#257. The Truth About GLP-1 Drugs No One Is Telling You

Hey beautiful, it's Dr. Tabatha.

I want to share something with you that I believe God is doing right now in women's health. We're in the middle of a massive movement and most people don't even know it. Every single day, 6,000 women in the U.S. enter menopause. That's over 2 million women a year, and by 2030, that's more than 1.2 billion women worldwide. So here's the thing, most of these women feel exhausted, bloated, anxious, disconnected from themselves, and the medical system is Doctors are handing out prescriptions and quick fixes, and no one is helping women heal from the root cause of their issues. That's where Fast to Faith coaches come in. As a certified coach, you'll be equipped to help midlife women balance their hormones, heal their gut, regain their energy, and reconnect their faith, the foundation that so many of us have been missing. And from a business standpoint, woo, this is one of the most lucrative untapped opportunities in the entire health coaching world. The global health coaching industry is expected to reach over $33 billion by 2023, and midlife women are the fastest-growing, highest-spending demographic in that space. Most importantly, these women stay with their coaches. They invest deeply because they are desperate for lasting transformation— body, mind, and spirit. So if you've been feeling that pull and that whisper that you're meant to do more, This is it. Now is the time to rise, to serve, and build a purpose-driven business that not only changes other women's lives but transforms your own in the process. Because when you help one woman heal, you help her family, her marriage, her faith, and her future. That's the ripple effect that we're creating with Fast to Faith. So join me, click the link to come watch this webinar. It might be the one thing that really moves the needle for you in this next— Season. I can't wait to see you in there.

Welcome back to the Fast to Faith podcast. You're going to be very intrigued this week because GLP-1 agonists are all the rage. Those are the injectable weight loss drugs that everybody's either on or thinking about being on or talking about. And today we are going to talk about something that is one of the most common side effects of those injectable Drugs is gastroparesis, meaning your stomach's not functioning the way it should. It's not emptying; it's not moving the food out. So this is an important conversation because you probably know someone on those medications, and even though that's not directly what we're talking about, this episode is for you. Everybody needs to understand the power of our digestive system and how our Life plays such an important part of it being able to function or not. So I'm really excited to bring on my guest, Angela. Angela is a Fast to Faith certified coach, and she's absolutely incredible. She may live in Hawaii, but I feel like, you know, we are so close. You just came and visited recently when we all did a conference together. So welcome, Angela. I'm so excited. to introduce you to the world.

Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here.

Yeah, we had such a good time at the conference with— I don't know how many there was, maybe 10 of us, 11 of us, most coaches. Just, will you just share how amazing that experience was? Because it was pretty awesome.

It was an amazing experience, and, um, for me, just to get to meet all of you in person was just so special. Our relationship, this whole thing is definitely God and God working. And so I just completely went on this trip out of faith, just following God's will. And I was just so happy the whole entire time I was with all of you because it's like, it's— you could just tell it was part of God's plan, you know? And just being able to be together and share our stories. We can all resonate with one another's stories. And then to just be at that conference and to be able to meet and connect with other women was just so exciting. And I just can't wait to see all the healing that's going to come from just that one conference.

Woo! So good. Yes, I couldn't agree more. And I was in shock when I heard you were coming. I'm like, wait, you're coming from Hawaii all the way to Ohio to hang out with us? But you're right, like when God nudges you to do things, you're supposed to just figure it out and do it. And it was an incredible experience, and we will be going back next year. That was the Seeking Whole Health Conference, and there are just some good people there. Like God's country, homegrown good people, organic farmers, people making their own bread, their own clothing, their own soaps. Like this is what it's about. It was Pretty incredible. And so I was excited to share that with you and the other coaches. And now you're back in Hawaii, right?

Right.

So I'm excited for this conversation today because the way you found me was not kind of typical. I guess it was typical in the sense that you were searching for answers. You were trying to figure out why you were struggling so much. Most women are coming to me for hormones or weight loss, but Just share with us what was going on in your life when you were searching.

