The fellows concerned with MAN v FAT Soccer at West Palm Seashore in Florida would possibly solely be coming towards the top of their first season, however they’re all in on the MAN v FAT expertise.
They’ve already shifted over 150lbs within the first 9 weeks of being on this system and have fashioned a powerful group underneath the tutelage of their coach Leah Mraz.
One of many gamers main the way in which is John Gerken, whose onerous work has seen him lose 23lbs on the time of writing this text.
58-year-old John advised us: “I began taking part in soccer a bit of later than most, on the age of 10. That first season I performed goalkeeper, and one way or the other I ended up there for the remainder of my profession! At 6’4”, who would have thought I’d be a very good goalkeeper! That mentioned, I’ve all the time thought of myself a disgruntled ahead!
“I performed goalkeeper in school and was a four-year starter. After school, round 1995, I met a bunch of Brits in Miami and performed with them for about eight years. They launched me to Manchester United, and I’ve been a fan ever since.
“I began teaching once I was 25 years outdated and have coached gamers from age 4 all the way in which as much as the school degree—and every thing in between. Teaching has all the time introduced me an incredible quantity of enjoyment. I like giving again to the sport that has given me a lot.”
Father of two John – who has two youngsters (Jack, 21 and Leah, 19) had discovered himself struggling together with his weight and handed 350lbs earlier than discovering MAN v FAT.
Nonetheless, the mixture of soccer and group has been a vital think about him rediscovering his sporting mojo and he’s all set to construct on his early successes on this system.
He added: “I acquired married in 2002 and moved to Pennsylvania. I divorced in 2018 and my weight was one of many points that contributed to that. I’ve struggled with despair at occasions all through my life, and when issues aren’t going nicely, I are usually a stress eater.
“At my heaviest a number of years in the past, I weighed 355 kilos. I wasn’t exercising, I wasn’t socially energetic, and I had misplaced lots of my confidence. However by way of all of that, I nonetheless had soccer. Soccer has all the time been the love of my life, but at that time I didn’t really feel like I may play anymore due to my weight and my age.
“Then someday I noticed an advert on Instagram for MAN v FAT. I instantly thought, this league is for me, and I signed up straight away. It’s the most effective selections I’ve made in a very long time.
“I’ve all the time had a tough time making new pals, however the league has launched me to folks similar to me – individuals who perceive the journey and might relate to what I’m going by way of. I’m making pals, and we even meet up exterior of the weekly periods simply to play and spend time collectively.”
For anybody who has adopted MAN v FAT’s story for some time, the peer to see accountability and camaraderie is vital to this system’s success and John has discovered that to be actually essential for his personal buy-in to what takes place every week.
“One of many issues I like most about MANvFAT is the accountability,” he continued. “Up to now, I struggled to carry myself accountable for my weight—not for myself, not for my spouse, not even for my youngsters or household. However now I discover myself making higher selections due to my teammates – guys I had by no means met earlier than becoming a member of the league. I don’t need to allow them to down.
“I’m additionally a aggressive particular person by nature. The construction of the league, and the way in which your off-the-field weight reduction helps your staff on the sector, suits my character completely.
“So yeah – I like the league and every thing it stands for!”
Wish to be part of John in motion?
You’ll be able to join the West Palm Seashore league on our MAN v FAT Soccer web site. There are new leagues being added the entire time, so have a look round!