The Healthy Journey

Shame

Shame, Stigma, and the GLP-1 Treatment Journey

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on June 23, 2026

Shame and stigma don't end once you start a GLP-1 medicine. They can resurface again and again, even when the medicine is working.

Shame and stigma don't end once you start a GLP-1 medicine. They can resurface again and again, even when the medicine is working.

Body Image

Your Brain on GLP-1s: What We're Learning About the Mental Side

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on June 16, 2026

Identity lag, destabilized connections, and more.

Identity lag, destabilized connections, and more.

Appetite

When Eating Less Feels Like Caring Less

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on June 9, 2026

For GLP-1 users, appetite change is expected. But the friendship friction, the family tension, the declined birthday cake? Nobody mentioned those.

For GLP-1 users, appetite change is expected. But the friendship friction, the family tension, the declined birthday cake? Nobody mentioned those.

Health

Phantom Obesity: The Dark Side of Weight Loss

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on June 4, 2026

Thanks to GLP-1 medicines, losing weight is the easy part. The harder part for many may be convincing their brains that their bodies have changed.

Thanks to GLP-1 medicines, losing weight is the easy part. The harder part for many may be convincing their brains that their bodies have changed.

Menopause

Creatine Was Built on Male Data; Women May Benefit More

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on May 25, 2026

Creatine research was built on male data. New science shows women may benefit more, especially during perimenopause, when the stakes across muscle, bone, and the brain are highest.

Creatine research was built on male data. New science shows women may benefit more, especially during perimenopause, when the stakes across muscle, bone, and the brain are highest.

Health

What's Behind the Rise in "Ozempic Divorces"

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on May 15, 2026

No one warns us that weight loss could break a marriage.

No one warns us that weight loss could break a marriage.

Diet

Turning Up the Volume on Food Noise

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on May 3, 2026

Food noise has been around forever. But only recently are we beginning to understand what causes food noise and how to treat it.

Food noise has been around forever. But only recently are we beginning to understand what causes food noise and how to treat it.

Self-Control

The Willpower Myth Has a Very Long History

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on April 14, 2026

GLP-1 medicines have exposed a recent example of a very old mistake.

GLP-1 medicines have exposed a recent example of a very old mistake.

Happiness

You Budget Your Money. Why Not Your Mental Health?

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on March 31, 2026

You already budget your money. So, why not your mental health? A practical framework for building psychological wealth and well-being from the ground up.

You already budget your money. So, why not your mental health? A practical framework for building psychological wealth and well-being from the ground up.

Appetite

Hunger Games: Why Diets Fail and Weight Loss Medicines Succeed

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on February 23, 2026

The latest medical science reveals that healthy weight loss doesn't require special genes, diets, or exercise programs. The secret is controlling hunger.

The latest medical science reveals that healthy weight loss doesn't require special genes, diets, or exercise programs. The secret is controlling hunger.

Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain and Suicide: Three Scenarios, Three Solutions

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on February 10, 2026

When suicide happens, most people assume depression was the cause. Here's why they shouldn't overlook chronic pain.

When suicide happens, most people assume depression was the cause. Here's why they shouldn't overlook chronic pain.

Health

Breaking Through Plateaus in Self-Improvement

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on December 28, 2025

Everyone experiences plateaus. But not all plateaus are the same. Here's how to diagnose your plateaus, personalize your solutions, and keep making progress for a lifetime.

Everyone experiences plateaus. But not all plateaus are the same. Here's how to diagnose your plateaus, personalize your solutions, and keep making progress for a lifetime.

Health

Why Depression May Be in Your Bones

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on December 17, 2025

Your skeleton is 20 pounds of miracle, contributing to your mood, memory, and metabolism. Learn why better mental health may, literally, be in your bones.

Your skeleton is 20 pounds of miracle, contributing to your mood, memory, and metabolism. Learn why better mental health may, literally, be in your bones.

Motivation

Motivation vs. Friction: Two Levers for Better Living

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on December 14, 2025

More motivation. Less friction. Learn how this two-part formula can help you break through to a better life.

More motivation. Less friction. Learn how this two-part formula can help you break through to a better life.

Motivation

Short-cuts vs. Accelerators: How Successful People Progress

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on December 7, 2025

Once you learn about the power of accelerators for goal-setting, you may never fall for another short-cut.

Once you learn about the power of accelerators for goal-setting, you may never fall for another short-cut.

Health

Why Healthy Weight Loss Remains a Life-Long Journey

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on November 30, 2025

New research reminds us of an old message: There is no quick fix for long-term weight loss.

New research reminds us of an old message: There is no quick fix for long-term weight loss.

Artificial Intelligence

Why We Work, and What We'll Do in a Post-Work Future

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on September 11, 2025

Work isn't just about paying the bills. For many, it is also a way of fulfilling higher human needs. In a high-tech future, we may need to find new ways of satisfying them.

Work isn't just about paying the bills. For many, it is also a way of fulfilling higher human needs. In a high-tech future, we may need to find new ways of satisfying them.

Health

A Better Way to Determine Your Ideal Weight

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on August 29, 2025

The days of using body mass index alone to find your ideal weight are over. There's a better formula for finding a weight that enables greater health and happiness.

The days of using body mass index alone to find your ideal weight are over. There's a better formula for finding a weight that enables greater health and happiness.

Diet

The Surprising Psychology Behind Weight Loss Maintenance

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on August 13, 2025

Although new medicines can help you lose weight faster and healthier than ever, a new psychology is needed to keep your weight loss benefits for a lifetime.

Although new medicines can help you lose weight faster and healthier than ever, a new psychology is needed to keep your weight loss benefits for a lifetime.

Health

7 Psychological Principles For Healthy Weight Loss

Thomas Rutledge Ph.D. on July 23, 2025

New medicines have made weight loss easier than ever. But if you also want health and happiness, make these seven psychology principles part of your weight loss journey.

New medicines have made weight loss easier than ever. But if you also want health and happiness, make these seven psychology principles part of your weight loss journey.