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“You are living such a small life.”

Those seven words from a medical professional were the wake-up call Sarah ( @sezzieloula on Instagram) needed to stop waiting for a miracle and start fighting for her future.

After decades of battling obesity, medical bias, and the exhausting "mask" of being the happy people-pleaser, Sarah reached a breaking point in 2024. At her heaviest and most restricted, she’d already resigned herself to a shorter life, until she discovered a new path.

In this deeply moving episode of The Dose, Belinda and Paddy sit down with Sarah to trace her 13-month transformation. This isn't just a story about losing seven stone; it’s a raw exploration of reclaiming the space you deserve in a world that often tries to make you feel invisible.

• ​The "Small Life" Realization: Sarah describes the heartbreaking moment she realized she was shrinking her world to fit her body, from Googling seat widths to avoiding social gatherings.
• ​The Science of Hope: A candid look at the "switch" that flipped when Sarah started GLP-1 medication and how it levelled the metabolic playing field after years of failed "cycle dieting."
• ​Medical Bias & The 90s Trap: From being prescribed the Atkins diet at 19 to the trauma of being told every ailment was "just your weight," Sarah reflects on the systemic hurdles of living in a larger body.
• ​Non-Scale Victories: The joy of the "space between the steering wheel," the thrill of wild swimming, and the power of finally crossing your legs at a desk.
• ​A Message to Her Younger Self: A tear-jerking conclusion as Sarah shares what she wish she could tell the 19-year-old version of herself sitting in a doctor's office.

If you have ever felt like your weight enters the room before you do, or if you’ve spent years in the "four R’s" (Restrict, Relapse, Regain, Repeat), this episode is a lighthouse. Sarah’s vulnerability is a powerful reminder that obesity is a chronic relapsing disease, not a character flaw.

Keywords: Weight Loss Journey, Mounjaro, GLP-1, Obesity Support, Metabolic Health, Body Positivity, Medical Bias, Mental Health, The Dose Podcast, Weight Loss Medication, Personal Transformation.

"Hold on. Have some hope. Don’t give up on yourself. You are going to be okay." — Sarah

Disclaimer:

This podcast shares personal experience and general information only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about individual health decisions, including nutrition or prescription treatments. This episode is not endorsing, or suggesting any medical treatments - thats a decision for you and your Drs only.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Belinda’s community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Next Chapter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Paddy’s links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/paddyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Keywords: Weight Loss Journey, Mounjaro, Wegovy, GLP-1, Obesity Support, Metabolic Health, Body Positivity, Medical Bias, Mental Health, The Dose Podcast, Weight Loss Medication, Personal Transformation.

Tap here to send us a whatsapp message ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or if you can’t tap, simply send your message to: +353851343766

This week, we’re catching up on everything, from unexpected online drama to something even more shocking… Paddy has started running.....Yes, you read that right. From lungs on fire and knee pain to knocking out consistent 5Ks.

We also get into:

• The reality of navigating criticism online (and why people forget there’s a real person behind the screen)

• What “maintenance” actually looks like in real life, not the polished version

• Weekend indulgence, Chinese takeaways, cupcakes… and the reality check that comes after

• The truth about progress, setbacks, and why nothing is ever as linear as it looks

And as always, we don’t hold back on calling out the nonsense, especially when it comes to unsafe trends and misinformation in the weight loss space.

Honest, unfiltered, and probably a bit too real at times, but that’s what you come here for.

Disclaimer:

This podcast shares personal experience and general information only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about individual health decisions, including nutrition or prescription treatments. This episode is not endorsing, or suggesting any medical treatments - thats a decision for you and your Drs only.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Belinda’s community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Next Chapter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Paddy’s links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/paddyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

#WeightLossSupport #Exercise #Fitness #GLP1  #Ireland

Tap here to send us a whatsapp message ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or if you can’t tap, simply send your message to: +353851343766

You’re losing weight… so why does it still feel hard?

In this episode, we welcome back The GLP-1 Coach, Nikki Coughlan, for a powerful and honest conversation about the emotional side of this journey that nobody really prepares you for.

Nikki is a Nutritional Therapist and Health Coach specialising in supporting adults using GLP-1 medications

Find Nikki here: https://www.glp1coach.ie/

We talk about the fear of regain.

The support gap that exists for many of us on our journey.The panic around maintenance.The pressure to be perfect.

The importance of self-compassionAnd the quiet worry that maybe the medication is doing all the work.

If you’ve ever thought:“What happens when this stops?”“Why don’t I feel as different as I look?”“Why am I still struggling even though the scale is moving?”

This episode is for you

We explore how to move beyond diet mentality, how to design goals that actually work in real life, and why support matters more than most people realise. This is not about chasing numbers. It is about identity, values, and building something sustainable.

