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A GLP-1 can quiet food noise, but it may not quiet the voice saying you’re lazy, failing, or still not good enough. Ana talks with author, artist, mental health advocate, and fellow GLP-1 user Tracey Yokas about how decades of dieting, body shame, and learned family patterns can follow us even when the medication is working. You’ll learn how to recognize action driven by shame, build a more compassionate response through therapy, journaling, art, and support, and understand why the discomfort you expect weight loss to erase may need a different kind of healing.

**IN THIS EPISODE**

- How being placed on a diet at age 11 shaped Tracey’s relationship with food and her body
- How unhealthy patterns around food and self-worth can pass through families
- What her family’s experience with disordered eating taught her about healing
- How therapy helped Tracey recognize the role of trauma and self-blame
- Why awareness is only the first step toward changing an old pattern
- How to tell the difference between action driven by shame and action rooted in care
- Why rest does not have to be earned
- What changed when GLP-1 medication quieted Tracey’s food noise
- Why frustration, urgency, and old self-criticism resurfaced even while the medication was working
- How therapy, journaling, meditation, art, and trusted relationships can provide a safe place to begin

**ABOUT THE GUEST**

Tracey Yokas creates stuff. When she isn’t writing about mental health and wellness, she can be found playing with paint, glitter, and glue. Her first book, Bloodlines: A Memoir of Harm and Healing, won an IBPA silver award. Tracey earned her master’s degree in counseling psychology from California Lutheran University and lives in Newbury Park, CA, with her family.

**CONNECT WITH TRACEY**

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traceyyokas

Website: https://www.traceyyokascreates.com

Bloodlines: A Memoir of Harm and Healing: https://traceyyokascreates.com/bloodlines-a-memoir/

**SPONSORS**

CaloCurb is a plant-based supplement designed to support appetite control. It is not a replacement for medical care, but it may be one tool to discuss with your healthcare provider. Learn more at https://calocurb.com and use code ANA10 for 10% off.

Tyde Wellness offers GLP-1 programs with licensed providers, personalized dosing support, nutrition guidance, and access to a care team. Visit https://tydewellness.com/GLP1Hub and use code GLP1Hub50 for $50 off your first month.

**CHAPTERS**

00:00 Why losing weight does not erase discomfort
00:25 What a GLP-1 can—and cannot—quiet
01:42 Meet Tracey Yokas
02:34 One year on a GLP-1 and managing fatigue
04:21 Decades of dieting, bullying, and body-image struggles
07:05 How unhealthy patterns can pass through families
09:48 Therapy, awareness, and understanding trauma
13:30 Recognizing coping patterns and negative self-talk
14:56 The stories underneath repeated diets
15:54 Naming emotions and practicing self-compassion
17:25 Taking action from care instead of shame
18:57 Exercise, rest, and the intention behind a habit
22:28 When old patterns resurface on a GLP-1
28:07 Why medication is a tool, not the whole solution
30:49 Safe places to begin the emotional work
32:37 Tracey’s book and where to find her
33:23 Final thoughts

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Why can the same GLP-1 shot feel fine one week and make eating or side effects so much worse the next? In this episode, Ana talks with Dr. Ian Justl Ellis about the difference between the standard doses of GLP-1 and the medicine still in your body, why the standard four-week ladder keeps that level climbing, and how to think about a dose you can actually live on, including maintenance and travel.

**IN THIS EPISODE**
- Why a dose and your medication level are not the same thing
- How a long half-life makes week two on the same dose feel stronger
- Why the standard every-four-weeks ladder keeps restarting the climb
- What a livable sweet spot feels like: some hunger, enough protein, no side effects
- Why a plateau after appetite is controlled may not mean “go up”
- How changing frequency, not just milligrams, can flatten end-of-week hunger
- Maintenance, travel, and cycling on and off without flying blind
- Why so many people quit around week five

**ABOUT THE GUEST**
Dr. Ian Ellis is a physician and the founder of Voafit, a platform focused on individualized GLP-1 care and precision dosing. Drawing from both his clinical background and his own personal experience with obesity and Ozempic, Dr. Ellis developed an approach centered on bloodstream levels rather than dose alone to help reduce side effects, improve adherence, and create better long-term outcomes for patients. He is passionate about making obesity treatment more personalized, effective, and humane.

