Shows
The BariNation PodcastTransformation Takes a Team with BariNation Headwork Expert Lora Grabow | Ep 245Have you ever felt like no one truly understands what you're going through on your bariatric journey? What if the missing piece to your success isn’t more willpower but an actual, supportive community that gets it?In this episode, a familiar face and voice to the BariNation Podcast, licensed therapist and obesity medicine coach Lora Grabow, joins us as we celebrate the fourth anniversary of our first podcast together and reflect on just how far we’ve come. Lora shares her connection to BariNation, and we dive deep into the power of live, professional-led support groups. Thes...
2025-04-2314 min
The BariNation PodcastEp 235 - Navigating the Complexities of Weight Bias in Fertility & Menopause Treatments: April Shares Her Story & Renewed Commitment to Self AdvocacyHas your body ever let you down? Join us for an inspiring story of overcoming challenges and finding strength in the BariNation community. Today, April is sharing some deeply personal information about her health journey, one that's been marked by both incredible progress and unexpected challenges. She’ll be opening up about her struggles of not being able to carry a child full-term before bariatric surgery, the recent developments with her hormonal medications and menopause diagnosis, and the frustrating news that insurance has stopped covering anti-obesity medicines. Despite these setbacks, she will also discuss her decision to move forward, lean...
2025-02-1213 min
The BariNation PodcastEp 226 - Life Updates with April, Jason, and Natalie: Navigating Change TogetherWe’re so excited to share what’s been happening in our lives! Over the past few months, we’ve been pausing, pivoting, and resetting, and we’re so grateful for your grace and support during this time. In this episode, Natalie talks about the whirlwind of starting a new job, moving to Portland, and how BariNation has helped her stay grounded through all the chaos. April shares why taking a step back to realign priorities has been so important for her, while Jason opens up about the confidence he’s gained through our amazing community. From taking big risks to e...
2024-12-1115 min
The BariNation PodcastEp 224 - Bariatric Intuitive Eating for the Holiday’s: Using “BariMath” with Kelly Broadwater & April WilliamsAre you feeling panicked about holiday eating derailing your bariatric journey? In this episode, we’re joined by Kelly Broadwater, who works closely with bariatric patients and shares her insights on navigating the season confidently. From understanding "BariMath," a tool that helps put indulgent meals into perspective, to tips on recognizing actual hunger cues and staying mindful, Kelly provides practical advice for enjoying holiday celebrations without guilt. Join us as we explore ways to stay on track, make thoughtful food choices, and let go of all-or-nothing thinking this holiday season. IN THIS EPISODE:[2:34] Kelly works with pat...
2024-11-2713 min
The BariNation PodcastEp 209 - Truth Tellers: 5 Year Post Op Reflections with April & Melanie LindellJoin us today as April and Melanie celebrate their 5-year surgiversaries with an incredible episode packed with wisdom and inspiration. They'll reveal their top 5 tips, sharing insights on the power of community, navigating the twists and turns of your journey, and embracing honesty about your experiences. Tune in now for amazing tips and inspiring stories!
IN THIS EPISODE:
[2:32] Melanie introduces herself and shares her story.
[4:26] Melanie summarizes what her community groups are all about.
[8:46] Melanie explains what “divorce the word only, and marry the word yet” means.
[10:56] April share...
2024-08-1439 min
The BariNation PodcastEp 208 - BariNation Summer BBQ: Let’s Get Grilling with April and JasonIs there a summer BBQ coming up, and you are a bit nervous on how to navigate it? If so, we’ve got you covered in this episode! April and Jason are here to prepare you on how to navigate BBQs and make the best choices for yourself. We cover how to use the opportunity to educate those around you, the three options available to you (in any food situation, not just BBQ’s), and when to say yes and no to foods. Tune in to uncover great tips so you can walk into that BBQ feeling confident in your...
2024-08-0715 min
The BariNation PodcastEp 206 - The Summer I Had Bariatric Surgery: Clearing the Deck with AprilAre you having Bariatric surgery this summer and feeling a little nervous about how you are going to manage recovery? If so, you are in luck! July 25th marks the 5 year anniversary of my (April) surgery (BariNation Co-Founder). I talk about what my experience was like having my vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery over the summer and the actions I had to take to make a full recovery. While this summer you might be feeling it’s not going to be the best summer of your life, I am here to tell you that every summer after will be more gl...
2024-07-2413 min
The BariNation PodcastEp 204 - Routines Reinvented: Thriving During SummerDo you feel like you are falling off track with your habits and routines now that summer is here? It can feel easy to lose your regular practices when kids are out of school or you are going on vacation, or attending summer BBQs, but there is hope! This week we discuss adapting to new routines during summer and how to make your new schedule successful. We also talk about how you may even find that something new you implement is something you want to continue with well into fall. Tune in to learn more about switching things up. ...
2024-07-1012 min
The BariNation Podcast199: Weighing Your Options: Anti-Obesity Medications and Weight Loss Surgery, A Deep Dive with Dr. Carl PestaWelcome to the very first professionally produced episode of the BariNation Podcast! Your hosts, April Williams, Jason Smith, and Natalie Tierney, are thrilled to embark on this journey with you. In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Pesta, a renowned expert in bariatrics. Dr. Pesta starts the discussion by sharing the critical markers of obesity. He then delves into the various preliminary approaches to overcoming the disease of obesity, including bariatric surgery. He also highlights how different cultures are affected. The conversation continues with an in-depth look at post-surgery medical approaches, weight loss statistics, the...
2024-06-0543 min
The BariNation Podcast198: Quieting the Noise: How Bariatric Surgery, Community, Mindset, and Medications Help Quiet Food NoiseDo you think about food often? Are there constant food-related thoughts racing through your brain every day? This constant chatter centered around food has been dubbed “food noise,” and it seems to be a topic of great discussion lately, but for good reason. For decades, people fighting the disease of obesity knew what it was because they experienced it constantly, we just never had a term for it, and we just didn’t know it was something other people experienced.
Obesity is an isolating disease, and for so long, April, Jason, and Natalie through their e...
2024-05-2952 min
The BariNation Podcast197: Is There A Right Time To Have Bariatric Surgery?Is there a right time to have bariatric surgery?
We always hear this question from BariNation Members, our friends, and followers. Undergoing bariatric surgery requires months to prepare for your procedure and can require a few months of recovery. The process often involves our friends and family and significantly disrupts our daily lives. Many of us will take extended time off work to recoup, and arrangements must be made for the humans we care for. There is a lot that goes into planning and preparing for surgery.
