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 south for our latest case study, to catch up with Martyn Smith in Poole!
Tell us more about your initial reasons for joining MAN v FAT
I have been on a weight loss journey, yoyo dieting in and out of fitness for the last 10 years or so, going to the gym had never really been for me, and hadn’t really done that well, had never really lost more than a handful of kgs before putting it back on (and more). I am married, and have a 4 and a half year old daughter, and I want to be around for a long time still, and I was aware that being severely obese I was putting myself at risk of heart disease and all the other kinds of disease that go with being that overweight.
So over the Christmas period of 2024, I decided that 2025 would be the year I conquer this weight loss. On Boxing Day 2024, I was just scrolling through Instagram and an advert for MAN v FAT came up, saying they were looking for new players at various clubs, including Poole. I looked it up, and thought, this is right up my street, so signed up there and then, was contacted by the coach in the new year and had my first session on 6th January 2025.
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?
First, of all, don’t give up. It will be hard, but it is so worth it, you are fitter than you have ever been for your entire adult life. You have made some great friends, through the football and accomplished so much! You have lost almost 70kg, you have played in a national football tournament, and talked about your MAN v FAT experiences on the radio! Crazy times.
Who would you like to thank for their help in your progress?
Coach Dan and all my team mates. I couldn’t have done it without them. The whole camaraderie of MAN v FAT is what has kept me going this last year or so.
What are your future hopes around your health and wellbeing?
My hopes are to keep it up, I have hit my BMI Boss weight, so now the real hard work begins, maintaining and keeping the weight off!
How much are you looking forward to the game in May?
I am very much looking forward to the game in May. Looking forward to being managed by an ex-PL manager. If you had told me in January 2025, that 18 months later, I’d be almost half my size, playing regular football, and getting ready to play at a professional football ground, managed by an ex PL manager, I would’ve laughed! Let’s go!
