In addition to her athletic prowess, Serena Williams has always been a symbol of strength because of her candor about the mental and physical changes that accompany parenthood and sports. In addition to her notoriety, her recent disclosure that she lost 31 pounds on the GLP-1 medication Zepbound has garnered international interest due to her candor about what it takes to feel complete again.
The tennis icon, who retired in 2022 after changing the definition of greatness, revealed that even with rigorous exercise and good diet, she had trouble losing weight after having her second kid. “I would walk 30,000 steps every day. I worked hard at my training. She told Elle, “But my body just wouldn’t change.” That open acknowledgment feels very real, especially from someone who has long been praised for her self-control and fortitude.
Serena Williams Weight Loss Drug Journey: Inside the Champion’s Candid Transformation
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Serena Jameka Williams |
| Date of Birth | September 26, 1981 |
| Birthplace | Saginaw, Michigan, USA |
| Occupation | Former Professional Tennis Player, Entrepreneur |
| Known For | 23-time Grand Slam Singles Champion |
| Weight Loss Drug | Zepbound (GLP-1 Medication) |
| Pounds Lost | 31 lbs |
| Collaboration | Telehealth company Ro |
| Family | Husband Alexis Ohanian, daughters Olympia and Adira |
| Reference | Serena Williams Weight Loss Story |
Williams started taking a GLP-1 drug in 2024 after months of stagnation, took a short break, and then started Zepbound again in early 2025 through Ro, a telehealth firm that her husband, Alexis Ohanian, supports as a board member and investor. In a matter of weeks, she started to notice noticeable improvements in her energy and comfort levels in addition to the scale. Her claim to have shed thirty-one pounds was about more than simply the weight; it was about self-acceptance, balance, and healing.
Williams’s experience is consistent with a larger pattern of well-known people using GLP-1-based therapies. Whoopi Goldberg, Kelly Clarkson, and Oprah Winfrey have all discussed their use of comparable drugs, emphasizing how these therapies can be incredibly successful when paired with long-lasting routines. Williams stressed that she kept up her intense exercise routine and ate a diet high in protein, mostly from beans and other plant-based meals.
Her announcement nevertheless sparked discussion. Some followers appreciated her transparency, considering it as a gesture of empowerment. Others voiced worries that the public would be given false impressions by weight-loss medications, which are frequently expensive. “At this point in my life, I’m not ashamed of saying what works for me,” Serena said, remaining unrepentant. She told Vogue that transparency is more important than ideas.
Given that Serena has been the subject of criticism for decades, her candor is significant. Her figure was scrutinized by critics from the beginning of her career with the same ferocity as her serve speed. Even her coach is shown talking about weight loss as a performance requirement in her HBO film Being Serena, which illustrates the discrimination faced by female athletes. Her choice to now talk candidly and without defensiveness feels like a remarkably symbolic success.
Medical specialists have complimented her honesty. Her candor was characterized as “an important message about the role of science in supporting long-term health” by Dr. Scott Isaacs, President of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology. As their bodies adjust to reduced training volumes following years of high-calorie performance diets, elite athletes frequently deal with post-retirement metabolism abnormalities, according to Dr. Claire Madigan of Loughborough University.
Williams’ decision to mix medicine with physical therapy emphasizes a crucial point: GLP-1 medications are tools, not shortcuts. Research indicates that they are most effective when combined with regular exercise and a healthy diet, both of which Williams exemplifies. Her vitality has clearly returned as she runs, lifts, and trains for a half marathon, as evidenced by her social media posts. With a calm sense of accomplishment, she said, “I’m running farther than I ever have.”
Because it dispels the myth that seeking medical assistance equates to weakness, this blend of science and endurance feels especially motivating. Accepting help was a sign of maturity rather than capitulation for Serena, who made a living by managing every aspect of her performance. She is changing the definition of strength to emphasize perseverance above perfection.
However, as Dr. Madigan notes, access is still a problem. GLP-1 medications like Zepbound are expensive, and without subsidies, out of reach for many. “After seeing Serena, a typical woman might think, ‘She has everything — a chef, a gym, support — and still needed medication,'” she advised. Although gloomy, that thought draws attention to a more significant reality: the need for more equitable access to healthcare and open communication regarding postpartum and post-career body issues.
Williams has said that becoming a mother changed her. She acknowledged that she felt as like her body was “missing something” after giving birth in 2023 and was unable to find its rhythm again. Her advice strikes a deep and universal chord with moms who are dealing with the expectation to “bounce back.” She turns what can be interpreted as vulnerability into an act of collective strength by being transparent in her speech.
Her collaboration with Ro goes beyond self-improvement. It also represents a change in wellness culture, where empowerment, telehealth, and technology all come together. The organization, which helped Charles Barkley lose 65 pounds, wants to mainstream discussions about medical weight control. Williams’s participation increases visibility and credibility, particularly for women juggling parenthood, work, and health.
However, Zepbound’s hazards are not overshadowed by its thrill. Although gallbladder or renal problems are uncommon, common side effects include nausea and gastrointestinal distress. Williams told Women’s Health that she had “significantly improved” energy and that her most recent checkup revealed “excellent blood sugar levels,” but she did not mention any such side effects. For her, the rewards have been especially evident – not only in physicality, but in confidence and enthusiasm.
Beyond its immediate effects, Serena’s narrative has sparked new discussions about aging, body image, and social expectations. Despite being 43 and no longer participating in professional sports, she is nonetheless a remarkable example of discipline. It speaks something about how the public views female power that a person of her caliber is nonetheless subject to appearance pressure. We are reminded that reinvention never ends by her composed defiance, which is communicated via words rather than awards.