**CONNECT WITH DR. ELLIS**
Voafit: https://voafit.com
MyLevel: https://voafit.com/mylevel
Social: @voafitmd

**SPONSORS**
Calocurb — a plant-based supplement designed to support your body’s own GLP-1 response and appetite control. https://calocurb.com — use code ANA10 for 10% off.

Johnson Fitness and Wellness — strength equipment and expert help for a home setup that actually fits your space and budget. https://www.johnsonfitness.com — use code GLP1Hub5 for an exclusive listener offer.

**CHAPTERS**
00:00 Why the same dose can feel different
01:37 Meet Dr. Ian Ellis
03:08 Why the standard 4-week ladder exists
05:27 Dose vs medication level
06:23 Half-life: why week two is stronger
10:01 Ian’s first weeks on semaglutide
13:34 Fixed pens vs adjustable dosing
15:23 What the sweet spot actually feels like
17:21 Clinic results: lower dose, zero dropouts
18:59 When a fraction of the starting dose is enough
22:27 Using an app like a thermostat for appetite
24:07 Why end-of-week hunger isn’t a reason to go up
25:47 How to adjust safely under a prescription cap
30:49 Maintenance, travel, and cycling on and off
39:00 Why so many people quit at week five

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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What happens to hunger and food noise when someone lowers their GLP-1 dose or stops taking the medication?

In this episode, Ana Reisdorf talks with Calocurb founder and CEO Sarah Kennedy about a unique supplement designed to support appetite regulation by stimulating the body’s natural satiety hormones.

Sarah walks through the reported results of a 24-week clinical trial involving 150 adults. She says the Calocurb group averaged 5.4% weight loss, reduced fat and visceral fat, and maintained skeletal muscle. Ana asks how the study was conducted, how hunger and cravings were measured, what side effects users may experience, and what evidence currently exists for using Calocurb alongside or after GLP-1 medication.

**IN THIS EPISODE**

- How Calocurb was developed from a New Zealand research initiative
- What the new 24-week clinical trial measured and reported
- How researchers measured hunger and food cravings
- The roles of CCK, GLP-1, and PYY in appetite regulation
- When and how Calocurb is designed to be taken
- Possible digestive side effects and the onboarding process
- Where Calocurb might fit alongside or after GLP-1 medication
- What research is still needed for people reducing or stopping GLP-1s
- Potential future studies involving postmenopausal women and adolescents
- Why Sarah describes Calocurb as a tool rather than a magic pill

**ABOUT THE GUEST**

Sarah Kennedy is the founder and CEO of Calocurb, a veterinarian by training, and an experienced nutrition and health-industry executive. During more than 20 years in dietary and animal nutrition, she led Healtheries/Vitaco New Zealand and held senior international and nutrition leadership positions at Fonterra. She is also an MIT Sloan Fellow in Global Leadership and Innovation and has served on the boards of government, private, philanthropic, and publicly listed organizations.

**CONNECT WITH SARAH AND CALOCURB**

Website:
https://calocurb.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/calocurb

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@calocurb

**SPONSORS**

Johnson Fitness and Wellness offers home fitness equipment, expert guidance, delivery, and professional installation. Shop online and use code GLP1Hub5 for an exclusive offer:
https://www.johnsonfitness.com

Tyde Wellness provides clinician-guided GLP-1 care, nutrition support, hormone therapy, and longevity services. Use code GLP1Hub50 for $50 off your first month:
https://tydewellness.com/GLP1Hub

**CHAPTERS**

00:00 Why reducing calories can increase hunger
00:25 What happens when GLP-1 treatment changes?
01:34 Meet Sarah Kennedy
02:07 How CaloCurb was developed
05:20 What the 24-week trial reported
07:30 Trial design and lifestyle support
09:09 How hunger and cravings were measured
11:16 CCK, GLP-1, and PYY explained
13:16 When and how CaloCurb is used
16:47 Could it fit alongside or after GLP-1s?
19:02 Appetite regulation and weight maintenance
22:12 Side effects and the onboarding process
24:39 Combining CaloCurb with GLP-1 medication
26:33 Future studies and unanswered questions
29:48 Studying appetite support in adolescents
31:11 A tool, not a magic pill
33:59 Where to learn more

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Teresa Keever’s first experience with tirzepatide lasted only eight weeks. The fatigue and digestive side effects consumed her weekends, left her barely able to eat, and made the standard dosing schedule feel impossible to sustain.

