In this episode, I talk with Sharna Braucks who opens up about her life-long struggle with weight. She started dieting at just 8 years old and went through two separate gastric bypass surgeries. It wasn’t until she started a GLP-1 that she finally found hope.

Sharna shares what’s helped her be successful on the medication, how her mindset has shifted, and why gratitude plays a key role in her journey. This interview was originally recorded live, and I’m so grateful to share it with you here.

From Shame to Strength: How GLP-1 Medication Changed Sharna’s Life

When Sharna Brauks was just a few months old, a doctor told her mother she was overweight and needed skim milk. By eight years old, she was in a medically supervised weight-loss program with adults. That early introduction to dieting was the start of decades of yo-yo weight loss, bariatric surgeries, shame, and self-blame.

Sharna’s story is one many in our community will find painfully familiar but it’s also one filled with hope. Today, she is down 100 pounds, healthy, strong, and, most importantly, free from the relentless “food noise” that controlled her life for over 50 years.

A Lifetime of Fighting Her Body

Growing up, Sharna tried every diet, pill, and program. She had two bariatric surgeries, the first at 19, each bringing only temporary results before the weight crept back. Every regain deepened her belief that she was weak or flawed.

Even while working in health and wellness, she faced judgment and internalized shame for “not looking the part.” She knew what to do, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, but sustaining it felt impossible. “It was never my stomach that needed fixing,” she says. “It was my brain.”

Finding GLP-1 — and Hope

In late 2023, Sharna began hearing more about new anti-obesity medications. When Zepbound was approved for obesity that November, she jumped at the chance. After a three-month wait to see an obesity specialist, she left her appointment in tears, tears of joy that she finally had another option.

She started Zepbound on March 1, 2024. The first month, she lost 20 pounds. More importantly, she noticed something new: she reached for chips, ate three, and put the bag away without a fight. “It was freeing,” she recalls. “To not have that voice in my head. For the first time, I thought, is this what normal feels like?”

In just over six months, she lost 100 pounds and reached her lowest weight since the fifth grade.

Life After Food Noise

Sharna now enjoys Pilates, yoga, and daily walks, movement she once dreaded. She’s maintained her weight loss without obsessing over the scale, focusing instead on how her body feels and performs. She’s learned to tell the difference between true hunger and old “food noise” patterns.

Her advice? “Celebrate all the wins, not just the number on the scale. The ease in which you can move, the extra minutes you can walk before sweating, the mental clarity, those are just as important.”

Advocacy and Gratitude

Sharna is vocal about her use of GLP-1s, sharing her story with coworkers, friends, and even strangers. She knows that hearing firsthand accounts changes perceptions and sparks empathy.

While she’s grateful to the manufacturers for creating these medications, she also believes in advocating for accessibility and affordability: “Gratitude doesn’t mean silence. We can thank them for the innovation and still push for wider, fairer access.”

A Vision Beyond Weight Loss

For Sharna, this transformation is about more than pounds lost. She’s creating a vision for who she wants to be, physically, mentally, and in her relationships. “I’ll always be a person living with obesity, now managing it with medication. But I’m not defined by it. I want to use my experience to advocate, educate, and help others see there is hope.”

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Disclaimer: The GLP-1 Collective Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the GLP-1 Collective or GLP-1 Access LLC. This podcast is owned and produced by GLP-1 Access LLC in support of the GLP-1 Collective nonprofit mission.

In this episode, I sit down with Erica Koffler, the visionary founder and CEO of sPiLLRx, a unique community platform dedicated to supporting GLP-1 users.

We explore how sPiLLRx is creating a safe and supportive space for individuals to share their experiences, connect with others, and find valuable resources in a way cuts out the noise.

For anyone who needs answers, you may find them here in stories that mirror your own.

SpillRx: Building a Judgment-Free Space for GLP-1 Patients

Featuring Erica Beth Koffler on the GLP-1 Collective Podcast

This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement.

