare professionals, are driving much of the conversation online.Together, we explore the growing influence of social media on obesity care and ask an important question:Is GLP-1 TikTok helping patients, hurting patients, or both?• Why GLP-1 TikTok has become one of the largest online communities for people living with obesity• The benefits of peer support, shared lived experience, and patient advocacy• The risks of misinformation, comparison culture, unrealistic expectations, and viral health advice• How healthcare professionals can better understand the online communities their patients participate in• How patients can identify trustworthy obesity medicine information online• Why lived experience and evidence based medicine should work together, not compete• The future of obesity care in the age of social mediaWhether you're taking Wegovy®, Zepbound®, Ozempic®, Mounjaro®, another obesity management medication, considering treatment, supporting someone living with obesity, creating health content online, or working in obesity medicine, this episode offers an honest and balanced conversation about one of the fastest growing influences on modern obesity care.Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach is a live panel series bringing together leading obesity medicine physicians, researchers, advocates, and people with lived experience for thoughtful conversations that bridge science, clinical care, and the patient experience.New episodes premiere live on On The Pen before being released on all major podcast platforms.Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/45vJYXZC0ciTNpfwoc9CVI?si=HicpBPlwQEWD9RhM3t8BjAApple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-measure/id1886848263Amazon Musichttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/183597e3-d4de-4d93-a7c0-55f0cc6018bd/weight-measure?ref=dm_sh_iwSFqgfpShmLX8vRQR2ZxyJ5yDownload the ProCare Health Non-Surgical Weight Loss & Obesity Management Guide to support patients using obesity management medications (OMMs):https://procarenow.com/pages/non-surgical-weight-loss-obesity-management-program

What happens when the obesity medicine physician is also living with obesity?In this episode of Weight & Measure, hosts Mike Donnelly-Boylen and Zach Niemiec are joined by Dr. Matthea Rentea, Dr. Catherine Toomer, and Dr. Brianna Bingham for an honest conversation about obesity, GLP-1 medications, bariatric surgery, weight stigma, and the realities of treating a disease while also living with it.Together, they discuss their personal obesity journeys, what medical education often gets wrong about obesity, and how lived experience has shaped the way they care for patients. The conversation explores obesity treatment, long-term weight management, bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, and the future of obesity medicine.Topics include:• What medical education still gets wrong about obesity• How lived experience changes patient care• GLP-1 medications and obesity treatment• Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic• Tirzepatide and semaglutide• Bariatric and metabolic surgery• Weight stigma in healthcare• Patient-centered obesity care• Long-term weight management• Obesity advocacy• The future of obesity treatmentDr. Matthea Rentea shares lessons from her personal journey and insights from hundreds of conversations through The Obesity Guide Podcast. Dr. Catherine Toomer discusses maintaining significant weight loss for more than twenty years while helping patients navigate multiple generations of obesity treatment. Dr. Brianna Bingham offers her perspective on bariatric surgery, obesity care, and how personal experience influences clinical practice.Whether you are taking a GLP-1 medication, considering bariatric surgery, living with obesity, supporting a loved one, or working in healthcare, this episode provides a perspective rarely heard in medicine: physicians discussing obesity through both clinical expertise and lived experience.FREE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALSIf your practice provides non-surgical weight loss, obesity medicine, GLP-1 therapy, or comprehensive obesity care, download ProCare Health's Non-Surgical Weight Loss & Obesity Management Guide:https://procarenow.com/pages/non-surgical-weight-loss-obesity-management-programABOUT WEIGHT & MEASUREWeight & Measure is hosted by Mike Donnelly-Boylen and Zach Niemiec. The podcast brings together people living with obesity, healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and industry leaders to explore obesity care, obesity medicine, bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, patient advocacy, weight stigma, and the future of treatment.KEYWORDSobesity, obesity medicine, GLP-1, GLP-1 medications, obesity treatment, obesity care, obesity management medications, OMMs, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic, tirzepatide, semaglutide, bariatric surgery, metabolic surgery, gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, weight stigma, patient advocacy, obesity advocacy, chronic disease, obesity physician, obesity specialist, lived experience, patient-centered care, Matthea Rentea, Catherine Toomer, Brianna Bingham, The Obesity Guide Podcast, Weight & Measure