But at the end of the day, we do...
2024-05-2225 min
The BariNation Podcast195: Don't Know Where to Begin? Your Beginner's Guide to Bariatric Movement with Monique Coleman, CFIMoving our bodies is a BariNation Pillar of Bariatric Success, but it is one that so many people struggle with. We know it is essential for short-term recovery and long-term success, but finding joyful movement, building a practice, and sticking with it can be challenging.
In this episode, April, Jason, and Natalie sat down with BariNation Movement Expert Monique Coleman to understand where we can start when we don’t even know where the start line is. Each shares their personal movement struggles and the strategies they will use during BariNation’s Spring Into Summer Movement Challenge.
...
2024-05-0746 min
The BariNation Podcast194 - Spring Into Summer Movement with Rob DiMedio, M, Ed, CPT, CNCSummer is the best time to start a movement practice! The weather is warmer, we are outside more, and stress usually decreases because our work demands are lower. And all that sunshine just calls us to move more! But there are some other fantastic reasons to spend your summer dialing in your movement routines.
April Williams sat down with BariNation Expert and friend Rob DiMedio to better understand how powerful it was to establish some movement guardrails in the summer. And if you are just trying to figure out where to start regarding movement, they shared two e...
2024-04-2342 min
The BariNation Podcast193- Road Trippin' to Wellness: Timisha and Tim Become Road WarriorsMaking the decision to undergo bariatric surgery is life-changing. It requires lots of research, soul-searching, and some hard-core commitment to being ok with learning how to live life differently. Our friend and BariNation Expert Timisha MAlone, LMSW, and her husband Tim recently made the decision to sell their home and travel the US on an RV and we wanted to know how they are adjusting to bari life on the road!
Both Timisha and Tim are bariatric patients, are raising two small children, and learning to navigate some newly diagnosed chronic conditions. Timisha’s health requires her to...
2024-04-1834 min
The BariNation Podcast192- Move Your Mind: How Exercise Can Boost Your Mental Wellbeing with Daryl PerryWe know that movement is one of the most important things we need to focus on after bariatric surgery; it’s even one of BariNation’s Pillars of Bariatric Success. We also know that it can be one of the hardest Pillars to live because of the role exercise played in our lives before bariatric surgery. If movement was how we “punished” ourselves for food-related decisions, we might not be overjoyed to start moving again.
We sat down with Daryl Perry, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Habit-Based Nutritional Coach, and founder of You Level Fitness to understand the connectio...
2024-04-1047 min
The BariNation Podcast190: Walk This Way: How Daily Walks Transformed My Life in 2023 with Lora Grabow, LMSWWalking is one of the most accessible yet underrated forms of movement. We often tell ourselves and others that we “just” went for a walk, discounting its tremendous physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits.
In 2023, our friend and BariNation Expert Bariatric Therapist Lora Grabow, LMSW, walked daily and joined us to share her aha moments and most significant takeaways from 365 days of movement. She ran into the same setbacks we all do regarding motivation and willpower and often laced up her shoes mad, angry, and sad. In this episode, she talks about the power of accou...
2024-03-2744 min
The BariNation Podcast189: Understanding and Honoring Hunger with Jane Stoltze, RDHunger is something every human can experience, but in people who suffer from the disease of obesity, hunger is more than a physical experience. Hunger can be ever-present, insatiable, and a constant worry. Emotional or “head” hunger can drive what many people recognize as “food noise”- the continual thought of food. How can we learn to recognize when our hunger is real or emotional? What can we do to honor not only our physical hunger but our emotional hunger?
We sat down with Jane Stoltz, a Registered Bariatric Dietitian from Australia, to better understa...
2024-03-2044 min
The BariNation Podcast187: Beyond the Prescription: How Food Fuels Your GLP-1 Journey with Jeannie Boyer, RD, CSOWMObesity is a lifelong and chronic disease that millions of Americans battle every day. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment of the disease, but weight loss medication advancements are making them a viable treatment option. A recent Goldman Sachs study estimated that by 2030, 15 million Americans would be taking an anti-obesity medication to treat the disease and live at a weight that allows them to metabolize well. These medications are promising, but are they the “magic pill” many people hope for?
Without focusing on all of the pillars of bariatric success, these medications, like bariatric surgery, will not b...
2024-03-0649 min
The BariNation Podcast186: Muscle Matters: Building a Stronger You After Bariatric Surgery with Dr. Shannon McMannWe are told that resistance movement is critically important after weight loss surgery, but why? We had so many questions about this topic. We sat down with Dr. Shannon McMann, a board-certified Internal and Obesity Medicine specialist who is also a bariatric patient, to understand why muscle matters before and after surgery.
In this conversation, we asked her why maintaining and building muscle is so important for short and long-term recovery and why the quality of our muscles matters. We wanted to know if there were specific kinds of movement that would help us build more high-quality m...
2024-02-2847 min
The BariNation Podcast183: Unlock Growth: How Daily Practices Supercharge Habits and RoutinesHow many times have you attempted to institute new habits or rouintes, but find yourself never being able to stick with them? Are you frustrated and feeling like you are always “falling back into old habits?” Dont worry, we feel and experience the same thing when we attempt to establish a bew bariatric-aligned routine.
April sat down with Aransas Savas, a personal development expert with decades of experience helping people move past their personal barriers and create lasting change in their lives. April wanted to know if there is a better way to really change what we do an...
2024-02-0751 min
The BariNation Podcast182: Feeling Full with Less- Community Decluttering Stories Are you tired of feeling “stuffed” all the time? Everywhere you look, you see and feel stuffed with things, with memories, with things that you think you should be doing but don’t have the time or energy to do? Yeah, we know the feeling too.
We recently welcomed a new Expert in the BariNation Membership Community who is a professionally trained organizer. Her name is Spring Coourtright and she was trained by one of the world's most recognized organizer, Marie Konda. Spring has been leading a Decluttering Challenge in the BariNation Community and the impacts have been de...
2024-01-3135 min
Plugged In - A Banking PodcastEp 25: Pizza parties, digital banks, university appeal // April ClobesIn this episode, Al and Steve sit down with April Clobes, president and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union, to chat about growth strategies in Michigan, a state that ranks 49th in overall population growth since the 1990s. Spoiler: For the university credit union, it includes more intimate marketing, like sponsoring green-and-white pizzas (the university’s colors) and pizza-making classes.April also dishes on the credit union’s two digital banks, while the crew explores how to deal with lost revenue when becoming a $10 billion institution (thanks, Durbin).
