Sharon Polsky chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about her book “Weight Loss Decoded,” the digital age, and why more Americans turn to influencers for medical opinions rather than healthcare professionals.
Polsky is a global fitness and women’s health expert specializing in metabolic health, peptides, and sustainable weight management. With over 20 years of experience, she has helped women address the root causes of weight gain, hormonal imbalance, and metabolic dysfunction.
She is the host of the Weight Loss Decoded Podcast, where she breaks down the science behind GLP weight loss medications and modern metabolic therapies in a clear, actionable way.
As a television personality, published author, and conference panel expert, Sharon is on a mission to transform the conversation around women’s health — empowering women to take control of their metabolism, longevity, and quality of life.
On her inspiration to write “Weight Loss Decoded,” she remarked, “I’ve had the privilege of working in both the fitness and medical fields long before the rise of weight loss medications. It’s truly eye-opening to see the misinformation about drugs like Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro/Zepbound (tirzepatide) circulating on social media, podcasts, news programs, and books. Many conversations about these medications miss the mark entirely.”
“After successfully coaching over 5,000 patients who have been affected by these misleading narratives, I’m excited to share my insights through a “Truth About” book. Together, we can empower individuals to make informed choices for better health! Most discussions surrounding these medications are disconnected from reality,” she elaborated.
On being a part of the digital age, she said, “The digital age is a double-edged sword. It allows us to share information quickly with our followers, but it also facilitates the rapid spread of disinformation.”
“People often follow their favorite influencers and assume they are experts simply because they speak with authority. However, when you look closer, many of these influencers have little to no training or experience in the topics they discuss,” she said.
“For example, there was an oncology pharmacist who claimed that GLP-1 (weight loss) medications cause cancer. She urged people to trust her because she was an oncology pharmacist. In reality, these medications do not cause cancer; in fact, we are seeing cancer rates decline in that population,” she elaborated.
“More critically, she lacked the necessary training and credentials to support her claims. She was actually an influencer who hadn’t been using her pharmaceutical training, which she acquired 20 years ago. I want to get my information from people who are boots on the ground and truly knowledgeable, rather than from influencers who are merely riding trends and spreading false or inaccurate information,” she added.
Regarding her future plans, she shared, “The journey of writing this book has been nothing short of extraordinary. My book has been received so well from both industry experts and patients, all of whom have offered fantastic feedback on my work!”
“As I look ahead, I’m excited for the upcoming launch of season 2 of my podcast, ‘Weight Loss Decoded,’ allowing me to really engage with this community and explore topics that resonate with listeners. I’m also working on a second book Peptides Decoded, so stay tuned for that,” she elaborated.
“This entire adventure has been truly inspiring, filled with personal growth and valuable lessons and I’m ready to embrace all of the amazing opportunities that lie ahead and share them with clinicians and patients,” she added.
When asked why Americans turn to influencers before healthcare professionals for medical opinions, she stated, “Many individuals are turning to influencers, ChatGPT, and Google for insights due to the challenges within our healthcare system. The limited time that patients spend with their doctors — often just five to ten minutes — makes it difficult to uncover the deeper causes of their health issues and find effective solutions.”
“While healthcare systems aim to cut costs, this sometimes restricts the options available to both doctors and patients. Most patients do not receive personalized care; instead, they are given computer-generated standard treatment plans,” she said.
“Patients are seeking healthcare that focuses not just on generic, one-size-fits-all solutions but also on personal guidance regarding lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep, managing stress, staying hydrated, and enhancing nutrition,” she noted.
“The wonderful aspect of the online community I am part of is that we consist of healthcare professionals who advocate for a holistic, patient-centered future,” she added.
On her career-defining moments, she disclosed, “The COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be an amazing turning point for me! With my business closed for 15 months, I embraced the time to dive deep into medical coaching. I took advantage of extensive online training — resources usually reserved for doctors and nurses.”
“This journey has empowered me to become one of the leading experts in GLP-1 coaching in the U.S. ! I’m truly grateful for how this experience has transformed my life and opened up new pathways. It’s amazing how challenges can lead to incredible opportunities,” she added.
She opened up about how she feels social media has become America’s family doctor. “I truly believe that those quick eight-second TikTok videos have become a go-to for health advice in America, and while they can be entertaining, it’s important to approach them with caution,” she said.
“The truth is, you just can’t absorb meaningful knowledge in such a short time, especially when it comes to complex medical issues and topics. Plus, many influencers prioritize financial gain over genuine patient care, so let’s stay informed and seek reliable sources for our health,” she explained.
When asked if she feels that America is suffering more from a credibility shortage as opposed to an information shortage, she responded, “I believe there are plenty of credible resources available, but they often lack the controversy needed to gain the exposure they deserve. These sources focus on helping patients rather than learning how to manipulate algorithms for attention.”
“We need to find a way to amplify the right voices, but unfortunately, they are often drowned out by the louder, more popular, and more interesting ones,” she added.
Regarding her definition of the word success, she said, “I love the word ‘success’ because it holds many meanings. While many people define success as “making a lot of money,” that is not my definition. I know many financially successful individuals who are morally bankrupt and have built their wealth at the expense of others.”
“For me, success is measured by how many people I can genuinely help. Although I can only directly impact thousands of individuals, if I can cultivate a community of educated people online, together we can help millions,” she concluded.
Her book “Weight Loss Decoded: Unlocking The Truth about GLP Weight Loss Medications” is available on Amazon by clicking here.
For more information on Sharon Polsky, follow her on Instagram.