You Lost the Weight. Now What? GLP 1 Maintenance, Mindset, and Long Term SuccessMany people focus on how to lose weight.Far fewer talk about what happens after.For many individuals using GLP 1 medications, pursuing Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, or making significant lifestyle changes, reaching a goal weight is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a new challenge: maintaining weight loss long term.In this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, we explore one of the most important and least discussed topics in obesity care: long term weight maintenance.Joining us are:• Leslie Golden, MD• Robyn Pashby, PhDTogether, we discuss why weight recurrence happens, why it is not simply a matter of willpower, and what people can do to build sustainable strategies for long term success.Topics include:• Why keeping weight off is often harder than losing it• The biology behind weight maintenance and weight recurrence• GLP 1 maintenance strategies after active weight loss• Long term use of obesity medications• Hunger, metabolism, and the body's response to weight loss• The psychological challenges of maintaining weight loss• Identity changes after significant weight loss• Fear of weight recurrence and how to navigate it• Perfectionism and all or nothing thinking• Emotional eating, stress, and coping strategies• Building sustainable habits for long term success• Bariatric and metabolic surgery considerations during maintenance• Why body composition may matter more than the scale• The mindset shift from losing weight to living at a lower weightOne of the most overlooked realities of obesity treatment is that maintenance is not just a physical challenge. It is also a psychological one.How do you trust yourself after years of weight cycling?How do you respond when the scale moves up?How do you stop living in fear of regaining the weight you worked so hard to lose?Whether your journey includes Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, GLP 1 medications, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, nutrition changes, physical activity, or a combination approach, this episode provides evidence informed insights to help you navigate the next phase of your journey.Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach is a live conversation series bringing together patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates to discuss obesity medicine, GLP 1 medications, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, patient advocacy, and long term health.Keywords: GLP 1 maintenance, weight maintenance, weight loss maintenance, weight recurrence, obesity medicine, obesity care, Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, Foundayo, semaglutide, tirzepatide, obesity treatment, Bariatric Surgery, Metabolic Surgery, health psychology, emotional eating, weight cycling, body composition, obesity medications, long term weight loss.

Medicare, GLP 1s, and Fear: What Older Adults Need to Know | Angela Fitch, MD, Tracy Zvenyach, PhD, MS, RN, and Deb CoopermanAs Medicare coverage for obesity treatment continues to evolve, many older adults are asking the same questions:Can Medicare cover GLP 1 medications like Wegovy or Zepbound? Who qualifies for the Medicare Bridge Program? What should adults over 65 know before starting obesity treatment?In this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, we explore the rapidly changing landscape of obesity medicine, Medicare access, and GLP 1 treatment for older adults.Joining us are nationally recognized obesity medicine physician Angela Fitch, MD, obesity policy expert Tracy Zvenyach, PhD, MS, RN, and patient advocate Deb Cooperman to discuss what seniors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals need to know about starting GLP 1 medications later in life.Topics discussed include:• Medicare coverage for GLP 1 medications• The Medicare Bridge Program and who may qualify• Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, and other obesity medications• Obesity treatment after age 65• Weight loss, muscle loss, and body composition in older adults• Nutrition strategies while taking GLP 1 medications• Side effects and medication expectations• Mobility, strength, and healthy aging• Caregiver and family support during treatment• Access, affordability, and obesity care policy• Bariatric and metabolic surgery considerations• Long-term obesity management and maintenanceWhether you are considering Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, or another obesity treatment, this episode provides evidence-informed insights to help older adults make informed decisions alongside their healthcare team.Resources:• CMS Medicare Bridge Program Information: https://www.cms.gov/glp-1-bridge.pdfWeight & Measure with Mike and Zach is a podcast and live video series bringing together patients, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and policymakers to discuss obesity medicine, GLP 1 medications, Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, weight management, access to care, and metabolic health.Subscribe for future conversations covering obesity treatment, Medicare policy, weight loss medications, metabolic health, patient advocacy, and evidence-based obesity care.Keywords: Medicare GLP 1 coverage, Medicare Bridge Program, Wegovy Medicare, Zepbound Medicare, Mounjaro Medicare, obesity medicine, obesity treatment for seniors, weight loss after 65, obesity care, metabolic health, obesity advocacy, Angela Fitch, Tracy Zvenyach, Deb Cooperman, Weight & Measure podcast.

