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GLP-1 Studio Podcast

GLP-1 Studio Podcast

By: Formerly known as GLP-1 Collective Podcast
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About this listen

 Hi, I’m Amanda Bonello 😊 I started this podcast to give the GLP-1 community a voice. To share the life changing experiences these medications can bring and to shine a light on the human impact of access issues. Since then, I’ve founded both a nonprofit and a for-profit to put advocacy into action for GLP-1 access, and to do everything I can to support and empower the patients who need it most. I can hardly believe we’ve made it to Season 2, and I couldn’t be more grateful for your support. 🩷

glp1studio.substack.comGLP-1 Studio LLC Hygiene & Healthy Living Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Nicky Cayan: PROTEIN AND PEPTIDES

    Nicky Cayan: PROTEIN AND PEPTIDES
    Oct 25 2025
    Nicholas Cayan, better known on TikTok as @nicky_glp1wellness, joined me for this episode to talk about how GLP-1 medications helped him lose weight and gain muscle. Yes, gain it.When I first stepped into this space, there were a lot of questions with few answers. One of the loudest was, Is muscle loss inevitable? And when singer Avery shared that she developed osteoporosis and osteopenia after 1 year on Ozempic, it dialed the drama to max.Spoiler alert: that story had layers far beyond the medication itself. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.People like Nicky give the rest of us a reason to exhale. His TikToks aren’t just progress updates, they’re proof that some muscle loss is expected with any weight loss, but it’s not inevitable in a harmful way. Pair GLP-1 therapy with enough protein, consistent resistance training, and patience, and you can preserve muscle strength, and often even improve it, though individual results vary and the research is still evolving.Protein, Peptides, and PurposeNicky’s journey started with his doctor literally telling him, that he couldn’t believe he was alive. “…and he’s like, oh my God, I can’t believe you’re alive. And I’m like, why? He’s like, your A1C is ridiculous. And I was like, oh, like I knew it was gonna be high, but I was like, like how high? And so he’s like, your A1C is like, I think he said it was a 12.3, 12.5. And I was like, oh, that’s not too high. He’s like, you’re supposed to be under six. And I’m like, oh, well then yeah, that’s kind of high.”In the beginning, when Nicky went looking for guidance, he found a gap big enough to drive a truck through. Most of the creators he saw online were already deep into maintenance or women whose experiences, like lady cycles, side effects, even appetite patterns, didn’t line up with his own. So he made a decision that changed everything: he’d start documenting his own journey. At first he could barely stand the idea of taking selfies. He eased in with bathroom-and-gym mirror shots, half-torso only, because full-body pics felt like too much. Months later, scrolling back, he realized his camera roll had quietly shifted: “When did I start taking full-body selfies?” Confidence had crept in, one rep and one snapshot at a time.Nicky’s feed is a time capsule of consistency. You can literally scroll back through his videos and watch the change happen in real time.His hope is to inspire, educate, and motivate:“Prior to my journey, I was eating fast food every single meal… two, three, sometimes four times a day because I was just hungry. Now I spend it on protein powder and peptides.”This line landed and I knew what I had to do next.The Studio Shop is officially open! You can grab your GLP-1 apparel and help support my independent advocacy, this podcast, and Nickaaayyy himself. The Protein & Peptides T-shirt and hat, inspired by this episode, are available below or on TikTok Shop, where you can even get a refundable sample!The Protein and Peptides tank and hat are a nod to that exact moment. But my favorite part? The inner tag reads GLP-1 Studio Season 2 | Episode 7, marking where this quote was first said.On Stigma and StrengthNicky didn’t just share his strengths, he also shared his experience with the mental aspect “that people don’t really talk about.”“Nobody talks about the mental part,” he said. “Everyone talks about the weight, the snacks, the numbers… but the emotions are a whole different thing. You could make a whole podcast just about that.”He talked about how hard it can be to accept compliments now, how he never got them before, and he doesn’t know how to feel.“I feel a little awkward,” he said. “I’m not used to compliments. It brings back childhood stuff. I just say thank you, but I don’t really know what to do with it.”That moment reminded me of something Dr. Angela Tran shared in her interview on The GLP-1 Studio Podcast. She said:“…but I always warn people, hey, tell me how you felt when someone told you you were skinny because that can really bring a whole gamut of things you have to work through also. So that’s part of like the whole management of this medication is not just the side effects, but it’s just sort of like the changes around you that you don’t even see.”Dr. Tran was right. It’s not just a physical transformation, it’s emotional. Even positive attention can stir up old memories and insecurities. And Nicky was the first to admit that we don’t talk about that enough.The physical changes are measurable, but the emotional ones are just as real and just as important to acknowledge.Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to support my independent advocacy efforts. 💖Amazing TransformationsIn our conversation, Nicky admitted that he didn’t think his story was amazing enough.“I don’t think my story is really significant compared to other guests that you have, you know, that have ...
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    59 mins
  • Dr. Angela Tran: Founder of Med-Fit Medical Weight Loss

