TikTok influencer Janelle Rohner sold a $200 weight loss plan — before admitting she was on a GLP-1 medication. Now, fans are mad.

Yahoo

28-04-2025

TikTok creator Janelle Rohner revealed she is taking a GLP-1 medication for weight loss — despite selling $200 courses to teach people how to do the same thing. Now, followers are criticizing her for making what they allege are misleading claims about her own weight loss journey, with some demanding refunds for the course.
​​The situation has sparked a broader conversation about how much transparency influencers owe their audiences, especially when it comes to weight loss advice. Critics argue that hiding the use of medication, which has become more and more popular in recent years, undermines trust — while supporters say that no one owes their audience total disclosure of what goes on between them and their doctors.
Here's what to know about the criticism surrounding Rohner.
Rohner, who is a nurse, launched her account in 2020 by sharing healthier versions of her favorite foods. Those included lower-carb recipes, such as her famous sandwich, in which she used bell pepper halves in lieu of bread.
In the years since, Rohner has amassed more than 5 million followers on the social media platform, plus another 704,000 on Instagram. In the wake of her online success, Rohner started selling a $200 'Macros 101' course, in which she teaches people how to 'experience food freedom' by learning how to balance fats, proteins and carbs in one's diet.
'I went from eating 1,200 calories to 2,200 calories and actually lost more weight, gained muscle and completely changed my body composition,' she wrote on the website for the class. 'I discovered muscles I didn't even know I had!'
Over the past year, followers have noticed Rohner's continued weight loss and suspected she was taking weight loss medication to shed pounds. Last week, in a video posted on YouTube, the influencer confirmed it.
'I started working with a doctor and we did decide to add a GLP-1 to my plan,' she said in the video, noting that 'GLP-1s are not magic' and that they 'don't change your lifestyle overnight.'
GLP-1 drugs, or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, help regulate blood sugar, slow digestion and reduce appetite, which typically leads to weight loss. Rohner did not disclose which GLP-1 medication she is taking, including whether it is an official version of the FDA-approved brands, like semaglutide medications Ozempic or Wegovy, or a tirzepatide medication like Mounjaro or Zepbound.
It is also possible that Rohner is using a compound version of the drug — a customized, pharmacy-made alternative to the brand names — which the FDA is currently restricting.
'It's just a tool to help,' Rohner said in her video. 'I still had to show up: show up for my meals, track my macros, drink my water, go on walks, do my workouts, everything that I already teach and believe in. It just helped me regain a sense of control. It's something I don't want to be ashamed of, and I don't think other women or men who are using this tool should feel ashamed either. Because if there's a tool that can help with your mental and physical health, you deserve to explore that without feeling guilty or ashamed.'
Rohner added that she is now 'microdosing' the drug, explaining that she takes it 'once a month,' and is seeing a therapist to manage her mental health. Definitions of microdosing these drugs vary, with some people taking the drugs less often than the weekly prescribed dose — so, going every two weeks, rather than every week. For some using a compounded version or a version that comes in a vial rather than a single-dose pen, people may choose to take a lower dose than is officially recommended.
It's worth noting that there is currently no guidance on microdosing these medications from pharmaceutical companies and Rohner did not share specifically how she is taking the medication.
'I never imagined my life would be under a microscope,' she shared.
A day later, she posted a TikTok video insisting she is not 'asking for sympathy' as she further explained the situation.
'I'm trying to do the right thing,' she said, 'and I'm trying to be honest now.'
'If people felt deceived by that, I really truly am sorry,' she added. 'I am willing to do a refund for anybody who bought a class in the last 11 months.'
Over on TikTok, Rohner's comments section is flooded with people criticizing her decision to sell and promote weight loss tools without disclosing a major reason behind her own weight loss.
'I'm sorry girl but I tried every diet under the sun and couldn't lose the weight until I went on a GLP1,' one wrote. 'This was pure deception plain and simple. You should refund people.'
Another added, 'I'm on a glp-1, have lost 55 lbs (at goal) and I tell everyone! I didn't make people think I lost it by eating celery and carrots.'
A third called out Rohner's most famous recipe: 'So we were eating bell pepper sandwiches for no reason ???'
Comments on Rohner's initial YouTube video also called out the creator for dishonesty.
'As a fellow creator, I respect your right to privacy and completely understand that not everything has to be shared online,' commenter @Christinabtv wrote. 'But when your business is built around weight loss and you're charging people $200 for a course, transparency becomes part of the responsibility. Taking a GLP-1 drug while positioning yourself as a weight loss coach or influencer — without disclosing it — crosses a line. It starts to feel scammy, especially when people are trusting you with their money, time, and health journey.'
YouTuber @emilycarlson6872 called the situation 'horrible,' adding that they looked up to Rohner for 'so many years' prior to the controversy. 'Is GLP1 a part of your macro planning for your clients? Is it part of the workout plan for those paying for YOUR services? Probably not… that part is behind the scenes,' they wrote. 'Also why are you playing the victim in this when you are the one that lied to so many people? Why are YOU the victim??? Your clients paying for your services are the victims here.'
Some people, however, have come to Rohner's defense. TikToker @Nursemom wrote in the comments section of her TikTok apology video, 'RN here, also on a glp-1. I track macros, workout, I have PCOS so it's still VERY hard to drop weight even doing the right things. GLP-1 have other benefits apart from weight loss. Leave her alone.'
Rohner's situation is unique in that she sold a weight loss plan without disclosing a medical reason behind her losing weight. However, she's not the only influencer who has come under fire for being less-than-open with their audience.
Recently Remi Bader — who rose to fame on TikTok for sharing 'realistic' plus-size clothing hauls — was criticized for not disclosing weight loss surgery to her followers.
And other stars, like Khloé Kardashian, have been called out for claiming healthier lifestyles are behind weight loss — despite speculation that they're also taking GLP-1 medications.
'Even if people get surgery or [get on] the Ozempic craze, I'm like, 'Who cares!' As long as people feel good about themselves, who am I to judge?' Kardashian said in an interview with Bustle in December 2024. 'I'm just mad [Ozempic] wasn't around 10 years ago.'
But other stars, like Serena Kerrigan, have taken a different approach to the rumors about them taking GLP-1, admitting in a jokey TikTok video that, yes, that was a Mounjaro pen in her fridge.
'This is so real,' one commenter wrote on Kerrigan's post. 'I love it.'