ObesityHelp Conference Speakers: OH2015 Friday Workshops

March 23, 2015

Announcing the ObesityHelp Conference Speakers: Friday Workshops

We are excited to announce our 2015 ObesityHelp Conference speakers for the Friday Workshops. In addition to a great line up of speakers, this year we have added more fitness activities to the conference schedule. Make sure to stop by and learn more about them and their session, we will be adding more details to the agenda soon and announcing the Saturday speakers! Join us in Raleigh, NC, October 16th & 17th for two jammed pack days of education, support and celebration! Reserve Your Tickets NOW

	Emcee: Diana Vogel, MS, MFT, Intern Our attendees fell in love with Diana at #OH2013, where she led two breakout sessions, one on Relationships and the other on Complacency. We particularly loved her direct and honest approach, sense of humor and how she made everyone feel comfortable and at ease, so we invited Diana to Emcee the 2014 Conference. She amazed us yet again and we just had to invite her to join us for #OH2015! Diana is going to help us keep the Conference running smoothly and make sure every one is having a fantastic time. Learn more about Diana, the #OH2015 Conference Emcee.
	Amber Huett-Garcia Amber Huett-Garcia, MPA, is the Vice-Chair of the national 50,000 member nonprofit, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC). Amber has battled the disease of obesity since early childhood and in 2009, at her highest weight of 361 pounds, underwent gastric banding as a self-pay patient. After great success in weight loss in losing 50% of her initial body weight, her gastric band experienced “mechanical failure.” After nearly 8 months without the band, Amber was revised to a sleeve gastrectomy in August 2014. Learn more at Amber's talk, Revision Realities: A Patient Perspective.
	Tina Rambarran Tina Rambarran weighed 455 pounds, her BMI was 72 and her doctor candidly told her that if she continued to gain weight at the pace she currently was, she may not live to see her 40th birthday. Tina opted to save her life by having bariatric surgery on May 10, 2010. With Roux-en-Y (RNY) as a tool, along with extreme dedication and hard work, Tina has lost 320 pounds! Tina openly shares her insights, victories and real-life struggles to help educate people that are considering weight loss surgery that it is absolutely not “the easy way out“. Learn more at Tina's talk, What I gained By Losing 320 Pounds.
	Pandora Williams Pandora Williams is the weight loss and wellness coach at Wilmington Lady Fitness in Wilmington, North Carolina. Her weight loss journey began 5 years ago, spurred on by the loss of her father, who insisted that she lead a healthier lifestyle after he was gone. Now nearly five years after bariatric surgery, she is 260 pounds lighter, a Cooper Institute Trained Wellness Coach and teaches Weight Loss Boot Camp sessions 6 times a week. Learn More at Pandora's talk, Exercise as an Emotional Outlet: Using Feelings to Fuel Your Fitness Journey and join her for a Rise & Shine, 2 Mile Meet & Greet Cardio Social!
	Sarah Bramblette, MSHL Sarah (aka Sarahlicious) has been an active member of ObesityHelp since 2003 and a staff member since 2007. Living with Lipedema and Lymphedema, she combines her experiences as a patient and a healthcare administrative professional in her advocacy efforts. She writes about her life experiences on her blog, born2lbfat.com and utilizes multiple social media platforms to spread awareness about her conditions and to advocate for improved diagnosis, treatment, and insurance coverage. Learn More at Sarah's talk, Cultivating Confidence: Finding Happiness in Who You Are
	William H. Streetman William (Bill) Streetman battled his weight, 404 pounds, for 20 years. Over those years, he tried numerous medically supervised diet programs, started (and stopped) many exercise regimens and attempted to follow dozens of fad diets, all with no success. Bill’s health was threatened by high cholesterol and blood pressure, and his participation in daily life was impacted. On October 4, 2010, Bill underwent gastric bypass surgery. With this life changing tool and Bill’s hard work and dedication, he is now half the man he used to be. Bill is maintaining a 200 pound loss!. Learn more at William's talk, Weight Loss Surgery: Simple Versus Easy.
	Bec McDorman, BS, RYT Bec McDorman, BS, RYT discovered her passion for health and wellness after undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in 2010 to lose more than 100lbs. She understands the importance of community support, such as ObesityHelp’s online forums and annual conferences, and connection with those who truly understand the weight loss surgery process. Discouraged by the lack of first-hand experience of the nutrition professionals she worked with, she was inspired to return to school to become a registered dietitian. Learn more at Bec's talk, The Realities of Regain: The New "Normal", and join her for a Rise & Shine session, Yoga: Stretch & Strengthen.
	Elena Kibasova Elena Kibasova got a fresh chance at a healthy life after undergoing Lap-Band in 2008 (and a revision to the VGS in 2013 after experiencing complications) at a top weight of 305lbs. Through continuous participation in weight loss surgery forums, support groups, and conferences over the last eight years, she has realized that in order to maintain her 150lb weight loss, she has to take a holistic approach to her health. Learn more about Elena, and join her for Zumba Fitness Class .
	Audra Brosnahan, RN Audra Brosnahan RN, a native of the Raleigh area, is passionate in her belief in self improvement. Audra made her to decision to undergo gastric- bypass surgery in December of 2009. She celebrated her five year surgery anniversary this past Christmas. Audra has successfully maintained over a one hundred pound weight loss. Audra believes each person writes his own success story; however, she knows it takes hard work to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Learn more about Audra, and join her for a Walk & Talk With Audra On An Outdoor Excursion.