NEW YORK – Ro has announced that NBA Hall of Famer and five-time Sports Emmy Award winning broadcaster Charles Barkley is joining on as a GLP-1 celebrity ambassador. The partnership is deeply personal for Barkley, who is restarting his weight loss journey with Ro after facing significant barriers to treatment access and weight regain.
Barkley lost nearly 50 pounds when he initially started on a GLP-1 medication, but like many Americans, struggled to stay on treatment due to ongoing supply and access issues. He eventually had to stop, and over time, regained much of the weight. Now, he's restarting his journey with Ro — drawn to the convenience of Ro's online care, access to medication, ongoing support from medical providers, and simple tools that make it easier to get started and stick with treatment.
"I know GLP-1s work — I've seen it for myself," said Barkley. "The hard part was getting the medication when I needed it. That's where Ro comes in – they make it easy. I don't have to jump through hoops — I know my treatment is handled. Also this isn't just about me, it's about making sure regular folks have real tools to take control of their health and start feeling better.
Let's go to work!"
As part of the partnership, Barkley will star in a series of new ads for Ro's GLP-1 offering — all driven by his signature personality and off-the-cuff commentary. The ads spotlight the convenience of Ro's digital experience, including access to GLP-1 medications, and the ability to check insurance coverage up front, for free, before getting started with Ro.
"Chuck is honest, inspiring, and deeply relatable — he understands the power of GLP-1s, and needed a partner to help him stay on track with treatment," said Zach Reitano, co-founder and CEO of Ro. "Restarting your weight loss journey after a setback takes courage. Chuck's story is a reminder that weight loss isn't always linear, but with the right support, it's possible to overcome any setbacks to achieve your health goals. We're honored he's trusting Ro to support him on this next chapter."
Beyond the campaign, Ro will also collaborate with Barkley's newly launched production company, Round Mound Media, on upcoming projects rooted in obesity education. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing health equity and reaching communities that have historically faced barriers to healthcare – a cause deeply important to Barkley.
Over the coming years, Barkley, Round Mound Media and Ro will work together to raise awareness around the efficacy of GLP-1s, share updates on Barkley's own journey, and help more people – particularly those in underserved communities – feel empowered to take control of their weight loss journey and overall health.
To learn more about the partnership, visit ro.co/weight-loss/barkley.
