The Mel Robbins Podcast
#1 Weight Loss Doctor: The Truth About Obesity, Ozempic, Dieting, & How to Feel Better Now
17 Apr 2025
This episode is a must-listen if you or someone you love has ever struggled with weight. Today, Mel sits down with world-renowned, triple board certified endocrinologist and obesity specialist, Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, to explain the medical truth behind your metabolism, weight loss, and the most talked-about medications on the planet: GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy. Today, she’s breaking down exactly how these medications work, who they’re for, and the critical mistakes people are making when using them without medical supervision. If you're confused about these drugs, worried about the side effects, or curious if they could help you or someone you love—this episode will answer every question you've been too afraid to ask. In this episode, you’ll learn: -The 5 real causes of weight gain—and why only one is in your control -Why obesity is not your fault (and how blaming yourself is holding you back) -What GLP-1 medications like Ozempic actually do in your body -The #1 risk no one is talking about when taking these drugs -Why these medications can change your brain, your cravings, and your relationship with food -How to avoid “Ozempic face,” hair loss, and muscle loss while on these drugs -How to know if you’re a good candidate—and the red flags to watch out for You’ll also hear Dr. Salas-Whalen’s personal story of using the medication herself after hitting perimenopause—and what she wants every woman to know about managing weight in midlife. This episode is your science-backed, shame-free guide to understanding GLP-1s, your metabolism, and what real help looks like. If you or someone you love is struggling with weight, send them this episode. It could change their life. For more resources, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked this episode, and want more evidence-based tools for a healthier life, listen to this next: The Body Reset: How Women Should Eat & Exercise for Health, Fat Loss, & EnergyConnect with Mel: Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them TheoryWatch the episodes on YouTubeFollow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast InstagramMel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-freeDisclaimer
Full Episode
Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins Podcast. So recently, a couple of my friends and someone in my family has started taking Ozembic. And I'm gonna be honest with you, I have had a wide range of reactions to it. Now, first of all, I was so excited for my family member to be prioritizing their health. And on the other hand, I was actually kind of worried.
I mean, from the potential side effects, I am reading all this stuff. I'm getting targeted by these drugs online. Maybe like me, you have questions too because you have people in your life who have started taking the medication. Or maybe you've been struggling with your weight for a long time and you've tried to get a handle on it. Nothing's worked.
And so now you're curious about GLP-1s or perhaps you're already trying them out, but you still have some mixed feelings about it. Like, are they safe? How do they even work? Is this too good to be true? What about those side effects? Do I have to be on this for the rest of my life? So here's what I did.
I reached out to a world renowned medical expert who is a triple board certified medical doctor with three specializations, obesity medicine, internal medicine, and endocrinology. And she's here today in our Boston studios to tell you everything that you and your loved ones need to know.
So today, you and I are gonna get all the medical facts that you need to hear about the drug everyone's talking about. You're gonna learn the medical truth about your metabolism, the surprising reasons why you or your loved ones may be struggling with their weight, food cravings, and four surprising factors that you have no control over that cause weight gain.
That's why our medical expert today will tell you, if you're struggling with your weight, it is not your fault. She will also tell you who GLP-1 drugs are meant for and who they're not, the surprising truth about the side effects. And she has a very stern warning against mail ordering this, getting it from a website or a friend or microdosing.
Now, this conversation today is a free resource with one of the world's leading experts on the medication everyone is talking about. You're not only going to leave informed and empowered, but you will never ever think about weight loss or the struggle to lose it the same way again. Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins Podcast. I am so excited that you're here.
I am so excited to learn about our topic today. And, you know, I just got to say, it is such an honor to spend time with you. It's an honor to be together. If you're a new listener, I want to take a moment and welcome you to the Mel Robbins Podcast family. And because you made the time to listen to this particular episode and learn more about this particular topic... Here's what I know.
I know you're the kind of person who values your health and you're looking for evidence-based information. And today, you're going to get it because we're talking about the weight loss medications that are all over the headlines.
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