GLP-1 Studio Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

People reach out to me all the time, in emails, and DMs, with their tiny digital smoke signals, all carrying the same quiet, desperate heartbeat:

Please… tell me how to stay on the medication that finally gave me my life back.

Some come in hopeful. Some sound like the last exhale before slipping underwater. Every single one reminds me this isn’t a side project, it’s the line between staying afloat and being pulled under.

But when Cherie Shanholtz showed up in my inbox, her message hit different.

The subject line read:

“Desperate help needed for life-saving medication.”

Cherie’s Story: A Life Rebuilt

Cherie once weighed nearly 380 pounds.

Severe obesity.Insulin resistance.Metabolic syndrome.

All the things society labels as “choices,” when in reality her biology had been stacking the odds against her for decades.

When she finally got on Ozempic, her world bloomed like a flower and she flew out of it reborn, a little fairy with pixie dust still on her wings.

“Ozempic Saved My Life.”

Cherie lost over 235 pounds.

Her blood pressure came down. Her cholesterol improved. And her breathing finally stopped acting like a full-time job.

She could move without hurting, and actually live in her body instead of going twelve rounds with it every day.

But this is the part we don’t focus on enough.

GLP-1s don’t just give you great selfies, they give you selfhood. She told me, “I always dreamed of wearing beautiful, feminine clothes,” and for the first time in her adult life, she could actually put them on and feel like the woman she’d imagined as a little girl.

Joy in feeling beautiful is not vanity. It’s deeply human, and she deserved every bit of it.

…for the first time, I can wear clothes that make me feel beautiful and truly like a woman again.”

“I finally can look in the mirror without flinching.”

Some people have concerns about GLP-1s causing depression or suicidal thoughts… no honey. The reality for most of us is the opposite.

What’s actually depressing is living with chronic inflammation, constant pain, exhaustion, shame, judgment, and being blamed for things you were never in control of to begin with.

When your body stops fighting you, your mind finally gets to breathe. The weight isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. And losing it gives you back pieces of yourself you thought were gone forever.

Cherie could finally see herself again.

And just when she started to trust that this otherworldly experience was real, her insurance ripped the carpet out from under her.

A Lifeline Pulled Away

For six months, her insurance covered the medication that made all of this possible. And then out of nowhere it just stopped. No warning. No explanation. One day she was covered, and the next she was stranded.

Cherie paid $800 out-of-pocket trying to hold her life together.

* She sold belongings.

* Skipped essentials.

* Pushed her mental health beyond its limits.

Eventually she found a compounded option, cheaper but still too much after months of bleeding herself dry.

And the stress, the crushing fear of losing the body she fought for, cost her her job.

“The overwhelming depression and anxiety—not just from losing my lifeline, but from the fear of regaining the weight and losing all that I had worked so hard for—are the main reasons I lost my job.”

This is what GLP-1 patients are actually living when people call these “vanity drugs” and giggle when they get taken away. This isn’t about Instagram angles. This is survival.

A BMI of 40 or higher can mean up to “14 years of life lost.” But beyond the stats, there’s a heavy mental health toll.

Imagine having the freedom to:

* Fly without a seatbelt extender.

* Eat in a restaurant without the side-eye.

* Shop in the “regular” section instead of being relegated to the plus-size aisle.

* Buy clothes because you like them, not because they’re the only thing that fits.

* Ride a roller coaster.

* Take a photo with friends without hiding behind them.

* To feel human.

Imagine finally getting a glimpse of what “normal” feels like, holding the things other people don’t even notice… and then watching every single one of them slip through your fingers.

Imagine standing there, helpless, as your own life starts playing in reverse. Like watching a rerun you never wanted to see again, only this time you can’t look away. You know exactly how it ends… and the dread settles in your bones long before the credits roll.

This is the difference between functioning and falling apart.

Cherie is still fighting, and I’m helping her with every tool I can. But stories like hers are only going to become more common as we head into 2026.

“This struggle has affected every part of my life, but I’m still fighting.”

Help Cherie hang in there 🙏

Disclaimer: I don’t get a cent from the button above. This is Cherie’s GoFundMe, that she created and manages herself. I am simply sharing it for her with hopes that some big hearted individuals will be willing to help a sister out.

We’ve Played These Games Before

In May I wrote about the coverage drops that hit right after the holidays.

