Meet Marcel Feller from the MAN v FAT Football club in Bury. Marcel joined MAN v FAT Football in February of 2024, when the club launched, grasping an opportunity to tackle weight loss, and reignite a passion for playing the beautiful game.
Discussing the twists of fate that led him to him dusting off his boots, Marcel explains: “Football was everything to me growing up. I spent every spare minute either on the pitch or watching matches. I started playing when I was four and although I dreamed of being outfield, I quickly found myself in goal. I went on to play as a goalkeeper for local, school, and even regional squads.
“When I was 15, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It caused football to slowly start to fade into the background. During chemotherapy, my focus shifted to the computer and it became one of the few things that kept me going. That path eventually led me into a rewarding career in cyber security, but it also meant long hours sitting at a desk. Over time, with football gone from my life, the weight naturally crept on.”
You might think that overcoming cancer would make anything else seem easy, but Marcel found himself struggling to shift the weight he put on over the years. He adds: “I tried all the usual fixes; dieting, the gym, exercise plans, but nothing stuck. I knew I needed to make a change, and I genuinely wanted to, but I couldn’t find the right way to make it happen.”
This was when MAN v FAT came into play for Marcel. He continues: “I had heard about MAN v FAT years before, but I kept putting it off. I didn’t want to join an established club and feel like the ‘new guy’ who couldn’t last more than a couple of minutes on the pitch.
“Then one day, I saw a Facebook ad for a brand-new club opening in Bury. That felt different as everyone would be starting fresh together. I signed up right away, and for the first time in a long time, I felt at ease about giving football another go.”
Coming to the Bury club, Marcel didn’t just find fellow footballers, he found a supportive, friendly, and welcoming community. He says: “The community and support network have been amazing. Everyone is so encouraging, whether things are going well or not, there’s always positivity from teammates and coaches. That constant support has made a huge difference throughout my journey.
“Being part of the community really boosted my mental health, I no longer felt alone in my weight loss journey. Everyone is supportive and sharing tips with each other, which made me feel like we were all in it together.
“It has had such an impact on me that I even shared my MAN v FAT journey during one of my team presentations at work. Afterwards, one of my colleagues reached out as he had been thinking about joining but wasn’t sure. A few weeks later, he signed up and has already been making great progress. In summary: The community makes all the difference.
“MAN v FAT has definitely had a huge impact on my lifestyle. It has been a great way to lose weight without it feeling like a chore. Unlike the gym, it doesn’t feel forced, the focus is on weight loss, but the weekly games make the process enjoyable and something to look forward to. I also really like the weekly check-ins; being able to see my progress in real time has kept me motivated and accountable.
“I have also changed my relationship with food. The tracking has helped me become more mindful of what I eat without cutting out the things I enjoy. I still treat myself to takeaways and fast food now and then, but I’ve found a balance that works for me. “Fitness-wise, the difference has been incredible. When I first joined, I struggled to run at all, but over time my fitness picked up. I never thought of myself as a runner, but I have really started enjoying it. Now, I’ve run two 5k races, and both of my medals are proudly on display.”
Want to join Marcel at MAN v FAT Bury?
You can find out more details on how to register on our website!