Six months later, Teresa tried again, this time working with her provider on a lower, slower, split-dose approach. She shares how that personalized strategy changed her experience, helped make the side effects manageable, and supported a loss of more than 50 pounds.

**IN THIS EPISODE**

- Why Teresa stopped tirzepatide after only eight weeks
- How GLP-1 medication changed her understanding of food noise and willpower
- Her experience with compounded medication and split dosing
- Why slower titration made treatment more manageable for her
- The lifestyle changes that became easier after losing weight
- How she approaches protein, exercise, and nutrition without rigid targets
- Why she plans to continue GLP-1 treatment for long-term maintenance
- The importance of personalized care and ongoing medical oversight

**ABOUT THE GUEST**

Teresa Keever is a nurse by background who now works in healthcare administration. After years of navigating weight loss and weight management, she began using a GLP-1 medication and ultimately found a clinician-guided approach that better fit her individual needs. She joins the podcast to share her personal experience with side effects, compounded tirzepatide, split dosing, and long-term treatment.

**SPONSORS**

CaloCurb is a plant-based supplement designed to support appetite control. It is not a replacement for medical care, but it may be one tool to discuss with your healthcare provider. Learn more at https://calocurb.com and use code ANA10 for 10% off.

Tyde Wellness offers GLP-1 programs with licensed providers, personalized dosing support, nutrition guidance, and access to a care team. Visit https://tydewellness.com/GLP1Hub and use code GLP1Hub50 for $50 off your first month.

**CHAPTERS**

00:00 Teresa’s experience with split dosing
00:28 Why she returned to GLP-1 medication
01:34 Meet Teresa Keever
02:17 A lifelong weight-management journey
03:44 Rethinking willpower and food noise
05:06 Insurance, telehealth, and compounded tirzepatide
06:54 Side effects and stopping after eight weeks
09:05 Returning with a slower, split-dose approach
10:28 Teresa’s results and current side effects
11:02 Movement, exercise, nutrition, and protein
14:09 Family reactions, stigma, and glucose changes
16:05 Long-term treatment and maintenance
19:26 Healthcare attitudes, access, and cost
20:50 Combining telehealth with primary care
23:04 What to discuss when side effects are difficult
26:08 Why personalized GLP-1 care matters
28:53 Visualizing medication levels with GLP-1 Plotter
30:49 Hopes for the future of GLP-1 treatment
31:41 Final takeaway and dosing-safety reminder

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Losing access to a GLP-1 can happen even when treatment is working exactly as intended. A lower BMI, an insurance change, or an employer facing open-ended costs can suddenly turn a prescription into a maze of denials, prior authorizations, and unexpected expenses.

In this episode, Ana Reisdorf speaks with Jay Bregman, founder and CEO of Andel, about why traditional insurance struggles to cover high-demand medications and how direct-to-employer purchasing could offer another path. Jay explains how fixed employer contributions can make GLP-1 benefits more predictable, why he believes prior authorizations add unnecessary costs, and what patients can do when their coverage is at risk.

They also discuss Medicare access, losing coverage after successful weight loss, options for self-employed people, compounded medications, future GLP-1 competition, and whether access can become more equitable.

**IN THIS EPISODE**

- Why GLP-1 demand creates problems for traditional insurance
- How pharmaceutical middlemen affect medication pricing and access
- What direct-to-employer purchasing means
- Why employers hesitate to fund open-ended GLP-1 coverage
- How fixed employer contributions could make benefits more sustainable
- Why successful treatment and a lower BMI can lead to lost coverage
- The hidden administrative costs of prior authorizations
- What to do if you’re worried about affording your medication
- Options for self-employed people without employer assistance
- Jay’s perspective on Medicare, compounded medications, competition, and equitable access

**ABOUT THE GUEST**

Jay Bregman is the founder and CEO of Andel, a healthcare technology platform that enables high-cost medications like GLP-1s to be more accessible through employer benefits. With more than two decades of experience building and scaling companies, Jay brings a strong understanding of how policy, pricing, and market incentives intersect.