2024-01-2429 min
The BariNation Podcast177 - Our Year in Review with April Williams, Jason Smith, and Natalie TierneyAs this year comes to a close, BariNation co-hosts April Williams, Jason Smith, and Natalie Tierney sit down to reflect on this year, and predict what is to come in 2024.
This year was full of learning, growth, some turbulence, and best of all: community. The three co-hosts discuss how leaning on their support systems and their bariatric community have helped them navigate some intense moments this year. April and Natalie both made the taxing decisions to leave their jobs and continue to build the BariNation support community on a volunteer basis, while Jason pursued and had his r...
2023-12-2854 min
The BariNation Podcast175- Breaking Free: A Guide for Bariatric Patients to Lift and Move Beyond Shame with Dr. Eric Smith, DOWelcome to a transformative episode of The BariNation Podcast, a show dedicated to supporting individuals on their bariatric and weight loss journey. In this episode, we explore the pivotal topic of lifting the heavy burden of shame. We draw inspiration and insights from Dr. Eric Smith, the Director of the Kentucky Bariatric Institute and BariNation co-founders and hosts April Williams and Natalie Tierney.
Dr. Brené Brown defines shame as “the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging—something we’ve experienced, done, or failed to do makes u...
2023-12-1245 min
The BariNation Podcast174: Beyond the Scale: Understanding Weight Regain After Weight Loss Surgery with Dr. Robert KushnerRegain, now known as weight recurrence in the medical community, is something most bariatric patients worry about. In today's episode, we deeply dive with obesity doctor and researcher Dr. Robert Kushner, to understand why patients regain weight after bariatric surgery. We want you to leave this episode with an understanding of why weight recurrence happens, why it is not something to be ashamed of, and some steps you can take to reverse any regain you might experience.
Weight recurrence happens for many reasons, and most are out of a patient’s control. Our body has a weight set...
2023-12-0654 min
The BariNation Podcast173: Fueling for Movement with Kim Tirapelle, MS, RD, CSSMMovement is a pillar of bariatric success, but increased movement can mean we also need to increase our nutritional intake. For pre and post-op weight loss surgery patients, this can be a scary undertaking. Surgery reduces the amount of food we can take in at one time, and knowing how to fuel our bodies for movement can be triggering for so many reasons. What kinds of foods do we need to include? How much will be too much or excessive? How will we know when it is time to increase our intake? These are some big, scary questions that many...
2023-11-291h 18
The BariNation Podcast172: Growing Into Gratitude with Katie Booker, LCSWWhat do you notice when you look at pictures of your heavier self? Like many of us, you might notice harsh, critical, or judgemental thoughts or feelings. The sensations in your body may feel uncomfortable causing feelings of shame or disgust. We have spent months, years, or even decades, trying to hide, ignore, or push away our “old self”. The tricky part is that the old version of ourselves still lives inside of us. When we speak unkindly and without compassion to our “old self”, they can hear & feel it. It resonates and vibrates in and all around you impacting our present se...
2023-11-221h 00
The BariNation Podcast171-Holiday Survival Guide: How to Navigate Holiday HotspotsThe holiday season can be stressful, especially for bariatric surgery patients. The added emphasis on food and family can kick our stress levels into overdrive. We might be seeing people who are not supportive of our journey, or we are worried about being pressured into eating foods that are not aligned with our bariatric life. Throw in grief, shame, and worry; you have a recipe for a not-so-merry and bright season.
For some patients, their decision to undergo weight loss surgery is private. We can panic when questions and comments are asked at these events, and we d...
2023-11-161h 03
The BariNation Podcast169 Mabel: Surviving Holiday Judgment: Navigating the Season as a Bariatric PatientIn this thought-provoking episode, Bariatric Coach Mabel Joseph deep dives into the concept of judgment – what it is, why it's an intrinsic part of being human, and how it affects those on a bariatric journey. Judgment is a normal brain behavior, a mechanism through which we comprehend the world, determine safety, define right from wrong, and make efficient decisions to safeguard our well-being. It is a very normal human behavior. But when our loved ones judge our decision to undergo weight loss surgery and the life we lead after our procedure, our reactions to it can cause us harm.
...
2023-11-0150 min
The BariNation Podcast167: Growing Through Bariatric Grief with Timisha Malone, LISCWAs if the bariatric journey is not emotional enough, we can exerpieince grief when anything in our life changes. The loss of a connection to what we knew or the past can trigger the waves of grief, even happy moments or momentous occasions can cause grief to be present in our lives. We want to better understand the waves of grief and leanr how we can grow through the grief, using it as a powerful tool for growth.
We sat down with Timisha Malone, a bariatric therapist who specalizes in grief and a patient herself. She has o...
2023-10-181h 02
The BariNation Podcast160: Summer Check-In: How We’re Showing Ourselves LoveThis week, we (April, Jason, and Natalie) sat down with each other for a much needed check-in. Having time to have raw and real conversations has been rare these days, so when we had the time we made it happen. Life hasn’t slowed down, in fact it’s only ramped up, this summer and we needed some time to break down the walls and give each other an update.
As we spoke, we realized that self-love really isn’t the flashy, toxic positivity we all tend to see online. Instead, it looks like: allowing ourselves to feel o...
2023-07-1950 min
The BariNation PodcastEpisode 158: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!We are exceptionally proud to announce the groundbreaking collaboration between BariNation, a renowned provider of educational resources and support, and the esteemed Kentucky Bariatric Institute to revolutionize the field of bariatric medicine. With a shared commitment to transformative change, BariNation and Kentucky Bariatric Institute are poised to make a lasting impact on bariatric lives across the nation and beyond.
April, Jason, and Natalie found the aftercare their surgeons provided inadequate. When their search came up dry, they sought out to create exactly what they needed: a safe and educational online community platform where they could continue their j...
2023-06-2732 min
The BariNation PodcastEpisode 153: Springing Forward Check-in with April, Jason and Nat
April, Jason and Natalie sat down to check in with each other and to reflect on the amazing strides that BariNation has seen in the last few years.
Spring brings forth change, and change can be scary and daunting if we aren’t looking at it from the perspective of evolving, not just changing for the sake of change. April, Jason and Natalie all had incredible revelations in the last few months. BariNation is growing and evolving, and the three founders are needing to release some control and learn how to move through the gri...
2023-04-261h 04
The BariNation Podcast150: Moving Through WLS Complications with Melanie Lindell, TherapistMost bariatric patients will not experience any complications after their surgery but 1% will. Complications can happen at any stage of your journey, even years or decades after. Complications present patients with a landscape they never envisioned living in and require a great deal of strength, support, and care to navigate through.