So a little over 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with gastroparesis. It was confirmed through a gastric emptying study. I had a severe delay. My stomach was only emptying at 21%. So for quite a few years, I was drinking only liquids. I cut a lot of things out of my diet. Unfortunately, at the time, I did not cut out sugar because I didn't think I needed to. And I lived with this chronic pain. At the same time, I had to leave my full-time job with the VA as a nurse. My dad got diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the same time, and he was living with me, so I was his full-time caregiver. And I felt really hopeless. I went into a deep depression because of my gastroparesis and the pain that I was living with, because my doctors— I mean, I went to every single specialist, had all kinds of biopsies. Nobody could tell me why I was Or why it was happening. Their solution was eat a low-fat diet, eat 6 small meals a day, and then eventually it was like, well, if we can't get you out of pain, then why don't we just put in a feeding tube? I was desperate, but I didn't have the connection with God that I have today, and I think that was a big part. And so fast forward 10 years from that, I had made some progress over the years cutting things out, and I, you know, thought I was okay to start adding a few things back in. And then I had this relapse to where all of a sudden one day I woke up, I was in excruciating pain. It was like my gastroparesis was coming back full-fledged. I ended up in the ER. They didn't do any testing on me. They just gave me pain medicine and sent me on my way. And so, um, I went home and I actually made a YouTube video crying because I was just afraid that my illness was coming back full-blown and I just didn't want to live like that again. I just didn't think I could do it. And so I prayed and I just asked God, please God, just, I need some answers. I need help. And so I was listening to a podcast from a Beachbody coach and you were the guest. And you were talking about your program that you were about to come out with, Fast Faith. And so I started listening to your podcasts and everything that you said resonated with me. And I felt like this is what God was leading me to, was leading me to this program. So that was back in 2023. And I did the program to the best of my ability, and I have not been in any pain. I have not had any problems with gastroparesis since. I can eat things that I haven't— hadn't been able to eat for 10 or 15 years. And so I feel with full confidence that God has healed me through the 40-day program.

Wow. God is so good. That is amazing. Oh, and I can't even imagine the desperation that you felt, like Being turned away from the emergency room or from the doctor's office of like them throwing their hands up, we just don't have any answers for you, there's nothing else we can do. Being told that you should have a lifelong feeding tube at such a young age, like that's devastating. You're a beautiful woman who wants to use a feeding tube. Oh my goodness. So I'm so proud of you for not giving up hope and truly believing like There's an answer out here. I don't know what it is, but I'm gonna keep that hope alive. And you went searching, you went on a journey. So that's so powerful. And women need to hear that because so many of us want to give up. I know I've had times where I did give up. And then you're like, wait a second, I can't give up. I gotta keep trying, right? So—

Exactly. Especially when you're a mom and you're a caregiver. I mean, you have to just keep You have to keep trudging.

Yeah, exactly. So that was what, a year and a half ago?

Yeah, a couple years ago. And so I had tremendous healing from the program. And, um, but not only that, doing the 40-day program and doing the Lectio Divina, meditating on scripture and journaling, that is like one of the biggest things that helped me because it reconnected me to God and to the Holy Spirit and allowed me to sit and just meditate on His Word and hear what He needed to say to me. I've just been in that mode ever since where I just want to hear from God. I don't really want to be out of His will. I want to be in His will.

Wow.

And through all of this, you know, God led me to become a coach. And I really just want to— I want to help other women achieve the type of healing that I've achieved, and my journey is not even over. You know, like, the longer that I'm a part of the sisterhood, the more healing that I, that I receive. I'm excited. I'm, I'm so excited just to see where I'm gonna be a year from now.

Yeah, exactly. Well, I would love for you to just be full, fully transparent and 100% real with my listeners Because you're a messy Christian like I am. Like, I am fully aware that I have not lived the way the Bible tells us to live. And unfortunately, I didn't realize that it's kind of a guidebook to a clean, healthy, happy life. And so I was a rebel child. I did everything I wasn't supposed to do, and it got me into a lot of situations. And caused a lot of hurt. And so now I'm just— I've repented, I'm learning, I've been edified, I'm being sanctified. And that's a continual journey, right? But, you know, sometimes I feel like, oh, I can't possibly do the Lord's work because I'm not married to my children's husband and I don't have that ideal Christian life that you're supposed to have. And I really connected with you when we did our road trip in Ohio, driving through the cornfields, of just like, you're a messy Christian too. You've lived your life, you've made mistakes, but that isn't stopping you from receiving Jesus's salvation and forgiveness. And just like, I'm gonna do God's work anyway. It doesn't matter what my past looks like. I would just love for you to talk about that a little bit, because to me, that's been one of my biggest struggles, is like, I need to show up as my authentic self and acknowledge my messes, but also that there's redemption and you don't need to carry that shame, right?