In developing Andel, he has focused on redesigning access pathways for high-demand, high-cost drugs that traditional coverage models fail to accommodate. His perspective on GLP-1 access and employer responsibility has been featured in Inc., STAT News, and Pharmaceutical Executive. He has also spoken at TEDx and Web Summit about business leadership.

Jay appears in this episode in his capacity as Andel’s founder and CEO. His comments about Andel and the pharmaceutical market reflect his experience and commercial perspective.

**CONNECT WITH JAY**

Andel:
https://www.andel.org/

Andel Raises $4.5M for Its Employer-Supported Medication Marketplace:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/andel-raises-4-5m-for-its-employer-supported-medication-marketplace-302588465.html

Andel Launches New Direct-to-Employer Medication Platform:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/andel-launches-new-direct-to-employer-medication-platform-to-make-glp-1s-affordable-for-millions-302709372.html

**SPONSORS**

This episode includes sponsored messages from Johnson Fitness & Wellness and gutzy Organic.

Johnson Fitness & Wellness offers strength-training equipment, cardio machines, recovery products, and expert guidance for a range of fitness levels, spaces, and budgets. Visit https://www.johnsonfitness.com/ and use code GLP1Hub5 for an exclusive offer for GLP-1 Hub listeners.

gutzy Organic makes refrigerated fruit-and-vegetable pouches with prebiotic fiber for convenient, produce-based snacking.

Learn more at https://gutzyorganic.com/

**JOIN THE 21-DAY MEAL CONFIDENCE CHALLENGE**

Starting August 17, the GLP-1 Hub Membership’s 21-Day Meal Confidence Challenge will teach you a simple framework for making food decisions at restaurants, parties, potlucks, vacations, and in everyday life.

Join for $5:
https://glp-1hub.com/challenge

**CHAPTERS**

00:00 When successful treatment costs you coverage
00:21 Why GLP-1 access is getting harder
01:45 Meet Jay Bregman
02:16 How direct-to-employer purchasing works
03:05 Why medication pricing is so complicated
07:24 Why health plans are dropping GLP-1 coverage
08:59 Why employers hesitate to pay long term
09:48 Fixed employer contributions explained
10:46 Long-term health versus short-term employment
12:47 Sponsor: Johnson Fitness & Wellness
14:06 Medicare access and coverage uncertainty
16:03 Losing coverage after lowering your BMI
16:54 The hidden cost of prior authorizations
18:28 What to do if you’re worried about losing access
20:07 Options for self-employed patients
20:12 Competition and the future of GLP-1 pricing
23:13 Can GLP-1 access become more equitable?
24:27 Sponsor: gutzy Organic
25:05 The future of compounded GLP-1s
28:11 Where GLP-1 access could be in five years
29:10 Connect with Andel
30:13 The 21-Day Meal Confidence Challenge

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Losing weight with a GLP-1 is only part of the picture. Without regular movement and strength training, losing muscle can affect how you feel today, and your ability to stay active and independent in the years ahead.

In this episode, Ana talks with fitness-industry veteran Craig Lewin about why maintaining strength matters during GLP-1 weight loss and how beginners can start without feeling intimidated. Craig shares approachable options ranging from walking and resistance bands to adjustable dumbbells and home gyms, along with advice for choosing exercise equipment that fits your abilities, limitations, goals, and lifestyle.

They also discuss the importance of finding a form of movement you genuinely enjoy, building accountability, and preventing your new equipment from becoming an expensive clothes rack.

**IN THIS EPISODE**

- Why strength training has become a bigger priority in fitness and healthcare
- How GLP-1 weight loss can affect muscle, strength, and everyday function
- Why maintaining muscle is especially important as we age
- Simple ways to begin with walking, resistance bands, or adjustable dumbbells
- How a personalized fitness assessment can account for your goals and limitations
- Choosing equipment you will realistically use
- How follow-up, accountability, and social connection can support consistency
- Why strength is about independence and quality of life—not only appearance
- How to find Johnson Fitness & Wellness stores and support

**ABOUT THE GUEST**

Born in Zimbabwe in 1977, Craig Lewin immigrated to the United States with his family in 1984 and grew up in Dallas, Texas. He began his career in the fitness industry at age 16 as a cashier and went on to build more than three decades of experience in fitness industry.