Whether you are just starting out, deep in the process, or approaching maintenance, this conversation will help you feel less alone and more grounded in your next step.

Disclaimer:

This podcast shares personal experience and general information only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about individual health decisions, including nutrition or prescription treatments. This episode is not endorsing, or suggesting any medical treatments - thats a decision for you and your Drs only.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Belinda’s community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Next Chapter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Paddy’s links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/paddyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

#WeightLossSupport #Exercise #Fitness #GLP1  #Ireland

Tap here to send us a whatsapp message ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or if you can’t tap, simply send your message to: +353851343766

After nearly three months on Wegovy, Paddy has made the decision to stop.

Not because he wanted to. Not because he didn’t try. But because it just wasn’t working for him the way he hoped. The appetite suppression never really landed, the sugar cravings were strong, and over that time he regained a stone and a half (22lbs / 10kg) .

In this episode, we talk honestly about what that felt like. The headspace. The frustration. The fear of slipping back into old patterns. And why he decided it was time to reset and go back to what had previously worked for me.

We also get into:

• Revisiting food noise

• Cravings versus hunger

• The shame people still carry around these medications

• Why you are allowed to keep your journey private

• And hows maintenance going for Belinda

And yes, there’s still the usual banter. Including tractors. If you’re on this journey and something isn’t going the way you expected, this episode is for you.

Disclaimer:

This podcast shares personal experience and general information only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about individual health decisions, including nutrition or prescription treatments. This episode is not endorsing, or suggesting any medical treatments - thats a decision for you and your Drs only.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Belinda’s community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Next Chapter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Paddy’s links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/paddyc⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

#WeightLossSupport #Exercise #Fitness #GLP1  #Ireland

Tap here to send us a whatsapp message ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or if you can’t tap, simply send your message to: +353851343766

Movement. Exercise. The gym. Three words that can spark motivation, fear, guilt, or an immediate eye roll.

In this episode of The Dose, Paddy and Belinda get honest about movement in real life, not the polished, punishing version we’ve all been sold before.

They are joined by Luke Atkins from Tailormade Coaching for a grounded, practical conversation about what movement actually looks like for everyday people. Especially if you are starting again, starting slowly, or starting while navigating weight loss, GLP-1 medication, or a complicated relationship with exercise.

This is not about burning calories or chasing perfection. It is about confidence, consistency, and finding movement that fits your life. If movement has ever felt overwhelming, embarrassing, or like something you “should” be doing but don’t know how to start, this episode is for you.

We also hear more about Belindas person journey with movement and how shes somewhere she never imagined in terms of her love of training.

Disclaimer:

This podcast shares personal experience and general information only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about individual health decisions, including nutrition or prescription treatments.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Belinda’s community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Next Chapter⁠⁠⁠⁠

Paddy’s links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/paddyc⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

#Movement #WeightLossSupport #Exercise #Fitness #GLP1  #Ireland

Tap here to send us a whatsapp message ⁠⁠⁠⁠ or if you can’t tap, simply send your message to: +353851343766

In this episode, Paddy and Belinda sit down with Registered Dietician / Clinical Nutritionist and Trained Psychotherapist Valerie O’Connor ( Galway Nutrition & Therapy Clinic ⁠www.gntc.ie) for a calm, thoughtful conversation about food, nourishment, and looking after yourself in a more sustainable way.

We talk through what supportive nutrition actually looks like beyond diet culture, focusing on routine, fibre, hydration, food variety, and why food first matters more than supplements or extremes. Valerie shares practical, realistic guidance on eating well without restriction, fear, or perfectionism, especially during periods of weight change.

The conversation also touches on the psychological side of health, including self compassion, habit building, and how to move away from shame and all or nothing thinking. Rather than quick fixes, this episode centres on steadiness, kindness, and doing what genuinely supports long term wellbeing.

A reassuring listen for anyone who wants a healthier relationship with food and their body, without pressure or judgement.

Disclaimer:

This podcast shares personal experience and general information only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about individual health decisions, including nutrition or prescription treatments.

Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ 

Belinda’s community: ⁠⁠⁠The Next Chapter⁠⁠⁠

Paddy’s links: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/paddyc⁠⁠⁠ 

#NutritionAdvice #WeightLossSupport #HealthyEatingTips #MentalWellness #GLP1

Tap here to send us a whatsapp message ⁠⁠⁠ or if you can’t tap, simply send your message to: +353851343766

We have both gained weight.

Belinda opens up about seeing the scale go up after Christmas for the first time in years and how fast the old restriction thoughts came back, even though she knows better. Paddy shares more insight on his experience of what it’s been like moving to Wegovy and also gaining weight too.

