The director of Irish weight-loss company Bodyslims, Gerard Moran, saw his pay package soar to €2 million in 2023, despite challenges in the weight-loss industry. The latest financial statements for the Dublin-based company show that Moran’s salary increased to €924,000, up from €340,000 in 2022. His pension contribution also rose to €1.1 million, up from €700,000 the previous year.
Moran, who calls himself the “weight whisperer,” had already doubled his pay to €1 million in 2022. In December 2024, he announced he would step back from running Bodyslims courses but reassured followers that the company he founded would continue. In an emotional Instagram video, Moran explained that after a decade in charge, he wanted to exit on a high note.
Now 62, Moran told The Journal this week: “The business is now entirely managed by the Bodyslims team. As for my remuneration, this has been part of a long-term strategy to ensure this transition.”
Despite the increased pay, Bodyslims’ profits fell by 5%, reaching €782,000 in 2023. The company, which operates under the name Shard Ventures Ltd, also expanded its workforce, growing from nine to 14 employees. This increase in staff led to a rise in payroll costs, which doubled from €2.7 million to €5.1 million.
Bodyslims offers a weight-loss program based on calorie restriction, daily walking, motivational seminars, and online tools. Moran has previously defended his approach, emphasizing the importance of calorie counting and maintaining lifestyle changes. He has described the program as “healthy and natural.”
However, scientific studies show that people often regain weight after following lifestyle interventions like calorie counting. The rise of new weight-loss drugs like Ozempic has further complicated the industry. In 2024, Ozempic, marketed as Wegovy, saw global sales increase by 86%. This shift has affected many weight-loss businesses.
Irish multinational Glanbia recently announced the sale of its SlimFast brand, alongside a $91.4 million (€85.5 million) impairment charge. The company cited ongoing challenges in the diet category in the US.
The growing body positivity movement has also placed pressure on “diet culture,” with some programs, like RTÉ’s Operation Transformation, rethinking their approach. The show canceled its annual weight-loss series last summer, opting instead for a more “holistic” approach to health.
Dietitian Aoife Hearne, who left Operation Transformation in 2023, stated that she was not allowed to discuss weight-loss drugs like Ozempic during the show’s final season.
Despite these challenges, Moran remains optimistic. He stated: “While the weight-loss industry is undergoing a major shift, BodySlims’ unique approach is still in high demand from a global audience. We hope this continues in the future.”
