BY PHILL BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County native Madison Mooney stands as a testament to the power of personal transformation and its ripple effect on community revitalization. Following her remarkable journey of bariatric surgery and losing over 278 pounds, she has become a linchpin in various local initiatives, driving significant strides in community engagement, infrastructural stewardship and health advocacy.

From Mooney’s role as a community engagement coordinator for LiKEN [Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network] to her involvement with environmental advocacy groups and Linder’s Gymsters, her story is not just about personal triumph; it is about inspiring a collective renaissance in her hometown.

Community outreach via LiKEN

In 2021, in tandem with her weight loss journey, Mooney began working for LiKEN, a Lexington-based sustainability-focused nonprofit that aims to build and strengthen collaborative networks that focus on knowledge exchange and policy-related initiatives, improving quality of life and building more self-sufficient communities. She represents LiKEN’s boots-on-the-ground in Martin County and has several roles in this position.

“LiKEN saw my potential before I saw it in myself,” Mooney explained. “They have been so supportive of my personal and professional development.”

Mooney’s leadership under LiKEN’s Stories of Place Martin County shows her passion for preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Martin County. She has organized open mic nights, group listening sessions and personal interviews, creating spaces where community members can share their unique stories and fostering a sense of unity and cultural pride.

This initiative, focused on story-based community outreach, emphasizes the importance of storytelling in community identity and cohesion.

Earlier in 2023, Mooney worked on the Martin County Family Cemeteries project, striving to document every grave in the county.

LiKEN’s Stories of Place Residency project at Martin County High School immerses students in their local culture and history through creative art and writing. Mooney leads multiday workshops with students, making them engage creatively with notions of “home” and cultural identity. According to Mooney, this project educates and instills a sense of belonging and pride in the students.

“I’m proud to live and work in Martin County,” Mooney said. “I want to inspire that in others in the community.”

The Appalachian Heirs’ Property Coalition, organized by LiKEN with assistance from the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation, is an initiative focused on providing legal assistance for dealing with “clouded” property titles that occur when a property owner passes away with multiple heirs and no written will. This initiative pilots a program offering free legal and agroforestry services to heirs’ property owners in the region​​. Mooney coordinates this project’s activities in Martin County.

The Water Collaboratory, a project under LiKEN, is dedicated to improving community water quality. It brings together a network of partners focused on ensuring safer and more affordable drinking water.

One key initiative of the Water Collaboratory is the Mountain Drinking Water Project at the University of Kentucky—a study currently underway in Martin and Letcher counties. Mooney’s role in this project is to collaborate with the community, teach residents how to collect tap water samples to test for disinfection byproducts and other contaminants and inform them about how they can get involved regarding the water. 

Environmental advocacy

Mooney’s concern for local resources is evident in her work with the Big Sandy Watershed Watch. She helps the organization conduct water testing for the Big Sandy Watershed three times a year. 

Mooney also helps connect volunteers with training sessions, bringing community members together to participate in environmental monitoring and preservation of natural resources.

She recently joined the board of directors of Friends of the Tug Fork River. This group has removed over 13,000 waste tires from the river that starts near the Virginia line and forms 159 miles of border between Kentucky and West Virginia. 

Empowering women

Mooney’s time at Linder’s Gymsters in Inez is not just about her fitness journey but also about empowering other women on their own path toward a healthier lifestyle. She uses her experience losing weight and getting in shape to motivate and support other women.

Mooney’s presence adds to the nurturing and empowering atmosphere of the gym.

“Linder’s provides a safe space for women to focus on building healthy lifestyles in a really supportive environment,” said Mooney.

Inspiring others through Kentucky Bariatric Institute

Madison Mooney’s journey as a bariatric surgery patient has been a pivotal chapter in her life, significantly influencing her current mindset and approach to community work. The Kentucky Bariatric Institute in Georgetown, where she underwent her transformational surgery, played a critical role in her weight loss journey. Losing over 278 pounds, Madison transformed her physical health and gained newfound confidence and drive to pursue her passions.

“They believed in me and actually made me feel like a person,” said Mooney.

Her transformation caught the Institute’s attention, leading to Mooney being featured in a recent ad campaign.

Mooney grew up in Inez and graduated from Sheldon Clark High School in 2014. She attended Alice Lloyd College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2018, and the University of Kentucky, where she received a master’s degree in social work in 2020.