We chat about that Oxford study that’s everywhere this week, people regaining weight after stopping medication, and ask the obvious question… why is this being treated like breaking news?

We also get into the messy stuff, maintenance not feeling as safe as weight loss, the identity shift when you’re no longer in “lose mode”, weight bias, water weight, spirals, and why the scale can absolutely wreck your head if you’re not careful.

If you’ve put on weight after Christmas, felt panicky about it, or had that quiet fear of “what if it all comes back”, this one will hit home.

No fixing. No preaching. Just two people being honest about a part of the journey that doesn’t get talked about enough.

Also thank you to those of you who alerted us we (aka Paddy) uploaded the unedited version before this - apparently even Paddy is human and makes mistakes and for a number of you, you now know his favourite (off air and should never make it to air) curse word !!! #Morto

Combined Paddy & Belinda have lost over 16 stone on their journeys supported by nutrition, movement, mindset and medical supervision. 

Paddy is a qualified Personal Trainer / Nutritionist specialising in supporting those living with Obesity, and is also a registered member of the National Union of Journalists. Belinda supports ladies through coaching within The Next Chapter community. 

Important: This podcast is for information and lived experience only. It is not medical advice. Always speak with your own prescriber and qualified healthcare professionals about your medication and your health.

Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ 

Belinda’s community: ⁠⁠The Next Chapter⁠⁠

Paddy’s links: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/paddyc⁠⁠ 

Tap here to send us a whatsapp message ⁠⁠ or if you can’t tap, simply send your message to: +353851343766

We have both gained weight.

Belinda opens up about seeing the scale go up after Christmas for the first time in years and how fast the old restriction thoughts came back, even though she knows better. Paddy shares more insight on his experience of what it’s been like moving to Wegovy and also gaining weight too.

We chat about that Oxford study that’s everywhere this week, people regaining weight after stopping medication, and ask the obvious question… why is this being treated like breaking news?

We also get into the messy stuff, maintenance not feeling as safe as weight loss, the identity shift when you’re no longer in “lose mode”, weight bias, water weight, spirals, and why the scale can absolutely wreck your head if you’re not careful.

If you’ve put on weight after Christmas, felt panicky about it, or had that quiet fear of “what if it all comes back”, this one will hit home.

No fixing. No preaching. Just two people being honest about a part of the journey that doesn’t get talked about enough.

Combined Paddy & Belinda have lost over 16 stone on their journeys supported by nutrition, movement, mindset and medical supervision. 

Paddy is a qualified Personal Trainer / Nutritionist specialising in supporting those living with Obesity, and is also a registered member of the National Union of Journalists. Belinda supports ladies through coaching within The Next Chapter community. 

Important: This podcast is for information and lived experience only. It is not medical advice. Always speak with your own prescriber and qualified healthcare professionals about your medication and your health.

Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

Belinda’s community: ⁠The Next Chapter⁠

Paddy’s links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/paddyc⁠ 

Tap here to send us a whatsapp message ⁠ or if you can’t tap, simply send your message to: +353851343766

It is New Year’s Day, and we are back with a fresh episode of The Dose with Paddy and Belinda. In this one, we share the practical, real world tips we wish we could tell ourselves on day one of a GLP 1 supported journey, with a strong focus on foundations, tracking, mindset, movement, nutrition, boundaries, and community.

Combined Paddy & Belinda have lost over 16 stone on their journeys supported by nutrition, movement, mindset and medical supervision. 

Paddy is a qualified Personal Trainer / Nutritionist specialising in supporting those living with Obesity, and is also a registered member of the National Union of Journalists. Belinda supports ladies through coaching within The Next Chapter community. 

Important: This podcast is for information and lived experience only. It is not medical advice. Always speak with your own prescriber and qualified healthcare professionals about your medication and your health.

Email: [email protected] 

Belinda’s community: The Next Chapter

Paddy’s links: https://linktr.ee/paddyc 

Tap here to send us a whatsapp message or if you can’t tap, simply send your message to: +353851343766

In our Christmas special, we are decking the halls with reflections from the year that was. The highs, the hard bits, the unexpected wins, the moments that made us laugh, and the ones that caught us completely off guard. Think of it as our end of year selection box, a little bit of everything and absolutely no calorie counting.

We chat honestly about maintenance, medication changes, festive food noise, gym glow ups, community moments, and what this year has really been like behind the microphone. It is reflective, real, a little bit chaotic, and very on brand.

So pop on the fairy lights, settle in, and join us for one last chat before the year is boxed away.

Merry Christmas and thank you for listening.

Lot of love

P&B xx

This podcast episode is for information and shared experience only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual responses to prescription weight loss medications vary. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. No prescription medicines or healthcare services are being promoted or endorsed.