The new restrictions, the prior authorizations, the denials, the out-of-pocket tsunami that blindsided people who thought they were safe. 💸

It’s happening again in January 2026

And compound pharmacies are surely bracing themselves for the flood.

The Future of GLP-1 Coverage

2025 was the year employers built the GLP-1 obstacle course; 2026 is the year they put walls around it and shut most of the doors, leaving only a narrow side entrance for the lucky few who can make it through.

2025: The “Uh-Oh” Year

The demand for GLP-1s skyrocketed and insurance coverage couldn’t keep up. Employers panicked, pharmacy budgets blew out, and millions of patients got dropped.

Employment GLP-1 coverage:

* 96% covered for type-2 diabetes

* 67% covered for obesity

* 34% covered for heart disease

* 96% of employers worried about long-term GLP-1 costs

The drop-offs were brutal:

* Zepbound®: 14% more people lost coverage (4.9 million cut off)

* Ozempic®: 22% more people lost coverage (1.1 million cut off)

* Wegovy®: fewer plans with full coverage; more prior-auths or no coverage

* Mounjaro®: Unrestricted coverage slipped by 5%, and “no coverage at all” rose by 3%.

From the outside, it might look like GLP-1s were widely covered, but:

* 90% required Prior Authorization (Denial rate: not included)

* 54% required participation in a weight-management program

* 48% required a BMI threshold and/or additional comorbidities beyond FDA indication

If you thought that was bad then buckle up.

2026: The “Buckle Up, Baby” Year

Costs are climbing even faster and employers are bracing for impact. GLP-1 demand isn’t slowing down, and everyone is sweating through their spreadsheets.

What we’re barreling towards:

* Cost trend projection: 9%

* Pharmacy trend: 11–12%

* Employers seeing rising GLP-1 use: 79% (now)

* Employers anticipating more increases: 15%

* Employers requiring PA for obesity GLP-1s: 90%

Employers and insurance companies are tightening their fists.

As one Washington Post investigation reported, patients are already navigating what one obesity specialist called an “absolutely insane” maze of insurance denials, cost barriers, and constant policy shifts. And it’s about to get worse.

To sum things up:

2025: GLP-1 demand exploded → employers panicked → pharmacy budgets caught fire.2026: GLP-1 crackdown begins → stricter rules → coverage stagnates → cost trend still climbs.

So yes, 2026 sounds terrifying but there is still hope for some.

Hope on the Horizon with a Cliff Beneath It

Let’s talk about the Most-Favored-Nations announcement.

Medicare patients will receive MFN-priced GLP-1 coverage, for obesity, nationwide, with a $50 co-pay, and Medicaid can opt in at the same prices.

This is huge, even history-making:

* This could reshape obesity care in America.

* Medicare and Medicaid could finally cover obesity treatment.

* Prices could drop.

* Weight-loss indications could move from “optional” to “standard.”

It’s the closest thing we’ve ever had to a real turning point. But here’s the thing. Every single state has to opt in.

Some states will likely:

* Drag their feet.

* Outright refuse.

* Only cover specific GLP-1s.

* Bury patients in prior auth hell for months.

* And some formularies won’t update for a year.

However, even if some states make it harder than it needs to be, this is finally opening the door for people who could never afford the out-of-pocket costs in the first place, and that alone is worth celebrating.

But will MFN move the needle on broader coverage?

Commercial Insurance: The Wild Card

The Most-Favored-Nation agreement does not automatically apply to commercial insurers.

This means it doesn’t, force employer plans to lower prices, guarantee they’ll expand coverage, or require them to change a single formulary line item. But that doesn’t mean we are outright screwed.

What we do know:

Manufacturers have promised that commercial prices will be “no worse than MFN.”

What we don’t know:

Anything beyond that. There’s no mandate, enforcement, or timeline. And without that pressure, commercial insurers can still do what they’ve always done, continue treating obesity care like a “lifestyle choice” instead of the medical need it is.

While Medicare and Medicaid inch forward, commercial patients are left hanging over the gap with nothing but compound medication and a prayer.

That’s the real cliff edge.

Because most people living with obesity are covered by employer-sponsored insurance. And unless those employers decide to cover these medications, unless their benefit managers renegotiate and opt in, none of the MFN relief touches them.

They’re still stuck paying around hundreds of dollars a month, which is already out of reach for most households. And with more coverage drops coming, more patients will be forced to pay out of pocket or go without when they can’t afford it. or worse… go grey.

