The Obesity Doctor Podcast

Menopause is something every woman will experience, yet many still feel confused, dismissed, or overwhelmed when symptoms begin. In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe to unpack the realities of perimenopause, menopause, and hormone therapy in a practical, evidence-based way. We talk about what the menopause transition actually looks like, why symptoms can begin years before p...

I’m joined by Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple to unpack the rapidly growing world of wellness peptides — from BPC-157 and CJC-1295 to Ipamorelin, Tesamorelin, NAD, and the so-called “fat-burning” and “healing” peptides taking over social media. We discuss what peptides actually are, why they’ve become so popular, and how legitimate medical therapies have blurred into a largely unregulated wellness indus...

In Part 2 of this series, we're diving into the practical nutrition strategies that can help you feel your best while taking medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. From constipation and digestive changes to hitting your protein goals with a low appetite, this episode focuses on the habits that support long-term success and help you maintain your results. We'll cover: • Why constipation...

In this episode, Dr. Neil Naik and I unpack a foundational question—is obesity actually linked to cancer, and what’s really driving that connection? We explore the underlying biology, from chronic inflammation and insulin resistance to the hormonal activity of adipose tissue, and why visceral fat may matter more than we think. We then move beyond risk and into what happens after a diagnosis—how ob...

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are changing the conversation around obesity and weight loss — but there’s one major problem: most people are starting these medications with little to no guidance on how to properly nourish their body while taking them. And that matters. Because while GLP-1s can be incredibly effective tools for weight loss, they can also lead to muscle loss,...

Brian Baumal lost 100 pounds, and more importantly, he’s kept it off for over 14 years. But what he really understands is this: it’s not a lack of knowledge that keeps people stuck, it’s the psychology. The urgency that drives all-or-nothing thinking. Brian works as a Toronto-based psychotherapist and is the guest on today’s episode of THE OBESITY DOCTOR PODCAST. We break down why urgency isn’t di...

In today’s episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest challenges during a weight loss journey — balancing social eating while still making progress. With summer approaching, there are naturally more opportunities for eating out, patio dinners, vacations, parties, and weekend plans. Many people feel confident and consistent during the week, but struggle when social events come up and feel like...

Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective tools we have in obesity medicine—and also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, I’m diving into where surgery truly fits in the treatment of obesity and metabolic health. While we often focus on medical therapies like GLP-1s, it’s important to understand the role bariatric surgery can play—and why it continues to be underutilized or dismiss...

In this episode, I walk through what’s actually happening with generic semaglutide right now—and what it means for you in real life, not just in headlines. I explain where semaglutide fits in the bigger picture, how it compares to tirzepatide, and why generics are entering the market now. I also break down what “bioequivalence” really means—and why that nuance matters when it comes to effectivenes...

Long-term change isn’t just about knowing what to do—it’s about how we see ourselves while we’re doing it. In today’s podcast episode, we explore why so many people get stuck in that gap between where we are and who we’re trying to become. I’m joined by Registered Psychotherapist Margo Green, and we talk about how visualization and imagery can make the future feel more real and connected to who yo...

In this episode of the Obesity Physician Podcast, the dietitians from High Metabolic Health—Nada, Lauren, and Tedi—break down what actually works when it comes to eating for weight loss. If you’re tired of restrictive diets and conflicting nutrition advice, this conversation focuses on practical, sustainable principles instead of quick fixes. The team shares how to build a solid foundation for lon...

In this episode, I break down everything you need to know about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro—including the real-world side effects I see in clinical practice. While these medications can be incredibly effective for improving metabolic health, there’s often confusion online: some people are scared away by exaggerated side effect stories, while others underestimate what to ex...

Hi everyone, I have a quick update I want to share. The High on Life Podcast has a new name! It’s now The Obesity Doctor Podcast . I loved the old name — it was fun and fit my personal brand — but over time I realized the conversations here have become very clearly rooted in obesity medicine. We talk about the biology of weight, behaviour change, medications, metabolism, mindset, psychology… and t...