Melanie Lindell, a bariatric patient and trauma therapist, has lived through and is currently living through her own WLS complications. She joined us to talk about how patients can navigate these uncharted waters in healthy and effective ways. If you have not experienced WLS complications but...
2023-04-051h 22
The BariNation PodcastEpisode 148: What We Wish We Knew: Life in Maintenance with Elle
Trigger Warning: Discussions about disordered eating.
Sometimes the universe aligns and turns lemons into lemonade. April was able to sit down with Elle, BariNation community member and bariatric patient for an incredibly impactful conversation about Life in Matinaiance. Elle was on a mission to finally conquer her obesity but discovered something even greater in the process, her truest self. In this episode, she will share how she has flipped her understanding of what it means to be living a life in maintenance and is embracing her strongest skills to craft a life that is w...
2023-03-2459 min
The BariNation PodcastEpisode 147: What We Wish We Knew: Life in MaintenanceThis week, April sat down with three amazing community members who are in the Life in Maintenance stage, Casey, Laura, and Fiona. In this powerful episode, each person shared what Maintenance has meant to them, how different it has ended up appearing in their lives, and how they are living to adjust to all that life is throwing their way. They each will share some powerful insights and the real and raw aspects of their journeys. While each person’s path to Maintenance has looked very different, the bigger aha moments are remarkably similar.
We are so tha...
2023-03-221h 24
The BariNation PodcastEpisode 144: Pre-Op Love (What We Wish We Knew)
TRIGGER WARNING: Addiction and substance abuse is mentioned!
This month on BariNation, we are focusing on pre-op love! Our pre-surgery selves play a vital role in our lives. They fought for surgery, they battled food addiction, and they shaped the life we are living today.
April, Jason, and Natalie reflected on what they wish they knew prior to committing to surgery. From realizing they had a food addiction, to “damn, I wish I knew headwork was a thing!” they get deep into their “Why” of having surgery in the first place.
Are you feel...
2023-03-011h 16
The BariNation Podcast139: January 2023 Goals Check-InIt’s one thing to have a goal; it is another thing to achieve it. April, Jason, and Natalie are on a mission to achieve some big thing this year, and they sat down to review how it has all been going. They shared what has been working well for them and what has stopped them in their tracks. Join the BariNation crew for an insightful conversation about growth, change, and decision making.
Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, yo...
2023-01-251h 03
The BariNation Podcast134: Looking Back on 2022, Looking Ahead to 2023What a year 2022 has been! At times, it was the year that would never end. And in other times, the year went by in a flash. This year was filled with travel, tragedy, and triumphs, and through all those things, we connected, learned, and grew.
In this episode, Jason, April, and Natalie reflect on the year that has been and share our biggest takeaways. We then look forward to 2023 and share who we want to be, why we want to become that person, and how we think we can become that person. We hope this episode allows...
2022-12-281h 24
The BariNation Podcast134: Holiday Help**Trigger warning: Trauma is mentioned in this episode. We do not share specific traumas we have experienced, but we do discuss it in very broad and general terms.
The holidays can be a real mixed bag of emotions. Some years, the holiday “spirit” is readily available, you are inspired to give back, you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, and the season fills you with joy. In other years, you never want to hear a holiday song and the tree can stay int he forest.
This season can be “heavy” for a few reas...
2022-12-2156 min
The BariNation Podcast131: A Bari Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that could go either way. Either we are excited to reconnect with family and friends, or we are worried about encounters with said family and friends. And how do bariatric patients navigate a holiday that is centered around eating? April, Jason, and Natalie each took some time to reflect on how they celebrated Thanksgiving in the past and how it has shifted after bariatric surgery. In this episode, you will hear from each of them as they share from the heart in a new way. This episode is not just about surviving but t...
2022-11-2350 min
The BariNation Podcast128: BariNation Turns ONE! It's All About Community, Connection, and CelebrationBirthdays are a big deal. They signify growth, change, and the passage of time. It is hard to believe that one year ago, on November 4th, East2West_WLS became BariNation. The shift was needed and necessary. We were ready to acknowledge a shift in our community and live out our values more meaningfully. We believe that when we unite as a nation of bariatric patients, we can create the support and community we need to find lasting success.
This year has been filled with so many firsts; new connections and friendships, new opportunities, new learning curves...
2022-11-021h 07
The BariNation Podcast126: Our Movement StoriesThere are three pillars of bariatric success after bariatric surgery. If surgery is the foundation of our journey, the pillars are what support everything that is built on that solid base and movement is one of those pillars. While a majority of our weight will be lost through dilligetnation attention to nutrition, movement ensures we live long, healthy lives. Before surgery, movement was a form of punishment, a way to absolve our eating or drinking sins and pay for the wrongs we committed along the way. After surgery, movement is a celebration of what your bodies can do, but...
2022-10-191h 07
The BariNation Podcast123: Stepping Away, Coming BackSometimes, stepping away from life is the only way to get through it. At times, life calls us to step away. Other times, we feel the call within ourselves to step away, to move back, to retreat from something big, bold, scary, or sad. But what happens when we come back? What do we do when we have to come back, or we are called back? How do we engage with our lives again when we feel tectonic shifts have forever changed the landscape?
April, Jason, and Natalie reflect on their summers and dig into why we...
2022-09-211h 09
The BariNation Podcast121: Why We Podcast with OSLPPodcasts have the power to change lives. They can be a powerful tool we can all use to find a missing piece along our journey, make connections that have elluded us, and bring people together who are on similar paths. They can be the nudge that finally pushes us into action.
April and Jason started the East2WestWLS because they were looking for that support, that connection, that community and could not find it. They believed they had the power to create what they needed, and they took a chance on the belief that as they supported...
2022-09-091h 41
The BariNation Podcast117: August Summer, Steady Check-InThis summer has NOT gone the way any of us thought it would. Things are in disarray, but we are not ready to give in or give up yet!
In this episode, April, Jason, and Natalie reflect on their goals and how they have (or have not) been working towards them. We discovered that even though things are not going to plan, we are making small course corrections along the way. We each identified some areas we wanted to continue to work on and shared our game plan for making that happen.
Do you feel...
2022-08-031h 13
The BariNation Podcast113: Summer, Steady Check-InThis summer, we are focusing on staying steadily aligned to our goals. We want to create or refine habits, systems, and routines that are not along aligned to our goals but feel automatic. Ultimately, we want to create a life we feel that we never want or need a vacation from.
