Every once in a while something stops you in your tracks and reminds you why this mission is bigger than clothes, bigger than weight loss, and bigger than one person trying to change their life. Reading the story shared by the Obesity Action Coalition about families finding belonging, healing, and hope through the Thrive Together Program hit me right in the chest. It took me back to the moments where I felt alone on my own journey and wished there was a place where people truly understood what I was going through.
The OAC article highlights what so many of us know but don’t always say out loud. Obesity affects entire families. It shapes how kids grow up, how parents show up, and how people feel in rooms where they think no one sees them. The Thrive Program creates spaces where people are seen, heard, and supported without judgment. That kind of community power is rare and it matters more than most people realize.
As someone who has lived this life, who is still on this journey, and who is trying every day to ascend a little higher, the mission behind Thrive speaks directly to my heart. It reflects the same values that sparked the creation of Everyday Ascend. Community. Hope. Connection. The belief that progress is possible and that no one should have to fight alone.
I have been working closely with the OAC behind the scenes, and what they’re building with Thrive is something I am proud to support. In the future, this connection will mean even more and will grow in ways that allow Everyday Ascend to contribute to something bigger than apparel. For now, Giving Tuesday felt like the right moment to share why their work matters and why I choose to stand with them.
If you want to understand the impact Thrive has on real families, take a minute to read their story here:
https://www.obesityaction.org/your-action-helps-create-belonging-healing-and-hope-for-families/
And if it speaks to you the way it spoke to me, consider supporting the OAC or simply sharing their message. Sometimes giving shows up as money. Sometimes it shows up as awareness, community, or a moment of empathy that reminds someone they are not alone.
Thank you for being part of this community and for helping me build something rooted in purpose. This journey has always been about rising together.
Jess Perreca Jr. is a member of the Obesity Action Coalition, a patient advocate, a GLP 1 weight loss patient, and the founder of Everyday Ascend. His lived experience with obesity, weight loss surgery, GLP 1 treatment, and community-focused storytelling informs his perspective on advocacy and the emotional needs of families affected by obesity.