    Dr. Angela Tran: Founder of Med-Fit Medical Weight Loss
    Oct 7 2025
    Health With & Without MedicationDr. Angela Tran D.O., is a board-certified obesity medicine physician and the founder of Med-Fit Medical Weight Loss. She’s not on GLP-1s herself, but she works with patients every day who are and has seen firsthand how these medications can give people something they haven’t had in years: a pause. She makes a point to remind women that you can be healthy and lose weight with or without medication. When She Faced Her Own ChallengesDr. Angela shared that when she had gestational diabetes and thyroid problems, GLP-1s weren’t even available yet. And she was honest, if they had been, she would’ve said yes in a heartbeat. Not because of weight, but because she was scared of what could happen long-term, and of not knowing what her body might decide to do next.But she knew she had to be congruent with the message she was giving her patients, to live what she teaches. For her, that meant showing that health is possible with or without medication and helping others find what works best for their own bodies.Tips For Healing the Whole PersonDr. Tran shared some practical, real-world tips for healing, focusing on mindset, movement, identity, and the kind of everyday habits that help you feel whole again.Food NoiseWe talked about that constant chatter in your head around food. She made it clear that GLP-1s don’t delete food noise. They create a pause. That small slice of time where you can take a breath and make a different choice. In that space you get your mind back for a second. Sometimes you notice you don’t want the food after all.She describes food noise like fear that may never disappear, so you learn to stop letting it run the show. She uses these steps to keep her own food demon at bay: * Keep a safe snack available (She loves sugar-free Jell-o)* Plan meals in advance* Track when you last ate* Create distance between the signal and the actionIdentityDr. Tran emphasizes that identity is deeply tied to our weight and that language matters, when attempting to heal the whole person. For example:Say this: “I am a person who sometimes binge eats.”Not this: “I am a binge eater.”Say this: “I am a healthy person learning new habits.”Not this: “I am an unhealthy person.”You are not your hardest day. That shift opens the door to growth instead of guilt.She gave the best analogy for this:“If your car is smoking, that doesn’t mean you are a bad driver. We just need to figure out what is wrong with the car.”— Dr. Angela Tran, D.O.It’s a visual you can feel. It strips out the shame and points you toward the real work. Check the engine. Stop blaming the driver. Start fixing the system.MovementDr. Tran works hard to reframe exercise as moving energy, rather than a punishment. Think movement as energy in motion. * Walk* Dance* Stretch* MeditateIt’s not about burning calories, it’s about shifting what’s stuck, to create space inside yourself. Self AdvocacyShe makes a point that good doctors don’t just hand you a script and send you out the door. They ask and answer questions: * Who is your support team?* Do you need a dietitian?* This is what happens at month one, month two, month three. * This is how you handle side effects. * This is what to expect when people start commenting on your body. The plan they create for you lives two steps ahead.She explains that you are the decision maker and that it’s important to advocate for yourself.If the information does not feel right, get a second opinion. If a clinician treats obesity like a character flaw, find one who shares your belief that this is a treatable medical condition with many tools.Key TakeawaysDr. Tran is the kind of doctor who makes you exhale the second she starts talking. She’s warm, grounded, and deeply compassionate. Her mix of science, honesty, and heart makes you feel like you’re being cared for by someone who actually cares. Anyone would be lucky to have her in their corner. If you take anything away from this episode remember this:* You are not broken* You’re definitely not alone* And you don’t need to change a thing, other than letting go of whatever’s holding you backMy favorite takeaway is this: “You don’t hate exercise, silly. You’ve just got to do what you enjoy.” (Like line dancing.) 💃💕Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication, treatment plan, or lifestyle. The GLP-1 Studio Podcast, which used to be called the GLP-1 Collective Podcast, is now produced by GLP-1 Studio LLC. This episode has nothing to do with the GLP-1 Collective nonprofit. This is not a paid advertisement. I am not an affiliate. Everything I say in this episode is my personal opinion. It does not represent the views of the nonprofit, GLP-1 Studio, or Dr. Angela Tran and her clinic. Now let’s get into it. Get full access to GLP-1 Studio at ...
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    49 mins
  • Dr. Craig Primack: Head of Weight Loss, Hims & Hers

