#217: "GLP-1 Marketing is Scorched Earth": On Culture, Ethics, and Starvation States with Virgie Tovar
There’s a lot of noise right now around GLP-1 medications—conflicting advice, emotional stories, and a cultural shift that feels hard to name.
Abbie sits down with Virgie Tovar—author, activist, and leading voice on weight stigma—to slow things down and ask a deeper question: what is actually happening here?
They talk about how GLP-1s work, how they’re being marketed, what ethics have to do with this, and why so many people are feeling confused, overwhelmed, and even destabilized—especially those with a history of dieting or eating disorders.
As you listen, please remember: this episode zooms out and looks at the big picture and the culture around these medications. Body autonomy is not up for debate.
Tune in for more on:
What GLP-1s are—and how they drive appetite suppression and restriction
Is this really “new”? (dieting, weight loss, and long-term outcomes)
The marketing machine: confusion and co-opting body positivity
The concept of “food noise”
Virgie’s brilliant perspective on the big picture and why this feels so intense right now
Weight stigma vs. the promise of empowerment
Hunger explained: objective vs. subjective
Is there true “peace with food” through this medication?
The cultural shift: weight loss as expectation, not choice
The business behind it all: profit, scalability, and the GLP-1 “gold rush”
The core ethical question: is intentional starvation, at an industry and cultural level, ever justified?
Staying grounded: navigating conversations, protecting recovery, and finding support
This episode is available for free for everyone.
To support the show, please consider upgrading to paid on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe
About Virgie:
Virgie Tovar is a plus-size Latina author, lecturer, and leading expert on weight-based discrimination and body image with over a decade of experience. She is the founder of Body Image Reset, an AI app for people struggling with GLP-1 ad overwhelm. Tovar is a contributor for Forbes.com where she covers the plus-size market and how to end weight discrimination at work, and she's the host of GLP-1 Truth Serum, a podcast dedicated to asking critical health questions about the current explosion in injectable weight-loss medications.
Resources mentioned:
Virgie's Substack - https://virgietovar.substack.com/
Abbie’s episode on the Minnesota Starvation Study
GLP-1 Overwhelm App - http://www.glp1overwhelm.com
The Body Positive Journal by Virgie Tovar
You Have the Right to Remain Fat by Virgie Tovar
GLP-1 Truth Serum Podcast: https://virgietovar.substack.com/podcast
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe
Support the Show:
Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe
Group program:
Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership, which meets every other week: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Administrative Support by Alexis Glaubach
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
There’s a lot of noise right now around GLP-1 medications—conflicting advice, emotional stories, and a cultural shift that feels hard to name.
Abbie sits down with Virgie Tovar—author, activist, and leading voice on weight stigma—to slow things down and ask a deeper question: what is actually happening here?
They talk about how GLP-1s work, how they’re being marketed, what ethics have to do with this, and why so many people are feeling confused, overwhelmed, and even destabilized—especially those with a history of dieting or eating disorders.
As you listen, please remember: this episode zooms out and looks at the big picture and the culture around these medications. Body autonomy is not up for debate.
Tune in for more on:
What GLP-1s are—and how they drive appetite suppression and restriction
Is this really “new”? (dieting, weight loss, and long-term outcomes)
The marketing machine: confusion and co-opting body positivity
The concept of “food noise”
Virgie’s brilliant perspective on the big picture and why this feels so intense right now
Weight stigma vs. the promise of empowerment
Hunger explained: objective vs. subjective
Is there true “peace with food” through this medication?
The cultural shift: weight loss as expectation, not choice
The business behind it all: profit, scalability, and the GLP-1 “gold rush”
The core ethical question: is intentional starvation, at an industry and cultural level, ever justified?
Staying grounded: navigating conversations, protecting recovery, and finding support
This episode is available for free for everyone. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe
About Virgie:
Virgie Tovar is a plus-size Latina author, lecturer, and leading expert on weight-based discrimination and body image with over a decade of experience. She is the founder of Body Image Reset, an AI app for people struggling with GLP-1 ad overwhelm. Tovar is a contributor for Forbes.com where she covers the plus-size market and how to end weight discrimination at work, and she's the host of GLP-1 Truth Serum, a podcast dedicated to asking critical health questions about the current explosion in injectable weight-loss medications.
Resources mentioned:
Virgie's Substack - https://virgietovar.substack.com/
Abbie’s episode on the Minnesota Starvation Study
GLP-1 Overwhelm App - http://www.glp1overwhelm.com
The Body Positive Journal by Virgie Tovar
You Have the Right to Remain Fat by Virgie Tovar
GLP-1 Truth Serum Podcast: https://virgietovar.substack.com/podcast
Support the show: Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe
Apply for Abbie’s Group Membership:
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
Enjoying this podcast? Please support the show on Substack for bonus episodes, community engagement, and access to "Ask Abbie" at abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com/subscribe
Group program:
Looking for more support and concrete steps to take to heal your relationship with food and your body? Apply for Abbie's next 10-week group program: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/group-coaching
Already been at this anti-diet culture thing for a while, but want community and continued learning? Apply for Abbie's monthly membership, which meets every other week: https://www.abbieattwoodwellness.com/circle-monthly-group
Social media:
Find the show on Instagram: @fullplate.podcast
Find Abbie on Instagram: @abbieattwoodwellness
Podcast Cover Photography by Anya McInroy
Podcast Administrative Support by Alexis Glaubach
Podcast Editing by Brian Walters
This podcast is ad-free and support comes from our Patrons on Patreon: Patreon.com/fullplate