Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

This week, I’m sharing a powerful interview I was invited to be part of on the Plus SideZ podcast with hosts Kim Carlos and Kat Carter. We spoke with Ashley Palu, a contestant from Season 9 of The Biggest Loser, for a behind-the-scenes look at the show that shaped so many of our early beliefs about weight loss.

I was 16 when the show first aired, and as a kid who had always been overweight, I watched it thinking this is the answer: work out nonstop, eat barely anything, track everything. I bought the books. I bought in. If you’ve ever done Weight Watchers or followed diet culture trends, chances are this show influenced you too—before we fully understood the harm it caused.

In this conversation, Ashley opens up about it all: applying for the show, the emotional impact of public weigh-ins, the pressure of filming, what was real vs. produced, and what happened after the cameras stopped—including weight regain and eventually starting a GLP-1. She also shares the shockingly low number of calories contestants were expected to eat, giving us a sobering look at just how extreme the process really was.

References

Connect with Ashley:

TikTok

Instagram

The Plus SideZ Podcast

Audio Stamps

00:00:30 - Dr. Rentea shares how The Biggest Loser shaped her early views on weight loss and introduces her chat on The Plus SideZ podcast with former Biggest Loser contestant, Ashley Palu.

00:18:56 - The extreme calorie restriction Ashley followed on the show, how it impacted her physically and emotionally, and why it remains her biggest regret.

00:23:11 - What Ashley learned about weight loss from doing the show and the mental strength she gained through the experience.

00:29:53 - How rapid weight loss on the show led to muscle loss and a declining basal metabolic rate.

00:35:40 - We find out about the weekly rest day, which included a high-calorie “cheat day,” fueling food obsession from extreme restriction.

00:38:44 - Before, food noise was constant. Now, GLP-1 meds have brought peace, with lasting change rooted in mental healing.

00:46:16 - Ashley reflects on the shame and isolation that can come with weight regain, especially after being in the public eye.

00:50:35 - Dr. Rentea explains that weight regain is common because the body resists weight loss through powerful hormonal and metabolic changes, not a lack of willpowe

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

Meal Boosters.

Devotion nutrition crumble (streusel topping). On DevotionNutrition.com use code DrMatthea at checkout to save 10%.

Build puff bar- strawberries n' cream.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

In today’s fast-paced world, we’ve become so consumed with chasing productivity that we’ve forgotten what it feels like to truly feel good. Exhaustion, stress, and burnout have quietly become the norm, leaving many of us disconnected from our own wellbeing. But what if the answer isn’t pushing harder—or adding another task to your to-do list—but actually doing nothing at all?

This May, with Mental Health Awareness Month in full swing, it’s the perfect time to explore new ways to prioritize rest and healing. In this conversation with sound facilitator and meditation teacher Sarah Gardner, we explore the incredible potential of immersive sound healing to help us reset, reduce stress, and reconnect. After experiencing the benefits firsthand (including turning my own birthday party into a sound bath!), I’m excited for you to learn how sound healing works, why it’s so powerful for calming the nervous system, and how it can help you reconnect with yourself in today’s high-stress world.

References

Sarah Gardner’s website

Sign up for Sarah’s newsletter

Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month:

If you or someone you know needs support, here are some helpful resources:

• Mental Health America
  
  
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
  
  
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  
  
• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741

Audio Stamps

01:37 - Today’s guest, Sound Facilitator and Meditation Teacher Sarah Gardner, shares her background and what drew her to sound healing.

07:38 - Sarah explains what a sound bath is and what people can expect from it.

10:35 - Discover how the instruments Sarah uses can 'hijack' your brainwaves and deeply relax your nervous system.

13:00 - Sound baths don't just help in the moment — they can create lasting calm in a chaotic world.

17:57 - A reminder that sleep is the foundation of health — and how sound baths help you connect with your body, promoting stillness and better sleep.

27:08 - Sarah explains the difference between in-person and digital sound baths and the unique benefits of each experience.

35:45 - Sarah tells us the best place for people to find her, connect with her, and

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

Emotional eating has been a part of human life since the beginning of time—a way to cope, celebrate, and connect. But what happens when food becomes your only source of comfort, joy, or calm?