Exactly. I mean, it's important to know that God loves us unconditionally, and we can go to him with anything and You know, over the last 2 years, you know, I had achieved all this healing, but I've shared in the past that, you know, I backslid for a while and that I started drinking alcohol. I was using it to deal with my feelings instead of confronting, you know, past trauma. And so I was self-medicating, and so I went backwards. But I had to get real with myself and become really honest, and I admitted that in our sisterhood, like, hey, I've gone backwards. This is what I've been doing. I need prayer for this. And it wasn't that long ago that I had to come back and make a complete surrender and get on my knees and just be like, Lord, I've gone backwards, but I need help. God has helped me in just an amazing way because just this year, you know, I haven't had any alcohol in 90 days, and I redid the 40-day program. I released 26 pounds, and when we were on vacation, I even released more weight. And so now I'm at the point where, like, my pants are falling off. I'm like, oh, I'm gonna have to go get new clothes. When we continually turn things over to God, the transformation— and like you said, I mean, I'm a messy Christian. I was a total rebel child, like the black sheep. I did all the things. God was there. I just wasn't seeking Him. And now that I'm in a place in my life where I'm seeking Him with my whole heart and I'm just trying to be completely transparent with everybody around me, He just wants to heal me. And so when I came back from this trip, people noticed. They're like, you're just glowing. And it's the Holy Spirit shining His light through me. through me. That's what I love about the sisterhood and becoming a coach because I just want to, as scary as it is, I want to keep moving in that direction because I know he has this amazing purpose for me, but I get scared and then I get stuck and afraid to move forward. But the great thing about the sisterhood is that You know, we help each other and push each other in such a gentle way. I really love that because I felt in the past, I felt like I didn't have a sisterhood, like I didn't have this community in my church. And I felt that way because, you know, I'm a single woman. I'm divorced and I'm not married. And so it's kind of hard for me to connect because of that. And so the sisterhood just completely filled Filled that void in my life. Yeah, and I just love it so much.

Oh my gosh, you— yeah, that is probably one of the biggest reasons that I was so excited to create this, even though it wasn't really my idea. I mean, I have to give God all the credit for Fast to Faith. When he laid it on my heart that you have been searching for a group of women a church home, a tribe, a sisterhood, and you're not finding it, he was like, you need to create it yourself. You need to be what nobody else has been for you. And to hear you say that just fills my heart, and that's everything to me because that was my intention. Is I didn't feel like I belonged in church either, or in the friend groups in town. There was just no real place for me, especially as a single woman. And it's like, we— everybody needs a tribe. And so this sisterhood has really filled all of that for me. And to hear you say that now, and then you're bringing in people and they're saying it, like, it's just such a beautiful ripple effect of women supporting women and coming together in collaboration and celebration instead of competition and cutting each other down. Like, there's just no place for that. But that is of the world. That's the whole world. That's how people— women are showing up. And we're over here going, you don't have to do it that way. There's a better way, right? And so I love that you're such a representation of that.

Yeah, exactly. I mean, I just— I love the sisterhood because— and I love our coaching community because We aren't in competition with one another. I mean, when you look at other coaching businesses, you know, yeah, they might be doing the same things, but they're all in competition with one another and we're not. We're all about building each other up. Like, how can I help you in your coaching business or with your clients? Like, we have this coaching community online and so we can go and help each other. I mean, it's a true sisterhood and I just— I love that so much. And when I met all of you for the conference, it's like we had known each other forever. God knew that we were meant to be friends, and I love that.

