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E105
November 11, 2025
GLP-1s and Midlife Metabolism: Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen Breaks Down the Science of Weight Loss and Menopause: Part 1
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Are GLP-1 medications a game-changer for women in midlife—or just another quick fix? In this conversation, triple board-certified endocrinologist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen joins Dr. Mary Claire Haver to cut through the hype and share what women really need to know about Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and the science behind sustainable weight loss.

Dr. Salas-Whalen, founder of New York Endocrinology and author of the upcoming book Weightless, explains why GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a fundamental shift in how we understand and treat obesity—not as a willpower problem, but as a chronic medical condition with biological drivers including hormones, genetics, and metabolism.

For women navigating perimenopause and menopause, the conversation gets even more specific. Dr. Salas-Whalen breaks down why estrogen decline drives fat redistribution to the abdomen, increases visceral fat, and makes it nearly impossible to lose weight using the same strategies that worked before. She reveals how GLP-1 medications can address the metabolic changes of midlife while protecting what matters most: muscle mass.

This episode covers:

  • How GLP-1 medications work: mimicking gut hormones to regulate appetite, blood sugar, and metabolism
  • Why 80% of women experience unexplained weight gain during perimenopause and menopause
  • The difference between subcutaneous fat and visceral fat—and why it matters for heart health
  • Dr. Salas-Whalen's GPS protocol: GLP-1 + Protein + Strength training to prevent muscle loss
  • Why body composition matters more than BMI or the number on the scale
  • How much muscle loss is acceptable during weight loss (and how to minimize it)
  • The truth about "Ozempic face"
  • Who should consider GLP-1 medications—and who shouldn't
  • Common side effects, how to manage them, and what proper medical supervision looks like
  • Why these medications may need to be long-term treatment for chronic obesity

Dr. Salas-Whalen shares her clinical experience treating thousands of patients and addresses the viral misinformation circulating online. She explains why obesity is a transgenerational disease influenced by genetics, environment, food accessibility, and even childhood trauma—not personal failure.

Guest links:

Articles

Other Resources

Books

Chapters

00:00 Intro & Sponsor: MIDI Health
00:14 GLP-1 Medications Explained
00:59 Dr. Haver on Menopause Weight Gain & GLP-1 Skepticism
01:55 Discovering Dr. Salas-Whalen
02:46 Introducing Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen
03:53 GLP-1 101: How These Medications Work
05:12 Welcoming the Guest & Audience Interest
06:16 Dr. Salas-Whalen’s Journey from Mexico to NYC
07:51 Triple Board Certification & Endocrinology Focus
08:31 Choosing the Title “Weightless”
10:01 Patient Stories: Emotional Weight & Validation
13:04 Obesity: Not a Willpower Issue
14:31 First-Line Treatment: Why GLP-1s Come First
16:16 Food Noise & Mental Clarity
17:03 Why Midlife Weight Gain Happens
19:16 How Estrogen Affects Fat Storage
20:19 MIDI Health Segment
21:34 Fat Distribution & Heart Disease Risk
23:28 What Is Body Composition?
24:13 BMI vs. Modern Health Metrics
26:09 GLP-1 Discovery & Midlife Benefits
27:15 GLP-1 Use in Younger Patients
28:03 Protecting Muscle During Weight Loss
30:13 The GPS Prescription: GLP-1, Protein, Strength Training
31:42 Understanding Muscle Loss & Metabolism
33:29 Long-Term vs. Short-Term GLP-1 Use
36:16 Cosmetic Use & Restrictive Lifestyles
39:22 Beyond BMI: Treating the Whole Patient
41:11 Redefining Health & Weight Perception
41:55 Mental Health Sponsor Segment: Alma
43:14 Skincare Sponsor Segment: Alloy Health
44:15 Clean Beauty Sponsor Segment: Primally Pure
45:38 What Is GLP-1 Microdosing?
49:09 Obesity as an Epidemic: The Food Industry’s Role
52:00 Transgenerational Obesity & Trauma
55:04 MIDI Pause: Vitamin D & Women’s Health
56:50 Are Some GLP-1 Patients Set Up to Fail?
58:12 Why Obesity Is So Common in America
59:30 Telemedicine & GLP-1 Access
01:00:33 Side Effects: The Truth About Risks
01:04:47 Where to Find Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen & Closing

About the guest

Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen

Dr. Rocío Salas-Whalen is a board-certified Endocrinologist and Obesity Medicine specialist, widely recognized as one of the earliest adopters of GLP-1 therapies in the United States. With over 15 years of experience treating thousands of patients, she has helped redefine obesity care—moving the conversation from willpower to science, and from stigma to empowerment.

She is the author of the upcoming book Weightless, a comprehensive guide to the new era of GLP-1 medications, designed to support individuals before, during, and after weight-loss therapy. Weightless goes beyond medication—it addresses the psychological, social, cultural, and metabolic changes patients face, and offers the tools needed for lasting success.

In practice, Dr. Salas-Whalen combines cutting-edge metabolic science with compassionate, individualized care. Her expertise spans perimenopause and menopause, where she leads a modern “menopause redo,” empowering women to navigate midlife with strength, clarity, and vitality through evidence-based hormone therapy, metabolic optimization, and lifestyle tools.

Outside the clinic, she is a leading voice on social media (@drsalaswhalen), educating and inspiring millions by making complex medical science accessible and actionable. She is also the founder of StrengthMD and The Dry Revolution, initiatives focused on metabolic wellness, muscle health, and supporting alcohol-free living.

An immigrant from Mexico who came to the United States to pursue her dream of becoming a physician, Dr. Salas-Whalen now leads a thriving practice on New York’s Upper East Side. Her mission is to transform lives and rewrite the future of women’s health—by addressing root causes, honoring lived experiences, and delivering science-driven care with unwavering empathy.