Fitness influencer Frankie Just GymIt has sparked fresh debate online after sharing an unfiltered video explaining what Ozempic really does — and what many people, he says, are choosing to ignore.
In the Instagram video posted yesterday, Frankie broke down the science behind the increasingly popular weight-loss drug, warning that it is being glamourised as a quick fix while its risks and long-term implications are downplayed.
“I need you guys to see me for this,” he began.
Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. In simple terms, Frankie explained, it works by altering how the brain experiences hunger.
“It tricks your brain into feeling less hungry and fuller,” he said. “So you eat less — not because you’re morally stronger, but because your biology has changed.”
However, he stressed that Ozempic was originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A higher-dose version of semaglutide was later approved specifically for obesity management.
The controversy, according to Frankie, comes from people using Ozempic off-label for weight loss — often without medical supervision.
Yes, It Works — But at a Cost
Frankie did not deny the drug’s effectiveness. In fact, he cited clinical trial data showing that weekly semaglutide use led to an average weight loss of nearly 15 per cent over 68 weeks, compared to about 2 per cent for those on placebo.
“That’s not gym-bro talk. That’s clinical trial data,” he said.
But he was quick to point out the caveat most influencers skip: the results were achieved using a 2.4mg weekly dose combined with diet and exercise — and the weight often returns once the drug is stopped.
“Ask yourself this,” he challenged. “Do you want a drug to manage your weight forever?”
According to studies, much of the lost weight comes back within months of discontinuation.
Side Effects and Warnings People Don’t Like Talking About
Frankie grew visibly more serious as he addressed the medical risks.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. More serious warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and a boxed warning linked to thyroid C-cell tumours observed in animal studies.
“I know you’re not a rodent,” he said, “but food for thought.”
He warned against casual online purchases and unregulated “copycat” injections from compounding pharmacies, calling it a dangerous mix of convenience, capitalism and misinformation.
“If your only fact-check is an online blog and a credit card swipe,” he said, “you’re flirting with death.”
When Medicine Becomes a Lifestyle Accessory
Frankie also criticised how quickly a legitimate medical treatment has been absorbed into beauty and influencer culture.
“Demand exploded, shortages happened, sketchy copies came out, and suddenly a medical drug became a lifestyle accessory,” he said, sarcastically adding, “What’s next? ARVs for skincare?”
In his view, Ozempic is being used to mask deeper structural problems such as poor food systems, stressful work environments and unsustainable lifestyles.
“The culture loves a pill that can fix shame,” he said. “But medication doesn’t erase structural issues.”
“Not Medical Advice — Just the Truth”
Frankie ended the video with a disclaimer, clarifying that he is not a doctor and that his comments were educational rather than medical advice.
Still, his message was clear: people should make informed decisions rather than blindly follow trends.
“Do whatever you want,” he said bluntly. “Just understand you’re paying with time, money and medical trade-offs.”
Ozempic and Kenyan Celebrity Conversations
In Kenya, conversations around Ozempic and similar weight-loss injections have steadily moved into the public eye.
A few high-profile personalities have openly discussed using or being prescribed weight-loss injections or diabetes medication as part of their health journeys, often framing them as medically supervised decisions rather than cosmetic shortcuts.
BY Geoffrey mbuthia