    Dr. Craig Primack: Head of Weight Loss, Hims & Hers
    Sep 22 2025
    When I sat down to record this episode of the GLP-1 Collective Podcast, I knew we were in for something special. Dr. Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA, is a leader in obesity medicine, and honestly, he has so many accomplishments that I had to list them in bullet points. I’m sure I’m still missing a few, but here’s just a glimpse:* Co-founder of Scottsdale Weight Loss Center in Arizona, a multi-location practice serving thousands.* Served on the board of the Obesity Medicine Association from 2010 through 2024.* President of the OMA from 2019 to 2021.* Frequent media guest and national speaker on obesity care.* Co-author of Chasing Diets and widely published in the field.In addition to his own practice, Dr. Primack works as the Head of Weight Loss at Hims & Hers to help expand access to comprehensive care for those who might not otherwise be able to access it.White Paper: The Key TakeawaysThe main reason Dr. Primack joined me was to share data from a new white paper from his work with Hims & Hers. This first-of-its-kind analysis gives us a real look at how a more personalized approach to care through digital health is changing obesity medicine and what it means for patients right now. Full disclosure: I’ve never been a Hims & Hers patient, I’m not an affiliate, and I wasn’t paid to share this information or conduct this interview. But without telehealth, I know I’d still be stuck in the exhausting cycle of ‘eat less, move more,’ so I’m forever grateful for telehealth as a whole and glad I had the chance to learn about these findings and share them.Here are some of the key findings:* Telehealth Impact: Patients accessing personalized GLP-1 treatment plans through Hims & Hers lost an average of 20 pounds, or about 10 percent of their body weight, in six months. That is medically significant weight loss with proven metabolic benefits.* Access Improvement: Instead of waiting months to see one of the fewer than 10,000 obesity specialists in the U.S., patients were able to start treatment in a matter of days.* Comprehensive Care: The Hims & Hers approach is not just about prescribing a GLP-1. Patients receive nutrition tools, movement guidance, education, and 24/7 provider messaging, all of which contributed to a dropout rate of just 25 percent at six months. In contrast, dropout rates forcommercially available GLP-1s can hover around 80% at sixmonths.In a nutshell, this white paper analysis shows that digital health isn’t just convenient. It’s delivering real outcomes, keeping people on treatment, and reshaping how we think about obesity care.Hims & Hers DetailsAs a GLP-1 freelance writer, I often review telehealth companies. This is my personal observation, not an endorsement. I’m not affiliated with Hims & Hers, and this isn’t a paid review. I’m not breaking down too many details here, since this isn’t a paid telehealth review and that level of depth belongs in my freelance work but I will share some of the highlights that we covered during the interview for anyone interested in learning more.Here are the details:* Pricing: I found Hims & Hers pricing to be very competitive compared to other options. * 24/7 Messaging: patients have continuous access to licensed providers through the app. This means you can get guidance on side effects, dosage, or general concerns from a legitimate provider, without waiting for a call back from your doctor’s office.* Comprehensive Resources: an app that includes protein trackers, recipes, behavioral education, and lifestyle coaching.* Personalized Dosing: Hims & Hers prioritizes safety by providing access to personalized dosing when clinically necessary that’s tailored to each individual’s needs and goals. This can include starting patients on lower, slower titration schedules to reduce side effects. This is also an approach you can discuss with your own provider if side effects become difficult to manage. * Cold Chain Shipping: medications are shipped securely, with climate conditions in mind, at no extra cost. * Certificates of Analysis: every batch comes with a COA that patients can look up themselves, an impressive transparency step I wish we saw everywhere.These are the key details shared during the interview. For more information, you can check out their websites directly at hims.com or forhers.com.My Closing ThoughtsAs someone who has dedicated my life to making these medications more affordable, equitable, and accessible for everyone who needs them, I deeply respect his impact. It’s clear that Dr. Primack has heart in everything he does. He’s proof that obesity medicine can and should be centered on compassion, access, and patient centered care. That is the future I’m fighting for.Now — I am off to Audible 📖 to buy Chasing Diets and taking up golfing. 🏌️‍♂️⛳Disclaimer: The content of this post is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on as a ...
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    35 mins
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