OAC Community Perspectives – A Journey of Health, Connection and Community Support

By Gianna Toto, OAC Marketing and Communications Manager

Summer 2026

OAC Community Member Joshua Garson’s story is a reminder that health journeys are not meant to be navigated alone. While people often focus on willpower or personal responsibility, Joshua’s experience highlights the powerful role that support, encouragement and community can play along the way.

“Love and support became the fuel that carried me through the hardest moments of my journey,” Joshua shared.

From an early age, Joshua stayed active through Taekwondo, track and other sports. He eventually earned a black belt and competed throughout school. Movement and discipline were always part of his life, but over time he began facing health and weight challenges that could not be solved by activity alone.

Even as those challenges emerged, Joshua did not lose sight of who he was. He continued to build friendships, stay involved in activities and pursue new opportunities. Still, there were moments that brought increased awareness of his health and a growing recognition that change would require both intention and support.

A new chapter began when Joshua attended Middlebury College, an active, outdoors-focused environment that initially felt intimidating. He worried about fitting in and keeping up, but those concerns quickly shifted as he found a supportive group of friends who encouraged him along the way.

That sense of community became a turning point. With support around him, Joshua focused on building sustainable habits that supported his overall well-being. He created routines that worked for his life, prioritized consistency and built accountability through the people around him. One milestone that reflected his dedication was walking more than 1,500 miles.

As Joshua’s journey continued, he discovered the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), a community that reflected many of the same values that had helped him along the way: support, education, connection and understanding. Recognizing the impact that community can have on a person’s health journey, Joshua wanted to pay it forward. Through his fundraising efforts, he chose to support OAC because it represents and advocates for people affected by obesity, including individuals like himself. For Joshua, giving back was an opportunity to help ensure that others have access to the same sense of encouragement, support and belonging that played such an important role in his own journey.

Like many people working toward long-term health goals, Joshua experienced ups and downs along the way. Through those experiences, he came to appreciate the importance of caring for both his physical and emotional well-being. Support remained central throughout his journey. Friends and family offered encouragement, including one moment that stayed with him. During a particularly challenging time, a friend simply told him they were proud of him. That small gesture became a meaningful reminder that he was not alone and helped motivate him to keep moving forward.

Over time, Joshua built more than healthier habits. He gained confidence, resilience and a deeper appreciation for the people who supported him along the way. Joshua’s story reflects something many people affected by obesity understand firsthand: lasting change is not built through perfection. It is  shaped by compassion, support and feeling connected to others who care. 

His journey is a reminder that support systems matter and that no one should feel like they have to navigate their health journey alone.

About the Author: 

Gianna Toto, OAC Marketing and Communications Manager, helps bring the organization’s mission to life through engaging content across social media, newsletters, member emails and other communications. With a background in nonprofit work, she is passionate about building connections, sharing meaningful stories and helping grow a strong community around OAC’s work. Gianna attended the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, where she majored in Communications in Technology and minored in Marketing.

Related Resources

PREVIOUS

Anti-Bullying Toolkit

NEXT

YWM National Convention: Join Us for a Weekend of Support, Education and Advocacy