Dr Joe O’Brien: One Year at Beyondbmi and Behind The Scenes of our Digital Programmes
Estimated reading time: about 3 minutes
At Beyondbmi, our mission has always been to make evidence-based, compassionate obesity care accessible to everyone, not just in the one-to-one consultations, but in everyday life. A core part of that mission is our Beyondbmi Digital Programmes, a space where members can access digital content pathways, and psychological tools designed to support long-term success.
To celebrate Joe O’Brien’s one-year anniversary as Head of Psychology at Beyondbmi, we sat down with him to discuss the thinking behind the psychology-led digital programmes he creates, and how these resources help members understand, navigate, and thrive in their obesity journey.
What is the Beyondbmi Community?
The Beyondbmi Community is mislabelled really, because it’s more than just a community - it’s actually where we deliver the bulk of our value to members, outside of their appointments. So it’s firstly a space where people on GLP-1 treatment can connect with each other, if they want to do that. I guess the part that extends beyond a traditional community is where we publish research updates that give our members insights from our expert team on anything weight related that’s been published in research or in the news. We also offer multi-module digital programmes on psychology topics like body image, coping with emotions, emotional eating - things that aren’t always addressed by medication alone.
Why is psychology so central to Beyondbmi’s digital support?
Because although medication helps with our eating behaviour, it might not change our emotional experience, or it doesn’t change everyone’s emotional experience. For example, people can lose weight but may still find it hard to cope with emotions, they might not be satisfied with their appearance even post weight loss, or the beliefs they hold about themselves before weight loss still hold them back post weight loss. GLP-1s can change appetite, but they don’t automatically change how we live our life, or our identity, or how we cope. Without that layer, some people might end up losing weight, but not living the life they had hoped for post weight loss.
As a Head of Physiology, how do you design psychology content for the community?
I start with real member experiences and their needs. So I have a digital whiteboard that keeps track of what our members find challenging from a psychological perspective - things that aren’t addressed through medication alone - and I try to match those needs with psychological skills or concepts that will help offer our members insights, and take action in a way that can support them with that need. For example, the fear of regain is something that comes up a lot - that concern is very normal and it’s a psychological intervention that can support people managing that worry and concern so it doesn’t impact their lives, or their emotional wellbeing. Similarly, if someone has lost weight and isn’t satisfied with their appearance afterwards, that is often a psychological phenomenon that isn’t actually solved through more weight loss.
From there we design content that is basically:
Skills-based (so members can actually use the tools in day-to-day life)
Insights driven (so people gain insight into why they might feel or behave a certain way)
The goal is always to give members something they can use today, not just something interesting to read.
What makes Beyondbmi’s Community Content different from other online material?
It’s not generic advice or motivational soundbites, it's an area that’s been neglected in healthcare for years, and it’s completely unique because very few people talk about psychological health in the same breath as physical health, and unfortunately, many of those who do speak about it are not mental health professionals. Most importantly, it’s written with compassion, not judgement. Our content isn’t trying to tell people what they “should” do, because people have been told that for years. It’s actually helping them understand themselves, and build their own autonomy and skills so they can make the changes they want for themselves.
Final thoughts
Joe’s one-year anniversary is more than a milestone, it’s a moment to recognise the role psychology plays in obesity care, and the impact that accessible, clinician-led content can have in people’s lives.
Through video resources, digital programmes, and thoughtful educational tools, Joe is helping members feel supported, validated, and empowered every step of the way.
At Beyondbmi, we’re proud to celebrate his first year, and we’re excited for everything still to come.