April, Jason, and Natalie sat down to review their Summer, Steady goals and update each other on their progress so far. There were plenty of “ah-ha” moments and Natalie shared a brilliant meal planning system she has been using and loving. We so enjoyed catching up with...
2022-07-0645 min
The BariNation Podcast112: Balancing BariLife with Rissa and ChrisWe hear that balance is the key to success in everything. We need to find a balance between our work and home lives. We need to find a balance between enjoying foods that are in and out of bariatric compliance. We need to balance the things we say YES to with the things we say NO to.
This is all well and good…but what does this balance actually look like, IN REAL LIFE?
In this episode, April, Jason, and Natalie sat down with two of our favorite humans in the bariatric community, Rissa and Chri...
2022-06-291h 26
The BariNation Podcast111: Talking to Children About Obesity and Bariatric SurgeryObesity is a chronic disease that will require lifelong treatment. When you are a parent, you have an added layer of helping your children learn about obesity and be an active participant in your bariatric journey before and after surgery. This conversation can be challenging when we ourselves don’t understand the very disease we are fighting well enough to help our children understand why bariatric surgery is a needed and necessary tool for our metabolic goals.
In this episode, April, Jason, and Natalie welcome Dr. Myers, Dr. Riddle, and Heather Baum, Bariatric patients, and Bariatric Nurse Pr...
2022-06-221h 10
The BariNation Podcast110: Our Summer, Steady GoalsFor too many years, we allowed ourselves to lose our focus during the summer months. The warmer weather, the longer days, those summer vibes flipped a switch in our brains and all of our goals and aspirations went out the window.
If we want to lead a different life after surgery, we have to live a different life. We have to do things differently. And one of the things we need to do differently is SUMMER. Instead of falling off the rails this summer, we want to go Summer, Steady. We want to remain steadily aligned to...
2022-06-2155 min
Unapologetically Me with ADWGET IN POSITION!This was goooood! I pray you enjoyed it❤️❤️ If you did make sure you share it with 3 ppl. I discussed John 15:7, but read all of John 15 when you have time. We must get in position to receive what we are believing God for! Connect with me via social media ⬇️ IG: Loclady_ FB: April Williams Make sure you subscribe to the YouTube channel where I post videos daily! ⬇️⬇️ https://youtube.com/channel/UCpQ0R-_YYG2EiGHjr6LY8nw Shop Unapologetically me Clothing 🥳🎉👕
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2022-06-1712 minUnapologetically Me with ADWHEAVY TALK PT.3In this episode I discussed the Holy Spirit and all that he is to us! I hope you enjoyed this episode! If you did I definitely want to hear about it. The scriptures I talked about are Isaiah 54:17, 1 John 4:4, Connect with me via social media ⬇️ IG: Loclady_ FB: April Williams Make sure you subscribe to the YouTube channel where I post videos daily! ⬇️⬇️ https://youtube.com/channel/UCpQ0R-_YYG2EiGHjr6LY8nw Shop Unapologetically me Clothing 🥳🎉👕
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2022-06-1021 min
The BariNation Podcast106: The Power of Peer SupportApril, Jason and Natalie sat down with Jason’s wife, Sarah to reflect on the power of peer support and the importance of a strong support system. Whether it's a best friend, family member, peer support advocate, mental health counselor or our own BariNation community, meeting someone who has personally changed your life and supports you is the most powerful thing someone can have.
We are so thankful for our digital spaces. It provides us a safe place to create and grow new friendships and support. Finding support on your bariatric journey can be scary and you mi...
2022-05-251h 04Unapologetically Me with ADWRAISE THE ENERGYWe don’t match energy, we raise it! Hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did I definitely want to hear about it. Connect with me via social media ⬇️ IG: Loclady_ FB: April Williams Make sure you subscribe to the YouTube channel where I post videos daily! ⬇️⬇️ https://youtube.com/channel/UCpQ0R-_YYG2EiGHjr6LY8nw Shop Unapologetically me Clothing 🥳🎉👕
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2022-05-2006 min
The BariNation Podcast105: Our Stories, In Real LifeApril, Jason, and Natalie sat down to reflect on their time at Advent Health’s Bariatric Retreat hosted by The Bariatric Society. The power of our stories was on full display and hearing them in person amplified the message and the power this community has.
We are so thankful for our digital spaces. It provides us a safe place to create and grow new friendships and connections. Meeting in real life can be scary, what if your internet friends are not who they appear to be online? What if you don’t share anything in common? In the...
2022-05-1848 minUnapologetically Me with ADWREAP WHAT YOU SOWGalatians 6:7-8, Luke 6:38 is the scripture I quoted. Reaping a harvest from sowing good seeds is real! Test it!!! I hope you enjoyed this episode if you did make sure you let me know on my social media or at the contact below. FB: April Williams IG: Loclady_ Email me @ aprilwilliams954@yahoo.com OR https://linktr.ee/Lifecoachaprilwilliams
Also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
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2022-05-1310 minUnapologetically Me with ADWHow to find your purpose!I hope this helps someone. If you have any questions, comments, concerns feel free to contact me on any social media. IG: Loclady_ FB: April Williams Email: aprilwilliams954@yahoo.com OR
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2022-05-0617 min
The BariNation Podcast102: Owning Your StoryOur story is about our struggles. While we might think of our struggles in a negative light, it is actually where the “meat” of our personal stories lives. It is where hidden truths become known, it is where deeper understandings and connections are found, and it is where the change happens. Our struggles define us and at the same time, unite us.
In this episode, April, Jason, and Natalie reflect on the struggles of their past and how they are using the acknowledgment of their past feelings and emotions to own their present. The goal of owning our...
2022-04-2735 min
The BariNation Podcast100: Celebrating our 100th EpisodeWhen April and Jason recorded their first podcast episode, they never imagined that it would turn into BariNation. They were frustrated by the lack of support they received from their surgical centers and felt isolated by the COVID pandemic that shut down the world. They were looking for the support they needed, and when they could not find it, they created it. Their humble podcast blossomed as they welcomed Natalie to the team after they interviewed her on the 16th episode of the podcast. The BariNation podcast has become one of the top bariatric podcasts and is loved by...
2022-04-131h 02
The BariNation Podcast098: Setbacks and ObstaclesLike the rain, there are no stopping setbacks and obstacles. They will continue to move through our lives no matter how well prepared for the worse. Before bariatric surgery, many of us turned to food to help us navigate these stressful moments. After surgery, we come to understand that if we want to find our happy, healthy weight, we cannot turn to food at every setback or obstacle.