Yes, help is coming.

But not fast enough for the people falling off the cliff in January. And not fast enough for the ones already spiraling in real time.

People like Cherie and Amanda Fratello.

Amanda’s Story: Losing Access

You may remember Amanda from Season 1, episode 12 of the GLP-1 Studio Podcast.

At sixteen, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. A double-hit that lit her body on fire with inflammation.

And doctors did what doctors have done to so many of us: they blamed her.

“My entire life, it’s been my fault. I’ve been called a closet eater, a binge eater, lazy, not trying hard enough… and none of that was true.”

It took finding the right doctor, a year of appeals, and prior auth gymnastics before Amanda finally got approved in June of 2024. It felt like someone cracked a window open in a suffocating room.

And it worked. It didn’t just “help with weight.” It gave her life back.

Until it was taken away.

Watching the Car Go Under

In November the notice arrived. Her insurance was dropping coverage for weight loss.

She was terrified of what was going to happen to her. She was terrified of what was going to happen to her. She’d been paying a $30 co-pay, living paycheck to paycheck, and even compounded options were financially out of question.

At that point she had six shots left.

I’ve talked to Amanda twice since then. First she had one left. Then she had none.

Watching Amanda lose her medication shot by shot felt like locking eyes with someone trapped in a sinking car.

You see the water rising. You see the panic behind the glass. You know exactly what happens next, and you’re pounding on the window, praying for a miracle but you already know can’t help her out in time.

Losing access is like mourning the death of a beautiful life taken too soon.

Amanda is still grieving. Not just the medication, but the version of herself she had only just met.

I wish I could tell you Amanda’s story is rare, but this story arc is on repeat.

“It shouldn’t be this hard. Nobody should have to fight this hard just to not live in pain.”

What Are We Supposed to Do in the Meantime?

Let’s be honest.

Most still can’t afford “discounted” compounded options at $190–$300 a month.

Yes, there are options on paper:

* PAN Foundation, if you fit the diagnosis and income needle-thread

* Manufacturer cash-pay programs, if you have hundreds a month lying around

* Compounded medication, if you’re comfortable with the risk and still have the money

* Medicaid, maybe, if and when your state opts in

* Medicare, maybe, depending on state, indication, and a thousand unknowns

But hope is not a solution. “Wait and see” is not a solution.

For people paying out of pocket right now and the ones bracing for the shove, it’s prior-auth and fail-first hell, with hoop after hoop… and then what?

A denial letter and some advice to “eat less and move more?”

That isn’t a treatment plan. That’s abandonment with a paper trail.

The Question I Keep Coming Back To

What happens to the people who’ve done it all, and still can’t their medication?

If you’re on a GLP-1 right now:

What would you be willing to do to stay on your medication?And what would you do if you lost access tomorrow?

That’s the reality millions are living.

And it’s why I’m going to keep doing my best to help, sharing resources, connecting them to assistance programs, and amplifying these stories until we stop pretending this is anything other than a healthcare crisis.

The Future of Obesity Care

GLP-1 patients are already reshaping the healthcare landscape, and we’re only just getting warmed up.

What you can do to help:

* Sign the petition for affordable access

* Support my petitions on SWAY pushing for PBM reform, healthcare reform, and shutting down patent evergreening

* Donate to Cherie’s GoFundMe so she can afford her next dose

* Help OAC advocate for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA)

* Reach out to your local representatives to let them know this issue matters to you.

* Subscribe to the Studio newsletter …and if you ever feel moved to go paid, just know it fuels the caffeine that keeps the sparkle in this work and keeps these stories in the spotlight where they belong.✨

People deserve better, so I will keep fighting for better obesity care.

Are you with me?

Help me keep advocating 💕

Disclaimer: Nothing in this article is medical advice. I am not paid, sponsored, or compensated for mentioning any organizations, resources, companies, or individuals. Cherie’s GoFundMe is entirely her own and has no affiliation with the GLP-1 Collective. My opinions are my own and do not reflect or represent the views, policies, or positions of any employer, organization, nonprofit, or company. Nothing here should be taken as an endorsement. Always speak with a licensed medical professional about your own health and treatment options.

There are people in obesity care who make everything click: the science, the humanity, the why behind the numbers. Dr. Nina Crowley is one of those rare souls.

