What makes OPTAVIA unique? Our Community of like-minded, like-hearted people who support others on their journey to achieving Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time. VeryWell Health, a leading health publication that reaches more than 38 million readers each month, featured the power of a Community like OPTAVIA, sharing what we've known all along: Science shows community support can be a game-changer.

Read and share: "5 Science-Backed Ways Community Support Can Help You Reach Your Health Goals"

In the article, Dr. Jessica Unick, PhD, Professor & member of OPTAVIA's Scientific Advisory Board, discusses the research that shows you’re more likely to reach a health goal when you find a specific type of community—people who have been in your shoes. Here’s how:

• Real and empathetic encouragement: Guidance may be more realistic and empathetic when it comes from someone who truly understands and can speak from personal experience.
• Influence: Whether we realize it or not, the people you surround yourself with can shape your everyday behaviors.Like-minded individuals in the OPTAVIA Community can help keep you both accountable and inspired.
• The journey seems less daunting: People who have been in your shoes are well-suited to help you overcome roadblocks and celebrate successes.

As you embark on your OPTAVIA journey or continue on your path, remember our Community is here to keep your spirits up, help you celebrate the little victories that add up to the big ones and support you every step of the way.

Join us in embracing the science-backed power of community, and together, let's reach new heights of optimal wellbeing!

Today we celebrate World Kindness Day—a special occasion that invites us to reflect on the power of kindness and the joy it brings to our lives. 

Kindness is more than a simple gesture; it's a force for spreading happiness and positivity. It has the incredible ability to enhance our relationships, strengthen our social connections and boost our overall well-being. The ripple effect of kindness can lead to personal success and a greater sense of fulfillment.

As we commemorate World Kindness Day, here are a few heartwarming ways you can participate:

• Connect with the OPTAVIA Community: A simple message or text to a fellow OPTAVIA Community member can brighten their day. Share your appreciation, express your support and let them know how grateful you are for their presence in our Community.
• Reach out to Loved Ones: Take a moment to call a relative or a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. Engage in a meaningful conversation that texting can't quite replicate.
• Brighten a Stranger's Day: Small acts of kindness towards strangers can have a significant impact. Hold the door open, share your lunch, or pay for the coffee of the person in the drive-through queue behind you. These gestures can create a positive chain reaction of goodwill.

As your dedicated independent OPTAVIA Coach, I encourage you to remember that even one small act of kindness can leave a lasting, positive impact on others. Let's embrace the spirit of kindness, not only on World Kindness Day but every day and watch as it transforms our lives and the lives of those around us.

Resurgence and Renewal

Troy had heard countless stories from people who, before trying OPTAVIA, felt like they were in a rut. He could empathize because he had been there too. But it wasn't just a simple case of feeling stuck; he had found himself in a dark, downward spiral. At work, he was going through the motions and at home, he played the role of a loving husband and father, though not as well as he would have liked.

As he reflected, Troy realized that it's challenging to be everything your loved ones need when you're not happy with yourself. Inside, he was battling growing problems, and he desperately wanted to take control of his health. However, something was holding him back—fear, worry, a lack of confidence and a seemingly insurmountable loss of hope.

In the fall of 2021, Troy had what he referred to as his "Shawshank Redemption" moment. He knew it was time to make a choice: get busy living or get busy dying. Thanks to the unwavering support of his Coach and his wife, he chose to live, and OPTAVIA became the "how." With their guidance, Troy's transformation was astounding. In less than 16 months, he shed 268 pounds, going from 480 to 212 pounds^*.

One day, he was on the phone with a childhood friend who shared how proud and grateful he was for Troy's incredible transformation. It was then that Troy realized he had experienced a metamorphosis—a change in the form and nature of himself. It wasn't just about losing weight and improving his health; it was a holistic transformation—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This transformation had a profound impact on every aspect of his life.

Saying "yes" to the OPTAVIA program was more than a commitment to health; it was a commitment to himself, his marriage, his children, his school community, his friends and his family. That one "yes" opened the door to life again. Troy found his "I want to" and reclaimed a vibrant life. He was now exercising, taking his sons to concerts, visiting his college-age son, enjoying date nights with his wife, and reconnecting with friends.

Troy and his wife felt so blessed by their health journeys that they decided to become Coaches to help others discover their untapped potential. They have supported individuals of all ages, from teenagers to senior citizens, couples and singles, friends and family, even people they'd never met in person. The common thread among them all was a commitment to their health.

Troy aspired to be the kind of Coach that his Coaches had been for him—believing in his potential even before he could see it himself and supporting him through every phase. By sharing his story and celebrating the achievements of friends, family and Clients, Troy learned that many people are willing to cheer you on, offer support and celebrate your growth. Love endures and inspires individuals to reach their next milestones, and Troy tried to pay it forward.

One memorable moment on his journey involved a celebration with his Coach, Kash. As Troy shared his upcoming milestones, he eagerly anticipated celebrating reaching his goal weight, a weight that symbolized his Coach’s starting point. It was a powerful reminder that as Coaches, they were on this journey together. When Troy finally reached that milestone, they marked the incredible journey they had embarked on together.

Filled with positivity and a burning desire to share his experience with others, Troy couldn't help but wonder: where would he be today if he hadn't said that first "yes"?