Who We Are

Are you ready to unlock a secret?

A secret so profound it could change your life forever. This is not just any journey, but a voyage into the depths of your true potential.

We are your compass, guiding you through the uncharted territories of your mind. Our intensive, research-based cognitive behavioral training programs are the lighthouse amidst the storm, illuminating your path towards your weight loss goals.

We focus on three key areas, each a stepping stone on your path to transformation. Like a sculptor chiseling away at a block of marble to reveal the masterpiece within, our programs are designed to help you rewire your brain, chipping away at the barriers that hold you back.

This is not just about losing weight. It’s about shedding the layers of doubt and insecurity, revealing a healthier, stronger, more confident you. It’s about transforming not just your body, but your mind and spirit as well.

Together, we will turn your weight loss goals into a reality, and in the process, you’ll discover a new you, ready to conquer the world.

This is not just a mission, it’s a promise – a promise to guide, to inspire, and to empower. So, let’s embark on this transformative journey together, and witness the birth of a new you.

Our Team

Dawn O’Meally, LCSW-C, P.A.

Dawn A. O’Meally, LCSW-C, P.A. has been practicing since 1988 and has worked as a Mental Health Clinician in various settings, including Sheppard Pratt Hospital, Frederick Memorial Hospital, and Carroll Hospital Center doing ER psych evaluations, and since 1996, has been doing private practice as well. Dawn received training in 2005 on the Psychiatric Evaluation of Bariatric Patients. Since that time, she grew a bustling private practice specializing in Bariatric Behavioral Health. Dawn and her team of therapists conduct pre-surgery mental health evaluations for numerous Bariatric Surgeons in the State’s of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Dawn assists with facilitating Bariatric Support Group Meetings for hospitals in numerous states and is a sought out speaker. Dawn has a unique passion for working with Bariatric patients pre and post-surgery. Dawn loves running CBT groups and facilitates various psycho-educational and therapy groups in her private practice.

Dawn is also co-founder of STRIVEMD LLC – est. 2012. StriveMD is a virtual program that uses CBT tools and strategies at its best. Clients become aware of their negative mindset which leads to self-defeating behaviors and ultimately contributes to their lack of weight loss and or weight regain. StriveMD empowers clients with powerful tools to combat self-sabotage.

Nancy Lum, RD, LDN

Nancy Lum, RD, LDN has been practicing since 2001 and has been involved in multiple medical disciplines with a concentration in GI and Bariatric Nutrition since 2002. She created the Bariatric Nutrition program at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD in 2003 and has been published in The Bariatric times in 2010 and 2011. Nancy works with patients with multiple GI diagnoses, diabetic, cardiac, and general weight loss patients from various medical practitioner referrals and word of mouth. Nancy has developed nutrition education virtual programs accessible to clients everywhere on demand. She is currently running the Bariatric Nutrition program for St Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, MD. For more information visit www.nutrition5.com.

Nancy is also the founder of Achieve Nutrition Results Program (ANRP). The mission of ANRP is to improve the quality of our clients’ lives by empowering them to achieve a healthy lifestyle by focusing on long-term solutions that work in real life, overcome obstacles, and use real food. Our primary goal as nutrition experts is to build long-term relationships with our clients by educating, encouraging, supporting, and leading them to achieve their health and wellness goals. For more information visit ANRP at www.ANRPtoday.com.

Nancy is co-founder of STRIVEMD LLC – est. 2012. StriveMD is a virtual program which uses CBT tools and strategies at its best. Clients become aware of their negative mindset which leads to self-defeating behaviors and ultimately contributes to their lack of weight loss and or weight regain. StriveMD empowers clients with powerful tools to combat self-sabotage.

Dr. Betyshia Belardo

Dr. Belardo is a double board-certified Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine physician, dedicated to optimizing the health and well-being of women. A Southern California native, she pursued her undergraduate studies in Psychology at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), before attending Morehouse School of Medicine for her medical degree. Following medical school graduation, she completed her Family Medicine residency training at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and later expanded her skills in a Family Medicine Obstetrics fellowship. Thereafter, she established a practice in Family Medicine focused on women’s health.

Over time, Dr. Belardo’s clinical experience ignited a passion for obesity medicine and menopause health. Recognizing the profound impact of weight health on overall well-being, she delved deeper into understanding the complex relationship between obesity and chronic medical conditions. In 2019, she achieved board certification in Obesity Medicine, solidifying her expertise in this specialized field.

Today, Dr. Belardo combines her extensive knowledge in women’s health and menopause care with her expertise in obesity medicine to offer comprehensive care. Her practice emphasizes personalized treatment plans that address weight management, menopause care, and hormone health. With over 10 years of clinical practice, she strives to empower women to achieve their optimal health, improve quality of life, and prevent chronic diseases.

When not practicing medicine, she finds joy in being a mother, spending time with her family, going to the movies and traveling. Dr. Belardo also finds fulfillment in exploring the arts, immersing herself in a great book and attending concerts or shows. She is a fitness enthusiast and enjoys staying active with outdoor runs. In the cadence of her runs, she finds a harmonious balance between mind, body, and spirit.

Liz Dumont Proctor, CPT

Liz is a Certified Personal Trainer and Behavior Change Specialist with over 25 years of experience in assisting clients adopt and stick with permanent lifestyle change that results in weight loss, improved mobility and better overall quality of life. Liz came to health and wellness as a result of her own weight loss journey. Since 1992, she has been leading a healthy lifestyle including fitness and nutrition that resulted in her losing over 100 pounds.

Her tenure includes: group exercise instruction; personal and semi-private training; directing weight loss and wellness programs’ speaking on health and wellness topics to medical and industry professionals as well as clients; working for a bariatric surgeon supporting the weight loss surgery clients to embrace active lifestyles; owning her own wellness business that, in part, provided programming supporting various bariatric surgery programs in the Baltimore/DC area.

Liz has helped thousands of clients improve their health and quality of life by safely and confidently becoming more active and stronger. She also specializes in pain reduction and movement improvement.

Charissa Hipp

Charissa’s early work as a park ranger and public affairs specialist for the National Park Service sparked a lifelong love of parks, history, nature, and the outdoors. She founded the Maryland Chapter of Girls Who Hike in 2018 and leads monthly women-centered group hikes. Charissa has been a nature and forest therapy guide for more than five years, offering mindful and nature connection hikes as an adjunct hiking professor and retreat leader. She is a trained Spirituality in Nature Group (SING) Leader and a certified EcoNIDRA Teacher.

Andrea Bain

Andrea Bain is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Maryland with a passion for helping clients achieve their wellness goals by incorporating massage into their wellness plans. Andrea has 14 years of experience in the massage industry with certifications in Oncology, Rock Tape™ (FMT Level 2), pediatric and hospital based massage therapy, Integrative Reflexology™, and several others. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time doing 18th Century Living History demonstrating various 18th Century domestic skills, spending time outdoors, doing a variety of different crafts and DIY projects, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog.

Heather Mundey

Heather Mundey is a certified 200-hour yoga instructor with a deep passion for the practice, which she has embraced since 2016. She believes in the transformative power of yoga and meditation, crediting them with changing her life in more ways than one. Heather loves inversions and finds joy in exploring movement both on and off the mat. As an Army veteran and mother of three boys, she brings resilience, dedication, and authenticity to her teaching, inspiring others to experience the limitless potential of yoga. Through her practice and teaching, she hopes to help others build strength, find balance, and deepen their connection to themselves.