Obesity isn’t just about weight, it's about stigma, access to care, and the power of lived experience to drive real change.

In this episode, Andrew Wilson and Theresa Thompson from WIN (Weight Issues Network), an Australian organisation led by individuals with lived experience of obesity, share WIN's mission to challenge weight stigma, improve healthcare equity, and advocate for holistic and accessible treatment options. Andrew and Theresa share insights on the systemic issues surrounding obesity care, including the damaging effects of stigma, the lack of multidisciplinary support, and the eight-year average delay before people seek professional help. They also highlight WIN’s initiatives, such as peer support groups, leadership development, advocacy training, and digital outreach, all aimed at empowering individuals and shifting public and medical perceptions. This will emphasise the power of storytelling and community in creating change and fostering understanding in both healthcare and society at large.

Tune in to hear how real stories and advocacy from the Weight Issues Network are reshaping the conversation around obesity and healthcare in Australia.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to WIN (Weight Issues Network) and its origins
• The role of lived experience in combating weight stigma and misinformation
• Staggering average delay of 8 years before individuals seek professional help for obesity
• How stigma—both internal and external—is the biggest barrier to care
• The need for a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to obesity treatment
• Challenges accessing weight loss treatments like pharmacotherapy and surgery in public healthcare
• WIN’s advocacy work in policy, media representation, and health professional training
• The psychological toll of weight cycling and internalised shame
• Importance of storytelling and lived experience in healthcare reform
• Overview of WIN’s support programs, including monthly meetups and leadership groups
• Emphasis on safe spaces and empowering people to share their stories
• The impact of media and public perception on those living in larger bodies
• Discussion on the lack of funding and services tailored for people with obesity
• Call for systemic change and more inclusive, compassionate healthcare solutions
• How to join WIN and the supportive, cost-free community they provide

About Our Guest:

Weight Issues Network (WIN) champions the lived experience voice of people who have experienced living in a larger body. They advocate for imperative, effective changes in all systems, particularly healthcare; to ensure obesity is stigma-free and treated appropriately. Andrew Wilson has been involved with WIN since its inception, and has been pivotal in its successes to date. He is a natural advocate and supporter of equality; who's story has influenced many important change-makers already. Theresa Thompson is a business-savvy advocate for equality who's lived experience and leadership skills are helping scale WIN to become an essential tool in not only policy-change, but for the community as a whole.

Connect with WIN

• Website | weightissuesnetwork.org
• Facebook | www.facebook.com/WeightIssuesNetwork
• Instagram | @weightissuesnetwork
• Linked In | www.linkedin.com/company/weight-issues-network

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