Beyond My Diagnosis with Michele Weston

The The Weight-Loss Dance: GLP-1 Medications, Obesity, and the Truth About Long-Term Weight Loss

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520158/fan_mail/new] Are GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and the newest experimental obesity drugs changing the future of weight loss? Or are they simply another tool in a much bigger journey? In this honest, educational, and deeply personal episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston sits down with licensed social worker Tammy St. Clair to talk about what they call “The Weight-Loss Dance”—the lifelong reality of managing obesity, maintaining weight loss, and learning how to create sustainable lifestyle change. Both Michele and Tammy bring lived experience to this conversation. Tammy worked in a bariatric surgery office for 10 years, has maintained over 100 pounds of weight loss for two decades, and now supports clients navigating obesity, emotional eating, behavior change, and long-term weight management. Michele shares her own 16-year journey after bariatric surgery and the ongoing realities of maintaining weight loss while living with chronic illness. Together, they unpack the growing conversation around: * GLP-1 medications * Obesity as a chronic medical condition * Bariatric surgery * Weight stigma and shame * Lifestyle change versus “diet mentality” * Why maintaining weight loss is often harder than losing it “Losing the weight is so much easier than maintaining your weight loss.” This episode explores the science, the emotions, and the mindset behind long-term obesity treatment in a way that is compassionate, realistic, and empowering.  Inside this episode, Michele and Tammy discuss: * What new obesity medications like GLP-1s and GIPs actually do * The newest experimental weight loss drug and why researchers are excited * Why obesity is not about laziness or lack of willpower * How hormones affect hunger, appetite, insulin, and metabolism * Why long-term maintenance is harder than rapid weight loss * The difference between “diet mentality” and lifestyle change * How bariatric surgery and medications are tools—not magic fixes * Why emotional eating and behavior patterns still matter * The emotional impact of weight stigma and shame * Why obesity should be treated as a chronic medical condition * The importance of realistic expectations and long-term support * Why mindset, self-awareness, and daily choices matter 🧠 One of the most powerful themes in this episode This isn’t about finding a “magic pill.” It’s about learning how to live differently. “It becomes lifestyle and it’s learning that.” Tammy explains that many people can lose weight temporarily through diets, restriction, or short-term programs—but maintaining weight loss requires ongoing behavioral change, emotional work, and support systems. Michele and Tammy also discuss the shame many people experience around obesity and weight loss medications. “This is a medical diagnosis and it takes a village to work this through.” They emphasize that obesity is not simply a matter of discipline or pushing away from the table. Research continues to show that genetics, hormones, metabolism, emotional health, and brain chemistry all play a role. GLP-1 medications, Ozempic, Wegovy, and obesity treatment Michele and Tammy explain how medications like: * Ozempic * Wegovy * Zepbound * GLP-1s * GIP medications …work by helping regulate appetite, insulin response, metabolism, and other hormonal systems connected to obesity and weight management. The conversation also explores: * Why some people lose more weight than others * Why medications can improve cholesterol, blood sugar, inflammation, and A1C levels even without dramatic weight loss * Why side effects and medical supervision matter * The future of obesity medicine and genetic research The reality of “The Weight-Loss Dance” One of the most relatable moments in the episode comes when Michele explains that every day still involves conscious choices. Not perfection. Choices. “Every day, every meal, I get to make a decision.” This episode is not about quick fixes. It’s about sustainability, compassion, education, and understanding that managing obesity is often a lifelong journey—not a temporary one. 🔗 About Tammy St. Clair Tammy St. Clair is a licensed social worker with extensive experience supporting individuals navigating obesity, bariatric surgery, behavior change, emotional eating, and long-term weight management. She worked in a bariatric surgery office for 10 years and has personally maintained over 100 pounds of weight loss for more than 20 years. Tammy combines professional expertise with lived experience to help clients better understand the emotional, behavioral, and medical realities of obesity treatment. 🔗 Stay Connected with Michele Weston micheleweston.substack.com

How Your Story, Stress, and Breath Impact Chronic Illness, Brain Health, and Emotional Wellness

