Wanted to Get Hot: Getting Laid Off From Meta Strengthened His Resolve at 43

Work, stress and appearance

Yang says he put much of his energy into keeping his job at Meta and did not prioritize his health. With plentiful food and workplace stress, he gained weight, which he associated with what people called the “Facebook 15.” His paycheck also made it possible to pursue treatments he had long considered. Yang says he paid $10,000 for a hair transplant, had a nose job and later underwent another hair transplant. He describes looking and feeling good as closely connected for him, while noting that others may feel differently.

Weight loss and confidence

Yang hired a trainer, but felt progress was too slow. After GLP-1s became available, he started taking them and began losing weight. He says the results helped him feel confident enough, at 43, to say he wanted to get hot.

He also found that the changes affected how he showed up at work. Yang says he became more confident onstage and received promotions as he lost weight. He recalls coworkers and managers treating him better, and says he now takes a lower dose of GLP-1s.

A new routine after Meta

After his layoff, Yang became self-employed and had to pay for his medication himself. He says he does not plan to stop taking it. He also built a new routine around wellness, fitness and eating well, after experiencing sciatica and nerve pain.

Yang says losing weight helped him share his story without feeling as insecure. He also noticed that people commented on his appearance more when he looked conventionally attractive, including remarks about his arms and going to the gym. He says that experience challenged the idea that appearance does not matter.