Co-Founder - Pam

Pamela brings honesty, resilience and years of lived experience to BariFest. After starting her first diet at 15, she spent much of her life caught in a cycle of losing and regaining weight while trying to figure out where she fit in. From chasing the “drop a dress size” moments to navigating life as a mum, the struggle remained the same.

When her weight began affecting her health, Pamela made the life-changing decision to have weight loss surgery. Nearly two and a half years later, she is 10 stone down and finally living the second chance at life she never thought she’d have.

Her journey fuels her passion for helping others break free from the same cycle, making her an inspiring and authentic co-founder of BariFest.

Co-Founder - Anastasia

Anastasia is the heart behind BariFest, bringing powerful lived experience and compassion to the community. After spending most of her life battling her weight and trying every diet possible, things reached crisis point when she tipped the scales at over 32 stone and found everyday life increasingly difficult.

She underwent a gastric bypass in the UK and has since lost 16 stone, transforming not only her health but her entire quality of life. Anastasia still has goals ahead, but she’s now living fully and uses her journey to support those at the higher end of the scale, knowing exactly how it feels to feel trapped in your own body.

Her strength, honesty and advocacy make her an inspiring co-founder and a powerful voice within Barifest.

Co-Founder - Donna

Donna is a dedicated and compassionate co-founder of BariFest, shaped by her own powerful journey. After having her daughter at 22, she spent years battling yo-yo dieting and PCOS, making long-term weight loss feel impossible. During the Covid pandemic in 2021, she decided to take control of her health and travelled to Turkey for a gastric sleeve procedure.

Donna describes herself as a “slow loser,” taking 15 months to reach her goal weight, but the process taught her patience, resilience and true self-love. More than four years on, she has maintained her 8½-stone loss for over two years and continues to thrive.

Her experience drives her passion for supporting others on their own journeys, making her an inspiring and grounded leader within BariFest.

Planning Team - Tariq

Tariq brings warmth, honesty and lived experience to the Barifest team. After years of struggling with his weight and confidence, he reached his heaviest during the Covid period and knew something had to change. He travelled to Turkey for a gastric sleeve, a decision that transformed his life.

Almost three years later, Tariq has lost 9 stone, is six months post-op from plastics and feels healthier and happier than ever. His journey fuels his passion for supporting others, making him a positive and inspiring part of the Barifest community

Planning Team - Ceri

Ceri brings real-life experience and empathy to the Barifest team. After 30 years of struggling with her weight, PCOS and declining health, she chose to take control in July 2023 by travelling to Turkey for a gastric sleeve. Over 20 months she lost 13 stone and transformed her physical and emotional wellbeing.

She is now maintaining her results and continuing her journey with planned plastic surgery. Ceri’s story drives her passion for supporting others, making her a warm and inspiring part of the Barifest community.