Celebrity trainer Sam Wood has addressed public scrutiny surrounding his new business venture, OLLO for Women, which offers medical weight loss solutions. Wood, widely known for his fitness empire “28 by Sam Wood” that emphasizes exercise and healthy eating, acknowledged that his move into the medical weight loss sector has been met with mixed reactions.

Addressing the Controversy

In a series of Instagram Stories, Wood shared his thoughts on the public’s response to OLLO for Women. He noted the significant interest and questions his new project has generated, stating, “There’s also some people that you’re going to ruffle their feathers a little bit, which I knew was always going to be the case.” Wood recognized that the venture would be “a bit polarising” and expressed his preparedness for criticism.

“You know, I genuinely think that if you try to make everybody happy, typically the person you don’t make happy is yourself,” Wood remarked. He further elaborated on his motivations, asserting that the business was not primarily driven by profit or a desire to please everyone. Instead, he claimed the decision stemmed from decades of experience working with individuals who struggle with weight loss.

“I didn’t launch OLLO to make people happy, I didn’t launch OLLO to make money,” Wood stated. “I launched OLLO because I’m in a position every single day and have been for 25 years where I talk to people who are not winning this battle against losing weight and they need help.”

In a separate post, Wood reinforced his perspective: “When you try to keep everyone happy, the person that often isn’t happy is you. I’m happy when I follow my purpose and help people. There’s going to be people scanning and looking for reasons to get upset. That’s a them problem, not a me problem.”

The Shift to Medical Weight Loss

Wood announced the launch of OLLO for Women earlier in the week during an appearance on the “Fascinated” podcast. The discussion focused on the increasing popularity of medical weight loss treatments, including peptides and GLP-1 medications like Ozempic. Host Jacqui Felgate expressed surprise at the timing of the announcement, inquiring if more of Wood’s clients were turning to these options.

Wood admitted that the decision to enter the medical weight loss space was not immediate, describing it as a significant shift from his previous approach. “It’s an extension of my 28 business, and it’s one that I’ve wrestled with probably for the last two years,” he explained. “I mean, if you’d asked me 10 years [ago] would I do this, I’d say, ‘Absolutely not. That’s crazy. That’s not the way. You’ve gotta do the work, and you’ve gotta have the discipline and the willpower.'”

However, Wood highlighted the undeniable impact and evolution of medical weight loss treatments. “The evolution of this medical space is quite mind-blowing; it isn’t going anywhere and is too hard to ignore,” he said. “We’ve actually built out a program called OLLO. It’s women only.”

Public and Follower Reactions

The introduction of OLLO for Women has sparked considerable debate among Wood’s followers. Many have questioned whether this new venture aligns with the core message of his established fitness brand, which champions exercise and healthy eating.

One common sentiment expressed by critics is disappointment. A follower wrote, “This is really disappointing. I understand this is a rapidly growing industry, and there are absolutely people for whom these medications are appropriate and can be life-changing. But for many others, they’re becoming another response to society’s relentless pressure to lose weight.” Concerns were also raised about the accessibility and potential long-term implications of these medications, particularly for individuals without a clear medical indication.

Another critical comment stated, “How disappointing. Everyone selling out.” Some interpreted Wood’s own hesitation as a sign of doubt: “He doesn’t seem convinced that it’s a good idea himself.” Accusations of profiting from a trend he previously resisted also surfaced, with one user posting, “So he doesn’t believe in the need for GLP-1s for weight loss and will likely judge people for not having enough willpower, but he’ll also make money off it all. It’s a no from me.”

Support and Alternative Perspectives

Despite the criticism, not all reactions have been negative. Some supporters have commended Wood for acknowledging that medical assistance can be a crucial component of a weight loss journey for certain individuals, complementing lifestyle changes.

“Good on him for understanding that people sometimes need medical support and health is more than just willpower,” one supporter commented. Another added, “He’s keeping up with the times! Good on him!!” These positive responses suggest a segment of the public views Wood’s expansion as a pragmatic adaptation to evolving health and wellness trends.

Conclusion

Sam Wood’s foray into the medical weight loss industry with OLLO for Women represents a significant evolution in his career. While facing criticism for potentially contradicting his long-standing fitness advocacy, Wood maintains that his new venture is driven by a desire to help individuals who continue to struggle with weight management, acknowledging the growing role of medical interventions in this field. The differing opinions highlight the ongoing societal discussion about the role of medical treatments in weight loss, balancing traditional lifestyle advice with emerging pharmaceutical options.