Some stories begin in boardrooms or business plans. Ours began in the kitchen.
And truth be told, most people have never heard the real story of how Pounds started. Today, people see our clinics, our patients, our success—but it all began with one woman, one mission, and a kitchen table.
In 2013, Michelle was a busy mom with three boys in elementary school. Her husband, Charlie, was an OB/GYN who was rarely home because of the demands of his practice. Like so many women, Michelle poured herself into caring for her family, putting her own health at the very bottom of the list.
But her health was slipping. Her weight was climbing, and no matter what she tried, nothing worked. She heard the same tired advice over and over: *eat less, exercise more.* Deep down, she knew that wasn’t the whole story. She wasn’t overeating. She wasn’t lazy. Something else was going on.
Michelle had always had an interest in medicine, and she knew how to evaluate labs and data. What she wasn’t willing to accept was that her struggles could be explained away by willpower alone. So she dug deeper. Her research eventually led her to a certificate course in obesity medicine—a turning point that opened her eyes to how misguided the medical system had been in addressing abnormal weight gain.
What she learned confirmed what she already felt in her bones: obesity is not a character flaw. It’s a medical condition, tied to hormones, metabolism, sleep, stress, inflammation, genetics, and so much more. Yet the healthcare system continued to oversimplify it, leaving patients stuck, shamed, and without answers.
Michelle decided it was time to change that.
She opened her “practice” at the kitchen table with just two patients. They came seeking exactly what she had once sought herself: answers. And soon, word spread. Patients were finally being heard, understood, and treated. The kitchen table gave way to an office, and before long, Pounds had grown into three thriving clinics across Connecticut, with more than 300 providers referring their patients for care.
Along the way, Michelle began to build a team around her vision. She hired dietitians, medical providers, and a supportive staff who shared her mission. But more than just hiring, she insisted that every team member be trained in the new way of treating obesity—one that focused on uncovering root causes, using food as medicine, and helping patients feel supported rather than judged. This wasn’t just another clinic; it was a new model of care.
Eventually, Charlie left his own practice to join her. Together, they grew one of the first insurance-based medical practices dedicated to obesity and the more than 200 diseases it drives. Their mission was clear: make this care accessible to everyone, not just those who could afford to pay out-of-pocket.
At Pounds, the focus has never been on quick fixes or fad diets. It has always been about uncovering and treating the underlying causes of abnormal weight gain and chronic disease. It’s about real medical work-ups, thoughtful diagnoses, and long-term support.
Most people see Pounds today as a successful medical practice. What they don’t see is the mom at her kitchen table, exhausted but determined, who decided that no one else should ever feel the way she did—confused, blamed, and left without answers.
Michelle’s story is at the heart of Pounds. It is a practice built on listening to patients, partnering with them, and giving them the care they deserve. For those who are sick and tired of being sick and tired, Pounds is a place where answers are found, and hope is restored.