She’s a Registered Dietitian, Health Psychologist, and bona-fide Body Composition Expert who has spent two decades in the obesity-care trenches helping both patients and clinicians do better by people living in larger bodies.

She leads Clinical Education and Partnerships at SECA – Precision for Health, serves on the Board of Directors for the Obesity Action Coalition, and somehow still finds time to host her own podcast, In the Know with Nina.

She’s wicked smart, deeply compassionate, and the kind of educator who can explain complex research without ever talking down to you.

Think science in stilettos.

In The Know With Nina

I first met Nina through Dr. Lindsay Ogle (one of my favorite obesity specialists and a beloved Season One guest of the GLP-1 Studio Podcast.) Lindsay has this uncanny talent for connecting people who were clearly meant to collaborate, and Nina was no exception.

We hit it off immediately.

I had the privilege of being featured on her show, where we talked about advocacy, access, and freedom from food noise.

At that time Nina joined me to record the episode you’re reading about now, where she makes “bioimpedance vector analysis” sound like plain English… a magic trick, honestly.

We wrapped the interview, sent it off for editing, and I figured the story would pause there for a moment…

ObesityWeek

Fast-forward. I arrived at ObesityWeek representing the GLP-1 Studio Podcast and was heading back to my hotel when the universe decided to get playful. I didn’t just see one familiar face. I saw three.

Nina, Mike on a Mission, and Zach Niemiec.

Nina was instantly recognizable because she was in the middle of a handstand in front of the Olympic rings at Centennial Olympic Park.

It was a pose I’d seen often in her LinkedIn posts, and it was pretty easy to assume this woman knows how to have fun when you see her flipped upside down with a smile on her face at every serious conference.

We laughed, took a selfie, and promised to catch up later.

Unfortunately, later never happened because reasons, but there will absolutely be a next time.

And my story with Mike and Zach? Historical relevance that deserves a chapter of its own later.

And that tiny bit of serendipity ended up mattering more than I expected.

SECA Exhibit

Here’s where the universe pulled its little full-circle moment: the episode we recorded together, this episode, was already in queue.

I had just spent an hour listening to Nina re-explain, in detail, how the SECA system measures fat, muscle, and water using something called bioimpedance analysis.

Then I’m walking the exhibit floor with my GLP-1 girl gang and there it is. A full on SECA exhibit: 2 machines, and a giant screen that displayed the results.

Historically, sharing my stats would make me want to melt into the floor like a spilled latte, but let’s be real, we were all on GLP-1s and the whole point of this journey was to stop hiding and start self-advocating.

Besides, it felt like fate was tapping me on the shoulder saying:

The GLP-1 Girlies Get Scanned

Naturally, my friends wanted in, and it’s a good thing we jumped in when we did. It was practically a mosh pit by the time we finished.

One by one, they got scanned, all of them landing solidly in the healthy muscle range. Our resident fitness baddie, was nearly off the charts.

Then I stepped up to the plate and when my results flashed onto the big screen, my jaw dropped.

Now I didn’t just understand the data… I felt it.

When The Data Becomes Personal

This wasn’t your average bathroom scale. The vibrations running through my legs sent me, and seeing those charts was giving MRI without the MRI.

This was the exact science Nina had explained on the podcast, but now it was in living color with my name on it. I realized something important. I didn’t just understand it before. I only thought I did.

This time it actually landed.

The Numbers

BMI said average but “overweight,” but my skeletal-muscle index told a different story. It said healthy, strong, and absolutely capable. And for the first time in my life, getting weighed in public didn’t make me shrink. It made me curious.

The scan told me I had a healthy amount of muscle, but that I could stand to build about two more pounds. It wasn’t judgmental. It was factual.

Weight: 179.9 lbsBMI: 27.4Fat Mass: 71.4 lbs (about 40%)Fat-Free Mass: 108.5 lbs (about 60%)Skeletal Muscle: 50.6 lbsRecommended Goal: Gain 2 lbs of muscle

Was the number on the scale flattering? Absolutely not. But let’s be honest, I’m on a GLP-1 for a reason. These numbers weren’t an insult; they were a road map.

And that small note, gain two pounds of muscle, became a healthy, science-based, totally achievable goal.

Girl, Get Your Protein On

BioCare makes protein specifically for the GLP-1 girlies. It helps you hit your protein goals and stay satisfied without forcing down a heavy meal. And the strawberry flavor? My favorite. She’s serving “treat your self” energy with every sip.