In this episode, April, Jason, and Natalie discuss some of the setbacks they experienced before and after surgery and how they have learned to shift their mindset and actions...
2022-04-061h 03Unapologetically Me with ADWWORDS CARRY WEIGHTOur words are so powerful, and we have to begin to use them to lift each other up and not tear each other down. Feel free to reach out and connect with me and let me know what you thought/felt about this episode! ❤️❤️ My contact info is below or connect with me on social media. IG: Loclady_ FB: April Williams Linktr.ee/lifecoachaprilwilliams
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2022-03-0408 min
The BariNation Podcast091: The Growing Pains of Self-LoveThe Growing Pains of Self-Love
This is one of the most personal episodes April has ever recorded. We know that learning how to love ourselves is difficult and Mabel gave us a master class in WHY it can be such a painful process. She broke April like a farm-fresh egg getting scrambled in a hot skillet. Mabel was able to identify the reason April struggles to open herself to self-love and helped us understand the many other reasons the practice can feel so uncomfortable. Buckle up friends, Mabel threw down in this episode and we know it...
2022-02-231h 03
The BariNation Podcast080: Headwork for the HolidaysThe holidays can invoke some heavy emotions and feelings. On top of the sense of loss and grief, we might be feeling after our bariatric surgery, we might also be feeling the missing presence of loved ones. And when you add on the additional layer of the pandemic and just life in general, this season can become overwhelming. And when things get overwhelming, we tend to fall back on old habits, actions, routines, and thoughts to help us find brief moments of comfort.
We must acknowledge that using food to help us through difficult moments is allowed...
2021-12-1537 min
The BariNation Podcast067: Metabolic Wellness BasicsWe made the decision to have bariatric surgery for many reasons. Many of us are seeking metabolic wellness...we have just never called it that! Metabolic wellness can be defined as having ideal levels of blood sugar, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure, and waist circumference, without using medications. These factors directly relate to a person’s risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
If we lose our metabolic flexibility, we will have a much harder time fighting off diseases like Type 2 diabetes and heart failure. BMI can be misleading and only gives us a very sm...
2021-09-2248 min
The BariNation Podcast066: Mindset BasicsMindset is the last thing we think of when we think of weight loss but it is actually the most crucial of all of the pillars of bariatric success. When our motivation and willpower disappear, our mindset is what will actually push us through to make those lasting changes necessary to live at our happy, healthy weight.
In this episode, Jason, April, and Natalie sat down to talk about mindset. We wanted to know what it meant to each other, how it has become a tool in our bariatric toolbox, and how we are using it this m...
2021-09-1554 min
The BariNation Podcast065: Movement Basics with MichaelaOur body is designed to move. We also understand that you might not always feel like moving! We define “movement” as “intentional movement that is beyond your everyday normal.” We love this definition because it meets you where you are at NOW, not where you were or where you are going. In this episode, April and Jason sat down with Michaela @losingtoblooming to deep dive into movement. We wanted to know:
How bariatric movement is different
How it can help us find lasting success after bariatric surgery
How we can overcome our movement doubts and excuses
How we can get...
2021-09-081h 10
The BariNation Podcast064: Getting Back to Bariatric BasicsHave you fallen off your bariatric wagon? Has your wagon crashed into a ravine somewhere and do you need some help getting back on track? Don't worry...ours has too. WE GOT YOU!
In this episode, April, Jason, and Natalie share their recent bariatric struggles, setbacks, and stumbles and talk about how they will be getting back on track in September. They set goals and talk through the goal-setting process, helping set each other up for SUCCUSS!
Our goal is to create content that is of value to our community. If you have a topic, id...
2021-09-011h 07
The BariNation Podcast060: Celebrating TWO YEARS Post-Op!We have a 50% chance of regaining our weight two years after our bariatric procedure. These two critical years will make or break our long-term success and once we reach this milestone and have maintained our new low weight, we should take a moment to CELEBRATE!
April recently reached this milestone and we took some time to reflect on what has changed and what has stayed the same. The trio had the opportunity to talk about what fun is and looks like after bariatric surgery and think about how we can continue to have fun in ways that...
2021-08-041h 08
The BariNation Podcast046: 3-Month Post-Op Check-In with Katie @katie.vsgCurious what life will be like after bariatric surgery? Jason and April recently sat down with their friend Katie @katie.vsg to hear how her life has changed after her VSG procedure! Katie is so open and honest about her experience, and this conversation is a continuation of her raw accounting of how life has changed after her procedure. One of the biggest "ah-ha" moments so far has been the impact feeling "normal" has had on her. We asked her some hard questions and she answered them with brutal honesty. We *LOVE* @katie.vsg and we know you will...
2021-05-021h 23
The BariNation Podcast042: Reclaiming Our Health with Teri TurnerMany of us have had people in our lives who have been our *ultimate* teachers. A person who inspires and uplifts our potential, who shows us new and exciting ways of doing things, a person who shows us how to show up in the world as our authentic selves. Some of us are fortunate enough to have these people in our own families. Many of us turn to public figures, people who put their talents to the world in hopes of helping others. Teri Turner is one such human. She is the captain of No Crumbs Left- an online...
2021-04-151h 10
The BariNation Podcast037: Shifting our MindsetWe believe there are three "pillars" of bariatric success: movement, mindset, and metabolic wellness. Each is equally important and each requires different skills, tools, and approaches to incorporate into our daily lives before and after bariatric surgery. April and Jason can share their experience and recipes for success, but we are here to connect this community with the experts in their field so we can learn and grow with the BEST!
We sat down with Mabel, the founder of Beyond the Sleeve Academy to understand how we can make the mindset shifts we need to become the...
2021-03-241h 15
The BariNation Podcast032: The Male Perspective- Mental Health and Plastics with DaltonEpisode Warning: Suicide and suicide prevention is discussed in this episode.
Over 250,000 people undergo some type of bariatric surgery each year and 40% of those people are men. But most of the public support for bariatric patients is geared towards women. We are here to change that because men face the same and similar "work" to live their lives at a healthy weight, and that work requires the support of this community.
We sat down with Dalton who has lost over 150 pounds after undergoing gastric bypass. We wanted to know how he has found success after bariatric surgery and it comes d...
2021-02-241h 22
The BariNation Podcast031: Finding our Movement Mindset with Michaela, NSAM CPTWe have some *mind-blowing* news for you...even Certified Personal Trainers and fitness wizards have days where they don't feel like moving. Read that again. UNBELIEVABLE...but TRUE! Turns out feeling resistance to movement is not something that only a few people experience...it is something that everyone experiences!