On this week’s episode of the GLP-1 Collective Podcast, I sat down with Erica Beth Koffler, founder and CEO of SpillRx, a new online community built for people on GLP-1 medications to share their real-world experiences openly and without judgment.

If you have ever turned to Reddit threads or Facebook groups for answers about GLP-1s, side effects, or dosing, you know how messy and discouraging those spaces can be. SpillRx was created to change that. It is a place where you can filter by medication, symptom, or diagnosis and find stories from people who understand what you are going through.

Why SpillRx Exists

Erica shared the deeply personal story behind SpillRx. Her inspiration came after seeing her mother-in-law struggle with side effects from cancer treatment and realizing how little trusted, crowd-sourced information existed for patients.

She saw firsthand how online forums often mix medical struggles with politics, gossip, and shaming. That frustration sparked the idea: if there are trusted platforms like Yelp or TripAdvisor for restaurants and travel, why not one for prescription medications where people can share authentic, anonymous experiences?

GLP-1s became the natural starting point. As Erica put it:

“There’s so much misinformation and stigma around these medications. People want community. They want to connect with others who are living this too. And they don’t deserve to be criticized at every turn.”

Key Features of SpillRx

SpillRx is more than just another message board. It is structured around trust, moderation, and real-world utility.

As a verified user, you can:

* Filter by medication and symptom to find exactly what matters to you

* Share your own story or read others’ experiences anonymously

* Ask and answer questions about side effects, access, dosing, and more

* Follow threads, get updates, or even export discussions by email

* Track your posts and activity on a personalized dashboard

And soon, they will be adding Chatbot Lori. This AI-trained support tool will be built on GLP-1 research and community posts to guide users to relevant resources.

The Stigma We’re Fighting

A recurring theme in our conversation was stigma. Patients often keep their GLP-1 use secret, sometimes even from their spouses, out of fear of being judged. The stereotype of “just eat less and move more” is still strong even as research makes it clear that obesity is a disease and food noise is real.

We laughed about how other medications are not labeled as “cheating.” Nobody calls Viagra users “cheaters.” Nobody blames people for taking ADHD meds. Yet GLP-1s are treated differently, and that stigma is damaging.

SpillRx is helping to flip that narrative. By creating a space rooted in empathy, the platform allows people to see they are not alone and that their experiences are valid.

Why This Matters Now

GLP-1s are only just beginning. Beyond diabetes and weight management, research is underway for indications like PCOS, Hashimoto's, arthritis, and even addiction. That means millions more people will soon be navigating these medications with all the questions, side effects, and access challenges that come with them.

When insurance cuts people off, when compound pharmacies close down, and when stigma makes people hide their use, communities like SpillRx matter more than ever.

As Erica said:

“We don’t have all the answers, but together we can share our authentic experiences to support one another on our unique GLP-1 journeys.”

Final Thoughts

I left this conversation energized. Erica’s work is proof that the GLP-1 movement is not just about medicine. It is about community, trust, and building resources that patients actually need.

You can learn more by watching this episode of the GLP-1 Collective Podcast, produced by GLP-1 Access LLC.

To explore SpillRx for yourself, visit SpillRx.com.

Follow SpillRX on:

* ⁠Instagram⁠

* ⁠TikTok⁠

* ⁠Website⁠

* ⁠Linkdin⁠

Important Notice: This resource description was provided directly by SpillRx. It is shared here for community awareness only. SpillRx operates independently and is not affiliated with or endorsed by GLP-1 Access LLC or the GLP-1 Collective Podcast. We do not verify the accuracy of content posted on SpillRx and encourage users to consult licensed medical professionals for medical advice.

In this episode, I sit down with Erica Koffler, the visionary founder and CEO of sPiLLRx, a unique community platform dedicated to supporting GLP-1 users.

We explore how sPiLLRx is creating a safe and supportive space for individuals to share their experiences, connect with others, and find valuable resources in a way cuts out the noise.

