Endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen shares the science
behind weight gain and the playbook she gives her own patients starting a GLP-1

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MasterClass, the personalized learning platform unlocking human potential with the world's best, today announced the launch of Understanding GLP-1s and Weight Loss, taught by Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen, an endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist who has spent more than 16 years treating patients with GLP-1 therapies and was among the earliest adopters of these medications in the United States. In this class, Dr. Salas-Whalen shares the science she wishes every patient understood before starting a GLP-1, along with a framework she uses to guide her own patients through the process. The class is available now exclusively on MasterClass, where subscribers have unlimited access to 200+ instructors with an annual membership.

Dr. Salas-Whalen's class on MasterClass arrives at a critical moment. According to a June 2026 Gallup survey, 11% of U.S. adults are now taking a GLP-1 medication for weight loss, up from just 3% two years ago, and 91% of Americans recognize these drugs by name. Used right, Dr. Salas-Whalen said, these medications can be life-changing, but too many patients start treatment without a comprehensive plan for what comes next. MasterClass members will learn what to track, so they can come out of the process metabolically healthier, not just lighter.

These are the questions Dr. Salas-Whalen hears most from patients who are starting a GLP-1. In the class, she answers all of them and more:

• "What are the typical side effects, and does the fatigue ever go away?" Members learn how to anticipate and manage common side effects such as nausea and fatigue, as well as concerns that can accompany significant weight loss, including hair loss.
• "Why did I gain this weight in the first place?" Members learn how genetics, hormones, environment and other biological factors influence body weight, and why weight regulation is far more complex than willpower.
• "How do I make sure I don't lose muscle along with the weight?" Dr. Salas-Whalen shares her framework for protein intake and strength training to help preserve muscle during weight loss.
• "How long should I stay on the same dose?" Members learn the principles clinicians consider when evaluating dose escalation, response and tolerability, so they can have more informed conversations with their healthcare provider.

"A GLP-1 is not a supplement or the diet du jour," Dr. Salas-Whalen said. "It's a prescription medication treating a chronic condition, and for the first time in history, we have medications designed not just to help people reach their goals, but to help them maintain them. The experience and guidance of the clinician prescribing these medications matter enormously. I'm one of fewer than 11,500 physicians specializing in obesity medicine in this country, and I built this class to give patients the knowledge I want my own patients to have, to understand their treatment, ask better questions and advocate for themselves. An informed patient is an empowered patient."

Embed & view the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pg6j4BQwkw&feature=youtu.be 

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Credit: Courtesy of MasterClass

About MasterClass:

MasterClass is the personalized learning platform that unlocks human potential with the world's best instructors. A membership provides unlimited access to 200+ instructors and classes in a variety of formats and subjects, including business and leadership, communication, health and wellness, writing and more, available anytime, anywhere, on mobile, tablet, desktop, Apple TV^®, Android™TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku^®. Learn negotiation from Chris Voss. Build a business with Mark Cuban. Cook with Gordon Ramsay. Write with Shonda Rhimes. Navigate relationships with Esther Perel. Make bold choices with Samuel L. Jackson.

Beyond its core membership, MasterClass offers advanced learning experiences built for the AI era. MasterClass Executive is an AI-native business education experience for working professionals who want to advance their careers, without pausing them or taking on debt. MasterClass On Call enables members to practice and prepare for high-stakes conversations through AI-powered roleplays and real-time coaching from the AI of the world's best, while MasterClass Certificates, developed with leading companies, equips learners with in-demand skills for fast-changing careers. For organizations, MasterClass at Work provides flexible training solutions that build essential skills across all levels of an enterprise.

¹ For informational purposes only. Not professional or medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about what's right for you.

Media Contact:

Allison Field, MasterClass, press@masterclass.com

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SOURCE MasterClass