We sat down with Michaela Miller, the amazing human, bariatric patient/coach, and newly-minted NSAM CPT to talk about the movement mindset. We wanted to know what that mindset is, how we can find it for ourselves, and how we keep it even on days that we don't...
2021-02-171h 44
The BariNation Podcast030: Starting Where We Are with NerissaThe "all or nothing" mindset- a slippery slope of motivation. We when are committed to a cause, we want to give it out all, and we should. But when we don't meet our lofty goals, we can use this mindset as an excuse...an out...a reason to give up and stay stagnant. For many of us, we used this mindset as an "offramp" when the going got tough. The work of weight loss surgery is to shift away from this mindset and to be ok with starting where we are in the moment. We have to be ok...
2021-02-101h 43
The BariNation Podcast029: The Power of Starting SmallHaving an "all or nothing" mentality can work in some situations, but for many of us, we have used that mindset as an excuse to give up the ghost when the going gets tough. To find lasting success after bariatric surgery, we have to either change our mindset to be more flexible when setbacks happen. We sat down with Melissa Reese, the founder of Harbor Total Wellness to better understand what "wellness" means to someone immersed in the fitness industry and learn how to make "all or another" more about "slow and steady". Melissa's approach is all about starting...
2021-02-081h 23
The BariNation Podcast028: Motivation, Movement, and Management with Dez @wokeuplikedezWe had the *unbelievable* opportunity to sit down with the one and only DEZ @wokeuplikedez and we are SHOOK. We wanted to know how she does it all- how does she grow an empire and STILL get in her workouts and hit her nutrition goals? Inquiring minds want to know ;)
In this episode, we deep dive into the three M's: Motivation, Movement, and Management. It was such a great discussion about dedication and discipline to your goals and how emotional motivation will only get you so far. This episode will leave you READY to make movement a...
2021-02-031h 08
The BariNation Podcast027: Preparing for WLS with Stephanie @one_hungry_motherMaking the decision to have bariatric surgery is a road well traveled for many of us. We had been on the road for years, sometimes decades, before a defining moment pushed us to accept our reality; that bariatric surgery was going to be the "only" thing that would allow us to live our lives at a healthy weight. We recently sat down with Stephanie, the founder of the Bariatric Bookclub and co-founder of The Bariatric Society to talk about her bariatric "travels". We wanted to know how she came to the decision to have bariatric surgery but we really...
2021-01-271h 42
The BariNation Podcast027: Rediscovering Hope with @katie.vsgWe had the *unreal* opportunity to sit down with @katie.vsg a few days before her VSG procedure and then 5 weeks post-op. What an AMAZING and transformative conversation we had!
We got to understand what she was going through before her procedure and then discuss how it all played out after. The conversation really landed on the word "hope"- and it beautifully describes what a *gift* bariatric surgery can be in our lives.
If you don't follow Katie on Instagram, you are doing life wrong. Find her @katie.vsg
We also encourage y...
2021-01-251h 54
The BariNation Podcast026: Finding RedemptionIt is amazing what you can discover about your own story, your own journey, by listening to other people’s stories. And Andy Vargo’s story shed some insightful and meaningful understanding of our own bariatric journeys! Andy is a published author and motivational speaker who helps people own their awkwardness and utilize it as a kind of superpower. In this far-reaching episode, we dive into how we can overcome secrets, disqualifications, and the arrival fallacy to find lasting happiness and success!
Follow Andy on Instagram @awkwardcareer and visit him online at www.awkwardcareer.com!
Epis...
2021-01-201h 22
The BariNation Podcast026: Oh, GIRLFRIEND!What do you get when five women who have known each other for *decades* get together in a Zoom session? Some serious insight, big laughs, and a whole lot of love! April welcomed four of her closest girlfriends to conversate and reflect on her bariatric procedure. Some of the questions were tough and some "ah-ha" moments presented new insights and understanding about what it means to undergo and have a friend undergo bariatric surgery. If you are wondering how you can bring your girlfriends along for your WLS ride, this conversation is for you!
Episode Topics:
...
2021-01-181h 55
The BariNation Podcast025: Finding our Happy with Maddie!We wanted to talk with Maddie about how she recreates her "old school" favorite recipes into bariatric-friendly versions, but we got a WHOLE lot more out of our conversation with her than just her kitchen secrets! Maddie has been supporting the bariatric community since her gastric bypass procedure in 2017 and has recently launched an amazing website that is filled with recipes for success- in and out of the kitchen! Her insights to finding happiness after bariatric surgery are priceless and we are so thankful she could join us on the podcast to share them with all of us!
2021-01-131h 16
The BariNation Podcast024: Rapid Fire Q & A with Wendy Rawlings, LMHCNo one makes it through without support- and we just so happen to have the "Rocky" of bariatric support, Wendy Rawlings! Wendy is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State who specializes in bariatric recovery. She helps us dig into the big questions and helps us find solutions that allow us to live our lives at a healthy weight after weight loss surgery.
We recently asked the community what questions they would ask Wendy if they could sit down with her and the community answered with some power-house questions. In this episode, we will toe-dip into t...
2021-01-061h 12
The BariNation Podcast023: 2020 ReflectionsFinding or creating time in our busy day for reflection does not take time away from us; it is using our time wisely. Reflection is necessary and needed for our bariatric recovery, yet it is most often missed or overlooked. By reflecting on what we have achieved, accomplished, and faced, we can identify the work ahead of us and create a plan to take on that work.
In this episode, all 5 East2West_WLS crew members gathered to reflect by answering three big questions:
What did we accomplish this year?
What did we struggle with this...
2020-12-301h 16
The BariNation Podcast022: New Relationship with Meal PlanningAfter bariatric surgery, our entire relationship with food changes. And many times, we are taken aback by just how much anything food-related changes...it can be downright daunting. Many of us find even our tastebuds change and our entire food palet is reformed. In this episode, we sit down with Kristin Willard, a certified bariatric dietitian to talk about all things FOOD! Kristin's approach is different- she wants us to focus on what we can eat, what we can add to our diets now that we are starting with a blank canvas of sorts. She has curated an amazing...
2020-12-2856 min
The BariNation Podcast021: Small Changes and Big Wins with Gizelle @sleevelife_Sometimes we get overwhelmed thinking about all of the things we have to do after weight loss surgery to find ourselves on the lighter side of life. Between water and macros, movement, and our mental health, it can feel like it is all just too much. We have to follow our eating plan 100% after weight loss surgery to lose and maintain our weight. Making no mistake, reaching our low weight was one of the most difficult and challenging things we have ever done, but we did not do it in one day and were by no means perfect.
