In this Thrive Global series, we hear directly from people sharing stories of transformation after using GLP-1 medications, a new class of drugs for diabetes and weight management.
Ashley Sachiko Gibson’s Weight Journey
Growing up in Southern California, fitness came naturally to Ashley Sachiko Gibson. She enjoyed being outdoors and played competitive basketball. She loved being active and part of a team. At home, Ashley’s parents encouraged healthy eating,
Ashley continued to be active and healthy as an adult, while building a career in telehealth marketing. Confident and outgoing, at one point, she also auditioned for America’s Next Top Model. But in her mid-20s, Ashley began gaining weight without any obvious explanation. “I was still eating healthy food,” Ashley says. “But I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror. It was heartbreaking. I felt invisible.”
Hoping to start a family, Ashley became pregnant but miscarried. Her doctor diagnosed her with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a hormonal condition that can cause irregular periods and make weight management more difficult.
After undergoing fertility treatment, Ashley was thrilled to become pregnant again. Following the birth of her son — who’s now six years old, she was determined to lose weight and tried a variety of diets with limited success. “I was working out five days a week, doing meal prep, seeing a dietitian — and I couldn’t get below 240 pounds no matter what I did,” says Ashley. “I was stuck.”
Why Ashley Started a GLP-1
Ashley realized she needed support after finding that her weight made it difficult to get on rides with her son while visiting SeaWorld. A doctor suggested trying a GLP-1. “I hadn’t heard of them, so she gave me a brochure and I researched anything I could find — studies, articles, people’s experiences. I wanted to understand what a GLP-1 could mean for me.”
Deciding to start treatment, she had mixed emotions. “I was nervous but hopeful,” she says. “I’d spent years trying every possible approach to losing weight, and I wanted to believe things could be different this time. I didn’t think of it as a shortcut,” she adds. “I saw GLP-1 as a tool that might help me get my health back.”
Ashley’s Early Experiences on a GLP-1
There were early side effects — nausea and headaches — which she managed by staying hydrated and eating well. From the start of her journey, Ashley began to see results. “I was losing a few pounds every month,” she says. “I couldn’t believe it. I was working with the same trainer and eating the same meals. The only thing that changed was the medication.”
She still enjoys eating and prepares nutritious, protein-rich meals. “Breakfast is usually a protein shake. Lunch might be chicken shawarma with rice and vegetables. For dinner, I’ll make something easy — grilled chicken and green beans. My son loves salmon, and I cook teriyaki-glazed salmon on the grill,” says Ashley.
One surprise: her taste for alcohol changed. “I’ve always loved California wine, but for the first year and a half I didn’t even want it. Now I can have one glass and be happy.”
As the months went by, Ashley continued to make steady progress on her GLP-1 journey. “I kept thinking, this is too good to be true,” she says. “But I had more energy and clearer thinking. I felt joy, relief, excitement that it was working.”
As her journey progressed, Ashley received practical support from her mother and stepfather, a nurse practitioner, who run a functional medicine practice. “Once I started the medication, my stepdad began tracking my progress,” she says. “Having that kind of guidance made a huge difference.”
How Life Feels Today
Over the past three years, Ashley has lost 115 pounds. “I’m not trying to lose more, and I’m not gaining,” she says. For the first time in years, she feels healthy. “My joints don’t hurt anymore. I can keep up with my son. I feel better, stronger — and more mentally alert.”
No longer consumed by worries about her weight, Ashley found that her relationship with food began to shift. “My food noise used to be connected to guilt. I’d say, ‘I don’t deserve this; I shouldn’t have this.’ Now I have food freedom.” She occasionally treats herself to ice cream — something she says she would never have done in the past. “I’m enjoying food without any guilt.”
Ashley enjoys walking her dogs, Spritz and Negroni, and has more energy for her son, including being a room parent, volunteering for the PTA, and going on camping field trips. On a recent trip to London, she walked 20,000 steps a day. “I didn’t feel tired once. I can keep up.”
Her professional life has also flourished. Ashley is a successful influencer and runs Bossfidence a platform she founded to empower women to feel confident in their work and their lives — focusing on health, PCOS, and her GLP-1 journey. “I want other women to know they’re not alone — real change is possible.”
What Ashley Wants Others to Know
Ashley recommends that anyone thinking about starting a GLP-1 do their own research first and find a supportive care team. “The key is finding a doctor who really listens. And don’t be scared to get started,” she says. “Injecting yourself sounds intimidating, but it’s simple and it doesn’t hurt.”
Her approach to food is realistic. “When you go grocery shopping, choose fresh foods and protein.” She adds that it’s important not to be too restrictive when planning meals. “A strict diet isn’t sustainable. Eat some of what you love, just less of it. Find what works for you.”
If you’re not sure where to start, talk to a nutritionist or a dietitian, she advises. “Understanding your body will help you make choices that last.” It’s also essential to keep moving, says Ashley. “Find a workout that you love — walking, gym workouts, Pilates, yoga, whatever you enjoy.”
Looking back, Ashley reflects on how far she has come. “True happiness is when you feel comfortable in your body,” she says. “I finally feel like myself again.”