In this episode, I’m joined by none other than Corinne Crabtree, renowned coach, speaker, and creator of the No BS Weight Loss Program. Through her proven strategies, Corinne has helped thousands of women shed not just physical weight, but the emotional weight holding them back.

Join us as we explore how emotional eating is often tied to unmet needs, why focusing only on weight loss isn’t enough, and how simple shifts—like pausing before you eat—can create lasting change. Corinne also shares powerful strategies to break free from the cycle of emotional eating and find healthier ways to cope. If food has become your main source of comfort, this episode is a must-listen to help you live a more balanced, joyful life.

References

No BS Weight Loss Program

Losing 100 Pounds with Corinne

Life Is In the Transitions by Bruce Feiler

Audio Stamps

01:35 - Meet Corinne Crabtree, who went from lifelong weight struggles to helping women drop emotional weight for good.

07:52 - She breaks down emotional eating and how to retrain your brain for a healthier relationship with food.

15:12 - Discover why small shifts—like pausing before you eat—can create big change.

21:58 - Fear of regain often stems from emotional habits and not trusting your weight loss process.

28:05 - When weight loss is your identity, maintenance feels empty—real change starts in your mind.

35:20 - Letting go of self-judgment is one of the most powerful things you can do.

47:00 - Corinne shares how to access her free course, podcast, and membership for mindset-driven support.

Quotes
“I wasn't taking good care of myself, but at the root of it, I didn't know how to take care of myself.” - Corinne Crabtree

“I like to tell people, ‘I'm going to help you lose weight, but we're not just going to lose your physical weight because if you don't lose your emotional weight, you'll never keep it off.’” - Corinne Crabtree

“I never want someone to think that if you're eating outside of physical hunger, somehow that's bad. Not necessarily. We always have to look at things through the lens of why am I eating? And is this reason a rock solid

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

Pre-register for the Sep 30/30 group.

Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us.

It’s an exciting time to be practicing in obesity medicine, with groundbreaking tools like Zepbound and Wegovy helping people achieve their weight loss goals in ways that were once unimaginable. Plus, with new medications like retatrutide (the triple agonists) on the horizon, the future of weight management is looking even brighter.

But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which medication is right for you. How do Zepbound and Wegovy compare? Can you switch between the two? Is one more effective than the other? In this episode, I’ll dive into the key differences between Zepbound (Mounjaro) and Wegovy (Ozempic), comparing doses, effectiveness, and answering all your burning questions about how these medications stack up against each other.

References

The Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Starting GLP-1

Season 1 of the Premium Podcast: The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain

Audio Stamps

00:30 - Dr. Rentea sets the stage for a back-to-basics breakdown of Wegovy vs. Zepbound, which touches on key topics like switching, dosing, and access.

01:58 - A comparison of Wegovy (GLP-1) and Zepbound (dual GLP-1 and GIP), discussing their average weight loss effects and varying response rates.

05:19 - Dr. Rentea discusses the reasons someone might consider switching medications.

06:45 - Switching medications shouldn’t involve restarting titration, and working with a knowledgeable physician to manage transitions effectively is key.

11:45 - Medication can be a helpful tool, but long-term success depends on working with a skilled physician and staying focused on sustainable progress.

Quotes

“Within the first few months, it's going to become very clear. Do you need an additional tool? Do we need to tweak things? Do we need to change things?”

“These are medications, but they're not everything. You still have to do the heavy lifting on the lifestyle aspect behind the scenes. But you have the ability to switch from one to the other.”

“You really should be working with someone who is very familiar with these medications, with switching medications, with adding other things to it, with changing things. There is always something else that can be done.”

“We do sometimes see higher results with ZepBound, but there's going to be other medication that comes out that's potentially higher than that. At the end of the day, it's what helps me to keep doing all the other things.”

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.

If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com

Premium Season 1 of The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain -Dive into real clinical scenarios, from my personal medication journey to tackling weight loss plateaus, understanding insulin resistance, and overcoming challenges with GLP-1s. Plus, get a 40+ page guide packed with protein charts, weight loss formulas, and more.

April 30/30 registration.