What was it that attracted you to join MAN v FAT in the first place?
I finally decided that I wanted to change and make it a permanent one. I have dieted before but they were often fads – I’d start well and then tail off. Being a part of a team and the accountability from that, as well as the competitive element of making a difference in the score, really appealed to me.
I’d wanted to get back to playing football for a long time, having not played since school, but didn’t really know where to start or have the confidence to proceed. I saw an ad for MAN v FAT and it just all seemed to click.
Talk to us about why MAN v FAT has been such an important part of your life
MAN v FAT has changed my life in so many ways. From a personal perspective, the weight loss has been incredible but the real life-changing aspect has been my new found fitness. Previously I would be out of breath after almost the first kick of the game. Now I can regularly exercise, run around with my kids and have so much more energy.
Where I used walk around after my daughter, I’m running, dancing and having so much fun playing with her. The fitness results have changed my life so much and it’s a wonderful feeling.
After losing the weight, I then became the coach at my club and it has been even more rewarding than my own weight loss journey. Helping guys improve themselves, lose weight, get fitter and become more confident is just the best. Seeing the difference the guys achieve from all their hard work, there’s no feeling like it.
I’d lost touch with my identity. MAN v FAT has helped rediscover it. There now isn’t a day where I’m not talking about MAN v FAT or planning the next thing we can do to improve our club, improve ourselves, help others and continue moving forward.
How proud are you of what you contributed to MAN v FAT and the support you’ve provided to men in your area (and beyond)?
I’m very proud that I’ve been able to help support others but I’m even more proud of the guys themselves. Seeing the hard work, dedication and graft the guys put in for themselves and each other is nothing short of inspiring. If there’s every anything I can do to help a player, another coach, another club, I relish the opportunity.
You’ve been a key driver of making a collaborative community at the centre of what you do – how important is that to a successful club?
Our community is everything. I talked about losing my identity before MAN v FAT and I believe a lot of others experience that as well. Having a strong, collaborative community allows people to join and not only feel supported but feel safe and comfortable to express themselves.
We’re always learning and moving forward – doing that as a group not only makes us stronger but helps to shoulder the tough parts of life as well. When new players start, having a community to join and shape their MAN v FAT journey is such a positive – we’re all in this together and we’re all there for each other.
Margate is a relatively small catchment area but what really sets us apart isn’t the amount of players who register to our club, it’s the amount that stay with us after registering. Strong foundations really make a difference.
Why do you think MAN v FAT works as a programme to support men of all ages?
The inclusivity of MAN v FAT is second-to-none. Everyone is supported and we’re all here for the same reason. Having that support network, motivation and scales gamification works so well. Often when we look at improving our health you hear many words banded around; accountability, sustainability, motivation, activeness, support network, fun… MAN v FAT has it all, and more!
Sum up MAN v FAT and its community in three words
Inspiring. Motivating. Accountability.