In 2010, Craig became a partner in a 21-location fitness retail business in Texas. After selling the business at the end of 2021, he joined Johnson Fitness & Wellness, where he now serves as Executive Vice President of the world’s largest specialty fitness retailer.

Craig met his wife while attending the University of Texas, and they have four sons, including twins, ranging in age from 15 to 22. He describes his personal and professional journey as living the American Dream. His firsthand familiarity with the benefits and challenges associated with GLP-1 use has strengthened his commitment to helping people protect or rebuild their strength through accessible, sustainable exercise.

**CONNECT WITH CRAIG**

Johnson Fitness & Wellness:
https://www.johnsonfitness.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/johnson.fitness

**SPONSOR**

This episode is sponsored by Johnson Fitness & Wellness, who specializes in home fitness, strength training, and helping beginners find appropriate equipment. Learn more or find a nearby store:
https://www.johnsonfitness.com

Tyde Wellness offers clinician-guided GLP-1 programs with personalized dosing, nutrition support, and access to a care team. Visit https://tydewellness.com/GLP1Hub and use code GLP1Hub50 for $50 off your first month. Eligibility and treatment are determined by a licensed healthcare provider. Individual results vary.

**CHAPTERS**

00:00 Why Exercise Matters for the Future
00:28 Strength Training During GLP-1 Weight Loss
01:45 Meet Craig Lewin
03:10 Why Strength Training Has Grown
06:17 GLP-1s, Weight Loss, and Muscle
09:36 Protecting Strength as We Age
12:49 Simple Ways for Beginners to Start
17:23 Getting a Personalized Fitness Assessment
19:54 Choosing Equipment and Building a Plan
23:45 Keeping Equipment from Collecting Dust
26:52 Finding the Motivation That Works for You
29:16 Exercise, Independence, and Quality of Life
33:12 Johnson Fitness & Wellness Resources
36:04 GLP-1 Hub Closing and Food Challenge

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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If you’ve reached your goal weight on a GLP-1, you may be wondering what comes next. Do you stay on the same dose indefinitely, move to a lower dose, or gradually taper off?

Ana speaks with Henrik Gudbergsen, MD, PhD, about the emerging evidence around personalized GLP-1 dosing and structured tapering. They examine what early observational research suggests, why lifestyle and behavioral support may matter during maintenance, and why stopping medication will not be appropriate, or possible, for everyone.

**IN THIS EPISODE**

- Why the least effective dose may be more appropriate than automatically increasing to the maximum
- How Embla’s gradual GLP-1 tapering approach works
- What early observational data suggests about maintaining weight after tapering
- Why nutrition, exercise, coaching, CBT, and acceptance and commitment therapy are part of the program
- Whether most people should expect to remain on GLP-1 medication long term
- How insurance coverage and cost can limit personalized dosing
- Why GLP-1 prescribing differs between Denmark and the United States
- How future medications, genetics, health conditions, and the gut microbiome may shape more individualized treatment

**ABOUT THE GUEST**

Henrik Rindel Gudbergsen, MD, PhD, is the medical lead and advisor at Embla, a digital weight-care company combining low-dose GLP-1 treatment, behavioral coaching, and digital tools. He is a practicing physician, associate professor, and principal investigator on anti-obesity medication trials, with a PhD in medical imaging and obesity research.

Henrik has spent more than 15 years at the intersection of clinical medicine, pharmaceuticals, and digital health. His previous experience includes roles at Novo Nordisk, Radiometer, Philips Healthcare, and IBM Watson Health, along with board-level experience in software as a medical device.

**CONNECT WITH HENRIK**

Embla:
https://www.joinembla.com/

Henrik’s YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMdA5N4TeytPYmbfXjEPJDA

Read the GLP-1 study discussed in this episode:
https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dom.70096

**SPONSORS**

This episode includes messages from:

gutzy Organic—organic fruit and vegetable pouches with 8 grams of fiber:
https://gutzyorganic.com/

Johnson Fitness & Wellness—fitness equipment, expert guidance, delivery, and professional installation for your home workout space:
https://www.johnsonfitness.com/
Use code GLP1Hub5 for an exclusive GLP-1 Hub listener offer.

