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.
Branneisha Cooper’s weight journey
When Branneisha Cooper was growing up in Dallas with her mother and stepfather, nutrition wasn’t a priority. “We were very much into junk food and fast food — burgers, tacos, pizza. I didn’t like vegetables, and my mom didn’t push me to eat them.”
An active child with a passion for ballet and tap dancing, Branneisha struggled with her weight. “My mother was always on a diet, and I went on my first diet when I was 11,” she says. In her teens, Branneisha recalls being self-conscious. “I was the bigger one in my friend group. Going to the mall was hard because I couldn’t find cute clothes in my size.”
In high school she was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), a common hormonal condition that can cause irregular periods and make it harder to manage weight.
By the time she started college, Branneisha learned to be less self-critical and more accepting. “I studied body positivity, the importance of loving your body at any size. Obesity runs in my family, and I felt I shouldn’t feel so down on myself. But I wasn’t truly confident — I was putting on an act.”
A few months into her first year, Branneisha’s life turned upside down when she began to feel unwell. “I was extremely tired, bruises were showing up, and I had bleeding gums.” She went to the ER and was admitted to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with leukemia. “It was a life-pivoting moment. Being so young and going through something as traumatic as cancer was very scary.”
Only 19, she spent nine months in the hospital receiving treatment while continuing her studies online. Thankfully, Branneisha made a full recovery. As Branneisha entered her next chapter, she became interested in nutrition and wellbeing. “I educated myself in healthy eating — I wanted to live a good life.”
Why Branneisha started a GLP-1
Now 29 and cancer-free, Branneisha went on to earn two degrees, in fashion merchandising and digital marketing. However, maintaining a healthy weight remained a struggle. “I’d try any diet that was trending. But I’d always lose 20 pounds and then gain the weight back.”
Frustrated with her ongoing battle with weight, Branneisha made an appointment with her primary care doctor. “I started crying, and I told her, ‘I’m always on a diet, and the scale isn’t moving.’”
Branneisha’s doctor was “supportive and empathetic” and recommended a GLP-1. “She told me I was a good candidate. I was apprehensive but said, ‘Sure, let’s give it a try.’”
Branneisha’s early experiences on a GLP-1
From the start, Branneisha experienced some unexpected side effects. “I had a dry mouth, nausea, and body aches, and I felt sleepy.” She consulted her doctor, who reassured her that the symptoms were common and temporary.
Drinking more water and eating small, protein-rich meals also eased her symptoms. “I wasn’t constantly thinking about food, and I thought, this must be how normal people feel. I wasn’t going to the pantry for snacks, and I didn’t feel like I had to eat everything on my plate.”
She also lost her taste for sweets. “I realized how much sugar I’d been eating. I’d always loved cookies and ice cream, but I didn’t crave them anymore.”
She recognized how her eating patterns had been tied to emotion. “I’d reach for a sweet treat when I had a really hard day,” she says. “But with the GLP-1, that reward system in my brain switched off, and I was no longer turning to food as a coping mechanism.”
As her GLP-1 journey progressed, Branneisha had support from her partner, Tobias, a football coach, and from her therapist. “I learned to listen to my feelings and process my emotions without using food as my coping mechanism.”
She began to genuinely enjoy exercise. “When I’d go to the gym in a bigger body, I felt isolated and insecure, like everyone was looking at me. Now I have more energy. I love walking the trails near my home, and I love Pilates and kickboxing — they make me feel strong.”
How life feels today
Three years into her GLP-1 journey, Branneisha has lost 87 pounds. “I just feel like me,” she says. She enjoys home-cooked, nutrient-dense meals. “My joy of eating has gradually come back.”
Breakfast is often a yogurt parfait with fruit, eggs, or avocado toast. Lunch might be leftovers — chicken and rice with a green salad in a tortilla wrap. For a post-workout boost, she’ll have a protein shake. “For dinner, I love shrimp or chicken, and I always have veggies like cauliflower and carrots. I never thought I’d be saying this, but I love Brussels sprouts!”
Branneisha has amassed a big social media following after posting on Instagram and TikTok about PCOS, GLP-1 use and wellbeing and fashion. “As a fashion major, I’m making up for lost time! I love a crop top — showing my midsection, I love form-fitting outfits and vibrant colors. I’m able to wear clothes that 14-year-old Branneisha so badly wanted to wear — I’m healing that inner child. It’s freeing and super exciting.”
Branneisha says that after her weight loss, her PCOS symptoms have also improved, she now has regular periods and her doctors are optimistic that she can start a family. “Before going on a GLP-1, I’d put the idea of being a mom on the back burner,” she says.
Branneisha is approaching her 30s with optimism and gratitude. “I don’t take a day for granted. Almost a decade ago, I didn’t know if I was going to make it. Now, I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been — I’ve been granted a second chance at life, and I’m on top of the world.”
What Branneisha wants others to know
Don’t get discouraged if your weight loss slows or stalls, she says. “Plateaus are normal as your body recalibrates.” Her advice: drink plenty of water, move regularly — and get enough rest. “I have an Oura ring and focus on good sleep which gives me energy.”
Having strong support is essential, “especially on those tough days when you can feel like giving up. Tobias is my biggest cheerleader; he’s been with me every step of the way.” Branneisha also relies on her spiritual community for encouragement. “I go to church, listen to a Christian podcast and spend time with God.”
Her final words: “Often, we feel like we have to be perfect, but nobody’s perfect. It’s important to take it one day at a time. This isn’t a get-skinny-quick type of thing. It’s about learning what works for your body and giving yourself grace.”