As someone who was born into the world with obesity, I understand the challenges of living in a body that others often judge and criticize. From a young age, I faced bullying from peers, shaming from healthcare providers, and constant scrutiny of my eating habits from family members. I still remember being at a family birthday party and being handed a plate of carrots and cottage cheese instead of the cake I wanted—told, “You don’t need that. You’re already fat.”
Throughout my school years, I was told I couldn’t participate in activities like sports because of my size. At 17, a doctor told me, “If you don’t do something about your weight, you’ll die before you reach 21.” That comment sent me down a destructive path of extreme dieting, including the use of diet pills and starving myself.
After my grandmother’s death, I reached a breaking point and stopped eating and drinking altogether. I was hospitalized for malnutrition and dehydration, where a nurse asked me two questions that changed everything: “How long have you lived in your body?” and “How long have they lived in your body?” Those questions helped me realize I had been letting others dictate what was best for me instead of trusting my own instincts.
A couple of years later, I moved to a city, and there I met a doctor who offered a radically different perspective. Whenever I met a new doctor, I always asked what they thought I should weigh, because I knew they would eventually bring it up. When I asked this doctor how much I “should” weigh, he responded, “How much do you want to weigh? At what weight do you feel most comfortable?” These empowering questions shifted my mindset from focusing on arbitrary numbers to focusing on self-awareness and personal comfort.
Despite my efforts to change my habits, I continued to struggle with weight fluctuations. I felt unworthy and unlovable. It wasn’t until my husband and I decided to undergo bariatric surgery that I began to understand the true complexities of obesity. Together, we committed to adopting a growth mindset and making sustainable changes in our eating habits.
While my husband experienced steady weight loss, I plateaued. I followed all the recommendations but still couldn’t lose weight. This led me to research why, no matter what I did, nothing changed—and that’s when I learned about the role genetics plays in obesity. Genetics, while significant, is just one piece of a larger, multifaceted picture. Understanding how genetics, environment, and personal behaviors interact was a turning point for me.
This new understanding transformed both my personal and professional approach to health. Today, I dedicate my work to supporting individuals living with obesity—offering guidance, empowerment, and compassion. I believe obesity is a multifaceted condition that requires a holistic, team-based approach to health, including medical support and sustainable lifestyle practices.
My mission is to help you rebuild your relationship with your body, develop habits that support your well-being, and create a life that feels whole and authentic. You are not alone in this journey—and I am here to support you every step of the way.