GLP-1 Hub: Support, Community, and Weight Loss

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14 million seniors may qualify for $50/month Wegovy and Zepbound starting July 1, 2026. Here's exactly how the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program works and why the BMI threshold is lower than most people think.

Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD sits down with Joe Zucchi, PA-C, a physician associate and obesity medicine specialist on the board of the New England Obesity Society, to break down the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program launching July 1, 2026. They cover who qualifies, which medications are included, the prior authorization process, what happens after the program expires in 2027, and the senior-specific nutrition risks to watch out for.

IN THIS EPISODE
- The three eligibility categories — including the BMI 27+ pre-diabetes pathway that may qualify millions
- Which medications are covered: Wegovy injections, Wegovy pill, Zepbound QuickPen, and Foundayo
- How to work with your provider on the prior authorization and what documentation actually matters
- What happens after December 31, 2027 — and how the Balance Model is different
- Senior-specific risks: muscle loss, sarcopenia, and how to avoid Medicare GLP-1 scams

ABOUT THE GUEST
Joseph Zucchi, PA-C is the Clinical Supervisor and Physician Associate at Transition Medical Weight Loss in Salem, New Hampshire, where he leads a multidisciplinary obesity medicine program. Under his clinical leadership, the practice has helped patients lose more than 50,000 pounds and has been named Best Weight Loss Center in New Hampshire for three consecutive years. Joe is a board member of the New England Obesity Society and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Healthline, and the Boston Globe. Through his clinical work, teaching, writing, and advocacy, he is committed to advancing evidence-based obesity care and improving long-term health outcomes.

CONNECT WITH JOE
Practice: Transition Medical Weight Loss (Salem, NH) — https://TransitionSalem.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephzucchi/

SPONSORS
Timeline - http://timeline.com/GLP1HUB for 20% off your order
Folly — Hair support gummies for GLP-1 users. A 300-person study showed less shedding and fuller hair after 4 weeks. https://follynutrition.com/glp1hub — code GLP1HUB for 20% off

RESOURCES
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program info: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/prescription-drug-coverage/medicare-glp-1-bridge

CHAPTERS
00:00  The BMI 27 surprise
01:25  Meet Joe Zucchi, PA-C
02:51  What the Medicare Bridge Program is
06:14  Who qualifies: the three eligibility categories
09:07  The prior authorization process
14:32  Which medications are covered
19:50  What if you're denied
21:55  What happens after December 2027
25:18  Is this just a political promise
28:35  Senior concerns and scam warnings

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB
📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub
*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.
*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Even elite athletes are on Ozempic - and how they fuel, train, and time their dose looks nothing like the standard GLP-1 advice.

Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD sits down with Umo Callins, RDN, a board-certified sports dietitian and fitness coach with 15+ years working with athletes from recreational to elite. They cover what actually changes when active people go on Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, or Mounjaro — fueling around training, dose timing in the off-season, strength training non-negotiables, creatine, HMB, and protecting muscle mass when your appetite collapses.

IN THIS EPISODE
- What Serena Williams' GLP-1 reveal changes about who these medications are for
- How to fuel before, during, and after running and endurance training on Ozempic or Wegovy
- Why competitive athletes should consider GLP-1s in the off-season, not during competition
- The truth about electrolytes — and why "everyone on a GLP-1 needs them" doesn't hold up
- Creatine and HMB for protecting muscle mass while losing weight on GLP-1 medications

ABOUT THE GUEST
Umo Callins is a board-certified sports dietitian and fitness coach with over 15 years of experience working with athletes, teams, and active individuals. She is the co-owner of 180Physique Athletics, a sports performance facility, and the founder and CEO of Well Rooted Health and Nutrition, a group practice offering individualized and corporate nutrition services. She specializes in bridging the gap between performance nutrition and everyday wellness, and is a media dietitian and brand spokesperson featured on TV, radio, and in digital media. As a mom of three, she brings a grounded, real-world perspective to how nutrition fits into busy, active lives.

CONNECT WITH UMO
Website: https://wellrootedhn.com
Instagram: @sassysportsdietitian

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub
*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.
*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Fiber powders aren't fixing your GLP-1 constipation, but the fix might already be sitting in your produce drawer.

Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD sits down with fellow registered dietitian Barbara Ruhs, nutrition lead for USA Pears, to unpack why fiber is the missing half of the GLP-1 conversation. They cover why protein gets all the attention while fiber drives the constipation, bloating, and between-meal hunger most people on Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro are dealing with — and why a whole-food approach beats the powder in your pantry.