For anyone who needs answers, you may find them here in stories that mirror your own.

Follow SpillRX on:

• Instagram
• TikTok
• Website
• Linkdin

In this episode of The Plus Sidez Podcast, I had the privilege of guest hosting a conversation with Tahir Amin, co-founder of I-MAK.

Tahir’s work is changing lives. He’s leading the fight to break pharma monopolies and make essential medications, including GLP-1s, more affordable for everyone.

I’m deeply grateful for the chance to be part of this conversation.
Here’s our recent article on I-MAK’s work: How I-MAK Is Fighting for Affordable Access to GLP-1s

Once 650 pounds, Jamie has completely transformed his life and now uses his experience to inspire others and advocate for access, so everyone who needs a second chance has one.

He walks over 12,000 steps a day, lifts weights four days a week, and shows up, out loud, for a future where GLP-1 medications are within reach for everyone who needs them.

But he’s not just talking about change, he’s leading it. Jamie serves as the Executive Director of the North Dakota Democratic Party and was elected to the Democratic National Committee, where he represents his state.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this episode will remind you what’s possible and why your story’s not over yet.

Follow Jamie:

🎙️ Recently featured on the Mind Pump Podcast: ⁠Listen here⁠

IG: ⁠@jselzler⁠

TikTok: ⁠@jamselz⁠

Beth Laf joins us for a candid conversation about the shifting economic landscape, the end of the GLP-1 shortage, and how to get involved in local advocacy.We’re excited to share two upcoming resources from the GLP-1 Collective to help people feel prepared to push back against stigma with facts:🌐 Our GLP-1 Facts vs. Myths webpage/handouts📚 Our GLP-1 Certification Courses—built to help people feel confident, credible, and equipped to speak out.

• Courses for healthcare providers are on the horizon, but community resources always come first.

Sarah Baker is a force of nature: vibrant, outspoken, and full of life. In this episode, she shares her weight loss journey, her experience with Mochi Health, what the upcoming FDA deadlines mean for compounded meds, and the growing GLP-1 grey market. It’s a high-energy, honest conversation and it’s impossible not to smile when you’re listening to her.

🎧 Follow Sarah:

Instagram – @sarahbakerliveslife

TikTok – @sarahbaker_glp1

In this special episode, I sit down with the President/Co-Founder, CEO, and Marketing Specialist of PureWay Compliance, our very first company donor and an incredible partner in this mission.

They’ve generously supported the GLP-1 Collective with:💸 Direct funding📦 Free sharps containers for live demos🔗 QR codes for our New GLP-1 Patient Welcome Kits🏷️ A discount code for all members (check the Resources page at glp1collective.org)

We talk all things sharps disposal (trust me, there’s way more to it than you'd think) and I’ve never laughed this hard during an interview. Their kindness, knowledge, and early belief in our work mean the world.

Watch, learn, laugh, and leave with a new appreciation for how much care goes into safe disposal and good partnership.

🔗 Learn more about PureWay: https://www.pureway.com

📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@purewaysafesharps

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purewaycompliance

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pureway-compliance

We’re talking with Kristi Turner about food noise, self-worth, and body positivity on a GLP-1 journey. For Kristi, it’s never been about weight, it’s about health.

She’s living proof that confidence and joy don’t come from a number on the scale. This conversation is real, insightful, and fun as heck.

Follow Kristi:TikTok: @kristiturner735Instagram: @kjturner01

Dancer. Singer. Face painter. Professional clown. Taekwondo black belt. And a next-level, self-sacrificing mother whose love knows no bounds.

Ruth Ceretto wears more hats than most can imagine—but the one she never expected to fight for is that of a patient battling for affordable access to life saving GLP-1 medications.

Despite it all, she shows up with humor and resilience. Ruth reminds us that no matter what life throws your way, you don’t have to back down, you just keep dancing.

Follow Ruth on Facebook