I realized, like, we're all so different and we all bring such a unique perspective to the table, but also unique gifts and challenges. And though, even though you and I are kind of like the black sheep, messy Christians, We have some good wholesome people who have been married for 40 years and they have like the white picket fence scenario and that type of thing. And then, I mean, we just have everybody from different walks of life all trying to navigate this relationship with Jesus and have him at the forefront. And that's what's really cool because like women listening to this podcast, they obviously resonate with me. That's why they listen. But they might really resonate with you versus another coach and be like, I want to work with her because she gets me. She's more like me. And so there's room for everybody. That's the cool part is God's kingdom is so diverse and there really, there really is room for everybody. So I would love for you to talk about, you know, you went through this, you obviously got great results with fasting. of faith. You got your life back. That's a game changer. But going on to invest in becoming a coach, that's a whole nother level. Like, that's a big investment and commitment that you want to follow through with what you're promising to yourself, and you're going to show up and do this. What were kind of the mental struggles that you went through? Were you having any reservations, or were you just like, I'm all in?

Well, I felt like God definitely wanted me to become a coach before you even came out with the coaching program. And I think a lot of us felt the same way, like we had so much healing and we had learned so much from the program, you know, and then converting that into our lifestyle now. So it's our lifestyle and we just wanted other people to have the same type of healing that we had had. And so I think the seed had been planted. So like all of us kind of, we wanted this before You even announced that you were going to do this, which was really amazing. So as soon as it was announced, the Holy Spirit was tugging at me saying, this is what I want you to do. But then the enemy comes in and says, well, you're not following the program right now and you're drinking and you're overweight again. And just all these things that I'm not good enough and I'm not worthy and I can't do this. But I just had to put those lies aside because they're lies from the enemy and just listen to God and what He was telling me to do. And He was just like, I want you to move forward. This is what I want you to do. And yeah, I was scared every single step of the way.

Yet you were obedient.

But now I have my first, you know, few clients and I've been working with them and there's no reason to be scared because they're just where I was, you know, a couple of years ago, and I can help them through it. And so it's just become a beautiful thing. I'm building these amazing relationships with my clients now. I just love that they're part of the sisterhood. And who knows, maybe they'll become coaches too.

Yeah, absolutely. And like, none of us ever arrive. We're never fully fixed or healed or at the place of Perfection. Like, if that happens to me, it's time to pass on to your next life because you're done. Like, I believe like this journey is supposed to be something you're on until your last day, until you've learned all the things. But you're right, like, you are ahead on the journey, and so you can turn around and reach back and say, hey, let me help you come forward on this journey. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to have more figured out than the person you're helping. And with the Holy Spirit guiding you, like, there's nothing you guys can't conquer and overcome. And I hope everyone listening is hearing that you chose to do it before you had it all figured out, or after you had figured it out and you had relapsed. Like, we have to continue to work on ourselves in order to show up for other people. And it, it's a dynamic process. It's not a one and done. Like, I believe the coaching program is what really saved you and took you to the next level of your healing. Wouldn't you agree?

Oh yeah, most definitely. I mean, I had been going through perimenopause during the whole entire time I was dealing with my gastroparesis. Nobody would listen to me. I kept saying, my hormones, my hormones, like, why am I flipping out?

Yep.

You know, and no one ever tested me. But once I started coaching and I started learning all the things, then I knew how to go back to my doctor and say, hey, this is what I need you to test me for. This is what I need you to look at. And so one of my big struggles has always been sleep. Like, I mean, I was having— when I started Fast of Faith, I was having the worst night sweats. You know, I'd have the air conditioner blasting at 63 degrees and I'd still be sweating all night long, not being able to sleep. And through coaching, I was able to finally get my hormones tested and get on progesterone. And so now I sleep great. I don't have any more hot flashes, which is amazing. I mean, it's just a journey. The longer that I'm doing this, the more I'm finding out about how I can Use these tools that I've learned to heal myself and have a better life. I mean, I'm 51, I'll be 52 this year, and I feel better today than I ever have my whole entire life.

I love that. That's so good. That's everything, right? I'm the same way. I feel way better than I did in my 20s, 30s, and 40s. And I know the best is still yet to come. Like, God's not done with us. He He's got better days ahead. So good, and I'm just so proud of you for not giving up, and you just continue to persevere. And now you're helping other women do the same. Like, you really are such a blessing. And I want to point out to the fact because our listeners don't realize it. Like, you are in a very desolate place in Hawaii. Like, people think, oh, Hawaii, that's so. Amazing and beautiful, and it's like the best destination ever. But when you live there day in and day out and you don't have support in person, like a community, this is everything, right? It's like—

It really is everything to me. I mean, yeah, I'm here on a small island. I don't have the community of sisters that I have with the Fast to Faith program. I would like to change that, you know, by getting more sisters into the program, people here locally. And then just the medical field over here, we're kind of in the Stone Age.

