With our Amazing Losers game on the horizon, we’re spending the days leading up to kick off meeting the lads who’ll be pulling on the shirts in this year’s game at Walsall FC. We travel to St Helens for the first time, to speak to Beck Phillips!
Tell us more about your initial reasons for joining MAN v FAT
I originally went to the doctor because of anxiety and a few other issues. That was around November 2023. During that appointment, I was told I had high cholesterol and would need to go on medication. That was the first time in my life I’d been told I needed to take a pill for something long-term, and it really hit me. I remember asking the doctor, “Is this forever, or can I actually do something about it?” The answer was simple — lose weight, get fitter, get healthier. That was the wake-up call.
After one final Christmas blowout, I started my weight loss journey in January 2024. I began at 23 stone and managed to lose around two stone in the first few months on my own, getting down to just over 21 stone by March.
Around that time, I saw an advert for MAN v FAT. I’d seen it pop up on Facebook before, but this time it felt different. I’d already started making progress, and alongside the weight loss, I was also working through my anxiety. I realised I didn’t just need to lose weight — I needed structure, accountability, and something that would help my mental health too.
So I took the plunge and signed up. I expected there to be a bit of a waiting list, which would have given me time to process the decision — but I got assigned to a team almost straight away. I joined the Orange team, Foodinese, just as the new season was starting. If I’m honest, I missed my first session because of anxiety. I found excuses not to go. But the lads in the WhatsApp group were brilliant and really welcoming, and that gave me the push to turn up the following week.
From April 2024 onwards, it’s just grown from there. Since joining MAN v FAT, I’ve lost over 50 kilograms, on top of the two stone I’d already dropped before joining. I’ve moved out of the obese BMI category and officially become a BMI Boss — something that once felt completely out of reach. When I look back at old photos now, it’s honestly surreal.
Sometimes I barely recognise myself. It’s such a strange feeling seeing that version of me and remembering how I felt at the time compared to now. But as wild as that is, I’m definitely happier for it — not just because of how I look, but because of how I feel day to day. And now I’m here, invited to the Amazing Losers Game. It’s been some journey.
If you could go back in time and talk to the version of you at the start of your weight loss efforts, what would you tell them about the changes you’ve experienced?
That’s a tough one. I think the first thing I’d tell him is to be patient — especially with the scales. There are going to be weeks where you do everything right and the weight doesn’t move. There’ll be plateaus. There’ll even be small gains. And it’ll feel frustrating. But I’d tell him not to panic. The body is a weird and wonderful thing. Water weight can fluctuate massively — from walking more, from a few sweets, from salt, from stress. A tiny gain doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you’re human. If you keep doing the work in the background, the fire is still burning, even if the scales don’t show it that week.
I’d also tell him that it genuinely does get easier. At the start, everything feels like effort — tracking food, planning workouts, turning up. But over time, it becomes part of who you are. Now, my weeks are built around training. I don’t really debate whether I’m going to exercise — it’s just what I do. It’s muscle memory. That shift in mindset has probably been one of the biggest changes.
Mentally, I’d tell him that this journey will strengthen him in ways he doesn’t expect. I’d already started working on my anxiety and mental health before tackling the physical side, especially after losing my dad. But combining the two — therapy and fitness — has been powerful. I feel more stable, more confident, and more in control of my life than I did back then.
I’d probably also tell him to start running sooner. The first time I tried, I lasted five minutes and had to hobble home, which put me off for a while. But when I finally committed to it properly — using Couch to 5K and just sticking with it — it became a huge part of my journey. The first six months were hard, but pushing through that changed everything. Now I’m training for a half marathon, which would’ve sounded ridiculous to the old me.
And finally, I’d tell him to stop being so hard on himself. Even that first 100g gain felt massive at the time. But in the grand scheme of what I’ve achieved — losing over 50kg, becoming a BMI Boss, transforming my health — it was nothing. If I could sum it up, I’d say this: trust the process, keep turning up, and understand that the changes go way beyond the number on the scales. You’re not just losing weight — you’re building a completely different version of yourself.
Who would you like to thank for their help in your progress?
