In this conversation, I share my real-life experiences (the good, the awkward, and the surprisingly meaningful) navigating bariatric meetups. I talk about the common anxieties we all feelbecause yes, even I get nervous walking into a room full of strangers and I offer some no-fluff tips for making genuine connections. From staying vulnerable (without trauma-dumping), to avoiding the toxic trap of comparison, to actually following up with the cool people you meet, this episode is all about building real relationships in the bariatric community. Because let's face it, we didn’t do this journey to go it alone.