Since 2005, I've been a specialist in the field of obesity medicine. I couldn't imagine being anything other! Since the first time I met my first patient with weight management, I knew I found a speciality in which to make a difference for their health. My passion for obesity management grew as I immersed myself in the science of the subject and began to practice it. My patients were healthier and I was delighted to see them live a fuller life. It was this that I decided to become a nurse practitioner. Another thing I noticed was that many patients weren't getting their annual health screenings. They also didn't seek out other doctors for treatment for any health problems that were serious. They shared their stories about how they felt shamed and blamed by the clinicians with whom they had worked. They resisted appointments to avoid another unpleasant encounter. That was when I realized that I had to move upstream. To truly improve the lives and health of people with obesity, it was necessary to inform doctors about obesity treatment science as well as the importance of building respectful relationships. My commitment to leadership, mentoring, writing and speaking was born.