Serena Williams and Oprah Winfrey Discuss the Decision to Use GLP-1 Medications
In a candid conversation on the January 13, 2026 episode of The Oprah Podcast, tennis legend Serena Williams opened up to media icon Oprah Winfrey about her journey with GLP-1 medications for weight management. The discussion shed light on Williams’ initial resistance to these drugs, her eventual decision to try them, and the broader implications for destigmatizing medical tools in weight loss.
Williams first publicly revealed her use of the GLP-1 drug Zepbound (tirzepatide) in August 2025, announcing a partnership with the telehealth company Ro to share her experience. She described losing over 31 pounds since starting the medication, which she accessed through Ro (where her husband, Alexis Ohanian, serves as an investor and board member). Originally developed for type 2 diabetes management, GLP-1 medications like Zepbound, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have gained widespread use for weight loss by mimicking hormones that regulate appetite and blood sugar.
During the podcast, Williams admitted she was “absolutely” hesitant at first. She viewed the injections as a “shortcut” or “skinny shot”—something critics often label as an easy way out for those unwilling to put in the effort through diet and exercise alone. As one of the greatest athletes of all time, known for her intense discipline, rigorous training, and healthy eating habits throughout her 23-time Grand Slam-winning career, Williams resisted the idea for a long time. “For a long time, I didn’t do it, and I didn’t want to do it, and I thought, ‘I’m not going to take the shortcut,’” she explained.
Even after retiring from professional tennis in 2022 and welcoming two daughters—Alexis Olympia in 2017 and Adira River in 2023—Williams continued pushing her body with demanding workouts. However, she hit persistent plateaus, particularly due to postpartum changes, hormonal shifts, aging, and other biological factors that made it difficult to return to her desired healthy weight despite her best efforts.
After “trying everything” without sufficient progress, Williams decided to explore GLP-1 options. She emphasized that the medication was not a magic solution but a tool that complemented her ongoing commitment to fitness—she continues intense training, including preparations for a half-marathon. The results were transformative: she reported feeling “physically so much better,” with increased energy, confidence, and overall well-being. She even joked that she wished she had started earlier.
Oprah Winfrey, who has long been transparent about her own use of GLP-1 medications as part of a broader strategy to manage weight and avoid yo-yo dieting, responded empathetically. When Williams discussed the biological challenges she faced, Oprah affirmed, “That’s your biology,” underscoring that weight regulation is not always solely about willpower.
The conversation highlighted mixed public reactions to Williams’ initial announcement in 2025. Supporters praised her for normalizing medical assistance in weight management, especially for women navigating post-childbirth recovery, perimenopause, or metabolic changes. Critics expressed concerns about promoting pharmaceutical dependency, reinforcing unrealistic body ideals, or questioning why an elite athlete would “need” such intervention.
Williams’ message remains empowering and body-positive: these medications address underlying biological factors when lifestyle changes alone fall short, and it’s okay to seek help without shame. She stressed that everyone’s body responds differently and encouraged open, honest discussions on the topic. Ultimately, as she put it in related interviews, life is too short not to feel good in one’s own skin at every stage.
This episode joins a growing wave of high-profile conversations—featuring figures like Oprah herself and others—who are helping shift perceptions around GLP-1 drugs from controversial “quick fixes” to legitimate tools in health and wellness.
About The Author
