This past Sunday marked a special milestone: our community's second birthday!
I am continually amazed and gratified to see how much we've grown. We are now a community of over 12,000 members, and it's humbling to know how many people we've helped on their journey to better health with GLP-1 agonists.
From the beginning, my goal was to create an independent space that encouraged the free exchange of information and ideas, and most importantly remained free from the editorial whims of large corporations. I wanted a place where we could discuss topics openly without the constant fear of our group being shut down as so many others have been and continue to be on a daily basis. I'm proud to say we've succeeded in that mission so far, standing as one of the few stable outposts for these important discussions, and our continued growth shows just how important it is to be a reliable presence.
The Challenge of Growth
From the initial launch, I committed to funding this forum entirely out-of-pocket to ensure our content remained unbiased. For the first 18 months, this was manageable, averaging around $100-$200 per month, plus annual renewal costs for the Xenforo forum software and add-ons.
Our incredible growth has recently created significant challenges: in the last six months, our monthly operating costs have skyrocketed to nearly $2000 due to increased traffic and storage. We’re also facing a mandatory migration to a more robust server infrastructure to handle our current and future needs, which will bring substantial one-time and ongoing expenses.
A Necessary Evolution: Introducing Vendor Sponsorships
This brings me to an important, and necessary, evolution for our community. To address these rising costs and ensure our long-term survival, I am introducing a paid advertising/sponsorship model for vendors.
I realize this is a significant change, and I want to be completely transparent about what this means - and what it doesn't mean. I also realize that some of you will be disappointed, even upset, and I want to try to clear up any potential concerns.
The most important thing to know is that my dedication to the independence and free exchange of information on this forum has not and will not change.
To clarify these new policies and what is and is not changing:
- I AM NOT FOR SALE: Contrary to occasional rumors, prior to this change, I have never accepted a single penny, free product, or any compensation whatsoever from vendors. My only request has been fair treatment of our members. I have also refused a handful of lucrative offers by vendors to sell the forum outright. Paid advertising does not and will not change this.
- Accountability is Non-Negotiable: Paying for advertising does not buy immunity. Any vendor who violates forum rules, mistreats or defrauds members, delivers substandard products, or compromises community safety will be suspended or banned without hesitation. This is explicitly detailed in our vendor agreements.
- Zero Editorial Influence: Vendors will have absolutely no influence over member reviews or any other user-generated content. In the coming weeks, we will be improving the vendor review section to encourage more feedback, helping everyone make the most informed decisions possible.
- Limited and Defined Privileges: There will be two tiers or “levels” of sponsorship. A standard level identical to the current vendor experience, and a "Premier" level which grants three specific, additional benefits/privileges:
- A Dedicated Sub-Forum: They will have their own sub-forum to post marketing content, which must still adhere to all community rules (e.g., no discussion of AAS, PEDs, etc.), but where they can post as much and as often as they like.
- A Shared Banner Ad: A single, small banner ad will be added to the site in the coming days. Premier Vendors can have one ad per month included in this rotating banner. The number of Premier slots will be limited to start, and will be evaluated regularly.
- General Discussion: Premier Vendors will be permitted to participate in the Public Square section, but remain strictly prohibited from any sales-related talk there. This allows knowledgeable vendors to contribute to general conversations on topics like customs or shipping logistics, etc. This is something I have allowed for a couple of vendors in the past, mostly with good results. This privilege will be closely monitored and I won’t hesitate to revoke it if abused.
Other Changes
An advantage of moving to a paid advertising/sponsorship model is that it will allow us to add some new and exciting features to the forum, including the return of the live chat function that we had for the first year or so. I also hope to add some AI and automation to things like the user registration process, spam detection, and post moderation for newer members, along with improvements to search functionality.
There will also be a renewed policy of all research discussion being restricted to the Research Lab section of the forum (as has always been the intent). More information will be released on this change in coming days/weeks, but it’s a change that needs to be made, and will be part of a minor overhaul of the overall organization and layout of various forum sections.
The Personal Side
On a personal note, some of you may know from direct conversations or little hints I’ve dropped along the way that I took an unplanned early retirement in April, which was about 16 months ahead of schedule. My accountant made it clear that continuing to spend a couple thousand dollars each month on my hobby - however fulfilling - is not a sustainable long-term strategy (and is more than my mortgage payment). I briefly considered a donation model but felt it could create a perception that donating grants favoritism or special privileges. The sponsorship model, with its clear boundaries, is the fairest and most stable solution.
Ultimately, this decision was made to keep our community alive, thriving, and self-sufficient for years to come. A modest income from what has become a full-time job for me will also be welcome and not something I want to conceal from you.
Your Voice Matters
Again, I realize that some of you may not like this change; some of you may even consider leaving for other platforms. I’m sorry if you feel this way and hope you will stick around for at least a little while to see how things play out. Social media regarding GLP-1s and similar inventions - even an old-school threaded forum like this - is going to remain quite fluid for the foreseeable future, with a little occasional chaos sprinkled in for adventure, and that constant change means sometimes adjusting our expectations.
Unlike most announcements, I am leaving this thread open for discussion. Your feedback is important, whether you are supportive or have concerns. I want to ensure everyone feels heard, and look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible community! It’s the first thing I wake up to every morning, and the last thing I check in on every night, and I take great satisfaction in whatever contributions this forum can make to improve the knowledge, health, and lives of our members and guests. Whether you've been here for the past 2 years, or just joined 2 minutes ago, I am truly grateful for each and every one of you!
And of course, thank you for taking the time to read this absurdly long treatise! (In case you were wondering, yes, I used AI to help polish this. The original draft was around six pages, so some phrasing may not sound exactly "like me," but I have read and re-read every word to ensure it accurately represents everything I wanted to convey.)
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