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520158/fan_mail/new] What if healing starts by listening to your story? In this deeply powerful episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston sits down with transformational speaker, brain-body business alignment strategist, and wellness coach Lisa Charles to explore the connection between chronic illness, stress, nervous system regulation, storytelling, emotional healing, and self-awareness. This conversation goes far beyond traditional wellness advice. Together, Michele and Lisa unpack how unresolved stress, emotional pain, trauma, and disconnection from self can impact the body, relationships, mindset, and overall well-being. “Wellness is not simply checking the boxes on what I eat or how I move. It’s all degrees of the ways that I show up in the world.” Lisa shares how brain-body connectivity, intentional breathing, storytelling, and deep listening can help people reconnect to themselves, regulate stress, and better navigate life with chronic conditions. This episode is especially meaningful for anyone living with: * Autoimmune disease * Chronic stress or burnout * Emotional overwhelm * Anxiety or nervous system dysregulation * Identity shifts after diagnosis * Feelings of isolation or emotional exhaustion  Inside this episode, Michele and Lisa discuss: * Why storytelling is deeply connected to healing and wellness * How chronic illness changes your identity and perspective * The connection between stress, emotions, and physical health * Why women often minimize their own stories and experiences * How unresolved pain can continue affecting the nervous system * Why listening is more healing than “fixing” * The role of compassion, empathy, and vulnerability in growth * How emotional responses shape communication and relationships * The connection between breathwork and nervous system regulation * Simple breathing techniques to calm stress quickly * Why self-awareness is critical for healing and transformation One of the biggest takeaways Lisa explains that true wellness is “inside-out wellness”—the connection between brain, body, emotions, relationships, stress, and how we show up in life. “You are united as one being within those components.” Michele also shares deeply personal reflections on chronic illness, identity, emotional healing, and learning to ask not just “Why me?” but also “Why not me?” after diagnosis. “It wasn’t done to you. It was done.” This conversation is thoughtful, vulnerable, healing, and incredibly human. Breathwork and nervous system healing One of the most practical parts of this episode is Lisa’s discussion around breathing and stress regulation. She shares: * The “sigh breath” technique for calming stress quickly * The “hum breath” to help regulate the nervous system * Why intentional breathing helps shift the body out of survival mode * How just a few conscious breaths can change your emotional state “Breathing is life. You don’t breathe, you don’t live.”  Connect with Lisa Charles https://www.yescoachlisa.com/ [https://www.yescoachlisa.com/] Lisa Charles is a former federal prosecutor turned transformational speaker and Brain-Body Business Alignment Strategist. As the creator of Make Your Mission Your Money Source™, she helps purpose-driven leaders align their brain, body, and business to unlock clarity, confidence, and cash flow—without burnout. Through her work, Lisa empowers CEOs, creatives, and changemakers to lead with purpose, live in alignment, and build meaningful, profitable brands rooted in authenticity and wellness.

What if depression doesn’t just affect your emotions… but your body too?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520158/fan_mail/new] In this solo episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston explores the very real physical symptoms of depression—especially for those living with chronic autoimmune or neurological conditions like MS. This conversation goes beyond the common understanding of depression as sadness or hopelessness and dives into how depression can manifest physically through fatigue, pain, digestive issues, headaches, inflammation, and more. “The research shows that depression can manifest as physical pain too.” Michele shares insights from years of living with MS and explains why people with chronic conditions may experience depression differently—and why these symptoms are often overlooked. This episode is not about self-diagnosing. It’s about awareness, understanding, and recognizing when your body may be trying to tell you something. 💡 Inside this episode, Michele discusses: * Why depression is more than emotional sadness * The connection between chronic illness, inflammation, and depression * How fatigue and low energy can signal more than stress * Why depression may lower your pain tolerance * The link between depression and body aches, back pain, and headaches * How gut health and digestive issues may affect mental health * Why depression can literally change how you see the world * The relationship between stress, inflammation, and neurological health * Why talking about mental health should not be taboo * The importance of seeking professional support and treatment 🧠 Physical symptoms Michele explores include: * Persistent fatigue or exhaustion * Muscle aches and chronic pain * Back pain and headaches * Digestive issues and stomach discomfort * Brain fog and concentration issues * Changes in vision perception or “grayness” * Increased inflammation responses “Pain is another way your brain communicates.” Michele also explains how emotional distress can show up physically in the body and why addressing mental health is just as important as addressing physical health. ⚠️ An important reminder This episode is informational and reflective—not medical advice. Michele encourages listeners to: * Speak with their doctor or medical provider * Explore psychotherapy or counseling if needed * Pay attention to patterns in both physical and emotional symptoms * Remember that seeking help is not weakness “It’s never embarrassing to talk about depression.” 🌿 What Michele wants listeners to remember You are not alone. Depression can happen alongside chronic illness, life stress, grief, burnout, hormonal changes, and inflammation. And support matters. Whether through therapy, medical care, lifestyle changes, mindfulness, or trusted conversations, healing starts with acknowledging what’s happening. 🔗 Stay Connected with Michele Weston micheleweston.substack.com

