MAN v FAT Soccer’s players hit a significant landmark this week, as they surpassed 1,000lbs lost since things got underway in the fall of 2024.
The original leagues in Broward, South Miami and Tampa Bay in Florida were recently joined by three more groups of guys in the US, with Long Island City, New Rochelle and Sunset Park getting started in New York in April.
And the six leagues have come together to supercharge their weight loss in recent weeks, culminating with that 1,000lbs total being hit!
Miguel Larossa is one of the original MAN v FAT Soccer players who has had his own successful time on the program in MAN v FAT Broward. He told us: “I underestimated the value of being aligned with a group towards a unified goal.
“The way your fellow club members can lift you up drives me a little harder every day to find solutions for not just myself but others to make things happen that will benefit everyone.
“For a big guy getting back into soccer can be met with downright ridicule, but it goes back to the importance of meeting a group of like minded men. As long as we push each other, have fun playing the sport we thought left us long ago, and lose weight – the people on the outside don’t matter.”
Michael Hess, who has been a coach at MAN v FAT Tampa Bay from when things first got started, said: “I have been fortunate to see these men change their lives for the better through MAN v FAT. The program hits on all three aspects of their physical, mental, and social health which has allowed them to drastically improve their overall wellness.
“Multiple members have lost over 30 pounds since kick-off and have added irreplaceable friendships along the way. MAN v FAT Soccer is saving lives and I am blessed to be a part of their weight loss journey!”
The players in Florida and New York are soon to be joined by four further leagues, with Orlando in Florida following on from our first leagues in Texas (at The Colony – Dallas, Keller – Fort Worth and Houston)
And Director of MAN v FAT, Richard Crick, has been delighted to see the achievements of the American players continue to roll in.
He said: “To hit 1,000lbs lost at MAN v FAT Soccer is an incredible testament to everyone involved in getting this program up and running in the US.
“More importantly than that, it’s testament to every MAN v FAT Soccer player who has taken on their battle with fat and started winning.
“Having been at every US club launch so far, and recently revisited our Florida clubs, it’s so much more than weight loss that has been achieved. Players’ ability on the pitch, the way they support each other and their personal demeanors and outlooks have all changed for the better.
“This is also validation that MAN v FAT is a community that can be successful beyond the UK. In less than a year we’ve already seen US players visiting UK clubs and vice versa which has been fantastic to see.
“This summer we’ll also welcome our American brothers to the UK National Football Tournament as a Miami based team will fly over especially for it.
“As our club count and member count continues to rise in the USA, I have no doubt that our members will continue to do great things – here’s to hoping that we’ll surpass 10,000lbs lost as a community before World Cup 2026 kicks off!”
To see where our MAN v FAT Soccer leagues are currently up and running, take a look at www.manvfatsoccer.com!