IN THIS EPISODE
- Why fiber matters even more on Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro
- The "fiber maxing" trend and why fiber powders can make constipation worse
- Sorbitol explained: the natural sugar in pears that pulls water into your gut
- Soluble vs insoluble fiber and why whole foods give you both
- "Fiber layering" — a simple strategy to spread fiber across the day instead of dumping it in one meal

ABOUT THE GUEST
Barbara Ruhs, MS, RDN, is the Director of Nutrition Affairs and Communications for USA Pears and a trusted voice in nutrition with a career spanning fresh produce, food retail, public health, and private practice. A former retail dietitian, she is a strong advocate for dietitians pursuing non-traditional roles in the food industry and launched the first annual conference for supermarket dietitians, which ran from 2009 to 2018. Barbara has directed health professional outreach for global food brands including Avocados From Mexico, UMF™ Mānuka Honey, and Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and has contributed to Progressive Grocer magazine since 2012. She holds a bachelor's from Cornell University and a master's from Boston University.

CONNECT WITH BARBARA
USA Pears: https://usapears.org

SPONSORS
USA Pears — a fiber-rich, naturally hydrating whole fruit grown by family farms in Oregon and Washington. Learn more and find recipes at https://usapears.org

Folly — Hair support gummies for GLP-1 users. A 300-person study showed less shedding and fuller hair after 4 weeks. https://follynutrition.com/glp1hub — code GLP1HUB for 20% off

MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub
*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.
*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Ana Reisdorf, registered dietitian and GLP-1 user, sits down with Kenzie Wesp, founder of TrueForm Fitness and The Format Fitness in Nashville, to unpack why Lagree has become a secret weapon for rebuilding muscle while losing weight on a GLP-1 for all ages. They cover the differences from traditional Pilates, why low-impact resistance training beats cardio for body composition, and how a true beginner should approach strength training for long-term success.

IN THIS EPISODE
What Lagree actually is and how it differs from reformer Pilates, mat Pilates, and "Pilates" classes that aren't really Pilates
Why low-calorie-burn workouts may protect muscle better than cardio when you're on Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, or Mounjaro
The science of muscular failure, the "Lagree shakes," and why most gym sessions never trigger real muscle growth
How total beginners should start Lagree — modifications, private lessons, and what to tell your instructor on day one
Body positivity, GLP-1 use, and how to stop comparing yourself to fitness influencers who may be on peptides themselves

ABOUT THE GUEST
Kenzie Wesp is a fitness entrepreneur and studio founder based in Nashville, Tennessee. She is the owner of TrueForm Fitness and The Format Fitness, where she has opened four boutique fitness studios focused on movement, as it intersects with community. Kenzie began her career in the boutique fitness industry in her early twenties and quickly transitioned from instructor to founder, building multiple studios and training dozens of instructors along the way. Through her work, she focuses on creating spaces that empower both clients and coaches while building sustainable fitness businesses behind the scenes.

CONNECT WITH KENZIE
Website: https://kenziewesp.com
Substack: https://substack.com/@kenziewesp
TrueForm Fitness on Instagram: @trueform.fitness
The Format Fitness on Instagram: @theformat.fitness

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub
*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.
*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.

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Your GLP-1 hair loss may not be from low protein or fast weight loss and the real reason could mean it never grows back on its own. Dietitian Ana Reisdorf is joined by NYU alopecia expert Dr. Kristen Lo Sicco on the warning sign and how to protect your hair on GLP-1s like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, or Retatrutide.

IN THIS EPISODE
Why GLP-1 hair loss isn't always caused by rapid weight loss or low protein
The 6-month shedding warning sign that means it's time to see a dermatologist
How GLP-1s can "unmask" androgenetic alopecia (genetic hair loss)
Low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) for GLP-1 shedding — does it work, and is it forever?
The vitamin D, iron, and zinc levels that matter most for hair regrowth

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Dr. Kristen Lo Sicco, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and full-time faculty member at NYU Langone Health's Ronald O. Perlman Department of Dermatology in New York City. With over a decade of clinical experience and more than 260 peer-reviewed publications, she is a nationally recognized alopecia expert whose practice and research focus on hair and scalp disorders. She co-hosts a show on SiriusXM Doctor Radio (Channel 110) and founded the Alopecia Justice League advocacy organization.

CONNECT WITH KRISTEN
Alopecia Justice League: https://www.alopeciajusticeleague.com
Instagram: @alopeciajusticeleague

SPONSOR
Folly — Hair support gummies for GLP-1 users. A 300-person study showed less shedding and fuller hair after 4 weeks.
FollyNutrition.com — code GLP1HUB for 20% off

📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com

🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show.

🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com
📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub
*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.
*The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.