A coach’s Experience with a GLP-1: Choosing Curiosity Over Judgment
Have you ever felt completely at a loss when it comes to how you feel in your own body? I have.
I want to share a vulnerable part of my own journey. Over the past several months, I've been working hard on my health. I was consistently hitting 10,000 steps per day, tracking my nutrition, and doing all the things I would typically recommend to others. Yet despite my efforts, I wasn't seeing the changes I expected. Like many people, I found myself searching for answers. Some suggested I was doing too much. Others pointed to hormones or various life stressors. Regardless of the reason, I was left feeling frustrated and stuck.
As a coach, I wrestled with an internal battle. I kept asking myself:
Shouldn't I be able to figure this out without medication?
What will taking a GLP-1 mean for me?
Will it affect my ability to coach and lead others?
Will I lose muscle?
How quickly will I lose weight?
These were all valid questions, and after a lot of reflection, I decided that the only way to know if a GLP-1 was right for me was to try it.
About nine weeks ago, I started Semaglutide at a dose of 0.25 mg. Almost immediately, I experienced nausea and generally felt a little "off." During the first week, I noticed that I was eating less, developing food aversions, and dealing with some constipation. Over the following weeks, my experience varied. Depending on the injection site, some weeks seemed to bring more symptoms than others. After four weeks, I had only lost a few pounds, so I increased my dose to 0.50 mg. While some of the side effects became more manageable, the food aversions intensified—especially when it came to protein. I often found myself asking difficult questions:
Do I want to feel uninterested in foods that support my health goals? Do I want to feel so fatigued at the end of the day that staying awake feels like a challenge?
Right now, my answer is still yes! The reason is simple: I am seeing changes that I wasn't seeing before. While the number on the scale hasn't moved as quickly as I expected, I notice other signs of progress. My clothes fit differently. I feel more comfortable in my body. Those changes matter, too.
Most importantly, I'm doing this for myself. I'm doing it because I want to feel good in my own skin. I'm also sharing this because I believe it's important to remove the stigma around using pharmaceutical tools when appropriate.
As a coach, I've had the opportunity to work with several members who are using GLP-1 medications as part of their health journey. Watching them navigate both the successes and challenges of these medications has reinforced something I deeply believe: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to health. For some people, a GLP-1 can be a valuable tool when paired with strength training, proper nutrition, and sustainable habits. Seeing their experiences helped me approach my own decision with greater curiosity and compassion.
I am not here to tell you that everyone should take a GLP-1. What I am encouraging you to do is stay curious. Ask questions. Explore your options. Understand your "why." If you're having your own internal battle and wondering whether the side effects are worth it, only you can answer that question. What works for one person may not work for another.
I am happy to share my experience honestly and remind you that whatever path you choose, you don't have to navigate it alone.
I'm here to support you, answer questions, and continue sharing what this journey looks like for me.