GLP 1 and Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Patients How Do You Become an AdvocateWhat does it actually take to become a patient advocate in obesity care?In this episode of Weight and Measure, we bring together leading voices across obesity medicine, patient advocacy, and policy to explore how individuals move from lived experience to meaningful impact.As obesity continues to be recognized as a chronic disease, the role of patient advocacy is becoming more critical in shaping access to care, influencing policy decisions, and improving long term health outcomes. From GLP 1 based therapies to Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, patients are no longer just participants in care. They are becoming active drivers of change.Joining the conversation are:• Robert Kushner, MD• Michele Tedder, RN• James Zervios• Tracy Zvenyach, PhD, MS, RNTogether, we break down how advocacy actually happens in the real world.This episode covers:• How patients learn to navigate healthcare systems and advocate for better care• Where clinical intent and lived experience can disconnect• The role of GLP 1 therapies in expanding awareness and access to obesity care• How Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery patients are shaping advocacy efforts• The impact of patient voices on policy, insurance coverage, and treatment access• How organizations like the Obesity Action Coalition support advocacy development• Why community and shared experience are critical to building confident advocates• The importance of events like the Your Weight Matters Convention in empowering patientsWhether you are a patient, clinician, or healthcare professional, this episode provides a clear look at how advocacy is evolving and why it matters for the future of obesity care.GLP 1 advocacy, bariatric surgery advocacy, metabolic surgery advocacy, obesity advocacy, patient advocacy, obesity care, GLP 1 medications, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, obesity medicine, healthcare policy, insurance coverage, Obesity Action Coalition, Your Weight Matters Convention, chronic disease advocacy, patient voice, metabolic healthLinkshttps://www.obesityaction.org/YWM Regional: https://www.yourweightmatters.com/YWM National: https://www.ywmconvention.com/?utm_source=zach

GLP-1 not working like before? You’re not alone.Many people using GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro reach a point where weight loss slows, fatigue increases, and progress feels stalled. This phase is often referred to as a weight loss plateau, but it is frequently misunderstood.In this episode of Weight and Measure, we break down what is actually happening during this stage of the GLP-1 journey and how both patients and clinicians can better navigate it.Zach and Mike are joined by Angela Fitch, MD and Robyn Pashby, PhD to explore the physiological, behavioral, and clinical factors behind stalled progress and what it means for long-term care.This episode covers:• Why GLP-1 medications can feel like they have stopped working• What a weight loss plateau really represents• GLP-1 related fatigue and how to approach it• When to adjust treatment plans and expectations• The shift from weight loss to long term metabolic health• Why body composition matters more than the number on the scaleThis phase of treatment is where many patients begin to question the process, but it is also where the focus shifts toward sustainability, health outcomes, and long-term success.If you are navigating a plateau, supporting patients on GLP-1 therapy, or working in obesity care, this episode provides practical insight into what comes next.GLP-1 plateau, GLP-1 not working, Ozempic plateau, Wegovy stopped working, Mounjaro weight loss stall, GLP-1 fatigue, weight loss plateau, obesity care, metabolic health, body composition, weight management, obesity medicine

Episode 3: Weight Bias & Obesity Stigma: How Patient Stories Are Changing Obesity CareWeight bias and obesity stigma continue to affect millions of people living with obesity, influencing healthcare experiences, treatment decisions, mental health, and access to comprehensive obesity care. In this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, we explore how patient stories, lived experience, and evidence-based obesity medicine can help reshape the future of obesity care.Originally recorded as one of our live panel discussions, this conversation brings together patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates to examine how obesity is discussed, understood, and treated—and why reducing weight bias is essential to improving patient outcomes.Joining us for this conversation:• Robyn Pashby, PhD• Leslie M. Golden, MD, MPH, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM• Renee J. Rogers, PhD, FACSM, FTOS• Nina Crowley, PhD, RDN, LD• Ian PattonIn this episode, we discuss:• How weight bias and obesity stigma impact patient care and health outcomes• Why patient stories are helping transform obesity care• The importance of respectful, person-first communication in healthcare• Building trust between patients and healthcare professionals• The role of obesity medicine, GLP-1 medications, and metabolic & bariatric surgery within comprehensive obesity care• Why lived experience should help inform research, education, and clinical practice• How advocacy organizations and patient voices are influencing the future of obesity treatment• Practical ways clinicians can create more supportive, evidence-based conversationsWhether you're living with obesity, taking a GLP-1 medication, considering or living after metabolic & bariatric surgery, working in obesity medicine, or advocating for more compassionate healthcare, this episode offers practical insights into creating patient-centered, stigma-free obesity care.Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach is an obesity podcast featuring conversations with patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates about GLP-1 medications, obesity management medications (OMMs), metabolic & bariatric surgery, nutrition, patient advocacy, obesity research, and comprehensive obesity care.Keywords: obesity podcast, weight bias, obesity stigma, weight stigma, obesity care, comprehensive obesity care, obesity medicine, GLP-1, GLP-1 medications, obesity management medications, OMMs, metabolic & bariatric surgery, bariatric surgery, patient advocacy, patient stories, lived experience, patient-centered care, obesity research, healthcare communication, person-first language, healthcare professionals, obesity treatment, chronic disease, obesity education