Do I Have ADHD? Could I? Understanding the Signs in Adults

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520158/fan_mail/new] If you’ve ever asked yourself that question—even quietly—you are not alone. In this solo episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston explores what ADHD really looks like in adults and why so many people go undiagnosed for years. ADHD is often associated with children. But that’s a misconception. “It is a misconception that ADHD doesn’t affect adults.” Michele shares her personal experience living with ADHD and walks through how it can show up differently in adulthood—especially when layered with chronic or neurological conditions like MS. This isn’t about labeling yourself. It’s about understanding your patterns. Because when you understand what’s going on, you can begin to work with your brain instead of against it. 💡 Inside this episode, you’ll learn: * Why ADHD doesn’t disappear in adulthood—it evolves * What “time blindness” is and how it impacts your daily life * Why you may procrastinate or struggle to get started * How executive functioning affects planning, focus, and follow-through * The difference between distraction and hyperfocus—and why both exist * How emotional sensitivity and rejection show up in adults * Why ADHD is often mistaken for laziness or lack of motivation * How it can impact work, finances, and relationships * Why proper diagnosis matters—and what ADHD can be confused with 🧠 What’s really happening ADHD is not about willpower. It’s about how your brain processes time, attention, and behavior. “Executive functioning is the ability to plan, remember instructions, and carry out tasks to completion.” When that system is challenged, it can feel like you’re constantly behind, overwhelmed, or second-guessing yourself. ⚠️ Important reminder This episode is about awareness—not self-diagnosis. Many ADHD symptoms overlap with: * Anxiety * Depression * Burnout * Other neurological or developmental conditions That’s why it’s important to talk to a qualified professional if this resonates with you. 🛠️ Practical ways to support yourself Michele shares simple, realistic strategies you can start using: * Use reminders, alarms, and digital tools to stay on track * Build structure into your day to reduce overwhelm * Practice mindfulness and self-awareness * Work with a coach, therapist, or ADHD specialist * Support your brain with sleep, movement, and nutrition Her message is clear: You are not lazy.  You are not broken. You just need the right tools. 🔗 Stay Connected with Michele Weston micheleweston.substack.com

What It’s Really Like to Live with an Autoimmune Disease in Your 50s

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2520158/fan_mail/new] What does life really look like when you’re living with a chronic autoimmune condition in your 50s? In this deeply personal solo episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, Michele Weston opens up about her own journey living with multiple sclerosis for over 25 years—and what it actually means to navigate aging, identity, relationships, and health in midlife. This isn’t a clinical explanation. It’s real life. Michele breaks down what autoimmune diseases are, how they impact the body, and why women are disproportionately affected—while also sharing the emotional and social realities that often go unspoken. “Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells.” But this episode goes far beyond definitions. Michele talks about: * The emotional impact of receiving a diagnosis and asking “why me?” * How identity shifts over time, especially from your 30s into your 50s * The reality of managing symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and inflammation * Why autoimmune conditions are not a “death sentence,” but require lifestyle changes * The role of environmental triggers, stress, and hormones * What happens when support systems change over time * The loneliness and isolation that can come with invisible illness * How relationships, dating, and life plans may shift unexpectedly * Why self-care, advocacy, and building the right medical team matters * The importance of adapting your lifestyle instead of resisting it Michele also shares her own story—working intense 60+ hour weeks before her diagnosis, navigating uncertainty, and ultimately redefining her life, career, and priorities. “Who am I now? What does my life look like at 50, 60, 70?” This episode is about facing those questions honestly. It’s about recognizing that living with a chronic condition means adapting—not giving up. From navigating menopause and increased symptoms to managing flare-ups and redefining what’s possible, Michele offers both education and reassurance. You are not alone. And you are not your diagnosis.