Serena Williams and GLP 1

Serena Williams is arguably one of the best tennis players of our lifetime – she is a living legend! She is a symbol of resilience, strength, and unapologetic identity. From Compton courts to Grand Slam glory, she defied expectations that were rooted in race, femininity, and body image. Her body has been both her power and a target for relentless policing and scrutiny. The commentary on her musculature and curves wasn’t just about sports but also the cultural influence on beauty standards.

She has, in the past and now, openly shared her post-pregnancy and health concerns which is so deeply personal. After giving birth to Alexis Olympia in 2017, with a major health complication and again in 2023 with the birth of Adira, she battled to reclaim what she felt “once was”.

If you’ve ever worked with an athlete who has now stopped competing professionally, regardless of gender, weight management is one of their largest challenges on top of lingering metabolic health concerns due to the drastic drop in overall activity.

According to a 2023 cross-sectional study of retired elite, professional female athletes, there are documented musculoskeletal, endocrine, and cardiovascular issues. Now layer in perimenopause or menopause and the drop in estrogen, and you get a real shift in body composition and metabolic rate. PMCID: PMC9835950  PMID: 36643408

But it doesn’t end there! The obsessive training to get even close to the prior output level, is not enough by itself for even the most disciplined person; the approach must be multi-faceted, and the person must be in the right mindset to accomplish it.

In interviews, Serena has been clear this was not a shortcut. It was medicine on top of movement, food, therapy, and hope.  She made a carefully considered choice after tireless effort. “GLP‑1 helped me enhance everything that I was already doing; eating healthy and working out,” she told PEOPLE. “I had never taken shortcuts in my career.”

Even with that brutal and vulnerable honesty, she was met with fierce outcry on both sides:

• Critics argued a champion of body diversity shouldn't align with pharmaceuticals of aesthetic culture. They worry this reinforces the message that “thin equals good,” potentially rolling back decades of body positivity gains. Some saw her campaign aligned with Ro, a company her husband is tied to, as a brand play rather than personal health storytelling.

• Supporters applauded her transparency. They see her struggle as an intense athlete, woman, and mother as validation that bodies are complex, and that sometimes, biology defies even the best efforts. They recognized the courage it took to say: "I’ve done everything and now I need help” (The Guardian)

On social media, comments ranged from sorrow to concern:

“As an athlete and an influencer, it's a shame… that you're reiterating the narrative that you need to take medication to be healthy.”
“‘Needed? Fantastic, now we can undo all the progression we made on letting women know it’s ok to take time, recover and get back in shape or not.”

These messages are emotional, raw, and reflect fear, disappointment, and confusion.

So What are GLP-1s

GLP‑1 medications (like Zepbound, Ozempic, Wegovy) work by mimicking the GLP‑1 hormone to impact hunger, digestion, and satiety. Some newer versions, like Tirzepatide, target both GLP‑1 and GIP receptors, creating more powerful weight and metabolic shifts. Evidence continues to show that patients lost 13–20% of body weight over months—results far beyond what training and diet alone had often achieved within the same time frame. Healthline

Key points:

• GLP‑1s are medical tools—not quick fixes.

• They’re most effective with lifestyle changes: nutrition, protein, strength training and a cardiovascular routine.

• Side effects can include nausea or gastrointestinal upset.

• If discontinued, weight often returns if there has been NO behavior and habit changes that are sustainable for the longterm which is why it’s critical to have the right support system (Ex. Dr, Nutritionist/Dietician, a training regimen, etc.)

Here’s What Really Matters

1. Celebrate the Complexity of Choice. Serena’s decision wasn’t born of vanity but came from frustration, physical pain (like joint strain), and the biology of her aging body. She’s not rejecting the work; she expanded how strength looks and how she wants her body to perform in the future.

2. Acknowledge the History of Judgment. She’s been scrutinized for her shape on and off the court. Those of us guiding Peri and Post-Menopausal clients, know how complicated focus around weight can be, layered with hormonal shifts and cultural messaging. This journey is not linear or simple.

3. Healthy Change Is Always WORK. GLP-1 doesn’t do the emotional, behavioral, mindset, and habit-building, you do. This is why it doesn’t work for everyone. It helps clear real mental barriers to the person who is ready for change and is doing the work. It allows you to move forward with less “noise” in your head so you can focus. That’s a powerful opportunity, not a cop-out.

4. Long-Term Success Requires Soul Work and Strategy. Yes, the body responds. But real transformation needs clarity: what am I healing? How am I talking to myself? What foundation am I building now to stay steady, even when I shift, change, or pause treatment?

5. Equity Matters. These meds are expensive and often inaccessible. When a global icon uses them, we also need to ask: what does that mean for health equity? Who gets left behind? It’s not enough to just be visible but a chance to advocate for systems that support everyone.

Redefining Help

Ladies, the truth is Serena’s story is not unique and is bigger than her “willpower” or “status”. Bigger than the debate about endorsements and money. It’s a mirror for what so many people, not just women, face in the battle of standards and choices judged, especially for women, against the way we decide to care for ourselves.

We live in a culture that teaches us to “tough it out,” to never ask for help, and to carry the weight (literally and figuratively) on our own shoulders. But real strength? It’s knowing when your toolbox isn’t enough and being brave enough to reach for another tool. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.

This is not an argument that everyone should use a GLP-1 who struggles with weight or that you can’t lose weight without it.  It’s to help build an understanding and perspective that there are times when a person needs additional help beyond diet and exercise alone; they should not be shamed for doing so.

There are so many reasons why: lowering A1C and Glucose faster, helping with Hypertension, lowering Cholesterol, improving or eliminating Metabolic Syndrome, reducing risk for Cardiovascular disease. So, before you judge, understand that each situation warrants a thoughtful decision and doing what will support the “person” best.

Here’s what I want you to hold onto:

• Asking for help is not failure. Whether that’s a GLP-1, a therapist, a coach, or a community, leaning on support systems is a sign you’re committed to lasting change.

• Your worth is not tied purely to your weight. You are more than a number. Your body tells a story of hormones, history, habits, and healing and you deserve compassion in every chapter.

• The real work is still yours. Medications, programs, and plans can’t replace the habits, boundaries, and mindset shifts that keep you thriving for a lifetime.

If Serena, arguably one of the most deliberate and determined athletes in modern history can say, “I needed help,” then we all have permission to say the same.

This isn’t about shortcuts. It’s about sustainability. It’s about rewriting the narrative that says women must sacrifice themselves to be “enough.” It’s about owning your health story, whether that involves a medication, a nutrition reset or finally admitting you can’t keep “starting over on Monday.”

So, my encouragement to you: stop carrying shame for seeking help. Celebrate it. Because asking for help doesn’t make you weak it makes you unstoppable. 🦋