Use code STUDIO for 20% off your order.

Why Body Composition Matters

This last year has been a masterclass in fear-based headlines: “Losing weight but gaining weakness? What Ozempic might be doing to your muscles.” And lets not forget, “Singer Avery Reveals Ozempic Left Her With Deadly Bone-Thinning Disease.”

Proof that GLP-1s must be the villain.

Never mind her age, medical history, nutrition, movement patterns, or the million other variables that affect bone health.

Here’s the part that keeps getting twisted: some GLP-1 studies report that in certain GLP-1 trials, reductions in lean mass accounted for 40–60% of the total weight lost. And that sounds terrifying, if you assume “lean mass” means pure skeletal muscle. But it doesn’t.

Nina explains:

“Lean mass isn’t the same thing as skeletal muscle. ‘Lean soft tissue’ is a DEXA term, and it includes water, organs, connective tissue — all of the fat-free parts of the body that aren’t muscle. So when you see changes in lean mass, that doesn’t automatically mean you lost muscle.”

Then she added the part most people never hear:

“Those early studies weren’t measuring muscle tissue directly. They were measuring lean soft tissue. Muscle is only one portion of that. So when people jump from ‘25–40% lean mass change’ to ‘you lost 40% of your muscle,’ that’s not what the data shows.”

The good news? Newer research is finally drawing that line clearly.

Papers like the 2025 review in Acta Diabetologica on muscle loss and GLP-1 agonists say it outright: changes in “lean mass” on a scan do not mean your muscles are vanishing.

Most of the weight lost is still fat, and in many cases muscle quality and function are stable or even improving as metabolic health gets better.

Once you see that distinction, the whole panic narrative starts to look less like biology and more like the research-equivalent of someone reading half a sentence and fainting on a velvet chaise.

The Patient Prospective

A lot of us carry this quiet, almost shame-soaked fear that we’re losing muscle, as if the world needed one more thing to blame us for.

For years it was weight. Now it’s muscle loss, a brand-new moral failing to shame us for.

So when we saw that we all checked out healthy, there was this soft, almost sacred collective sigh of relief.

The old stigma that you’ll wither away just didn’t hold up.

Can someone lose too much muscle on a GLP-1? Absolutely. The same way it can happen during crash diets, extreme calorie deficits, illness, or weeks stuck in bed.

That’s physiology, not a character flaw.

But the idea that these medications melt your muscle like whipped cream on a hot latte?

No, babe. Just no.

And now, instead of relying on guesswork or a $20 scale that shoots an electrical whisper up one leg and prays for statistical magic, we can actually see what’s happening inside our bodies.

In real time, with real accuracy.

That changes everything. Because Seca doesn’t just hand you a number; it hands you direction. A measurable goal. A roadmap toward health instead of a prophecy of doom.

That’s peace of mind. That’s empowerment.And beyond that?

It gives providers actionable data.

Calling All Healthcare Organizations

You need a SECA scale.

At just under ten thousand dollars, this isn’t something you toss in your mom’s basement next to the elliptical from 1998. This is serious, medical-grade tech. It’s the kind of machine that belongs front and center in a clinic hallway or a high-traffic gym lobby where it can actually help people.

This scale gives real, scientific data, it’s not the average step on, step off special.

So if your clinic or gym is still using a fifty-dollar scale from Amazon to guide care or training, it’s time to level up. SECA is the standard for modern obesity care, metabolic health, and performance-based training.

And this episode is here to show you exactly why.

Where You Can Find Nina

When she isn’t doing hand stands in public.

LinkedInTwitter/XInstagramTikTokFacebookCheck out her Podcast below ⬇️

Disclaimer: I did not receive any payment, compensation, or financial benefit from SECA for this episode or for sharing my personal experience with their equipment. My review and commentary are entirely my own.

I do earn affiliate income from BioCare and other clearly disclosed partners. Any link marked as an affiliate link may result in a commission at no additional cost to you.

The GLP-1 Studio Podcast was formerly known as the GLP-1 Collective Podcast and is a completely separate entity from the GLP-1 Collective nonprofit. Nothing said on this podcast or in this article reflects the views, positions, or endorsements of the GLP-1 Collective, and the GLP-1 Studio does not represent or speak for any organization mentioned.

