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

Aug 28

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.

Zoë Rom

Zoë Rom is a science and environmental journalist with bylines in The New York Times, Outside, and High Country News. She co-hosts Your Diet Sucks, an evidence-based nutrition and wellness podcast, with registered dietitian Kylee Van Horn, RDN, where they investigate how wellness culture distorts science and how athletes can do better. A Colorado-based ultrarunner, she finished second at the Leadville Trail 100 and top five at Run Rabbit Run 100. Her reporting and commentary focus on the intersection of sport, science, and the wellness industry's long history of selling women their own anxieties.