Today we’d like to introduce you to Candace Oates.
Hi Candace, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I fought my entire life with Obesity and Obesity-related metabolic issues. After giving birth to my son in 2005, I lost 125 lbs and have been able to live a healthy non-diseased life. Seeing how food selections and movement could be its own holistic “medicine” pushed me into being a personal trainer and health coach. Fast forward, to COVID hit. It was very easy to correlate how metabolic diseases and Obesity played a very large role in hospital and death rates. I KNEW in my heart I could help save lives through education.
Our non-profit, Obesity Awareness IN Action was born. Now we are Piloting our Awareness Bound program with the support of AIMS Community College to speak to 6th-12th graders and even college students about the importance of the several dimensions of health and wellness. We are diligently working to raise enough capital to create an online certification program that volunteers can go through in order to spread our message and program statewide, then nationally!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We are now in our 2nd year of operation. Our first operating year was TOUGH. We had to establish our name which meant getting out into the community. No one knew who we were as an organization which made raising money very hard. Almost 50% of all money spent came out of pocket. We preserved! We knew we had a clear mission and our hearts were in the right place. We knocked on hundreds of doors until a few doors opened. We took every opportunity we were able to.
I volunteered to take off work to speak for free to validate our professionalism and knowledge. We pushed social media, volunteered for other nonprofits, and went to as many events as possible. We all had to remember anything worth having is worth fighting for. We expected 99 slammed doors before one door would open. We invited 1000 people to our walks so that 125 people would show up and support us. We worked long hours at our day jobs and worked on OAA every single night and every off day. Eventually, we were recognized and the right doors began opening.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Obesity Awareness IN Action?
The mission of OAA is to generate action in our communities, matching key health experts, education, and programming, designed to deliver a positive impact on lifestyle, life quality, and life choices, removing one barrier at a time, thus giving each individual power and control over his or her own life.
The OAA mission is to become “boots on the ground” educating within the underserved communities, generating “Our MOVE.ment” of each one reach one, each one teaches one (Reset of the Mindset). The target audience for our OAA underprivileged/under-served community members is our 6th-12th grade youths. Funds raised go to funding our Awareness Bound Youth Health and Wellness youth initiative.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Always know your “why”. Keep educating others on your why. Keep your why at the forefront and let that why drive your decisions through your passion.
People need to know the “whys” behind everything you are doing and see you are dedicated and passionate about your cause before they will even consider backing you. Never, ever quit. A window or door WILL open if you keep working for your why.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oaamovement.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lowcarbcandace.oaa
- Facebook: Facebook.com/oaamovement
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/candace-oates-690b36241
- Twitter: @oaamovement
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@HealthyLivingWithCandace
Image Credits
Elise Taylor Photography, A.B. Consulting, and Media