It’s honestly a very long list. First and foremost, I have to thank my first team — the Orange team, Foodinese. They were my introduction to MAN v FAT and to this whole side of my fitness journey. For those first three seasons, my captain, vice-captain, and the rest of the team were instrumental in building my confidence and giving me momentum. They helped me settle in when I was still battling anxiety about just turning up.
Then I have to thank my second team — VFL Wolfsburg, the Green team, Season 12 champions at MAN v FAT St Helens. I’ve been fortunate enough to serve as vice-captain there, and the numbers we put up were phenomenal. Season 11 was when I hit my 25% bodyweight loss milestone. Season 12 is where things really accelerated — that’s when I reached 30% and then 35%. And in Season 13, I became a BMI Boss. That progression didn’t happen by accident. We ignited something in each other as a team, and that shared momentum pushed me to levels I hadn’t thought possible.
A big thank you as well to the coaches and assistant coaches at MAN v FAT St Helens, and everyone involved in the 11-a-side games. The 11s have become one of my biggest motivators. A lot of my strength and fitness training now is centred around improving my football. I might not be able to train skill the same way I train legs or chest, but physically getting better for football pushes me every week. I also want to thank everyone involved in the wider community — from the Monday night sessions to the friendlies, to organising the 24-hour game. Those events create something bigger than just weight loss. They create purpose.
Outside of MAN v FAT, I owe a huge amount to my family. My wife, my son, my mum, my friends and colleagues — they’ve all supported me through this. My wife and son especially have been incredibly patient, particularly recently when I haven’t stopped talking about protein. My six-year-old now asks how much protein is in his meals, which I’m choosing to take as a positive!
But genuinely, they’ve allowed me the time and space to invest in myself, and that means everything. I also want to acknowledge my therapist, my hypnotherapist, and my physio. The work I did on my mental health and my body before and during this journey laid the foundation for everything that followed. Getting stronger physically wouldn’t have happened in the same way without first doing that internal and physical work.
And finally — as strange as it might sound — I have to thank myself. My therapist would probably give me a slap on the wrist if I didn’t. As much as I’ve had incredible support around me, I’m the one who got up every day, stuck to the plan, turned up when I didn’t feel like it, and kept going through the tough weeks. That consistency is something I’m genuinely proud of. So really, thank you to everyone who’s been part of this — in big ways or small. This journey might be mine, but it’s definitely not been done alone.
Oh – and Roboburton, if you know, you know!
What are your future hopes around your health and wellbeing?
Looking ahead, I’ve still got plenty of goals I want to smash. First off, I’d like to lose another 3–4 kg and keep refining my body composition — particularly working on the loose skin that comes with such a big transformation. Beyond the numbers, I want to keep building strength and endurance, so I can take on bigger challenges, like running a full marathon. That’s been on my radar for a while, and I’m finally ready to commit to it.
Of course, football is still a huge motivator for me, so scoring more bloody goals on the pitch is definitely high on the list! But beyond performance, it’s about feeling good day-to-day — having energy, staying consistent with my training, and maintaining the mental and physical habits that have got me this far. Ultimately, my hope is to keep pushing myself, keep improving, and enjoy the journey along the way — celebrating milestones, big and small, and making sure I continue to be healthier, stronger, and happier than ever.
How much are you looking forward to the game in May?
Honestly, I’m so excited for the Amazing Losers Game. When I hit some of my bigger milestones, I spoke to the coaches and it sounded like I might have qualified for the game. From that point, it became a bit of a waiting game — just being patient, knowing my time would come. MAN v FAT St Helens is such a great club with lots of people who’ve earned the right to play, so I knew nothing was guaranteed, but I really hoped it would happen this year.
I’ve wanted to be part of this game for a long time, especially after hearing the stories of others who’ve played. When the invitation arrived, it was such a surreal moment. My wife had to read it to me initially because I panicked with excitement, and when I realised it was official, I couldn’t stop smiling.
I’m really looking forward to seeing the lads who’ve been on similar journeys, sharing our “war stories,” and just enjoying the event together. My focus now is staying as fit and strong as I can — no more injuries — so I can give my best on the day. This feels like a once-in-a-lifetime moment — something I’ll remember as one of my all-time achievements. I want to make the club proud, enjoy every second on the pitch, and soak up being part of such an incredible day with everyone involved. I honestly can’t wait.