All opinions expressed by me or my guests are personal perspectives, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance specific to your health or medical condition.

No content in this episode, on this website, or through any GLP-1 Studio platform should ever replace professional medical care.

In this episode of The Plus Sidez Podcast, I had the privilege of guest hosting a conversation with Tahir Amin, co-founder of I-MAK.

Tahir’s work is changing lives. He’s leading the fight to break pharma monopolies and make essential medications, including GLP-1s, more affordable for everyone.

I’m deeply grateful for the chance to be part of this conversation.
Here’s our recent article on I-MAK’s work: How I-MAK Is Fighting for Affordable Access to GLP-1s

Once 650 pounds, Jamie has completely transformed his life and now uses his experience to inspire others and advocate for access, so everyone who needs a second chance has one.

He walks over 12,000 steps a day, lifts weights four days a week, and shows up, out loud, for a future where GLP-1 medications are within reach for everyone who needs them.

But he’s not just talking about change, he’s leading it. Jamie serves as the Executive Director of the North Dakota Democratic Party and was elected to the Democratic National Committee, where he represents his state.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this episode will remind you what’s possible and why your story’s not over yet.

Follow Jamie:

🎙️ Recently featured on the Mind Pump Podcast: ⁠Listen here⁠

IG: ⁠@jselzler⁠

TikTok: ⁠@jamselz⁠

Beth Laf joins us for a candid conversation about the shifting economic landscape, the end of the GLP-1 shortage, and how to get involved in local advocacy.We’re excited to share two upcoming resources from the GLP-1 Collective to help people feel prepared to push back against stigma with facts:🌐 Our GLP-1 Facts vs. Myths webpage/handouts📚 Our GLP-1 Certification Courses—built to help people feel confident, credible, and equipped to speak out.

• Courses for healthcare providers are on the horizon, but community resources always come first.

Sarah Baker is a force of nature: vibrant, outspoken, and full of life. In this episode, she shares her weight loss journey, her experience with Mochi Health, what the upcoming FDA deadlines mean for compounded meds, and the growing GLP-1 grey market. It’s a high-energy, honest conversation and it’s impossible not to smile when you’re listening to her.

🎧 Follow Sarah:

Instagram – @sarahbakerliveslife

TikTok – @sarahbaker_glp1

In this special episode, I sit down with the President/Co-Founder, CEO, and Marketing Specialist of PureWay Compliance, our very first company donor and an incredible partner in this mission.

They’ve generously supported the GLP-1 Collective with:💸 Direct funding📦 Free sharps containers for live demos🔗 QR codes for our New GLP-1 Patient Welcome Kits🏷️ A discount code for all members (check the Resources page at glp1collective.org)

We talk all things sharps disposal (trust me, there’s way more to it than you'd think) and I’ve never laughed this hard during an interview. Their kindness, knowledge, and early belief in our work mean the world.

Watch, learn, laugh, and leave with a new appreciation for how much care goes into safe disposal and good partnership.

🔗 Learn more about PureWay: https://www.pureway.com

📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@purewaysafesharps

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purewaycompliance

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pureway-compliance

We’re talking with Kristi Turner about food noise, self-worth, and body positivity on a GLP-1 journey. For Kristi, it’s never been about weight, it’s about health.

She’s living proof that confidence and joy don’t come from a number on the scale. This conversation is real, insightful, and fun as heck.

Follow Kristi:TikTok: @kristiturner735Instagram: @kjturner01

Dancer. Singer. Face painter. Professional clown. Taekwondo black belt. And a next-level, self-sacrificing mother whose love knows no bounds.

Ruth Ceretto wears more hats than most can imagine—but the one she never expected to fight for is that of a patient battling for affordable access to life saving GLP-1 medications.

Despite it all, she shows up with humor and resilience. Ruth reminds us that no matter what life throws your way, you don’t have to back down, you just keep dancing.

Follow Ruth on Facebook

Amanda’s journey is not just difficult—it’s agonizing. In this episode, she shares how the system has failed her again and again, leaving her in a constant battle just to get the medication her health depends on.

What began with hope has turned into a nightmare of blocked access, mounting fear, and a sense of being forgotten. Her story is a raw, unfiltered look at what it feels like to be trapped in a healthcare maze with no clear way out.

It’s a powerful reminder that behind every policy debate are real people fighting—every single day—for a chance to simply feel well.

TikTok: @mandafrat2020