I stared into the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time, fighting back tears. I didn’t recognize the woman looking back at me. The weight I carried every day—both physically and emotionally—had become unbearable. Deep down, I knew I was trying everything I could, yet something still just wasn’t right.
In my early twenties, I was in the best shape of my life—the smallest I had ever been. But by the time I hit 26, everything began to shift. COVID happened, my job became draining, and I found myself in a relationship that was steady one day and shaky the next. All those factors slowly added up, and before I knew it, I had gained over 70 pounds.
2018 (just started studying to be a loan assistant)
My turning point came in 2022 during a family trip to Disney. You know the kind—seven full days of walking nonstop, eating on the go, and trying to fit in every bit of magic before the week ended. I remember not even wanting to post about the trip afterward because I felt awful in every single photo. It wasn’t just one bad angle—it was all of them. Every picture made me look heavier than I imagined I was. In my mind, I couldn’t possibly be that big.
On the drive home, my ankles were swollen from all the walking and eating. And the day after we got back, that on-again, off-again relationship ended—again. Honestly, I was heartbroken.
So, I turned to the gym. But I knew I needed more than just a treadmill and some dumbbells—I needed a real shift. That’s when I walked into Burn Boot Camp for the first time… and that’s where everything started to change.
2022 (The Disney Trip)
Starting fresh felt like the best thing I could do for myself. I needed a space with a real sense of community—somewhere I could work out, but also get support with nutrition and accountability. I started going more consistently and actually loved being active again. But despite all the effort, the weight wasn’t coming off.
At the same time, I was still stuck in a toxic work environment. I had started as a mortgage loan officer assistant right before COVID hit. If you locked in a low interest rate during that time—consider yourself lucky. Behind the scenes, I was working 14-hour days, weekends included, just to keep up. There was zero work-life balance. I eventually changed companies, hoping things would get better. But about a year and a half in, I was told layoffs were coming—and I might be on the list. I felt like no matter what I did, I couldn’t win.
Finally, at the end of 2023, I got my first big win. After months of job hunting, I landed what would become my dream job. I finally had something to celebrate… but my body still didn’t feel like mine. The scale wouldn’t move. I’d lose five pounds, only to gain six back. I was exhausted—physically and emotionally—and tired of not recognizing the girl in the mirror.
I went to my doctor and laid it all out. I told her I ate well, I exercised, but nothing was changing. That’s when she brought up GLP-1s. I hadn’t done any research yet, but at that point, I was willing to try anything. I went home and fell down a TikTok rabbit hole—and honestly, I was scared. What if it didn’t work? What if I had a bad reaction?
But then I asked myself—what if I didn’t try? What if things got worse?
So, in May of 2024, just a week after getting back from a trip to Vegas, I gave myself my first injection at 230 pounds.
2024 (Vegas- right before I started a GLP-1)
Since that first injection, my life has completely changed. With each new photo taken, I’ve started to recognize myself again—but more than that, I’ve begun to see a version of me I never thought possible.
Before, when I didn’t see results, it was hard to stay motivated. But once the progress became visible, showing up for myself got easier. The momentum built, and with it, my confidence. I’m now 75 pounds down—and honestly, I’m more proud of myself than I’ve ever been in my entire life.
It also makes a difference when you feel valued. In just one year at my new job, I’ve felt more appreciated than I did in seven years in a completely different industry. And that relationship—the one that once felt so uncertain—has evolved too. The man who was still figuring himself out back in 2022 is now one of my biggest supporters. Together, we’re slowly building the life we always dreamed of.
Change wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. This wasn’t the “easy way out”—it was my way out.
2025 ( The positively GLP-me)
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through this journey, it’s that transformation isn’t just about the number on the scale—it’s about reclaiming your life. It’s about choosing you, even when it’s hard, even when it feels like nothing is working, and even when others don’t understand your path.
Starting GLP-1 therapy didn’t mean I gave up. It meant I refused to keep living in a body—and a mindset—that no longer felt like mine. It meant I gave myself permission to try something different, and in doing so, I found myself again.
Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or somewhere in the messy middle, know this: real change takes courage, and that courage starts the moment you stop apologizing for wanting more for yourself.
This isn’t the end of my story—it’s just the beginning of a stronger, healthier, happier version of me. And if you’re reading this and wondering if it’s possible for you too, I hope my story gives you a little hope… and a little push to take that next step.
You deserve to feel proud of the person staring back at you in the mirror.
STAY POSITIVLY YOU!