The Science of Semaglutides, GLP-1s, Fitness,and Weight Stigma

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are everywhere right now, showing up in medical journals, on magazine covers, and in fitness influencers’ feeds. But what do they actually do, and what happens when active people use them in pursuit of performance, health, or body change?

In this episode of Your Diet Sucks, Zoë and Kylee break down the science of semaglutides, explaining how they work, what they were designed for, and what the research really shows about weight loss, metabolism, and long-term health. They unpack the risks for active populations, including under-fueling, muscle loss, and GI side effects, and why these drugs can complicate training, recovery, and fueling for athletes. Along the way, they dig into how weight stigma shapes healthcare decisions and prescriptions, and why the hype around these medications often overlooks the need for nuance and more data. Finally, they explore the cultural conversation, looking at how fitness and wellness spaces are responding to the rise of GLP-1 drugs, and what it reveals about how we view bodies, performance, and health.