Episode 2: How Patient Voices Are Changing Obesity CareWhat happens when people living with obesity help shape healthcare instead of simply navigating it?Recorded live at the Canadian Obesity Summit in Montréal, this episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach explores the growing role of patient advocacy in comprehensive obesity care, obesity medicine, GLP-1 treatment, metabolic & bariatric surgery, healthcare policy, and obesity research.Mike and Zach are joined by leaders from Obesity Canada and respected patient advocates:• Lisa Schaffer• Patty Nece• Ian PattonTogether, they discuss:• Why lived experience is essential to improving obesity care• How patient advocates are influencing healthcare policy and obesity research• The future of GLP-1 access and comprehensive obesity care• Reducing weight bias and obesity stigma in healthcare• Shared decision making between patients and healthcare professionals• Building healthcare systems that include patients as partners• Lessons from Obesity Canada's patient-centered approach• Why better obesity outcomes require collaboration among patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakersWhether you're living with obesity, taking a GLP-1 medication, considering or living after metabolic & bariatric surgery, working in obesity medicine, or advocating for better access to care, this conversation highlights why patient voices are transforming the future of obesity treatment.Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach is an obesity podcast featuring conversations with patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates about GLP-1 medications, obesity management medications (OMMs), metabolic & bariatric surgery, nutrition, patient advocacy, obesity research, and comprehensive obesity care.Keywords: obesity podcast, obesity care, comprehensive obesity care, obesity medicine, GLP-1, GLP-1 medications, obesity management medications, OMMs, metabolic & bariatric surgery, bariatric surgery, obesity advocacy, patient advocacy, patient engagement, lived experience, obesity research, obesity policy, healthcare policy, Obesity Canada, weight bias, obesity stigma, healthcare innovation, shared decision making, chronic disease, metabolic health, healthcare professionals

Episode 1: Finding Joy in Movement: Why Exercise Matters in Comprehensive Obesity CareMovement is about more than burning calories. In this first episode of Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach, we explore how exercise supports comprehensive obesity care, GLP-1 treatment, obesity medicine, metabolic health, and life after metabolic & bariatric surgery.For many people living with obesity, movement has been shaped by stigma, shame, and the belief that exercise is punishment. Our panel discusses how to rebuild a healthier relationship with physical activity, improve body composition, preserve muscle, and find movement that supports long-term health and well-being.Joining us for this conversation:• Renee J. Rogers, PhD, FACSM, FTOS• Nina Crowley, PhD, RDN, LD• Jamie Selzler, NASM CPTIn this episode, we discuss:• Why movement is an important part of comprehensive obesity care• Exercise during GLP-1 treatment and obesity management medications (OMMs)• Movement before and after metabolic & bariatric surgery• Building muscle and improving body composition• Why many people develop a negative relationship with exercise• How to shift from exercise as punishment to movement as self-care• Returning to physical activity after weight loss, surgery, or long periods of inactivity• Practical advice for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionalsWhether you're living with obesity, taking a GLP-1 medication, considering or recovering from metabolic & bariatric surgery, or you're a healthcare professional interested in obesity medicine, this episode offers practical, evidence-informed guidance to help make movement sustainable and meaningful.Weight & Measure with Mike and Zach is an obesity podcast featuring conversations with patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates about GLP-1 medications, obesity management medications (OMMs), metabolic & bariatric surgery, nutrition, patient advocacy, obesity research, and comprehensive obesity care.Keywords: obesity podcast, obesity care, comprehensive obesity care, obesity medicine, GLP-1, GLP-1 medications, obesity management medications, OMMs, metabolic & bariatric surgery, bariatric surgery, weight loss surgery, exercise, physical activity, body composition, muscle preservation, metabolic health, obesity treatment, obesity research, patient advocacy, nutrition, healthcare professionals, weight management