Meet Marcel Feller from the MAN v FAT Soccer membership in Bury. Marcel joined MAN v FAT Soccer in February of 2024, when the membership launched, greedy a possibility to sort out weight reduction, and reignite a ardour for taking part in the gorgeous sport.
Discussing the twists of destiny that led him to him dusting off his boots, Marcel explains: “Soccer was all the things to me rising up. I spent each spare minute both on the pitch or watching matches. I began enjoying once I was 4 and though I dreamed of being outfield, I shortly discovered myself in objective. I went on to play as a goalkeeper for native, college, and even regional squads.
“After I was 15, I used to be recognized with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It triggered soccer to slowly begin to fade into the background. Throughout chemotherapy, my focus shifted to the pc and it grew to become one of many few issues that stored me going. That path ultimately led me right into a rewarding profession in cyber safety, but it surely additionally meant lengthy hours sitting at a desk. Over time, with soccer gone from my life, the load naturally crept on.”
You would possibly suppose that overcoming most cancers would make anything appear straightforward, however Marcel discovered himself struggling to shift the load he placed on over time. He provides: “I attempted all the same old fixes; weight-reduction plan, the health club, train plans, however nothing caught. I knew I wanted to make a change, and I genuinely needed to, however I couldn’t discover the suitable approach to make it occur.”
This was when MAN v FAT got here into play for Marcel. He continues: “I had heard about MAN v FAT years earlier than, however I stored placing it off. I didn’t need to be part of a longtime membership and really feel just like the ‘new man’ who couldn’t final greater than a few minutes on the pitch.
“Then at some point, I noticed a Fb advert for a brand-new membership opening in Bury. That felt completely different as everybody could be beginning recent collectively. I signed up straight away, and for the primary time in a very long time, I felt comfy about giving soccer one other go.”
Coming to the Bury membership, Marcel didn’t simply discover fellow footballers, he discovered a supportive, pleasant, and welcoming neighborhood. He says: “The neighborhood and assist community have been superb. Everyone seems to be so encouraging, whether or not issues are going nicely or not, there’s all the time positivity from teammates and coaches. That fixed assist has made an enormous distinction all through my journey.
“Being a part of the neighborhood actually boosted my psychological well being, I not felt alone in my weight reduction journey. Everyone seems to be supportive and sharing ideas with one another, which made me really feel like we have been all in it collectively.
“It has had such an impression on me that I even shared my MAN v FAT journey throughout one in every of my group shows at work. Afterwards, one in every of my colleagues reached out as he had been desirous about becoming a member of however wasn’t positive. Just a few weeks later, he signed up and has already been making nice progress. In abstract: The neighborhood makes all of the distinction.
“MAN v FAT has undoubtedly had a big impact on my life-style. It has been an effective way to drop some weight with out it feeling like a chore. Not like the health club, it doesn’t really feel pressured, the main target is on weight reduction, however the weekly video games make the method pleasing and one thing to sit up for. I additionally actually just like the weekly check-ins; with the ability to see my progress in actual time has stored me motivated and accountable.
“I’ve additionally modified my relationship with meals. The monitoring has helped me change into extra aware of what I eat with out reducing out the issues I take pleasure in. I nonetheless deal with myself to takeaways and quick meals at times, however I’ve discovered a steadiness that works for me. “Health-wise, the distinction has been unimaginable. After I first joined, I struggled to run in any respect, however over time my health picked up. I by no means considered myself as a runner, however I’ve actually began having fun with it. Now, I’ve run two 5k races, and each of my medals are proudly on show.”
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