Navigating GLP-1: My Journey Through BRCA Positivity and Surgical Menopause

My journey with GLP-1 medications is deeply personal. It began with my mother's breast

cancer diagnosis when I was just 15. Losing her at 47 led to my own BRCA-positive

diagnosis at 36.

At 36, I underwent a double mastectomy as a preventive measure against breast cancer.

Then, at 41, I decided to have an oophorectomy to reduce my risk of ovarian cancer, which

led to surgical menopause. This phase brought unexpected challenges, including weight gain

and metabolic changes, making it harder to maintain a healthy weight. Three years later,

starting GLP-1 has helped me manage my weight and improve my overall well-being,

highlighting the potential connection between surgical menopause and GLP-1 benefits.

Angelina Jolie brought significant attention to the importance of BRCA testing and

preventive surgeries, openly sharing her own experience with mastectomy and

oophorectomy. If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, I encourage you to

talk to your doctor about BRCA testing.

Research suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, can aid weight loss in menopausal women and improve insulin sensitivity in those with PCOS. While more

research is needed, these medications show promise in addressing the challenges of weight

regulation post-menopause.

You're not alone on this journey. If you would like to read more about my story, including how I navigated BRCA, motherhood, grief, and healing, you can find my book:

I'm a Previvor: My Secret Legacy on Amazon:

GLP-1s and the Brain: What Science Is Catching Up On

There’s a lot of conversation around GLP-1 meds and how they impact appetite, blood sugar, and weight — but something that’s only just starting to be studied is the emotional impact.

I’ve felt it myself. The quieting of the food noise. The space to think before acting. A softening of the constant inner chatter.

So when I saw a recent study in Nature Metabolism looking at how GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Wegovy) may reduce activity in brain regions tied to reward, craving, and even mood — I thought, “Yes. That’s what I’ve been feeling.”

It’s not just about eating less. It’s about needing less — mentally, emotionally.

The researchers used brain imaging to show that GLP-1 meds may decrease dopamine-driven reactivity to food cues, which not only lowers cravings but also seems to positively impact emotional regulation and anxiety in some people.

And I see that in the mirror. I feel it when I say no without fear. When I eat what I need, and stop — not because I “should,” but because I’m done.

We need more research. We need more voices. We need more real people sharing how this isn’t just a physical shift — it’s a psychological one.

And in that space between biology and emotion is where healing begins.

If you’re curious, you can read the research summary here.If you’re ready to explore this shift yourself, the Clarity Vault might help you begin.👉 Explore the GLP-1 Clarity Vault

Do I Wait to Date? Starting GLP-1 and Feeling Invisible

This one’s been sitting on my heart for a while.

When I first started Wegovy, I found myself quietly withdrawing from dating apps, from conversations, from even considering the idea of intimacy or connection.

Not because I wasn’t craving love — I was. But because I’d told myself a very old story:“You’ll be ready once you’ve lost a bit more.”

It’s easy to say that weight doesn’t define us. But when you’ve lived in a body that’s been scrutinized, dismissed, or overlooked — even by yourself — it’s hard to untangle that belief from your sense of worth.

And the truth? Starting a GLP-1 journey comes with a weird mix of emotions: hope, fear, momentum… and shame that you weren’t “enough” before.

So I told myself I’d just wait.

Let the number drop.Let my clothes fit differently.Let the mirror offer me something softer.

But here’s what I’ve learned: If you wait to love yourself until you look different, you might wait forever.

There’s no magic finish line. No moment when your body suddenly earns you love. You deserve it now — in progress, in transformation, in your raw, real now.

I’m not saying it’s easy. I still pause before updating my profile. I still second-guess a mirror selfie. But I’m starting to soften the rules I made for myself.

Maybe clarity isn’t about arriving.Maybe it’s about showing up — as you are.

And if someone out there meets me now — with curiosity, kindness, and humour — and if we find joy together in this messy, beautiful chapter… that’s something I don’t want to miss just because I believed I wasn’t quite ready.

So no. I’m not waiting anymore.

And if you’ve been waiting too? Maybe you don’t need to.

✨ Want a gentle space to unpack all the feelings this brings up?Join the GLP-1 Clarity Support Space