Yeah.

You know? Yeah, just getting, just getting my hormones tested was like pulling teeth. But one thing that I love about being part of the sisterhood is that I was able to order my own labs through you. And even though I couldn't get the drawn here in Hawaii. I was able to get them drawn on vacation, and now that all those results are coming in, it's like, wow, because now I can see exactly the things that I need to work on moving forward. Yeah, it's just really cool. That testing is very cool. I know.

I was like, wow, you are committed. You're getting your blood drawn while we're going to this conference. She woke up early, Drove like, what, half hour away? So there's always a way. There really is. It's just sometimes we don't always see it because we're so stuck in our current circumstance. And you chose to believe for more and see beyond your circumstance. You're like, I might be stuck on this desolate island with no resources, but I'm gonna find the way. And then God started showing you all these resources. So that is so powerful. Thank you for sharing all of this. What else do you want to leave with our listeners? Because you're just so full of wisdom. Like—

Well, when I left you guys that day in Ohio, I was just trying to find things to do and I was wearing my hoodie that says that I'm a Certified Fast to Faith Coach. And a woman in this store started asking me about my sweatshirt. And so I started telling her about the program and she was really intrigued. But then she says to me, well, you know, I'm 60 years old. I've already gone through menopause. So like, this is just my life. And I said, no. I said, it doesn't matter if you've already gone through menopause. I'm like, there's help out there. I'm like, it can— she was telling me like, I can't, you know, well, I guess I've just gotten used to not sleeping at night.

Oh.

I'm like, there's a solution for that. And so I started to tell her about the program and share some of Story with her, she goes, "Do you need a hug?" Because I really need a hug right now. And so we just embraced and hugged, and I was able to give her my information and you know information about the program. I do want women to know that if you've already gone through that transition of menopause and you feel like your life is over now, like oh, I've gone through this transition, and so this is just how my life. is going to be, no, that's not true. I just want you to know that's not true. I feel like the next 50 years of my life are going to be the best years of my life. And so I just want other women to know that just because we've hit middle age, it's not over. This is just the beginning, and it could be the best years of your entire life. But we have to work at it, and we also have to focus on God because it's only through him that we are healed.

Yes. Amen.

Oh my gosh.

So good. And if you're listening and you haven't gone through menopause, or maybe you're in some other transition, maybe you just had a baby or you just had surgery. A lot of women go through hysterectomies and they find me that way. They're like, now what? Those transitions are such amazing opportunities to change your future. to change what you want, how you show up, how you live your life. And I, I truly believe that God is always just waiting to give us a better life. You know, Jesus said he came to give us life to the fullest and not to just live and, and watch Netflix. Like, we are supposed to actually enjoy our life, have meaning behind it, impact other people. And so I love to hear that you're doing that, even just when you're traveling. I love it so much. You are just such a bright light and a beautiful soul, and I'm so grateful that you're part of this sisterhood and of the Coaching Academy. So where can women follow you and check you out? Because I'm thinking that they might want you to be their coach now.

So I'm on Facebook as Angela Stevens Kailua-Kona, or you can find me on Instagram, coach.angela.ftf for Fast to Faith. Yeah, and I'm also— I'm on YouTube too. I haven't been posting any videos, but, um, I think I'm gonna start doing that as well.

Okay, we're gonna hold you to that. Okay, okay, that's so good.

That's good. I like the accountability.

Oh my goodness, if you have been listening to this or watching it on YouTube, I would love for you to hit the subscribe button. We need to use our voices. We need to say what we want to listen to and what we want to see and get some of that garbage off of our feed, right? But we can only do that if we click the like, if we click the subscribe, if we comment, if we share our— these things with, um, our friends. That is how our voice gets heard. So I hope this resonated with You today. There is always a way out. There's always a way to health and wellness. Your body actually was created to thrive, not just survive. So I hope Angela's story really touched you. Go follow her on Instagram and YouTube because she's going to start posting. And have an amazing week. Just know that you didn't hear this on accident. Everything is working out for your good. You just need to live into that knowing. So I'll see you soon.