**CHAPTERS**

00:00 Can you taper off a GLP-1?
00:28 Episode introduction
01:47 Meet Henrik Rindel Gudbergsen
04:26 Why Embla uses the least effective dose
07:18 What the early tapering data showed
10:07 Behavioral support beyond diet and exercise
11:14 Sponsor: gutzy Organic
11:52 Why human coaching matters
13:16 Can most people stop GLP-1 medications?
18:02 Insurance barriers and personalized dosing
20:31 New real-world research from Denmark
23:28 Sponsor: Johnson Fitness & Wellness
24:43 How dosing practices differ between Denmark and the U.S.
26:07 The future of personalized obesity treatment
28:03 How Embla combines medication and coaching
29:41 GLP-1 Hub membership and closing

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

Send us Fan Mail

Fiber is suddenly showing up everywhere, from soda and candy to pasta and protein snacks. But more fiber isn’t automatically better, especially when it leaves you feeling bloated, uncomfortable, or confused about what your body actually needs.

Registered dietitian and GLP-1 user Ana Reisdorf sits down with David Istier, founder and CEO of gutzy Organic, to discuss the gut microbiome, prebiotics, probiotics, and why different sources of fiber can feel different in your body. David also shares how his experience helping launch GoGo squeeZ in the United States—and the health challenges he faced while building his own company—led to the creation of gutzy.

For people taking GLP-1 medications, the central takeaway is simple: eating less makes the nutritional quality of what you eat even more important. Ana and David discuss how to look beyond protein and fiber marketing claims, prioritize real food, and find convenient options for days when appetite is low.

**IN THIS EPISODE**
- What the gut microbiome, probiotics, and prebiotics mean
- Why different sources of fiber may feel different in your body
- How fiber became the food industry’s newest marketing trend
- Why more fiber isn’t automatically better
- What to consider when choosing fiber-fortified foods
- Why nutrient density matters when you’re eating less on a GLP-1
- How GLP-1 medications are changing the food industry
- The challenge of combining convenience with real-food ingredients
- David’s journey from GoGo squeeZ to founding gutzy Organic
- What’s inside gutzy’s fruit, vegetable, fiber, and plant-protein pouches

**ABOUT THE GUEST**
David Istier is the founder and CEO of gutzy Organic. Originally from France, David began his career in food marketing and later helped launch GoGo squeeZ in the United States. After experiencing significant stress and health challenges while building his own company, he became interested in plants, prebiotic fiber, and gut health. That experience eventually led him to create gutzy Organic and its refrigerated fruit-and-vegetable pouches.

**CONNECT WITH DAVID**
Website: https://gutzyorganic.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gutzyorganic

**SPONSOR**
This episode is sponsored by gutzy Organic. David Istier is the company’s founder and joins the conversation to share his experience as a food entrepreneur and his perspective on fiber, gut health, and the food industry.
https://gutzyorganic.com

Tyde Wellness — GLP-1 programs with licensed providers, dosing adjustments, nutrition guidance, and long-term support
https://tydewellness.com/GLP1Hub — code GLP1Hub50 for $50 off your first month

**CHAPTERS**
00:00  The problem with protein and fiber buzzwords
00:24  Why more fiber isn’t automatically better
01:32  Meet David Istier and the story behind gutzy
05:20  The gut microbiome, probiotics, and prebiotics
09:26  How fiber became the new protein
11:29  Acacia fiber and gutzy’s real-food approach
16:07  Different types of fiber and digestive comfort
18:21  Why eating less makes nutrition more important
21:49  How GLP-1s are changing the food industry
24:05  Building and explaining a new food category
25:39  What’s inside gutzy pouches and where to find them
28:39  Closing the fiber gap and improving food literacy
30:39  Connect with gutzy Organic
31:53  Ana’s final takeaways and nutrition challenge

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*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Tara Rothenhoefer was one of the earliest participants in a tirzepatide clinical trial, before the medication had a brand name. After a lifelong battle with obesity, she began the trial in 2020 at 342 pounds. Eighteen months later, she had lost 132 pounds. But when the study ended, she faced a year without medication, uncertainty around access, and the emotional work of learning how to live in a body she had never known before.