In this episode, I share how marathon training reshaped the way I think about food—and how those lessons apply to weight loss and metabolic health. Many people assume that eating less is the key to losing weight, but restriction can actually backfire, slowing metabolism and increasing cravings. I walk through the five most important lessons I’ve learned: 1. Fuel for energy, not just calories – Nou...

Scarcity isn’t just about lacking resources—it’s a mindset that shows up early and often. I see it in how we eat (finishing food, eating when not hungry, “last supper” thinking), and how that drives the restrict–overeat cycle. This isn’t a discipline problem—it’s a natural response to perceived scarcity. On today’s podcast, we talk about how to shift this in a practical way: creating consistency w...

In this episode, we break down how to lose fat without sacrificing muscle so your metabolism stays strong and your results actually last. The Problem Extreme calorie cutting, like eating 1,200 calories per day, may lead to quick weight loss but often at the cost of muscle. Losing muscle slows your metabolism and makes weight regain more likely. The Smarter Approach: Body Recomposition 1. Create a...

GLP-1 medications are either wildly overhyped or harshly criticized depending on the week—and one of the loudest concerns right now is that they “cause muscle loss.” In this episode, I’m digging into what the research actually shows about lean mass changes on GLP-1s, what’s being misunderstood online, and what patients and clinicians can do to protect muscle while still benefiting from these power...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Beyaert — a General Internist trained at the University of Toronto with a special interest in cardiovascular disease. With a background in Nutrition and Dietetics (Western University) and a Master’s in Neuroscience (McMaster), he brings a rare, practical lens to metabolic health that connects medicine, nutrition, and the brain. We dig into what body compo...

If you feel like you’re barely eating but still not losing weight, this episode is for you. We break down why very low-calorie diets—like 1,200 calories or less—often backfire, slow your metabolism, and disrupt key hormones like leptin. You’ll learn how chronic under-eating keeps your body in conservation mode, why hunger and low energy persist even after dieting ends, and what actually supports l...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ashley White to explore a concept that’s missing from most conversations about obesity treatment: appetite literacy. Together, we talk about why hunger, fullness, cravings, and wanting aren’t problems to suppress, but physiological signals to understand—and how dieting, stress, and modern food environments disrupt those signals. We explore how appetite is regul...

168. Don’t Believe Everything You Hear: How to Interpret Health Information Online In this episode, I talk about why so much health information online sounds confident, compelling—and often overwhelming—and how to think more clearly about what you’re hearing. We explore why extreme health claims are so persuasive, how algorithms reward confidence over nuance, and why popularity doesn’t equal accur...

Episode 167: Why “Do Not” Goals Backfire (and How “Do” Goals Improve Consistency) In this episode, I break down one of the most common goals I hear from women—“I need to stop snacking at night”—and why goals like this almost always fail. Not because of a lack of discipline, but because they ignore physiology. “Do not” goals create a metabolic void: the brain is told what to avoid, but the body’s n...

166. 3 Pillars of Healthy Eating for Sustainable Weight Loss with Tedi Glik, RD Tired of quick-fix diets that never last? In this episode, we break down the foundations of healthy eating for sustainable weight loss—without calorie counting, restriction, or dieting gimmicks. You’ll learn how to: →  Shut off hunger hormones and turn on satiety signals →  Reduce cravings and balance key hor...

165. Become the Woman Who Trains: Consistency, Confidence, and Strength at Any Age with Coach Tina McInnes We're kicking off a brand new year with the perfect conversation: how to build consistency, confidence, and real strength — no matter your age, stage, or starting point. So many women WANT to be consistent with exercise, but life, perfectionism, and unrealistic expectations often get in the w...

164. Start 2026 with the Right Mindset (REPLAY) Join me for a special New Year’s Eve episode where I share 5 principles and 3 actionable tools to help you set yourself up with the right mindset for success in 2026. This episode first aired last year and I thought it was super valuable to revisit! Learn how to move beyond fleeting resolutions and instead build meaningful habits that align with your...