2020-12-231h 26
The BariNation Podcast020: WLS Friendly Celebrations with Callie HolcombCelebrations can be tricky after weight loss surgery. Traditionally, these gatherings centered around food and beverages, and after our procedures, we can only partake in very small qualities, and sometimes we find we cannot partake at all. But celebrating is apart of life, and none of us want to give up this joyous part of life.
In this episode, we welcome Callie Holcomb, founder and creative director of Holcombe Wedding and Events. She is one of Seattle's premier event designers known for crafting beautiful celebrations that focus on each client's "why". She works with businesses and clients...
2020-12-161h 12
The BariNation Podcast019: Addiction Transfer with Wendy Rawlings, LMHCMany of us have noticed that when we can no longer turn to food in moments of discomfort and pain, we turn to something else to help us regain that old, familiar feeling of relief. It could be drinking, it could be shopping, it might be gambling, or it might still involve food, but purging after binging. This behavior is a tactic that we will use to find comfort after our bariatric procedure. It is called addiction transfer and it is real. Sometimes called "cross-addiction", addiction transfer is what we do when we "swap" one addiction or dependence for...
2020-12-091h 11
The BariNation Podcast018: Community Spotlight- Ashlea and the Power Of Our WLS StoryWe continue to be amazed at the wisdom and power that exists in the bariatric community. Ashlea recently underwent RNY- a type of weight loss surgery. After being in the pre-op stage for a year, she successfully underwent her procedure and is enjoying the lighter side of life! But she has come to understand the POWER of community and our stories. As she reflected on the life of a fellow bariatric community member who lost his life after complications from his own procedure, she realized that she owes part of her success to the connection she made with Christian...
2020-12-021h 09
The BariNation Podcast016: Community Spotlight- Perseverance and the Power of Gratitude with NatalieFate introduced us to Natalie, an active member of the bariatric community on Instagram. Her humor is infectious, her positive attitude uplifts the community and her dedication to living her life at a healthy weight is unparalleled. In this episode, Natalie describes the long and twisted bariatric path that has to lead her to the present moment and how she is moving into her new life with persistence and gratitude. Natalie is so passionate about giving back to this community. She has created a meaningful way to help others struggling along their bariatric journey- a WLS Venmo Challenge to...
2020-11-171h 17
The BariNation Podcast015: Happiness Before and After WLSPeople often ask us, “Will I be happier after WLS?” or “Will I find happiness after WLS”. Our short answer is no. Our long answer is yes. Happiness- what it is and what it looks like, is unique to you. But it is something we are all seeking. The key to finding happiness, living a life of fullness and contentment is to define what being happy means to you, and taking active steps to live and feel that way.
In this episode, Jason and April deep dive into happiness- what it is, how we each define it, and how...
2020-11-101h 09
The BariNation Podcast014: TrackingTracking...the bane of our existence. For some people, tracking is easy and natural. It’s just what they do. For many of us, tracking is just a giant pain in the ass. It’s time-consuming, can be confusing, and when we track, we have to face the reality of our decisions. If we don’t track, we can tell ourselves stories about why we are not losing weight or regaining our weight. It can be easier to listen to our lies than to do the work to track and make changes.
In this episode, April and Jason...
2020-11-031h 26
The BariNation Podcast013: Fresh Out of Post-OpIt is one thing to research and connect and prepare for life after your bariatric surgery. It is another thing to live through it. In Episode 13 of the East2West_WLS podcast, Jason and April sit down with Becca @ refreshing.becca to talk about her -very current- post-op life!
We have all received "the handbook" from our surgeon, filled with tangible information needed to succeed after weight loss surgery. What you can and cannot eat before and after surgery, how much water and protein you need to consume each day, and what kinds of vitamins you need t...
2020-10-271h 45
The BariNation Podcast012: NormalcyWelcome to Season 2 of the East2West _WLS podcast! We are so excited to continue to dive deep into topics that are important to the bariatric community! This season, we will be talking with our community members about their journeys, discussing how to handle small ups and downs, explore how the stories we tell ourselves hold us back, and clear up some common misconceptions about bariatric surgery.
To kick off this season, Jason and April explore what happens when we start to feel "normal" after weight loss surgery. Feeling back to normal is a good thing! But...
2020-10-201h 28
The BariNation Podcast011: Episode 11- StallsStall: When something stops running, typically because of an overload the system; to stop or cause something to stop making progress. Synonyms: obstruct, impede, interrupt, hinder, hamper, frustrate, sabotage, slow, delay. In our bariatric world, a stall can refer to points in your recovery where you stop losing or gain weight, resulting in holes being punched in your walls.
Stalls after bariatric surgery can be the most *frustrating* part of your recovery. You are eating so little yet the number on the scale remains the same for days, weeks, even months. Stalls are a n...
2020-06-301h 13
The BariNation Podcast010: Episode 10- Post-OpLife changes the moment you wake up from your bariatric procedure- your physical self has changed and the lens' that you use to view your life change too. In this episode, Jason and April dive deep in life after weight loss surgery, exploring the physical and emotional changes they experienced after their VSG procedures. And what makes the conversation interesting is learning how their different reasons lead to the same decision to have bariatric surgery. While their recoveries were similar, they were very different. The power of conversation is on full display in this episode!
Episode Mentions:
2020-06-231h 03
The BariNation Podcast009: Episode Nine- DatingDating- trying out people for the role of "significant other". Dating is a straight-up workout- it takes mental toughness, stamina, and a whole lot of planning to get it right. The rewards can be life long...and so can the scars. In Episode 9, April's friend Veronica (@vko_1977) joins Jason and April to talk all things dating and compare the ups and downs before and after WLS. Having any weight loss procedure can be a real game-changer, but it can also impact and change your dating game. Do you tell people you have had WLS? How will you explain to...
2020-06-151h 22
The BariNation Podcast008: Episode Eight- Q and A, Round 1We asked, then you asked...and we answer! Thank you to everyone who submitted questions for our first Q and A episode...you sent ins some good ones! Here are the questions that we address in this episode:
How can I prepare for taking 20 minutes to eat a meal post WLS?
How can someone build confidence before and after WLS?
What negative side effects have we noticed post-WLS?
What has been the most frustrating part of your WLS journey?
What are all program guidelines so radically different? Science is science?!
Did you have heartburn before and/or after...
2020-06-091h 28