In this episode, Tara shares what changed when food noise finally quieted, why medication alone was never the whole story, and how she learned that “more weight loss” is not always the goal.

IN THIS EPISODE
- Tara’s lifelong experience with obesity, dieting, and weight stigma
- How a radio ad and a clinical-trial opening changed the course of her life
- What it was like to join an early tirzepatide trial with only a 25% chance of receiving the medication
- The role of nutrition support, movement, and gradual behavior change
- Losing 132 pounds in 18 months—and what happened when the trial ended
- Navigating medication access, shortages, judgment, and compounded medication
- Why the scale and clothing sizes can become a new kind of obsession
- Recognizing when continued weight loss was no longer healthy
- What long-term maintenance looks like after a major weight change
- Using medication as one tool in a broader, ongoing relationship with health

ABOUT THE GUEST
Tara Rothenhoefer is a wife, mom, and grandma who, after a lifelong battle with obesity, joined a clinical trial for tirzepatide in 2020 that led to her 222-pound weight loss. Featured on numerous national platforms, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, and the Tamron Hall show, she now shares her journey to encourage and inspire others, while navigating maintenance and living life in a small body for the first time ever.

CONNECT WITH TARA
TikTok and Instagram: @tacklingtara
Links and resources: https://linktr.ee/tacklingtara

SPONSOR
Tyde Wellness — GLP-1 programs with licensed providers, real dosing adjustments, and long-term support
http://tydewellness.com/GLP1Hub — code GLP1Hub50 for $50 off your first month

CHAPTERS
00:00  From clinical trial to a 222-pound weight loss
01:11  Meet Tara Rothenhoefer
03:16  A lifelong battle with obesity and dieting
04:48  Finding the tirzepatide clinical trial
08:15  Taking a chance on an unknown medication
10:58  What the trial support looked like
13:56  Movement, nutrition support, and early results
16:54  Losing 132 pounds in 18 months
20:00  When the trial ended and medication access disappeared
29:00  Shortages, stigma, and public attention
35:11  When weight loss went too far
40:24  Long-term maintenance and listening to her body
43:03  Connecting with Tara

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Your scale isn't measuring weight...it's measuring fear, shame, and whether you believe your GLP-1 is working.

Registered dietitian Ana Reisdorf sits down with Brian Baumal, a registered psychotherapist who lost 100 pounds, kept it off for 14 years, and recovered from two eating disorders. He explains how the scale can become exposure therapy, why shame drives the "lose it fast" thinking that sets you up to fail on Ozempic or Zepbound, and how to stop tying your worth to a number.

IN THIS EPISODE
- Why weight gain on a GLP-1 sends you into a spiral (and how to stop it)
- Using the scale as exposure therapy: the CBT-E "collaborative weighing" technique
- How shame causes quick weight loss goals, black-and-white thinking, and failure
- Why Ozempic and Zepbound don't eliminate food noise completely — and why that's normal
- Habit change vs. the underlying psychology of emotional eating

ABOUT THE GUEST
Brian Baumal is a registered psychotherapist based in Toronto, Canada, trained in depth psychotherapy with a practice focused on the emotional and unconscious drivers of weight, eating, and shame. He has adapted cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E) into a weight management approach. Brian lost 100 pounds and has kept it off for nearly 14 years, and is recovered from two eating disorders — exercise bulimia and binge eating disorder.

CONNECT WITH BRIAN
Website: https://alivapsychotherapy.com

SPONSOR
Tyde Wellness — GLP-1 programs with licensed providers, real dosing adjustments, and long-term support
http://tydewellness.com/GLP1Hub — code GLP1Hub50 for $50 off your first month

CHAPTERS
00:00  The scale is measuring more than weight
01:21  Meet Brian Baumal, RP
03:17  Why weight judgment feels so personal
04:36  When the scale makes or breaks your day
05:16  The scale as exposure therapy
08:40  Challenging the spiral in real time
13:14  Breaking the panic-weigh cycle
15:41  Shame, quick fixes, and all-or-nothing thinking
20:29  Habits vs. the psychology underneath
23:49  Food noise isn't going away — and that's okay
28:24  Working with Brian + final thoughts

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub

*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.

*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.